She didn't understand.

The buckling of his knees. Those knees that had always been sure and strong, holding up her father's weight. Her quiet gasp as his body dropped into the sands, her mouth forming the silent pleas.The ever faithful companions of her father fall as well, a tremor runs down her spine. They rest lifelessly in his antlers. Until they end, intertwined, together.

Last there is a final rush of fire, an explosion of magical energy. The last of her father's debts, the final repayment to the Sun God. Returning the blessings that had protected him and his family throughout the Sultan's life.

A pillar of fire, circled by three flaming eagles.

And then, when the fire dissipates, it finally happens. The sight she never thought she'd see.

The Wildfire stops burning.

Aelin the Dreamwalker's eyes pool with salty tears that do not fall. She knows what this is, yet every inch of her refuses to accept it. She does not approach when the crowds gather. Does not seek her mother's comforting embrace, instead she watches from afar. Arguments might erupt, tears will be spilt and hearts will break. It felt as if her soul had shattered. This was not how her life was supposed to happen. Both of her parents were supposed to be with her for many more years to come. None of what she was seeing made any sense.

"Kishi asqoyi. . . . . . " The oath they had given each other. He swearing that he would never leave her. The promise that he would always be around to protect her and their family. She in turn had sworn quietly to herself that she'd always keep an eye on her father and make sure he was okay.

Why...did he promise too much?

Why was he leaving her now?

How could she have failed him so badly?

Aelin had not felt her feet moving her closer to her father's broken corpse. Did not hear the voices or the conversation. Would not have heard her own name being called, did not see her mother's beautiful body. All she was was his crippled body. Gently as if he were a child she pressed her muzzle to his, touching their noses one last time. Rubbed her check against his shoulder and inhaled that scent one last time. Something awoke in her, an anger. A boiling cauldron of fiery rage that she immediately hated those idiots who offered stupid and meaningless words. Only those who loved him, who were his family had the right to be her. With a few quick blinks her vision cleared and she saw them arguing, pulling...no...stealing feathers from her father. They had no right. They had absolutely no claim on any part of her father's body. "You have no right to those feathers." She wanted to scream at them all at once as her gaze darted between them. Thieves. All of them. Instead she returned her eyes to his body. "Gaucho was my father." Not just a leader or a herd member. "My flesh and blood." How could they think it was okay to crowd him and steal from his still warm corpse? With a shake of her head she gently stroked his shoulder again. "Only his family has rights to his belongings. Feathers included." Yet her voice was so quiet it was unlikely anyone heard her.

Two feathers had come loose, no doubt with the other's pillaging the Sultan's body. Delicately she leant forwards and took these ones for herself. "Ave, yeri mithrat ajjin." She whispered to him. There was nothing else to do or say. Stepping away from the body she surveyed the scene, eyes landing finally on her mother. She is numb, empty inside. "Mai." She called softly to her mother, wondering if her mother could help her understand what had happened. "Mai, ave's driv."

"Mai."

Mother. Help me.