The funeral was a week later, or what ever their burial ritual was for the dead. It certainly was different from the ways of Fellshore. Each day there was a ceremony to prepare the body, gifts of many things were placed beside Saria.

That is what Jaida had told me, as I had remained in bed the next few days after the death of Saria. The cuts on my ankles weren't too deep, but it still hurt to walk. They have been heavily wrapped in bandages from the tribe's healer. He made sure they did not get infected. Even though the pain had went away, I didn't want to go out side. I was afraid of what I would face. After that night I hadn't seen anyone, Kern, Seanne...Zachan. If people truly knew what happened I wouldn't know.

Today I was forced out of bed by Jaida, shoved into a dress with a heavy red sash and buried in furs.

I had told her." It wouldn't be right if I went."

She knew what I meant, that Zahcan's wife showing up to his love's funeral wouldn't seem appropriate. But Jaida just shook her head.

"It would not be right if you did not... people would know you were avoiding it for a reason."

She was right, but still I was reluctant." What if I said I didn't want to go?"

A half hearted smile appears on Jaida's lips." You would still go, because it is the right thing to do... you have already done something like that before."

Now I am standing on the shores of the Southern lands. It wasn't as cold as the days before, nor was the wind blowing harshly. The sea was calm and it barely rocked the wooden boat containing Saria's body. She was not covered by fabric, and I could finally see her face. She looked like Seanne, her sister. But her features were slightly softer, her jaw rounder. Saria was quite beautiful.

The ceremony started, all of the tribe was gathered around the open area of the beach. I was forced to stand beside Zachan, I didn't dare look him in the eye.

We were closest to the shoreline, the water nearly lapping our toes. Kern and Seanne stood a little distance to my left, their eyes fixed straight at their sister's body. Chief Kono chanted prayers for a solid hour as my legs began to ache. Soon after six warriors emerged from the crowd, clad in their uniforms, two females and four males. They strode into the waves, not flinching from the water that would be freezing cold. They grabbed a side of the boat each and pushed it out to open ocean.

It bobbed along, going further out. Movement to my left caught my eye. Kern had lit a torch. Seanne had drawn a bow. The arrow was placed in the flame and Seanne aimed it at her sister. From being closer then the others I could see the bowstring quiver as she drew it back. Letting go the arrow pierced the air, soaring until it dived into the boat.

It was consumed in flames quicker then I would have thought possible. But I watched the boat grow smaller in the horizon, listening as everyone behind me was leaving, heading back to the haven. Nothing else was said.

I stayed though, watching Kern and Seanne slowly leave with the trickle of people. Chief Kono, by Zachan gave his son a long look, not knowing what to say. Or maybe he couldn't bring him self to say anything. He leaves as well.

When Zachan and I are the only ones left on the beach is when I turn to him. His face was blank, void of the emotion I saw him express the night of her death. Maybe that was all the emotion he possessed. And like the boat containing Saria's body, it had vanished with her.

I start walking back as well. But before I walk into the forest I turn around. There, Zachan stood still watching the ocean, the burning boat just a mere spot.

It hit me then that Zachan was in the middle. Saria was out there, and here I was. He had a choice. And as Zahcan's back was to me he had made it, or fate had.

I turned my back on him and walked to the haven.

.-.--.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

That night there was a solemn feast held in the middle of the haven. I had attended but no one bothered to talk to me. I didn't really bother to talk to them.

As I headed back to my tent I realized why Zachan was not at the gathering. He was in our bedroom, a large leather pouch open on the bed. He was packing away items inside, pausing when he sees me enter.

We stare at each other for a moment before he finishes placing something in his bag.

A wave of worry hits me." Are you leaving?"

He yanks over the top of the pouch and secures it." Yes." He slings it over his shoulder.

"Where are you going?" I ask taking another step into the room, my crossed arms unfolding out to my sides.

"I don't know." He replies, moving to exit the bedroom. He brushes pass me and I follow him as he approaches the exit of our tent.

"When will you be back?"

"I don't know." He reaches to pull back the flap.

"Zachan." I say his name calmer, hoping to catch his attention.

He stops, craning his head in the slightest to look at me. Those dark eyes having no light sparked within them.

"I don't know what it is to love someone like that... and I guess I never will know." I pause, swallowing hard. " But you can't run away from it, you can't run away from pain."

" Or you can not hide from it either." He turns his body to fully face me." You should take your own advice, as I know you hide away in here from my people out there. Your in pain from being forced to be here. So you hide away... How is it any different?"

His words have me stumped. I try to speak a reply; my mouth gabbling for anything, but it was too late.

"Goodbye, Aleenia."

He was gone.

Zachan has left the building... or tent. But don't worry folks he will be back sooner then you might think. Sorry for the wait and short update, been a little busy.

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