"Oh, dear," Helly murmured, placing a hand formed out of weathered wood very gently on Liya's shoulder, guiding her into the room. She held her breath, trying very hard to contain herself. "Let's sit down. I'm sure you've had an overwhelming day."

With the door shut, the room was lit only by the quiet night outside. Moonlight spread across a bed that sat on a slightly raised dais, just beneath the window. The undyed linen covers were neatly made and tucked under. Helly directed Liya gently to sit on the end of the bed.

"There," ne said kindly, and with a series of soft creaks ne knelt slowly on the stone, linking nir hands together on nir lap. For a while there was silence, but for Liya's attempts to choke down her sobs. She scrubbed at her face furiously, rubbing away stray tears that had escaped. Helly let her, brow knit with concern.

After a long time, ne spoke. "Liya, I--"

"Two months," Liya said suddenly. It cost an enormous effort just to talk without losing her composure completely. "I been in this room for t-two months, cryin' my s-stupid head off." She swallowed hard, and went on quietly, "I keep goin' around in my h-head, thinkin',�'if I just knew what I was doing, if I hadn't stopped fighting, maybe my brothers would still be alive.'"