It’s the way it’s been done since before there were towns or cities, before kings or queens. First the dogs, the guardians of the settlement. Then the old people, the experience, the knowledge. Next the children, the hope for the future, any chance of reprieve. Finally the adults, until there’s only one left to carry the story. He’ll make them run until they can’t run any further, until their heart bursts and their bones are broken, until there’s just enough life left to tell the tale.
