Page 117 of The Study of Fire
They reached a small settlement late the next day. Eight tents with animal designs painted on the fabric ringed a fire pit. The air smelled like sage, and a few horses grazed nearby. They were greeted by the clan’s new elders. Fourteen Sandseeds had survived the Daviian massacre. The clan planned to repopulate by inviting other Sitians to join them. Bloodlines did not matter to them as much as living on the plains. When enough grains of sand were in a person’s teeth, they’d become a Sandseed.
Janco muttered to Valek, “I think I qualify as a Sandseed. I’ve swallowed about a pound of the stuff.”
Once again, stories about Moon Man were told around the campfire. They focused on his deeds and his accomplishments, on his contributions to the clan. Valek stared at the dancing flames and willed Yelena to come back.
You have so much to offer this world, love.
In the morning, everyone was led to a large area of just sand, which was unusual. They stood in a semi-circle facing Harun, who cradled Moon Man’s dead body. The sheet had been removed and there were no visible wounds. Moon Man appeared to be sleeping.
Magic swelled, and the sand in the center of the semi-circle undulated. Soon, the hiss of moving grains sounded and a hole appeared. It was about seven feet long by three feet wide and two feet deep.
Harun lowered Moon Man into the hole, then arranged his limbs so he looked comfortable. He stood and the sand hissed again, just covering Moon Man’s body. One of the Sandseeds approached each mourner with a bucket, encouraging them to dip their hand inside and withdraw a fistful of something that turned out to be seeds.
“Moon Man was born from these sands, and now he has returned to these sands,” Harun said. “He contributed to our way of life while alive, and he will continue to nourish our sand for our future generations. Thank you, Moon Man, you will be missed, but never forgotten. Stories of you will be told to all those who come after you.” He opened his hand and spread the seeds over the buried body.
He invited the mourners to approach the grave and sprinkle their seeds into the hole. Tears blurred Valek’s vision when it was his turn.
He knelt on one knee. “You were a true warrior, protecting us, helping us, and giving your life for us. I’m truly glad that I was able to call you my friend.”
When everyone finished, more sand flowed back into the hole, completely filling it. Within seconds, Valek could not tell that there had ever been a hole in that spot.
Next, Kiki and two other horses approached. They held buckets in their teeth. When they neared Moon Man’s grave, they set the buckets down and knocked them over with a hoof. Water ran out, soaking into the sand.
The significance of the action hit Valek hard. He glanced at the nearby plains, seeing the grasses, shrubs, and small trees with a new understanding.
Irys pulled a folded piece of silk from her robes. She opened it, revealing Moon Man’s grief flag. Embroidered in silver on the indigo-colored silk were things that had a significant meaning to Moon Man. Indigo was his favorite color, and in the center of the flag was a full moon with streaks of moonlight emanating from it. Around the moon was a scimitar, a horse, a flower, and the silhouettes of three people standing together. The border of the flag was a braid, representing his Story Weaver abilities.
There wasn’t a flagpole to raise the flag. Instead, Irys held it above her head and a sudden breeze pulled it from her hands. Gale smiled as it fluttered higher and higher, symbolizing the release of Moon Man’s soul to the sky.
A meal and more stories followed the ceremony. Laughter, tears, and a few cheers sounded. Valek hadn’t really considered an afterlife before Moon Man had explained the different worlds to him. And with Yelena being a Soulfinder, he was comforted by the knowledge that Moon Man was at peace in the sky.
* * *
They returned to the Citadel and picked up where they left off. Ari, Janco, Cahil, and Marrok headed out with ten teams to round up the Daviians who had escaped or were in hiding. Each team had seven people and one magician. Ari and Janco had been unhappy to be assigned to Cahil’s unit. But once Valek explained that they could ensure the Wannabe King behaved, they perked up. Especially when Valek gave them permission to kill the man if he showed any signs of colluding with the enemy. Valek wished them good hunting.
Ambassador Signe arrived the next day. Valek dreaded having to update her. So much had happened, was still happening, that he didn’t have the strength to go over it all again.
He joined Signe in the office the council provided for her. Sitting on the chair in front of the desk, Valek met Signe’s gaze. Her features were an amazing transformation from the Commander. There was a family resemblance and the same gold-colored eyes, but that was all. Signe’s long hair, softer features, and curves just didn’t match. Not that Signe’s appearance mattered to Valek, but he remembered Yelena had said the Commander could see the magic inside Opal’s glass animals. And maybe, just maybe the Commander used a one-trick power for this transformation. Which Valek did find interesting.
“Are you well?” Signe asked.
Surprised, Valek blinked. He’d expected to be ordered to report. “No. It’s been a grueling few weeks.”
“You haven’t been sleeping.” It wasn’t a question.
“Not well.”
Signe stood and poured Valek a drink. “Here, something from home.”
He sipped the Ixian fire whiskey and sighed.
“Gabor’s report was very thorough. But he only had vague details on how Yelena stopped the Daviian Warpers.”
“Right now, all we have are guesses.”
“She hasn’t returned?”
“Not yet.” He took a bigger swallow. The heat sizzling down his throat was no match for the bonfire in his heart.
