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Chapter 5 - To Ordon
The cold, black night sky gave way to deep purple hues before Isha finally stirred from her place among the debris. Link, his mind just slipping into a cloudy stupor from his lack of sleep, jumped when his hand slid from her back to the cold dirt. He stood alongside Isha, who did not lift her head.
"I have to bury her," she finally said as she rose to her feet. "She deserves a proper resting place."
"Tell me how I can help."
She shook her head, her dirty hair falling over her stooped shoulders. "There's nothing you can do, and I mean it this time. Leave. Go. Get some rest and go away."
He fought the urge to sigh, the smell of rotting flesh still pungent in the air. "I'll be at the spring, then."
"Wherever you wish." Isha knelt down and began sifting through the rubble once again.
Her heartbeat pounded in her ears as she silently contemplated the message that Eldin had delivered to her in her mourning, listening for Link and his mount to leave.
"Your first trial is complete," Eldin's voice had echoed through her mind, commanding her attention in a way he had never done so before. "Go now, and follow the Hero Chosen by the Gods to Ordona. A great destiny lies open for one willing to chase it. If it is adventure and revenge you crave, seek counsel with the Light Spirit there."
No time to properly mourn, she thought with disdain. Eldin's words might have stirred excitement in her at one time, but now it felt like a pity prize. Perhaps he just wants to get rid of me. She supposed she hardly deserved any better after the horrible things she'd said.
Her thoughts of irritating Light Spirits were interrupted by a churning in her stomach as the smells and sights around her finally sunk in, breaking past her grief. Though her short vigil had helped to dispel a bit of her grief, Isha realized just how horrendous a rotting corpse could be, regardless of the loved one who once occupied it. She barely managed to turn away before losing the contents of her stomach.
What a disgusting sight, the thought could not be ignored. Isha couldn't bear the thought of anyone else seeing her mother in such a state. Hell, she could hardly bear the thought of seeing it with her own eyes.
Link's face had been as green as his strange outfit when she stole a glance at him just before he departed, and she might have laughed in different circumstances. The warmth of his hand between her shoulder blades stayed with her, a reminder that even in such a gruesome place, she had not been alone.
She cracked her knuckles and examined the gloves he'd given her. They'd been a dark-dyed brown leather material, though now they were significantly more tinted red, and she assumed much of it was her own blood, from the way her hands still burned. She frowned. She'd have to pay him for the gloves, she figured. I'll have to go back home and make sure my safe made it through everything.
The thought of seeing more destruction made her pause, though. Perhaps she would just leave it. It wasn't like she had much, anyways.
Pulling together the last of her strength, Isha began carefully arranging rocks and bricks around where her mother's torn body lay. She created a small, vaguely-circular burial mound to cover up the macabre scene before her. With every piece placed, her fighting spirit began to awaken, and a plan took shape in her mind. She located a broken shard of an old vase her mother had valued so dearly, and decided it would do the trick.
"I'll find them, Mom. Every single one of those monsters and anyone responsible for their return. I will make sure that every last one falls. The very least I can do to atone for my bullshit." In a quick motion, she sliced her palm open with the shard and allowed her blood to run down over the top of the little tomb she'd made. "Thank you for loving me, despite it all. I'm sorry if I made it hard sometimes," she added in a whisper.
Finally, Isha stood and took one last look around at what remained of the home that raised her. Isha rolled her shoulders and whispered a final goodbye to everything she knew and loved, then turned to leave for Eldin's spring.
The bare minimum that useless bird can do is clean my clothes for me, she thought with spite.
"I heard some decent news from Renado this morning."
Isha's unexpected voice woke Link with a start, his strange green cap falling from his face and into the dirt. He'd taken to a comfortable spot by the spring for his nap, and had just drifted off to sleep when she approached.
"Sorry," she added sheepishly. "I thought you'd hear me coming."
Link reached for the fallen hat and laughed. "It's fine. What did you hear?"
Isha continued past the young man and walked straight into the stream, her dirty clothes turning nearly black as they soaked up the water. "He was able to catch the postman last night and sent a letter requesting a crisis response team from Castle Town." She paused to dunk her face underwater. "They'll likely arrive within the next day or so, and help clean up the town. It's good news because that means they'll bring soldiers along with them. So the kids won't be unprotected when we leave."
"We?" He cocked his head to one side and sat down close to the water's edge. "Where are you going?"
