The mysteries of editing, or "How did that get in there?"

I've started editing the 100,000 odd words of 'Walking Shadows'. Occasionally that involves putting more words in.
For instance, I have been unnecessarily cryptic about some of Lissa's family background to the point where *I'm* not even sure what I was attempting to say. A more straightforward paragraph early on will make this less of a puzzle. I hope.

Mostly, however, it consists of knocking out words and phrases that make things too long-winded, too confusing or just plain wrong. A description