An Understanding

"How could it?!" Heila said, staring at Ashlynn in horror. Of all the things that could have happened to her lady while creating a seed for her, if death was the worst then losing her bond with Lady Nyrielle would be almost as bad. To tear apart such a strong bond of love…

"So dat's what it was," Jacques said as a moment of realization struck him. "Maman, de energy of de ritual went strange and dark on de last day. Leaves fell from de Ancient Willow like it got tangled up wit' death itself and a chill filled de air. What Lady Ashlyn's sayin' it's no exaggeration."

"How could it, how could it?" Talauia said. "Lady Nyrielle is far away from the Briar. How could the Ancient Willow do anything to her."