She gave him a strange look. "You're chasing after whoever commands those monsters, aren't you? Eldin told me," she added, as though it were the obvious source. "Or did he mess that up, too?"
"...Eldin?"
Isha waded closer to shore. "Yes, the shitty bird that specializes in light shows and not much else. He told me last night that I am to go with you."
Link's head began to spin, unsure if she could have said anything stranger at that moment.
"You'd feel better if you soaked in the spring, you know," she said. "It's really helpful for relieving fatigue."
He didn't bother to tell her that he was well aware of the magical properties of a Light Spirit's spring, having grown up just next to the Spirit Ordona's own spring. Link pulled his tunic over his head and removed his boots before wading into the waters up to his waist. Isha drifted further away from him, leaving a trail of blood and dirt behind her as the cleansing waters worked their magic on her stained clothes and skin.
"Sorry, I'm just a little confused," he replied and splashed water over his face. "I won't lie and say I wouldn't mind the company, but are you sure that it's a good idea with your injuries? Have you ever traveled a long distance before? And are you…okay?"
Isha lifted her hair, pulling it to the side and pointed to a spot on the back of her head where the dark purple tell-tale signs of bruising were visible even beneath her sopping wet hair. "It's just bruised, and the spring should heal any major damage anyways." She shrugged as she released her hair once again and flopped onto her back, crystal clear water splashing up around her. "As for everything else…I think I will be okay, with time."
"And this whole thing with Eldin 'telling' you to go with me?" Eldin had mentioned that an artifact Midna was seeking was hidden within Death Mountain, but said nothing about the village or its surviving residents. Wouldn't that be something worth mentioning to me?
"Yes, that is what I said, thank you for listening." She kicked her legs a little, floating back over to the young man now sitting in the shallows of the lake. "But really, where else would you expect me to go, even if he had remained silent?"
Link gave her a half-smile. "To tell you the truth, I expected you to ask to escort the kids home. Renado told me you were a teacher before… all of this. And I can tell the kids already think the world of you. I would have been shocked if you didn't try to weasel your way into getting them home. You seem to be really good with young ones, did you watch after all your village's children?"
To his surprise, Isha rolled her eyes at this. "Only because I had no other choice, and because nobody else would have taught them the things that mattered. I never wanted to be a slave to someone half my age, but that's the curse of being the first child born in this dead town in thirty years." Her eyes shone with unshed tears and her face softened. "I did care for them dearly, though."
"I understand," he said. "Sounds like we're alike in that way. In my village, everyone raises every child, but the older ones are usually shouldered with all the hard stuff. I've watched the kids nearly every day since Ilia was born. Wasn't exactly something I chose either, but I couldn't say no."
"But you care for them deeply, too."
"Of course. They're family to me."
Faces full of hope and wonder that her mind was still too afraid to recall suddenly flooded Isha's thoughts. She remembered each and every one of her students' shining faces as they pranced into the classroom every morning, a chorus of "hello!" and "I missed you!" ringing through her ears. Isha remembered their incessant questions and never ending thirst for knowledge. She never thought that she would miss the stream of repetitive questions. "Of course," she whispered. "The kids were the best thing about this village."
"Children usually are," Link nodded, splashing some of the spring water over his face. "Adults are a pain in the ass."
She gave him a strange look. "And you are how old?"
"What a question to ask a man you just met," he scoffed.
"Nineteen?"
"Do I really look that young? I'm flattered," he lifted a hand dramatically to his chest.
"You don't look much older. I'm twenty, myself."
"Twenty-three."
"That is shocking." Isha leaned in and gave him a curious look. "Are all the men in your family so baby-faced?"
Link's hand shot to his bare chin and his haughty expression fell. "Bold to seek a fight with someone you're expecting to travel with."
Isha could not help but laugh at his embarrassment. "You will know if I am looking for a fight, dear hero."
"I'm guessing you heard that from the spirit as well," he replied.
"What ever do you mean, 'Chosen by the Gods?'" she continued in a sing-song voice. "That's a perfectly normal thing to call someone."
Link rolled his eyes. "Anything the spirit didn't tell you?'
Isha stuck her tongue out at his lack of reaction. "Actually, there is something I've been wondering about that hasn't been brought up yet. Why a sword, of all things?"
Link appeared almost offended by her question. "Why a bow?"
