22 September, Western Drau Territory

One of the Drau guides, Tarek, showed me a burial place this evening. I had expected graves, and there were none. The dead are placed in shallow stone chambers and allowed to return to the surrounding land over time. Personal objects are left nearby, but nothing is sealed and nothing preserved. Tarek seemed amused by my surprise, and said, “Why would we keep them from leaving?”

I asked whether theft was a problem. He stared at me for several seconds before understanding the question, and then he laughed. I am not sure whether this says more about them or about us.

Later, one of the younger Drau asked whether Humans truly lock their dead in boxes underground. I said yes, and she asked why. I gave several explanations: custom, sanitation, religion, respect, preservation of the grave site. She listened politely and then said, “That sounds lonely.”

I told her the dead do not experience loneliness. She asked how I knew, and I said I did not. I have been in a foul mood since.