"...I was concerned about you."

"This war has cost a heavy price, and a more personal one for you than most," The Outlander said. "I understand you need time to grieve. I just didn't want you to be alone when you did so, that's all."

Senya frowned. "Do you think me some milksop who cannot bear her own sorrows? That I would end myself in a fit of grief?"

"That hadn't occurred to me until you said it just now. Look, Senya, you're one of the Alliance's strongest warriors. I don't think you're weak, not by a long shot. But even the mighty need to tend their wounds, to keep them from festering. I wanted you to know I'm here for you, if you need me. And I came out here to say it instead of doing it in front of everyone, so it would stay private and preserve your image as the impervious ice queen of Zakuul," he said.

Senya tilted her head. "Is that what they say about me?"

"Well, just Koth, mostly," The Outlander admitted.

Senya managed a short but genuine laugh. "Yes, I imagine he would. Well, you've come all this way. I can at least show you to my camp," she said. They carefully made their way down the rock face, back to the trails, and walked together in silence towards Senya's campsite. She retrieved her armor from the tree trunk she'd placed it on as a decoy, and led The Outlander the rest of the way in. It was at the base of one of the rock faces, beneath a rock overhang several meters deep that had grass and trees growing atop it. The ground underneath was bare and dry-looking, and Senya had constructed a sizable lean-to out of fallen branches as her sleeping shelter. There was a thermal foam mattress unfurled on the ground within it, and on top of that was a blanket and still-coiled sleeping bag. Next to that was a backpack with what appeared to be a good supply of ration packs, and another trunk of durable plastoid that was sealed. A few meters away, she'd prepared a fire ring, readily packed with dry branch shavings and a chem-log that would burn for hours.

Senya pointed at the fire. "Start that up, will you? If you're going to intrude, you might as well be helpful," she said, heading into her shelter. The Outlander shrugged, drew a pistol, and shot the kindling, the blast instantly igniting it and the log. Senya had flinched at the unexpected shot and turned, haft of her saber in hand, before realizing what had happened. "I suppose that's one way of doing it." A few minutes of thumping, rustling, and clunking from inside the shelter, Senya emerged with a campfire tripod, cast metal pot, and bags of ingredients. Together they set up the pot, and before long, a pot of stew was heating over the flame. The Outlander removed his own survival gear pack from his back-plate, and Senya helped him remove his armor, which he set next to the lean-to. Once the meal was ready, he served it into their mess kits, and they ate in silence. Once done, he went to the nearby stream to wash the gear out. Afterwards they sat together, looking into the fire as the sun sank behind the cliffs and darkness blanketed the sky.

Finally Senya spoke. "Last night, I sang the lullabies I used to sing to Vaylin when she was troubled, to calm her. She was so strong in the ****, so sensitive. People's emotions on the other end of the palace could affect her. I wish I could have done more for her," she said. "Instead, I let her be taken by a monster, and turned into one. I failed her," she said, hanging her head. He could see the glistening tracks of tears on her face in the firelight.

The Outlander could feel a presence in his mind, faintly, like someone looking over his shoulder. Valkorian's spirit had been attached to him for many months, but this felt different. Could it be Vaylin? he wondered. He decided to try something. He closed his eyes, and began to sing.

Motir ca'tra, nau tracinya
Gra'tua cuun, hett su dralshy'a,
Cuun hett su dralshy'a

Aay'han

Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc
Ni partayli, gar darasuum

Torian

Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc
Ni partayli, gar darasuum

Vaylin

Motir cat'ra, nau tracinya

It was a traditional Mandalorian funeral chant. Translated, it meant

Those who stand before us light the night sky in flame
Our vengeance burns brighter still
burn brighter still

bittersweet -- aay'han was more than that, it was missing the dead to the point of pain, while simultaneously savoring life and those still with you.

I'm still alive, and you're dead
I will remember you, so you're eternal

The singer would then recite the name of the dead. Traditionally, the names of the dead would be recited every day for the rest of the person's life. The Outlander hadn't done that for Torian until now, and felt a burst of shame for letting it go so long. And in a way, it felt good to remember Vaylin like that, too. She had been as much a victim as she was a monster.

Such compassion for a bitter enemy. A bit hypocritical now that I'm dead, don't you think? he heard in his mind. Vaylin's voice. Distant, weak, not all consuming like Valkorian's had been. But her presence had not faded when her body had died. Oh, look. Mother wasn't expecting that. The Outlander looked at Senya, and saw her staring at him, her watery blue eyes wide.

"You sang a lament for Vaylin? Why? She was nothing but an enemy to you," Senya spoke quietly. She hadn't understood the words, but the intent was clear.

"Maybe. But she still had those who loved her, and want to remember her."

"Is that what it meant? Remembering?"

"Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc means 'I'm alive and you're dead.' Ni partayli, gar darasuum means 'I will remember you, so you're eternal.' It means that no one is truly dead as long as someone remembers them. You recite their name as a reminder. The rest is standard Mando boilerplate, you know? Vengeance burning brighter than the stars and all that." I rather like the sound of that. He felt Vaylin's presence recede, though, fading into the night.

Senya managed a small smile at that. "Of course." She stood up and stirred the fire a bit with a thin stick. "I was surprised that you had such a good singing voice."

"So was I."

Senya didn't say anymore, but when she sat back down, it was next to him, and she rested her head on his shoulder. He started to say something, and she shushed him. They watched the fire together without speaking until the light faded down to a dim glow.