"Because it's an excellent weapon that allows you to stay out of range or even out of sight, useful in a variety of combat scenarios, and is also incredibly useful for hunting, of course."
"And who taught you all of that?"
It was Isha's turn to be confused. "...My dad…?"
"The man I look up to as a father taught me how to use a sword in combat," Link replied. "He risked his life trying to find these kids, you know. Colin is his son. The least I could do is destroy those monsters with the same sword he wielded."
"Oh…" Isha looked lost in thought. "You know, if he'd had a spear or a staff-"
"A sword is perfectly fine," Link cut her off. "And it's what I prefer. If you know so much, why don't we spar sometime? I'll even let you use whatever long-range weapon you want."
A hint of mischief sparked behind her eyes. "I'll keep that in mind for when you irritate me."
"Noted," he replied and stood up. "We should get going soon, then, if we want to make it to Ordon before nightfall. Is there anything else you need to do before we go?" He extended a hand to his new traveling companion. She accepted the help, but did not let go of his hand upon standing.
"I'm just ready to get the hell out. Here's to safe travels," she said, holding his gaze with a smile that did not reach her eyes.
Link returned her gaze and shook her hand. "And to new friends."
"As well as revenge. Now, get me the hell out of this place."
The sun was already hanging low in the sky by the time the pair reached Faron Woods, their journey across Hyrule Field mostly taken in silence. Isha, for all her bravado about finally fleeing her hometown, had fallen quiet when they passed the last of the canyon walls and the red clay gave way to verdant rolling fields. She rode the entire way sitting backwards in the saddle, her back pressed against Link's for stability as she held her bow in her hands, ready at any moment to raise and fire against any threats.
Thankfully, there were few monsters in the southern fields, likely because there were few settlements out this way to be terrorized or preyed upon. Aside from the occasional bokoblin - ugly little blue goblins that lived in small groups and sought to rob and harass unfortunate travelers - the area was fairly safe, much to Link's relief. The kids would have a safe journey home and would be able to enjoy themselves, when that time came.
The twang of bowstring behind him caught Link's attention, and his sharp Hylian ears followed the sound of a steel-tipped arrow slicing through the air into the treeline that marked the edge of the woods. A shadow swayed and fell off to Link's left, a bokoblin he'd not yet noticed letting out a final screech before its life left it for good.
"Excellent catch," he called over his shoulder. Isha simply pushed back against him in response, pulling her braided hair over her shoulder.
It was rather nice to be able to ride without having to strain to take in everything around him at all times. With Isha's keen eyes and swift reactions, he was able to relax a little and focus more on the road ahead. Though at first he'd been unsure about having someone else to keep an eye on and consider, her skills with the bow were unlike anything he'd seen before, and it made him feel far more secure about her ability to care for herself.
"If you're tired, we can stop at Faron's Spring," he tried again to initiate conversation.
"I'd like to avoid Light Spirits for a moment."
Link sighed, wondering what had happened to the teasing chatterbox at the spring. Having a new companion who didn't treat him like an errand boy was an exciting prospect, but he still worried for her emotional wellbeing.
They passed a shack Link recognized and he slowed Epona to a canter. "You can relax now, we'll be there soon."
Isha released a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. The forest around them was silent and dark, the massive trees forming a nearly impenetrable canopy above and blocking out the red evening sun. She took a moment to take in her surroundings, not searching for threats but instead taking in the details around her. The way the leaves rustled with a gentle breeze, tiny fits of light doing their best to reach the forest floor. The path beneath them was well-trod, the lack of sunlight making it difficult for any brush of substantial size to flourish.
In the silence, Isha struggled to keep her mind clear of the destruction she'd left behind. Feeling any sort of positive way about her "adventure" made her stomach churn. How could she enjoy any part of this beautiful, wonderful world when nearly everyone she'd known and loved all her life met such horrendous, ugly ends?
They passed through a tunnel, the road becoming more and more steep as they traveled up into the small mountain range that made up most of the Ordona province. Though she'd never left her village before, Isha had read plenty about the main provinces of Hyrule, including the smaller regions outside of Hyrule proper. They say Ordon village actually sits almost as high as the secondary towers at Hyrule Castle, nestled among smooth-topped mountains and plateaus that were deceptively tall.
