Memory

He arrived too late. He sensed her distress call and flew as fast as he could, but when he arrived the beamstalkers were already biting down to the bone.

"Stop! Stop! She's a healthy imperial!"

He has heard the rumors. They all had. Beamstalkers hunting not just emperors, but imperials as well. He wailed as he learned that the rumors were all too true.

He was too late to save her of course. Even if she lived, an imperial this damaged would never be allowed to continue living. The lightweaver's second children were never cruel. How could her third be so heartless?

He fought them off, but they didn't dissipate. They lingered. Forming a ring around him and her.

She couldn't lift her head, but she meet his gaze. Heartbroken, he said his goodbyes.

Drowning in grief, he stayed by her body for days. So did the beamstalker pack. They scuffled. The stalkers poked and prodded, but he stood his ground.

Days and nights passed with neither side leaving. But there was only one of him. Eventually he could keep them back no longer. Exhausted, he sat with her as the stalkers cleaned up their work.

All he saved was her skull.

Months passed. One day he sensed eyes upon him. Unlike her, he was prepared.

The beamstalker ambush did not come as a surprise, and he did not fight with rage. He fought with somber determination. Every dead beamstalker was an imperial saved. And there was no consequence for piling up their bodies.

"ENOUGH"

The Lightweaver declared, startling all. "Beamstalkers, come with me". What remained of the pack left with her.

That was the last time he ever saw a beamstalker. He did not know what became of them. He did not even know if the Lightweaver punished them. But soon he did not care. Far too many imperials had died.

If they were powerful enough to become emperors, surely there was a less tragic way to bring her back.