Wheeling Gull Isle haiplana

it would not do to crumble here, to let herself weaken and drift before she had reached the lavender again.
but her ears knew this voice; her heart knew it, and she looked up wearily toward a boy she loved and yet hardly recognized.
sinewy, built for the march, his two-toned eyes were zealous in the failing light. her own loving expression must be enough for them both, then, and skaigona struggled to her feet.
"i've —" come to die.
"i've come back to pay my final respects to your father. and to you, malakai," she murmured, tones tinged in pleading.
in hitching steps the frail red-nape began to climb the greenhills.