Nèfele is a cleric, but before she was a cleric she was a midwife, and that's always been the most important thing. More important than quieting the restless spirits, though of course she does that too, and certainly more important than any sort of government project.

There are half a dozen women in her village who are expecting a child this summer or fall. Nèfele has an apprentice, after a fashion, and the apprentice is perfectly competent, but — it's half a dozen women, who'd be trusting their lives to the gods. Nèfele's never been the sort for theology, but it's obvious where her obligations lie.

Nèfele is a cleric, but before she was a cleric she was a midwife, and that's always been the most important thing. More important than quieting the restless spirits, though of course she does that too, and certainly more important than any sort of government project.

There are half a dozen women in her village who are expecting a child this summer or fall. Nèfele has an apprentice, after a fashion, and the apprentice is perfectly competent, but — it's half a dozen women, who'd be trusting their lives to the gods. Nèfele's never been the sort for theology, but it's obvious where her obligations lie.