The Wilting Ballad

15

Auspicious evening bestowed a radiant blessing on the mutilated sanctuary of Korrvin and those residing in it by arising their friend who has slept for four nights and three days.

The dreary faces of Cassav, Berick, Iuftas, and Gariel lit up like the morning sun. But wretched dreams followed Jejtsu during her sleep and her waking. She used to think the greatest burden was not being worthy enough for the Star mark, but now... she wished she hadn't stepped in the House of Shīzas all those years ago. For now, she know, the greatest burden was carrying the Stars. And she know, they were now, truly alone.

"They're all dead, Cassav." She whimpered, pushing herself up, grimacing as she sits. Her bruises sending jolts of prickle.

"I know, dear." Said Cassav, trying but failing to comfort her. "I know."

Jejtsu shakes her head, hiding her tears. "No. You don't understand." She brushes her tears with the back of her arm. The others tensed, flustered. Gariel was glaring conspicuously from the corner, thinking. "We're all that's left. The other two arrive late. They kill them all. Mekme and Maloi, little Erik, Mother Palzan, Slow Ren, Lerris, Teylar, every single one of them. They slaughter all on Ozkogul."

If there were words to define all the emotions the four Shīza feels, it hadn't been muttered yet. For why would one invent a word so horrible. How can one say this is how someone who's just lost everyone they hold dear feels.

They went silent. The chirruping of birds even died, squeaking rats went rigid to show their respect, screaming insects calling their mates give their voice rest, leaving the wind as all that remains. It howls across from the far south, letting the dry trees sing, bringing with them a wound that can never be mend.

"When that prince Baronn was begging us to forgive him. He meant that..." Iuftas softly asked, breaking the crypt-like quiet. Jejtsu nodded, and so return the painful silence.

To impose needless questions upon grieving folk is irreverence at its utmost core. Gariel knows this. But he found it remarkably time-consuming to remain mute when he should be inquiring Jejtsu. He run through the several thousand questions he wished to ask her. He thought of asking them when he realized Jejtsu sees him. No. Was watching him.

Startled fear is a very bad company. He tried showing a faint, friendly smile but then remember she's mourning. He tried nodding but remembered they were not yet acquainted. He tried waving but remembered he wasn't a child. So, he decided to do nothing and just stand, like an unmoving statue. Hoping she would speak first.

Jejtsu tries standing slowly, leaning on Berick and Iuftas for support. Still staring at the man clothed in grey. "I recognize you." She says, not taking eyes off him.

It was beginning to make Gariel uncomfortable but he gazed back at her colourless eyes, like it was some kind of competition between two children. Her all-black clothes were dusty. "He saves us." Said Cassav.

Shaking her head, she looked away at the broken walls. "Oh..." Conflicted, she forced a weak smile, bowing. "You have our thanks, mister. Is there a thing or two you want us to do?" She asked.

"No, ma'am. Not a thing or two. Only answers." Jejtsu seems worried. "I started training to become a Leafsinger at the age of eight. And my training has taken me to many places and many books, lore, legends, myth. By the age of seventeen, I was said to be a fairly powerful Leafsinger by my master. Time passes. Some started to call me... saying I was the most powerful Leafsinger during my time. But..." Gariel chuckles, "What I saw you did at the Cutthrough Forest was something I cannot achieve during all my time training and years experience."

He paused, searching for an expression on the girl and finding none. "Please note that I am merely stating facts and not boasting." He bows, though only Iuftas appears to saw it. "My name is Gariel Faiyshal. I help my late wife Divione Faiyshal rule, what Iruil knows as, The Hidden City. Il-Zektes. At Nerzfani ends, she took ill. I..." admitting the death of someone you love more than you love yourself was much harder than anticipated. "I bury her. At the first day of this new year." The image of her lying lifeless flashed in his mind. He beamed. "You've heard of The Hidden City. You're Shīzas. You know only Il-Zektis can open its gate."