"The only way that you and I will part, now, is in front of that Tower. One of us will die and the other will go forward, Roland. The only parts that we have a choice in involve everything between. If you can hold against that siren call then we can meet one last time. You only have to do that, and ask me not to go without you. To trust you enough to wait. It isn't ka, it's what you choose to do."

If it sounded as if they were having three separate conversations at one time then, well, it was only because they were. She hadn't meant to mention the bit about the Tower and Nariko visibly beat herself up about it, but then shook her head. "I suppose I can't put it plainly at all, Roland, how much of this you leave to the wheel, when the wheel asks you to help guide it."

So was it any wonder that there had been such stagnation? It was like a never-ending showdown.