They came to a fork in the road and Link released Epona's reins, letting them fall onto the saddle in front of him. He removed his cap and ran his fingers through his hair. Epona continued down the trail to the left, her steps slowing as if even the old mare still found beauty worth admiring in her homeland.
Link turned his head to see Isha staring at the dropped reins. At least she's still alert. "Should be passing Faron's spring any time soon. From there we'll take the bridge across Faron Gap and we'll be in Ordona." He patted his horse's neck. "She doesn't need me to tell her how to get home."
The young woman nodded, looking again at the forest around them. "You know, I've only seen true forests in books. I've never seen anything like this in person. I… I truly don't know what to say right now."
He chuckled. "I felt the same when I saw Kakariko Canyon for the first time. I didn't know that any rocks other than rubies could be so red. And Death Mountain… I've never seen anything so tall. Before all of this, I'd never even explored most of Faron Woods. I've always been in Ordon, and I'd never had a reason to leave."
"You enjoyed your life as a rancher, didn't you?" she asked quietly.
"I did."
"I guess you wish you had never left."
The swordsman sighed. "That's a difficult one," he admitted. "I wish I didn't leave under the circumstances I had to. I wish I hadn't seen the things I've seen since I left. I wish I had a choice in it all. I would have liked to see all of Hyrule at some point." He felt her lean back against him, her head resting against the back of his neck. "I was supposed to go to Castle Town just before those monsters came. Was supposed to be some great adventure where I'd deliver a sword to the Royal Family. It was… supposed to be a fun trip."
"Getting out of Kakariko was the only thing I've ever wanted," she replied, her voice sounding defeated. "Dad had so many amazing adventures when he was a soldier and an adventurer. He told me all kinds of stories about the places he went, the things he saw and the people he met. For as long as I can remember, I've been dreaming of doing the same thing. I thought… I thought when I came of age, I would be seen off with a smile by my family, bow and staff at my back and the world in front of me." She lifted her palms into the air in a depressed shrug.
"I should be over the moon right now. I mean, I'm already seeing scenes I've only ever been able to imagine. Entering entirely new climates and regions. A light spirit spoke to me and sent me off, even called it an 'adventure.' I should be excited and taking in the sights and happy, and I'm just….not."
"You've been through a lot, and none of it was what you probably imagined. Give it time," he urged her gently. "It would be unfair to yourself to expect to get over things so soon."
Isha sighed and leaned forward, her arms resting on the sleeping roll attached to the back of Epona's saddle. "You're right," she replied after a few long moments. "You know, I-" her eyes drifted down. "Oh gods, that's a drop…"
Epona had stepped out onto the bridge that marked the border between the Ordona and Faron provinces, a deceptively steady suspension rope bridge strung above a chasm so deep that the bottom was shrouded in darkness. Isha shuddered, wondering if this was how Gorons felt looking down from Death Mountain.
Link did not respond, instead reaching for the reins and gripping them so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. He kept his eyes focused on the solid ground across from them and tried to keep himself from shaking. It's fine, almost there…
Even Epona seemed to walk with far more care, the boards creaking beneath her hooves with every step. The wind rushed around them, threatening to push them off into the unforgiving gorge beneath them. The pair remained quiet during the entire crossing.
As soon as Epona's hooves left the bridge, Isha pushed herself from the saddle, leaping to the ground and grabbing onto one of the posts that held the bridge up.
Despite the dread that still constricted his chest, Link laughed. He loosened his grip on the reins once more. Epona stopped, waiting patiently for her passenger to return.
"I think I'm good to walk from here," Isha said breathlessly.
"You can face a band of monsters by yourself, but the top of a canyon does you in? Did you not grow up in a canyon?" he teased her, leaning over in the saddle to poke her shoulder.
"Don't think I didn't see you clinging to the reins like a terrified baby to its mother," Isha snapped back, lifting her chin and walking past him. He bit back a laugh at her red face. "Come on, I'm hungry."
He clicked his tongue, urging Epona forward again. "Oh, you thought I was going to feed you?"
"Of course, I shouldn't have expected manners from a goat herder from the mountains."
"You grew up under a rock."
"Many rocks, thank you," despite everything, a real smile graced Isha's lips.
Link gestured ahead to an opening between the trees. "We're here."
Epona slowed to a stop in a clearing that housed a quaint little tree house at the edge of the forest they'd just passed through. On the ground outside stood several training dummies, and targets were set up in the branches nearby. The sight made her suddenly nostalgic for her own training area at Eldin's spring. Her smile faded.
