Grief

Chapter 3

Winds pass through the rusty bells of the small meadow where the send-off proceeds. The Sulinx family is dressed in white an indication of their closeness to the deceased. Several others from various walks of life stand in a circle around the family and priest. They wear different assortments of black and gray. The occasional white sticks out in the crowd from close friends and extended family.

"All rise for King Mondel," the priest in his long gray robe says. "As the ceremony comes to a close let us honor his contributions as a great king and warrior. Let it be known that King Mondel won the war for us all," the priest says before handing Sepha the small case of Mondel's ashes.

Sepha takes the vase and places a hand in taking out a handful of the ashes. As her hand opens the ashes slowly drift off into the wind free to travel the world just as Mondel had always loved. The world seems to slow as the ashes leave her hand and she realizes she'll never see him again. Sepha's hands shake as she passes the vase to her oldest son. Not only had he lost his father but he was also now king at just twenty-five.

Janvi rests his hands on Sepha's as he accepts the vase. Though not obvious he rubs her hand in a small attempt to comfort her. Janvi quickly releases a handful of ashes and then stands upright as his mother had. Even so, he watches from the corner of his eye as his younger siblings release ashes into the cold wind. When Delia finally releases the last bit the priest turns to the family. "Freed from this filthy world he is," he states.

As familiar faces leave the ceremony Janvi catches a glimpse of white among those leaving. Their long black hair sticks out in the crowd and Janvi can't make certain the face of the guest.

"Did you see that?" Sozec questions turning to Janvi. "Probably a friend of fathers," Janvi responds immediately shutting down any suspicion Sozec may have held. "Something felt strange about them," Sozec mumbles crossing his arms.

Eden who'd been quietly listening takes a step towards Sozec. "I know what you're doing, Sozec," he says. "What am I doing?" Sozec asks both curious and amused by his brother's ability to so easily read him.

"You are attempting to fixate on something to avoid thinking about father," he answers solemnly.

For a split second Sozec's smile fades but is quickly replaced with another. "What do you mean, brother?" Sozec asks playfully.

"You refuse to speak of it. Even now here we stand at his send off and you do not admit to his demise. You stood upright through the ceremony and uttered not a word to the end. Even Delia spoke of our father's accomplishments at just ten and two. You were not with us during the ceremony brother," Eden says gripping his brother's shoulders.

"I apologize if my silence worried you, brother. If that is all I should take my leave now," Sozec says slipping from Eden's grip.

"Talk to us Sozec. It's unbearable to see you like this. It is as if you're on the edge ready to jump. I see it when you speak and it worries my soul." Eden exclaims.

"Let him go," Janvi says sternly. Eden contemplates disobeying his controlling brother until Delia approaches tears in her eyes present from early on in the ceremony.

Eden releases his grip on Sozec and wraps his arms around his sister. The silence is enough, for no words could ever bring back their father. The girl's tears fall freely smudging her makeup. Sozec grits his teeth at the sea of tears rushing from her eyes.

Without a word, Sozec walks back inside the castle passing through the noisy hall and avoiding contact with the guests, and their small glasses filled to the brim. He quickly rounds the corner of the hallway and enters his room.

As he closes the door, his hands shake locking the bolt behind him. Sozec maneuvers the amulet around his neck in between his fingers as he makes his way to his bed. The thought of The Void brings him comfort even without it whisking him away to the strange place he'd been to twice now.