Jen draws from the description of Corbeau’s emptiness in the wake of Stenfalk’s death that Durand (the real life version of Corbeau) “must have changed after Ekstrom died.”

As S. and the other two descend into the cave, the point of view shifts to a vulture circling outside. This reference seems slightly out of place but it goes in line with the many subtle bird references throughout the novel. It is possible that Dorst is trying to communicate something through this motif.

Corbeau, Pfeifer, and S. travel through the cave and the history of a civilization unfolds before their eyes…