Waymakers (Champions of the Crystal Book 9)

Chapter 7.1

Mira's funeral was every bit as painful as Sabrina feared it would be. In the end, she, Ford, and Scotty chose a simple song that didn't require much rehearsal, even though it wasn't the perfect fit Ford longed for. Sabrina was grateful for Scotty's strong baritone carrying the melody when she or Ford faltered. She knew Mira would have understood, but she wished, as Ford did, that they could have made her a better tribute.

Ford held her hand through the whole service, squeezing hard at times as he tried to keep himself together. She thought he did well—better, she admitted, than she would have if she had ever had to officially mourn Scotty.

Seuréa stood quietly on her other side, leaning against her and taking her free arm, seeking comfort. Mira's death had shattered her sense of security at the time, and Sabrina suspected this was bringing all those feelings back up.

Kashmia, Ford's oldest sister, had arrived just in time to participate, leaving only Katiri absent. Most of the siblings had remained on Praxatillus for safety reasons after being gathered there before the invasion, but Kashmia had married a man from a different planet and moved there, and Katiri served in the military. Katiri was expected for Imari's funeral, still three days away, but she had not been particularly close to Mira, so she had given permission to proceed without her.

Even though it was a private service, fifteen siblings and their guests or family members made a small crowd. Sabrina and Ford had left Lily at home with her cousins, since she was too young to understand, but Kashmia had brought her two sons and two daughters, one a mere infant, as well as her husband. Most of the others had not brought anyone, leaving room for people who had known and loved Mira, but Baldaran's lover, Dr. Xohlen Areyashanarll, attended, her arm around his shoulders to comfort him.

Shariara chose to stand beside her father, at the back of the room and slightly away from the others. Sabrina wondered if she found all the emotion overwhelming. She wanted nothing more than to curl up and take a nap, but she was determined not to cut short the comfort Ford was drawing from his siblings.

When the service was over, everyone broke into small groups, talking quietly. Sabrina hugged Lira and Kaz, then talked to Marie for a few minutes until Scotty came over. "You look beat," he said. "Want a ride home?"

Sabrina glanced over to where Ford was talking to Giantiron and Hyannoria. "I'm not sure I should go yet," she admitted.

"He's fine," Scotty said softly. He glanced over to where Shariara was listening to Kashmia tell a story to Malick and Weistzniara. "I think Ara is a little overwhelmed. And you're exhausted. Let's go. We have two more of these, and we have to dress up for those."

She sighed. "Okay. Let me just tell Ford."

"I'll grab Ara," Scotty said. He edged past Tirqwin, who was talking to Kashmia's children, nodded gravely to Ziamatuuri and Yirdahn, and came up behind Shariara. Bending down, he whispered, "Sabrina's exhausted, so I'm taking her home. You want a ride?"

She looked at him eagerly, but said, "Will it be impolite for me to leave so soon?"

He shook his head. "You'll see everyone again soon. They won't mind. C'mon."

She nodded and followed him to Sabrina, who gave Ford a kiss on the cheek and joined them. They picked up Terel near the door and headed out to the flyer, where Sastarn was waiting for them. He and Scotty were old friends, so he wasn't surprised when Scotty said, "I can take them home and send the flyer back for you and Ford, okay?"

"Sure," Sastarn said. "Happy to ride with you and fly it back myself, to save time."

"Up to you," Scotty grinned.

As Sabrina got into the back seat, she warned, "Remember that my stomach isn't up to aerobatics, Scotty."

"I know, I know," he replied. "I'm out of practice with atmospheric flying, so I'll take it slow. Sastarn will be in the co-pilot seat if things get out of hand."

Sabrina sighed a little, then smiled for Shariara's sake. "I hope it's like riding a bike."

"We'll find out," Scotty said cheerfully.

Shariara settled in the seat between Sabrina and Terel. She leaned over to Sabrina and whispered, "He isn't serious."

Sabrina's smile became genuine. "I know. But thank you."

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The dinner with the remaining Tirqwins that evening went well; Sabrina counted it one of her best informal entertainments in years. They dined in the gardens, simple but fresh fare, and there was no entertainment except interesting conversation. She had invited several faculty from the Academy at Bathir, which added to the success of the evening by allowing some of the conversation to be highly technical, to Ford's enjoyment.

They had the next day off before Mara returned, bringing the last of the delegations for Imari's funeral. Katiri arrived just before her mother, attending the single rehearsal for the choral arrangement the siblings would sing. Ford had suggested including Scotty and Aurora, which everyone was happy to agree to, though Aurora's parents Selémahs and Leran would sing separately.

It seemed no time at all until Sabrina was struggling into a formal gown that needed let out around the waist to accommodate the baby. At least as a member of the royal family, she could wear white instead of the dark purple that made her look ill. And she didn't have to wear a tiara, since jewelry was considered inappropriate for funerals.

Ford wore white in solidarity, and in their room in the apartment at DansestarI, they silently adjusted each other's sashes and orders, covered with thin cloth to dull their shine.

"It's just one day," Sabrina said, to encourage them both. "We can bear anything for a day."

"I don't understand why we're cramming both into a single day," Ford complained.

"Me either. But it's apparently what Mara wants." She sighed, trying to quell her increasing anxiety about Mara's state of mind. "At least we're just part of a chorus for both."

"And a state dinner to top it all off," Ford sighed. "Maybe you can squeeze in a nap in the hour between funerals."

"I'll try," she said, though it wasn't really possible for the Princess of Bathir to sneak out of a room, especially one full of diplomats who had known her when she was Ambassador Devon.

Ford sighed again, acknowledging the truth of her skepticism. "All right, let's get this over with." He offered her his arm, and they collected their bodyguards, said goodbye to Lily, and set out for the Little Ballroom, the largest space in Palace Royal.