[ On the island, he had the spur of urgency and the aid of another set of hands to ease the parting. Out in these woods, there's no one here to drag Kate unwillingly away, no imminent certain end to force her to flee against her compassionate instincts.

If he was dying faster, perhaps he could convince her with that, but this long, slow end would keep her at his side for who knows how long, even with the cold.

He knows what comes next. He's always possessed clarity at the worst of times. But his spirit bucks against it, convulsing like the insensate animal thing it is. ]

So I can be dosed and scourged in turns, rotting in a sickbed? I've had my fill of that. [ He scrapes his nails through the dirt, dragging up another palmful. ] And to what end, knitting this poor flesh back together? What purpose do you see for me here? Can you afford to coddle a invalid, then a cripple?

Even if you could bear it, I could not. Not - [ a shudder runs through him, his mouth twisting ] - not at the cost.

You're so fragile. All of you. Brief lives on the earth. All flesh is grass, and such- such shallow roots.