it was quiet. she had held a small flickering hope that once winter relented and summers warmth washed over the alpine meadows her companions would return..instead it seemed as empty as ever. old trails up the mountain appeared untouched and the air was free from the scent of others. it seemed that for now they were alone. she speaks, a hint of sadness in her voice. too quiet. i fear there may be no one here at all… when i first arrived there were many but our…their…numbers have dwindled…

this sadness came from many things…. the loss of her sisterhood, the loneliness she had felt when she looked out over the empty expanse during her season here by herself, and ultimately the loss of what had been her home here on the islands once she had accepted she wasn’t going to her true home. her heart was torn in two…divided by her loyalty to the peak and what it stood for and another larger part pulling her steadfastly toward kunžak.

she would not be apart from him though. in the back of her mind she wonders if she would survive the separation, remembering the gauntness of her body and weariness she experienced when they parted last. she had always felt strong and bold, like nothing would crumble her… and then her whole life shattered for the first time. she had picked herself up and carried on, resilient as she could possibly be, and then she had met and lost kunžak. it had weathered her in a way she couldn’t have anticipated. she wondered if he noticed, how her world now hinged upon him.