Throughout their preparations Kyle wondered about the continued presence Of Seeks-the-Moon. The spirit was free, liberated, and beyond Kyle's direct control. He had no reason to remain—could, no doubt, easily escape the besieged city. And yet, Seeks-the-Moon wanted to stay. Kyle wanted to know why, but his growing pangs of guilt over having kept the spirit in virtual thrall for years instead of freeing him, stopped his tongue. Seeks-the-Moon seemed to sense Kyle's distress, but he did or said nothing to ease it.