 What is ironic about the conclusion of the story?
But its outward perils could not compare with the Ryzgas themselves, who slept within, ready to wake and conquer.... From the other direction, the long way that they two had come, it was not difficult to sense the thought of Groz. For the flame that had sprung between them at the Truce of New Grass, she had challenged the feud of their peoples and had left her home, to follow him. Now, if her father and his kinsmen overtook them, it would be death for Var, and for Neena living shame. Which of the two was worse was no longer a simple problem to Var, who had grown much older in the last days. While she waited he spun a dream, attaching it to the crags that loomed over the pass, and to the frozen ground underfoot. It was black night, as it would really be when Groz and his henchmen reached this place; lurid fire spewed from the Ryzga mountain, and strange lights dipped above it; and for good measure there was an avalanche in the dream, and hideous beasts rushed snapping and ravening from the crevices of the rock. It was starry night already when they saw the light from the Watcher's cave. The light shone watery and dim from beneath the hoary back of the glacier, and as they came nearer they saw why: the cave entrance was sealed by a sheet of ice, a frozen waterfall that fell motionless from the rocks above. Both had heard of this place, and the ancient who lived there to keep watch on the Ryzga mountain, as a part of the oldest legends of their childhood; but neither had been here before. Behind them began a tinkling of falling water, thawed from the glacial ridges above to descend sheet-wise over the cave mouth, freezing as it fell into lengthening icicles. Hot food and drink were before them almost at once. Warming to the old man now, Var sketched his and Neena's history briefly. And before very long, I'm sure, I would have performed some deed which Groz would recognize as a worthy exploit, and would thus have healed the feud between our families. I must be above feuds and families." I have only one idea left: we can go where Groz may fear to follow us." That is the second part of the law the First Watcher made: to guard lest the unwary and the ignorant should bring harm on themselves and on all men."
 The slave masters of the Ryzgas were ultimately eradicated by their own slaves
 The slave masters of the Ryzgas were ultimately eradicated by their own slaves  Humans seem to feel they have no other alternative than to kill and cause suffering before they can establish peace  Var will likely be killed or imprisoned for life, and Neena will bear the mark of shame for eternity  Despite the Watcher's message, Var continued his journey to the mountain in pursuit of personal gain