Link dismounted and began removing Epona's tack while Isha took in the sights. Once free of her saddle and bridle, the mare trotted over to a long patch of grass and began seeking her dinner. Link tossed her saddle over a low-hanging branch, then turned back to Isha.
"It's not anything fancy, but this is my place," he gestured.
She nodded approvingly. "It's cute."
The young swordsman gave her an annoyed look before turning and ascending the ladder. "I may make you sleep outside."
"It's a compliment," she followed after him.
The little tree home didn't sit too far off the ground, its foundation beginning at the lowest branches of the old oak it was built into. Now that she was closer, she could see the rough cuts of unfinished wood that formed the walls of the structure, held together with packed mud and thick ropes. The flooring beneath her felt solid, though, and she decided to trust the rough workmanship. Link opened the front door for her and gestured for her to enter first, which she accepted.
The inside, though small, made excellent use of the vertical space the large tree allowed it. As she stepped into the center of the main room, she could see another set of ladders leading to two separate lofts above, each with its own rounded window. A stone fireplace sat at the opposite wall, soot staining the floor around it from years of use. Next to it was a cabinet hewn of the same stone that was piled up with various dinnerware and cookware. A couple of rugs and pillows sat beneath a tall window across from the kitchen area, with a low wooden table between them.
"Be mad at me all you want, this is cute," she repeated. "Like what you'd expect a forest elf to live in." She looked at him with a raised brow, noting his green tunic and matching hat. "Actually, I'm starting to get suspicious."
"I guess there are worse things you could call it," he sighed, pulling the lid off an icebox built into one of the walls.
"Might be the most interesting thing I've seen so far."
Link clicked his tongue in irritation and turned to face her. "Picking a fight again?"
Isha cocked her head to the side in confusion. "I wasn't being sarcastic," she said defensively. "Sorry if I said something bad."
The young man sighed and ran his hand down his face. "I think we're both just tired. Let's eat and then I can get a bedroll out for you. You can have the first loft."
She nodded. She'd refused lunch when they'd stopped earlier, her stomach still churning from the trauma of the past few days, but as they traveled further from Kakariko and the scenery changed so drastically, her nerves had finally calmed down enough to allow her stomach to remind her she needed to eat.
She flopped onto one of the oversized pillows by the window, realizing only now that the back of the home was actually sat atop a steep hill just beyond the tree, which she'd missed earlier from the outside. The window was nearly level with the ground on this side of the house.
"Whoever built this house really picked a good spot," Isha mumbled to nobody in particular, enjoying the new perspective of South Faron Woods.
"I'm told it was my dad who picked the spot," Link replied, his back turned to her as he prepared dinner for them both.
"Hm." The air was so different here, cold and sharp and somehow thinner. She both enjoyed and hated the way it pierced through her lungs and froze her throat on its way down. At least it was different from Kakariko. It made her feel a bit lightheaded, although Isha suspected that could have just been the long day wearing her down. She rested her shoulder against the window, the cold glass soothing her sunburned skin. She told herself she'd close her eyes only for a few moments.
Link almost felt bad waking her when dinner was finished a while later. He sat two bowls and a large pot of stew on the table and leaned forwards, gently shaking her awake.
"Sorry," she mumbled, blinking and pushing his hands away. "I'm awake, I'm awake."
After stretching, she allowed Link to serve her a bowl and wasted no time in scarfing down her portion. Their dinner was had mostly in silence, broken only once Isha had drained her bowl and shyly asked for seconds.
Link was just happy to see her eat. For one who wanted to fight monsters capable of ripping buildings apart, she was far too thin. He recalled that her father had passed when she was still incredibly young. The man likely never got the chance to teach her how to train her muscles and build the stamina that would be required of her on longer adventures.
"If you're going to keep up, we need to put some bulk on you," he pointed out. "And no more skipping meals. You never know when you'll be forced to skip the next one."
Her brows furrowed. "Excuse you, I'm perfectly healthy for a woman my age."
"For a housewife, maybe," he retorted. "Can you run for miles to escape a persistent enemy? Do you know what to do in hand-to-hand combat? Would you be able to throw your enemy off of you if they managed to get a hold on you?"
"I… No, I guess not," she realized, her shoulders dropping. "But I've never needed to, I've always been able to keep my distance."
