So much had changed in such a short time. Riopat had long since learned how to deal with sorrow on her own, but the loss of a child and a king within the same season? It was too much for the young, kindly healer. Mortz was supposed to be there with her for times like this, but he seemed as distant as he could be, and Riopat was always found by herself. She could handle the leadership change, but Story? How could she tell her mate that she lost one of their children who was then found murdered on the borders of their home? How could she face the other two children? She had to get out, had to leave a home that had once made her safe, now it made her nervous and paranoid of all the new faces. It was too much change.

Dainty snow colored paws move her as far as Ruieze before she breaks down. Hiding on the banks in the long grass, Riopat slumps down to her stomach and cries quietly in the tall reeds there. She is unknowing of the gathering just a few yards away, the sorrow is simply too much for her to care about others at the moment. They never seemed to care for her in return, why should she care for them? The ones she loved the most were never there or had been taken away from her, the only two she had left were Novel and Rune, and she didn't see much of them either. What did this leave her with but a heavy heart and a bitter soul?