No one spoke. Both Ayla and Vione remained silent in their deep grief. They cried in boundless anguish as they stared at Usher's body lying on the cave floor.
Vione wiped the blood and dust from Usher's face. She carefully wiped away the dirt so that she could see Usher's face, the one she had always longed for. "You must not leave me, Usher. You must not go like this."
Ayla's eyes closed as her heart grew more painful at Vione's words. She could feel the immense loss Vione was experiencing. A fleeting thought crossed her mind to simply comfort Vione, but she realized that there were no words that could ease Vione's grief.
"Ayla," Vione whispered, turning to Ayla without letting go of Usher's hand. "Can't you do something for Usher? Please, Ayla. Heal Usher."
Ayla looked at Vione with
