The Blood of Honour

Honour

The fire burned fiercely and left a red glow over the high rocks. Godmother Nema sat with Sera as they watched the dauntless warriors brace themselves. Nema's thick needle worked fast as she patched up Sera's jacket and pants. Sera cradled Cederic's dagger in her hands and ran her finger lightly over the sleek, sharp edges. She held the dagger by the blade in her left hand and swung it in the air; as she caught it hilt first, a streak of red appeared on the edge.

Godmother Nema smiled.

"Never must your own weapon open on the enemy's blood, for then, it fails to recognise its blood of honour." They said together.

"You are ready, my child, to wage the-"began Godmother Nema.

Sera said, "Say no more Godmother but bless me. Bless me as you did when you made me walk on the coals barefoot, bless me as you did when you kissed my forehead before I went into the duel with Father, bless me as you said you'll always bless me when you held me for the last time."

Godmother Nema closed her eyes and put Sera's face close to the hungry flames so that her skin reddened in the fierce heat.

"May you face no flame that scalds your soul however it may scald your outer shell," she said.

As the war bugle sounded, with the beats of the heavy drum-the sun rose over the high mountains to the east of Rivera, casting its radiant glow over the woods and lighting up the dauntless in the flame of their pride of existence. The chief, clad in his headgear, raised his spear in reverence to the Gods and prayed for their protection and victory.

Sera stood ready- Cederic would be avenged once she had written a message in Easton's blood. She gripped on her dagger hard as she positioned her spear, her mind racing. Her boots were buckled on, her jacket clinging to her lean body, her hair blowing in the early morning wind. A ridge along her left palm showed where the dagger had made its cut. Cruez were tough people, a harder hit than Rivera, but of lesser heart and Sera had her plans ready- or so she hoped...sometimes the past just catches up with you, no matter what.

What do you think had happened?..
Peace
~R