"I don't know. I reckon I might have had I not gotten sick and had we not lost so many folk. If Micah hadn't had Dutch's ear after Hosea was killed, maybe I'd still be with him." he ate a moment and shook his head, "Too many maybes and what ifs. I know the past can't be changed, ain't never tried to. But least I can do is make sure we didn't leave anythin' behind to hurt more folk. Hence all the questions about them mononokes."

Arthur had another potato, smiled, and gave the medicine seller's temple a greasy kiss. "Tastes real good darlin'"