"Until you had to rescue hostages from right under a monster's nose."
She pursed her lips and looked back out the window, the dark of night turning the window into a mirror that showed her his cause for concern.
She hadn't quite come to terms with how many meals she'd missed since her daring rescue. Three days (supposedly) asleep with absolutely no food had done a number on her appetite the following days. Isha recalled that she barely ate enough to constitute a single meal for what felt like her first two days awake. Dark circles dominated the space under her eyes, which were so bloodshot that her eyes, normally a muted green, had taken on an emerald shade, giving her a wild look. Her hair, despite the braid she put it in that morning, was a frizzy mess after the long ride. Her face was gaunt, and gone was the soft, round shape she'd inherited from her mother. Her collarbone protruded from the neckline of her tunic, which sagged off her narrow shoulders.
She dared a glance at her arms, always on the smaller side but usually displayed some semblance of muscle. Her skin was beginning to sag from her bones, dehydration and disuse now depleting what precious muscle she had built over her peaceful life.
"Gods, okay, fine," she conceded, thankful that the house was dark enough to prevent him from seeing her too closely in such a miserable state. "I get it. Just tell me what I need to do."
"Tomorrow," he replied with a mouth full of venison. "We'll do some training in the morning and I'll see if Uli has any old outfits she wouldn't mind parting with. You'll want a few changes of clothes. The kids' parents would likely appreciate the chance to thank you personally, if you're feeling up to it."
She groaned. "What about Ilia's parents? It wouldn't feel right to flaunt the return of all but one child in front of them."
"I've known Ilia all her life," Link began. "She's the closest thing to a sister I've ever had. I can assure you that she won't be taken down by a few stupid monsters. And her dad knows that, too. She knows how to defend herself, and the only reason she got caught is because they caught us off guard. Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if she's already gotten away."
Isha blinked, taken aback by his confidence. "She looked so young, though…"
He scoffed. "She's sixteen, she's a grown woman now. I know Ilia can take care of herself, and is just waiting for us to come find her. I can feel it."
She sighed and leaned back into the pillow. "I appreciate your conviction, but I don't know that I'll be able to believe that until I see her for myself. But… It would be nice to make sure everyone knows the youngest ones are safe."
Link grinned and stood up from the table, finished with his meal. "Then that's what we'll do after your first workout tomorrow. We should be able to secure a cart and head back before the afternoon."
Isha smiled and passed her empty bowl to him. "It's a plan, then. Another bowl, please."
—
Despite his exhaustion, Link found it hard to stay asleep that night. His dreams were haunted by the destruction of the village he'd been too late to save, the screams of residents unknown to him a consistent siren in the background.
In the chaos, Link found himself standing by Eldin's spring, Isha red-faced and crying in front of him. He stood paralyzed and unable to defend himself while she screamed about her deceased mother, demanding to know why he wasn't there if he was truly a hero. Curses poured from her mouth that would make a sailor blush as she blamed him for not doing more, not being there to stop those monsters, not doing his job. Ilia appeared beside her, joining her in the verbal assault. Where was he? Why didn't he stop the monsters from kidnapping them? How much longer would she have to wait for him to save her?
More faces - the village kids, their parents, the shaman of Kakariko and his daughter - on and on the sea of faces went, their voices melding together in an ominous chant. Where were you?
He jolted upright, sweat pouring down his face and lungs burning as he gasped for air. He threw his blanket off to the side, burning despite the cool autumn night. He took deep, greedy breaths and placed his hands behind his head, leaning forward until his knees pressed against his chest.
Get a grip, he told himself. Bear this burden and do better.
He closed his eyes, his heart finally settling a bit as the nightmares melted away in the face of reality. He turned his gaze over to the railing of his bed loft, looking down into his dark and cozy home. How long would it be before he would sleep through the night again, he wondered? How long would it be before he could return home for good and go back to his peaceful, naive mountain life?
In the silence, a small whimper from below caught his attention. He held his breath and listened close, ears twitching as he focused. A muffled, shaky breath was barely audible in the silence.
He laid his head back on his pillow and stared at the tapered ceiling. Below him, Isha fought to keep her mourning cries quiet.
A while, he thought. It's going to be a long while before I can sleep again.
He wondered if he should say anything, but what could be said that would make any difference? What further comfort could a stranger possibly bring her? There were no words that would bring back all that he failed to protect.