Much like Ashlynn, Huake spent most of the following day asleep and recovering from events. He took a meal by himself before retrieving five carefully preserved iridescent horns and setting them on a table in his room.
Before the horns, Hauke could only sit on the floor. To do anything else would be far too disrespectful. Both his father and Old Svenja had suggested that one of them take custody of the horns last night, but Hauke refused.
It was a rare act of defiance, normally he was content to follow his father's arrangements and he always listened to the advice of the elders. This time, however, it was different. It was far too personal.
"What was done to you," Hauke said, gazing at the horns with misty eyes. "It was far too cruel. You should never have been left to suffer so long. I'm sorry," he said, bowing deeply to the horns.
