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An elders death was always a great loss for the tribe, but this one was more personal than some.

Elder Kishku had lived to a ripe old age, had seen their tribe persevere through wars, had advised many young Alkidike on their paths in life. She had advised Dyakida, given her hope when she'd lost her sight, had set the young Alkidike on a new path. When others had whispered that Dyakida was a burden, Elder Kishku had supported her, when Dyakida had thought herself worse than nothing, Elder Kishku had reassured her. Her earliest work had been assessed by the elder, her carvings and crafting had been guided by the elder. She wouldn't be where she was without her... or, indeed, here at all.

And now she was gone. Dyakida had had many chances to thank her over the years, and she had, but never formally, and never in so many words. She felt the crystal in her hand, weighing it gently – this would be her last chance to do so before the Elder was set off to sea to sleep beneath the waves at Aisha's roots for all eternity.

She began to chisel at the crystal, only a vague idea in her mind as to what she would create at first. She'd only had a vague idea, after all, where she'd been going when she'd first arrived, her eyes poisoned and dying. It was only fitting that she let the crystal itself inform her as she accentuated it's natural shape with careful chisels. Just as the Elder had guided her.

When her friend had abandoned her and left their home to burn, the Elder had comforted her. When war came, the Elder had advised her. The Elders approval was a part of so much of Dyakida's work that it was impossible to separate the two in some cases. Dyakida could stand on her own two feet now, but before, when she had been less experienced, Kishku's praise had meant the difference between failed junk, to go to the refuse pile, or a weapon to be given to a sister. Until she'd made her staff, that praise had been all that held her up.

Ah. Yes. That was what she would make – the flower-like decoration on top of her staff would be suitable. It was complicated, but Dyakida could make something approximating it in crystal, couldn't she? It would take some time, but it would be symbolic – a symbol of how far she'd come.

She checked the crystals shape, and finding it only slightly off from what she wanted, flipped it over and began to carve with more intensity and focus than before. It was small enough to sit in her hand when it was finished, smooth but full of patterns and designs. She contemplated keeping it as a memento for herself... but no, the Elder had had daughters, and there had been others that her life touched more than Kida's. They deserved to take the crystal.

And, if they would not, then Dyakida would send it off with the Elder for a final farewell.