Erden licked her lips, hesitating, while Ilay held her hand again, offering support. "The Rite of Challenge is not taken lightly," the grandmother began, her voice gentle, as if she could see far beyond Min. "It's a fight to the death, and it is often deadly. Sometimes, neither warrior survives. Ozan was strong and fearless, but that became his downfall: his father was too cunning and smart for him." Ilay's smile turned grim. "Your grandfather knows a few tricks, and he was quite crafty even then. But he loved his cub too much." Unshed tears shimmered in her eyes. "Erkin maimed Ozan but spared his life and banished him."
"That was when I left," Erden interjected, rolling her lips between her teeth, torn and struggling to contain her sadness and tears. "I knew he would kill me if I tried to leave. He would never willingly allow it. It took everything I had to escape, but somehow I managed it." She hesitated again, searching for her words, unsure of what to say next.
