I made my way through the row of wagons.. when I came upon a old warrior.. he was just sitting on his step.. I could see tears flowing down his scarred cheeks.. and my heart broke... I stepped closer.. and asked very quietly: Old man are you alright. are you hurt?
His eyes were crystal blue.. and were red rimmed as he pointed across the field.. I could see a small billow of smoke.. and could hear the cries of a herlit as it swooped across the plains.. I looked back to him.. and he spoke..
My heart lies in the ash. my soul.. :his voice cracked slightly.. and then I knew. his mate.. she must have died recently.. so I went to his step and sat with him.. a hand placed on top of his... and I spoke with him.. trying to give him comfort.. as best I could...
He continued to speak.. She was my life for well over 40 summers.. we met as children in the outerwagons... Never had I ever wanted anyone else once my heart captured hers... She gave me 8 children.. 4 sons and 4 daughters.. and we have many grandchildren.. and now she is gone...
I drew all the inner knowledge I could find.. and spoke to him.. She is not gone old warrior.. but will always live in your heart and soul.. and your memories... her body maybe departed to the cities of dust.. but she will always live on as long as you never forget her.. you will see her in the stars.. and in your children and their children... you will hear her voice in your dreams...you will feel her touch when the breeze blows across the plains.. and she will wait for you in the cities of dust.. but it is not your time to go.. So you must be strong..
The old warrior smile.. the scars on his face crinkled with age.. as he looked at him.. You are right young woman.. you are right.... I wiped the tears from his face.. and smiled back to him... Now what can I do to help you get ready for the move... He said his tarp had a little tear and one of his reins was frayed.. Nodding my head and assured him we would fix those things for him... and as I looked around I could see his braizer was not lite.. and his cook fire had died... I bet he had not eaten since her death.. Where were his children I wondered..I called a slave over.. and had her run to the main fires and bring back some blackwine and some stew.. and a sack of dung for his fires.. .. I looked at him..: Old warrior you must take care of yourself.. It is time for you to live.. not dwell in death.. He stood.. he was a very tall man.. I could see his shoulders straighten up.. he has a nice smile... as he nodded: You are a breath of fresh air young woman.. and I will accept your help..
The slave came back with two other girls.. They got his cook fires going.. and one entered his wagon and began to straighten it up for him.. I could see him eyeing the young slave.. I guess somethings never die.. I got to working on his tarp.. and I would take his reins back to the clan fires to work on.. It was time to check on others.. so I patted his arm.. and gave him a warm smile.. I will be back later to make sure you have eaten. and bring back your reins..
The old warrior surprised me and gave me a big hug.. and he pinched my butt in the process... Well.. skies... he did have a little spark left in him.. so I left the girls there in his camp.. who knows... maybe one will stay on and help him in ways I could not...
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