Inric makes his way up the external ladder, then follows Copper down the internal ladder. The inside of the mound is cosy, with a banked and smouldering fire inside the oven under the ladder, painted abstract designs on the walls and a comfortable looking platform opposite the oven wall. The woman goes to the platform and squats down, pointing at the floor just in front of the oven. A rush mat covers the dirt, out of reach of the fire. "You can sit there," she says, and glares at Copper, who has come close to the book. Inric sits down awkwardly and takes his hat off. Copper comes to sit next to him, gaze still fixed on the book which is tucked in beside the woman. She takes a breath to speak, then stops to collect herself, one hand to her face only partially hiding old pain.