The Angaran Chronicles: The General and the Poet.

Chapter 5

'That was a nice funeral,' he said as they sat down for dinner. The only sound was their knives and forks making squeaking sounds on their respective plates for a long time.

'Yes,' said Raleas.

He frowned; his usual grimness had disappeared, replaced by horrid happiness. 'You have barely said a word since the funeral, my daughter.'

Raleas didn't reply; she just continued to cut into her steak.

'You should be happy,' he said. 'You no longer have to work from the bottom, and most of all, you have made me proud.'

Raleas put down her knife and fork. 'Mum is dead.'

'Hmm?' he said. 'Yes, I am aware of that.'

'How could you use her death like that?' said Raleas.

He clenched his jaw. 'Watch how you speak. I have given you an opportunity, the honour, to be the first-ever recruit to be an adjutant in the history of this great nation. I can take it away in a second. It's less than a month until you are recruitment age you-'

'I don't want your damned opportunity,' said Raleas, as she stood from her seat. 'I would rather die.'

'I can arrange that if you want,' he said. 'With my bare hands.'

'I would like to thank you, father.'

Her words seemed to take him off guard, but only for a split second. 'Thank me for what?'

'I'd like to thank you for confirming everything mother said. It should've been her I looked up to, not you.'

For the first time, he gaped, seeming lost for words, and Raleas turned and started away.

'W-where are you going?' he said.

'I'm calling Granda and Nani,' said Raleas, without looking back. 'I'm going to stay with them in Halandith until my birthday. I would've asked to stay with them at the funeral but couldn't because, you know. You had forbade them from coming.'

She heard him smash his hands on the table.

'You ungrateful little bitch! I-'

Raleas stopped and looked over her shoulder, interrupting him. 'I never want to see you again, general. Goodbye.'

She turned and walked again, and tears started to roll down her face.

I'm sorry, mother. I can finally see it now. I'm sorry...I'm sorry that it took me this long. You stayed for me, and that...that ultimately led to your death.