The Taming

Grief Stricken

Mardichi understood the pain Bast suffered when doing this. He knew Bast was making a great sacrifice in order to help him, but Mardichi's rage was too powerful to offer his friend the proper thanks, right now.

Finally, Bast materialized in the doorway, weak, white, and sweating. He'd thrown his tunic back over his shoulders, but blood soaked through in several spots.

"Will you soon be ready to return to the stronghold?" Mardichi queried. Observing his brethren's wan state, a bit worriedly.

Bast nodded and blew a long breath. "Are you?"

Mardichi nodded, teeth gritted.

"Where will we bury your son?" Bast winced as he uttered the words. Knowing they had to be hard for Mardichi to hear. Bast ached for his friend. He was going to help him bury his baby before they went anywhere.

Mardichi won't leave otherwise.

And neither would Bast.

He couldn't even fathom that level of agony. He imagined how he'd feel if he lost a little one.

That would be unimaginable.

And then for her to leave me? He swallowed against the tightness in his chest and throat.

"Here." Mardichi nodded toward the cottage, itself.

"Inside?"

"You forget where I come from. I'm a barbarian."

He's right. I wasn't thinking. Sebastian knew that their version of a funeral was, by fire.

Mardichi went in and Sebastian watched from where he leaned against the doorjamb, as Mardichi tenderly tucked the bedding back around his little boy. Reaching down to press his lips to the boy's small forehead in a long kiss.

He emanated pain.

"Time to go out." Mardichi said brokenly. Straightening his shoulders as he stepped out. Knowing he was saying goodbye to everything he cherished.

Bast stumbled further from the house and watched as Mardichi dropped to a knee to touch the wood to the base of the house.

An orange and yellow flame immediately blazed to life. Quickly licking the sides of the house before consuming it entirely.

Bast put a hand to Mardichi's back, swaying unsteadily. But still attempting to offer comfort.

"When I die, you make damn sure I lay next to him."

"I will my friend."

Mardichi eyed the look of him a moment. "Though you may be kicking before me, if you keep at the pace you've been going, the last century."

Bast blinked at him. Not denying it.

"Your bird won't be none too happy with me."

"She won't care."

"She will." Mardichi said with certainty.

"Not if she knows why." Bast considered that. "May I tell her."

"She's our sister, isn't she?"

"Not mine."

"She is, mine."

Bast was quiet. A bit surprised by that.

Mardichi isn't one to warm up to strangers.

"Tell her." Mardichi said harshly.

They watched those dancing flames, until nothing remained of the home that Mardichi had shared with his precious wife.

***