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[spoiler]
A mysterious stranger has EATEN the demondim???? Say what???? 
And he is still out there, patiently waiting by an undying fire that needs no fuel?
That certainly sounds like the way the Mahdoubt similarly waited by a similar fire in Garroting Deep... 
The Masters are uncertain of who he is, other than he is powerful, so they have not approached or questioned him...perhaps primarily for mysterious reasons of their own, which Stave will not talk about in front of the rest of the group. 
So, after sending everyone out on errands, Linden eventually heads out to face him with Stave, the three Humbled on their heels.
His voice is that of one of Anele's possessors; he somehow unraveled the demondim; he admits to being called the Harrow of the Insequent; he does not seem to have much trouble fighting off the haruchai who immediately attack him the moment they learn his race; he wants Linden's Staff and the white gold ring; and he gazes into Linden's eyes and takes over her mind.
Stave begins attacking the harrow's eyes, and the Humbled follow his lead. Linden frees herself long enough to summon the Mahdoubt.
And the old mysterious woman comes.
She proves herself stronger than the Harrow, and gains his oath that he will never take over Linden's mind, spirit, or body again.
And in doing so, she sacrifices her sanity and life for the sake of Linden. 
And Linden attacks the Harrow with the Staff of Law.
Her vehemence was hot enough to resemble the fire which had fused her heart. It should have burned its way deep into his brain. If it had left him blind and useless, as doomed as the Mahdoubt, she would not have permitted herself one small stumble of regret. This was what she had become, and she did not mean to step back from herself.
But the Harrow slaps away her attack like water, and is unscathed. And he departs...
And so the healer has become once again, someone who can kill... 
And both the Mahdoubt and Stave make their disapproval known...
The Mahdoubt assures them that nothing can be done for her; she is made from birth to go mad and die if she should interfere with another of her race. The Vizard also went mad and died as a result of interfering with the same being - the Harrow. And the Mahdoubt syas that long ago the haruchai has met the Vizard, and that story must be told. She says that Linden's deeds will engender horrors, but that Linden must be trusted. It is the paradox thing again about the white gold wielders - salvation and damnation in one package.
So Stave tells linden the story, of how long ages ago, the haruchai met the Vizard of the Insequent, how he defeated their entire army, and the ntold them he was not even the greatest warrior of his people - for the greatest would be the Theomach, Ak-haru Kenaustin Ardenol, the guardian of the One Tree. 
The Vizard had humiliated he entire haruchai race. And they did not begin to believe in themselves again until Brinn defeated the Theomach.
As a last gift to Linden, the Mahdoubt tells her that she can trust Stave.
And then, she turns to go, falling into madness.
[/spoiler]
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