"Awnga lu Sarentu Na'viyä ayvurit peng."

The song whispered through the forest like a breeze, heavy with the memory of grief.

Knelt as though in prayer, the Tsahik lit another candle, and laid it to rest in the mud.

"Layro, txur, txopuluke Lante ka kifkey."

A watcher perched in the foliage nearby, listening - not that the Sarentu noticed. In mourning, she forgot her vigilance. But was that not the point? To deserve a moment's peace without presumed threat?

She inhaled deeply, and sang.

"Var awnga yivo-"

SNAP

Her ears folded flat, her chorus caught in her throat. She raised her voice though chose to keep her back to the forest.

"Wrrza'u," she demanded. "I know you are there."