Rask is the elderly headman of Tirimo, ’s . When she reveals to him that she is an , he admits that his sister was one as well, and was murdered as a child. He decides to personally lead Essun through the town gates so that she might leave safely, even though this will surely diminish his standing as a leader. When one of the town’s guards tries to kill Essun, however, Essun kills Rask along with everyone nearby in her rage and grief.