Fox Child

Chapter 19

After three months he wanted to go home to his Uncle Kai. I also wanted to see where he lived hoping that I was wrong. That he never went to the burial mounds. I packed food and clothing for our journey and then decided if I was right to pack another week's rations for two. We left the next morning. It took us nine days to get to Yilling. I asked where he lived and was surprised to say it was still a day's flight away. I got us a hotel room and like every night since he came to Cloud Recess he claimed in bed with me cuddling the straw bear to his chest.

After breakfast, we flew over the woods until the sun was setting. He pulled out dinner and then two mats I had seen him pack that the juniors use for night hunts. I watched him fall asleep as the firelight reflected off his face. I soon claimed on the other mat pulling the blanket over both of us. I fell asleep to the gentle rise and fall of his chest against me. 

The next morning we set off on foot. As we went further into the woods I started sending resentful energy.  As we walked farther it became stronger. He was not showing any concern whatsoever. Once at the top, I knew that this was the burial mound. I wanted to turn around and leave but I felt his firm grip on my hand as he pulled me into it. I am glad I told my second-in-command that we were going to Yilling. If I die then I hope they can find my body and let me cross over without becoming a fierce corpse.

As we walk further in I see the first feirce corpse. To my surprise, it is clearing the fallen trees and debris and dividing them before in putting them in piles.  Another is making clothes and shoes. These walking corpses are unlike any I have ever seen. Their clothes are not dirty and worn like most you see. They are all wearing similar clothes to what WenYew was wearing when he showed up. One grunts as we pass. A-Yew stops and talks.

"Su ChuZen says Uncle Kai is over by the freshwater stream catching fish."-WenYew

There is a freshwater stream in the burial mounds with live fish! I did not expect anything pure here. I did not expect any of this. There is a person, in a bamboo hat with his pants legs and sleeves rolled up and standing in the water leaning over. Every fish he catches he throws into a bucket. A-Yew runs up to him and hugging him uncaring that his clothes are stoked.