Amanita White Bear stacked his new toilets one on top of the other until the pile was taller than he was. It was hard work for an old man and he sat down to catch his breath. He dug through his jeans and pulled out his father's old pocket knife, unfolding its time-etched blade with deliberate care. The edge was only two inches long but it had a quick temper and a long reputation for nicking careless fingers. Amanita turned to face the sky, quietly chanting a song to the Raven Mocker using the ancient words, telling it what had been done and what yet remained. The path was set. He prayed he was right and asked God to forgive him. Then he sank two inches of bitter steel into his wrist and twisted it in a circle.

Nothing could stop him now.