Keiser watched in silence as the belongings and flowers were consumed by the fire, the smoke curling upward into the darkening sky. His gaze shifted to Lenko, who was kneeling close to the flames, lips moving faintly in prayer as he cast a handful of small blossoms into the blaze.
After a moment, Keiser lowered himself beside him. He picked up one of the fragile flower, studying its pale petals between his fingers before casting it into the fire as well.
He felt Lenko's eyes flick toward him, curious perhaps, but he ignored the glance, keeping his focus on the flames. The fire crackled and hissed, devouring all that they could offer in exchange of the dead.
Keiser's thoughts lingered on the weight of it all… the people, the innocent, even the livestock… sacrificed without mercy. Every spark, every curling ember was a reminder of what had been lost, and of how cheaply life had been traded in this place.
Keiser's thoughts drifted as he watched the fire.
