Kaye took her time climbing the hill. The village looked so small and manageable from the cliff—the people so insignificant except as a whole. Her choice now was between a single, insignificant person and the whole of her tribe. From this view the choice seemed easy—the people would always be more important than the person. But she loved Bryant more than all of those people combined, except Kindra. Kaye knew that she would devastate her sister all over again if she left.

It would devastate Kaye if Bryant left.

“I don’t know what to do,” She whispered to the valley below, her eyes travelling among the tents, stopping with a sad sigh at the all-too-common exclamation of bad news. Another warrior found dead.

A hand on her shoulder made Kaye jump, and she turned to find Celeste, the Daughter’s presence so attuned to the energy around her that Kaye hadn't sensed her approach.

Celeste sat and put a hand to Kaye's cheek, a sad smile on her face. "I am proud of you, Daughter of Aleda. You have learned to listen to the Mother."

Kaye looked away and spoke with a quiet, broken voice. "I haven't made my choice yet."

"You have," Celeste whispered back. "I know the look of it."

Kaye shook her head and closed her eyes. "You cannot know this. It's not just Bryant—it's my sister, and my home across the mountain. I must give them all up."

Celeste brushed Kaye's hair back. "You do not have to give up loving others, Kaye. You only need to listen to Aleda above them all. You must trust Her instead of your own plans to save those you love. She will save or damn them as She deems fit, and you must listen to that in your heart and accept it."

Kaye swallowed hard. "But if they share a piece of my soul, how do I give it over to Her?" Her eyes begged Celeste for an answer. "I don’t mind being sacrificed for their safety, but how do I let them sacrifice themselves for me? I would rather see Bryant or Kindra safe than all the rest of the tribe. If She asks me to choose between them or the tribe, I don't think I can."

The Daughter turned her face to the valley below them, and a small smile tugged at her lips. "It is easier from this height to see what is most important. That is the real reason the Lady lives so high on the cliff. What need have we of safety when we can fly away and save ourselves?" She turned back to Kaye and took her face in both hands. "You cannot tell one from the other from this height. Come up here and look down when you are unsure, and you will have your answer."

The tears in Kaye's eyes spilled over and she knew Celeste was right. "He will never forgive me."

Celeste's smile grew. "He will." She released Kaye and nodded to herself as she looked back over the valley. "He will forgive you in time, whatever you do." She gathered Kaye into her arms and rocked her for a moment. "I believe you have another visitor."

Kaye looked up, expecting Bryant, but it was Timin standing on the edge of the tree-line. She took a deep breath and swallowed her disappointment. "I am sorry for what I said to you, Celeste."

Celeste stood and bowed deeply again. "Our paths will cross again, Kaye Odion, Daughter of Aleda. This is not the end of the Faye's budding relationship with the Tarrin."

Kaye nodded. "Help Bryant find someone to keep that look from his eyes, if you can."

The Faye was already walking back towards Timin, but Kaye could feel her soft laughter wrap around her like a promise. Bryant would not be alone forever.

She stood as Timin approached and tried to smile. "I was never able to thank you."

"It wasn't needed." He reached out and brushed the tears from her cheeks. "I'm glad you were able to make it home, Kaye."

She nodded and looked at the tents below them. "It's not what I left…”

"But it's yours. Home. It's what you wanted all winter." He turned her to face him, his hand warm on her cheek. "It's what I hoped for you."

"Thank you, Timin."

He smiled. "We'll be leaving in the morning, and I know you are busy, so I wanted to say goodbye now. I'm glad I was able to see you one more time, Kaye, to make sure you were safe. Even if the circumstances were not the best."

His hand was still warm on her cheek, and she kissed him once, chastely, before she pressed her lips together and grabbed his hand. "I’m so grateful to you for everything. You are always welcome in Fie Eoin."

He looked down as a rare blush crossed his neck and cheeks. "I would have to bring Misha next time, and our child."

That brought a true smile to Kaye's lips—the first in days. "I'm happy for you. She will be a good mother."

"You would have been, too."

Kaye took a deep breath and squared her shoulders as she looked down on the village. "I plan to do right by my children."