Rebel

Ashes

Asenka clutched my waist, digging her heels into the ground to attempt in stopping me from leaving their cave. "No! I will not let you leave!" She said stubbornly in Matlehba once I tried to pry her off of me.

      I chuckled, rubbing her back affectionately. "I don't want to leave, Asenka, but I have to." I chided. The little girl clung to me for dear life, shaking her head in refusal. Sama muttered something to her as she grabbed her from the underarms to drag her away from me.

Valerya chuckled as she shook her head, rubbing Asenka's dark hair. Dothon stood by his mother quietly, staring at the floor intently. He hadn't said anything since I packed early in the morning. "Go on, say goodbye." Valerya said to him in our tongue, pushing toward me.

       I crouched down to his level, stretching my arms out. Dothon pouted, folding his arms. "I'm not going to say bye. That way she will miss us and won't leave." He whispered loudly to his older sister. I smiled at his innocent way of thinking.

Over the past two and a half months I had grown use to taking care of Asenka and Dothon alongside Valerya in the afternoons. Since I hadn't met up with the Assembly much, I had a decent amount of free time on my hands. I had taught them how to read and write in CL. I hoped they practiced when I was gone.

"Dothon, I'm not dying," I chuckled. "I'm simply going back home. I will write you tons of letters to see if you've been practicing CL." I glanced over at Asenka. "You too."

      She cracked a smile, nodding at me. I shifted my attention back to Dothon. "Come." I told him softly. Valerya's little brother ran into my arms, hugging me fiercely. "Please tell me you'll come back." He whispered against me. I rubbed my hand affectionately on the back of his head.

"Of course I will. How could I not?" I said, pulling away from him. His round eyes regarded me sadly, shining brightly with tears. Just as one escaped down his cheek, I wiped it gently. "There will be none of that, yes? I will be back in no time, Dothon. All I want you worrying about is getting big and strong just like you dad and brother, yes?" I told him with a smile.

                      Dothon's pout grew into a small smile. I felt triumphant to have made him finally happy. "Be a good boy." I said, placing a small kiss on his forehead as I straightened. Onsu and Sama stood beside Valerya, their happy eyes indistinguishable. I walked over to Asenka.

"Now you bee a good girl too, yes? You have amazing role models to look up to." I reminded her, sneaking a glance at Sama and Valerya. I gave her a quick kiss on the forehead as well. A small part of me felt as if I were leaving behind another piece of me here, in Toundrah. I had come to love Asenka and Dothon as my younger siblings I have never had.

          I knew I would soon miss them being around me. I had already started to begin feeling nostalgic of Toundrah. I turned to Sama and Onsu next. "Thank you so much for such an amazing hospitality over these months. You both deserve so much. I hope the Spirits bless you and your family." I said.

Sama waved my gratitude away and pulled me into a hug. Onsu didn't look quite sure. But after a few seconds he gave in, wrapping us both into a hug. "Thank you for all you've done, Zaila. I think you've changed us all here. I hope the Spirits guide you and friends back home safely." He said, his deep voice cutting through the air.

      My heart filled with warmth to hear Onsu say that. It was rare for him to show affection in any other way. With Sama he was a completely different man. But I smiled nonetheless. "Thank you both." I said, squeezing Sama's hands. Her eyes watered. "You be safe, yes? I want to hear from you soon, Zaila. Just remember you are always welcomed here." Sama said.