King of Days: The Veiled Guardians

20. Remember

Karíto walked over toward the men, when they saw him they moved to the side. Chained to the column with his arms outstretched was his father, with Simeon and Nathan crouched by his side. He had a dark knife plunged into his chest and his breathing was short and ragged. He looked up, beholding the image of his son. His eyes glistened with joy and delight. "My...Son.." He uttered.

Karíto pulled off his hood and mask, and fell to his fathers feet, his sword and shield clattering on the ground. "I have not forgotten you! I have come." he whimpered.

Nathan stood up and swung his sword at the chains, they broke like weak twine. Father and son hugged as well as they could, Karíto being careful to not further injure his father. Nathan and Simeon slowly lowered Kris to the ground, as Karito fell on his knees, tears streaming from his eyes.

Kris put his right hand on Karíto's head and said. "You are my son... my son, go to those in need." Karíto whimpered as his father struggled to speak. "You will..." He coughed up blood. Nathan put his hand on his shoulder, as if to quiet him, but Kris shrugged it off. He looked to Nathan and motioned to His sword, the one Karíto had dropped. He took the sword from Nathan and held it with his two hands, he rested it against his head then gave it to Karíto. "You...will continue to carry my name with you, won't you?" Karíto sheathed the sword sorrowfully and nodded respectfully. Kris put his left hand on Karíto's bowed head and moved him closer. He kissed his head, then held the hilt of the sword with his right hand "I know that you will do what is good and just." He reached for the shield, but it was too far for him reach. Simeon picked it up and handed it to Kris, he then lifted Karíto's face. "Tell me you will never give up, for this is your life." he tapped the shield. "It is to strengthen and defend others. Whenever you lift it up, you will do it in my name.."

Karíto began to sob again, forcing out a response. "Yes...I can," Kris nodded, smiling at his son. Then with a peace that seemed to split the veil of darkness in two, he breathed his last.

There was a quiet pause which seemed to last forever, not a single sound was heard, no breath or drip of water. Yet silent, the anguish was palpable, one holding the other, and both pierced to the heart. Mournfully a stretcher was made and the body placed on with the greatest of care. The Orou processed with tears humming a song until they exited the cave. Kris' body was placed upon a pyre with the greatest of sorrow. Karíto was given a torch, for it was the prerogative of the son to send forth his father. He wanted to fall down and sob, but not a tear would come, and his body was stuck in place. Like a breeze that fills a house, or water on a dry land he opened his mouth and out came his song.

He both joy and love

who walked good stream and glen

both raging lion an' quiet dove

who taught the children of men

Bore forth sword and shield

their names justice, prudence

them he guided, healed

ever growing students

Upon him strength and light

came forth love an' temperance

Next his helm and plate

his gentleness of grace

such faith respected state

enduring was his place

Last his star and moon

bright child and the morn

hope from rock was hewn

his lover now will mourn

no other could match his might

the power of his reverence

Karíto looked at his father's hand and saw the wedding ring. It was an intricate silver thing that looked like two serpents tied around each other. He took the hand, kissed it and took the ring, staring at it before placing it into his pocket. He looked up, tears streaming down his face and touched the torch to the pyre. He stepped back and the Orou responded with their own song, he could not make out any words, but it was as if some ethereal beings were singing for him and for his father.

Karíto then felt all eyes on him, Simeon stepped forward and spoke softly "Karíto kneel, the son is to take up the mantle of the father" Karíto knelt down in the mud, he felt the squish and a cold rush passed through him. The Orou surrounding Karíto extended their right hand toward Karíto, no words came from their mouths, but he felt their silent words burn like a fire in his heart. Simeon came from the group, he placed his hands on Karíto's head, then Joseph and Levour put around Karíto's shoulders a sash that belonged to Kris. Faintly smiling and with tears in his eyes

Levour helped Karíto to stand and said "You Karíto are now Orou, bear with strength the gifts of your father"

After the somber ceremony the departure was silent and respectful, the image of his father's pyre would remain with Karíto the rest of his life. Each of the members made preparations to go back home. They had taken their equipment off and put it into several leather bags and cases. Jude and Radcliff took the bags and laid them on a cart to be pulled by Erik's horse. Erik had brought the cart because he was always prepared in his plans and tactics. The three of them would put everything in order in the Orou stronghold. Karíto made his way back accompanied by Talí. They were walking through the woods silently when Talí's strong yet somber voice broke the silence. "Truly your father will always be with you, but how will you bring this news to your family?" Karíto grasped the pocket containing his father's ring. "If you wish I can let them know that he died during one of his trips. That is if it is easier for you..."

Karíto shook his head, "I appreciate it, but regardless of the pain, it must be me, for I need to mourn with my family." The two remained silent the rest of the journey, though silent both deeply cherished the accompaniment. When the duo arrived at the Vírlas house Talí bade Karíto farewell then went on his way. Looking back, Karíto remembered so little from the following moment. It had felt like a dream, something that could not be real, something he wished had only been a dream. Besides the many tears throughout the family, the only thing that will blaze in his memory is when he gave his father's ring to his mother. How she received the ring and fell on the ground in tears, how he held his mother for what felt like an eternity, and how he cried the tears he was unable to cry at his fathers pyre.