.Elementals.

-49-

Horns sounded out loudly to announce a death as all prepared.

I refused to break from my stoic and tense behavior no matter who gave their condolences or who told me something similar.

I didn't break for no one, not even the princess, I can't show my pain, I am not weak.

I watched the warriors of the village carry my father's body to a wooden boat, me walking behind them as I was of his blood, other following a few feet away.

In the boat rested his possessions and his weapons, his body set in the middle of them with his arms bent and hands resting over the pommel of his blade, dressed in his warrior outfit.

"He asked to give this to you if you were to come by." I looked at the chief and took the sheathed blade he held out and pulled it out.

I held it in my left hand and stared at it before nodding and sheathing it, tying the belt the sheath was on around my waist, unable to talk or I feel like I would break.

I stepped forwards to small boat and made the flower bloom again, setting it on his chest, held there by his hands.

I grabbed the the boats edge tightly and brushed my hand down his face and left it on his cheek, just staring at him as if this would make him move before stepping back to where I was.

I slightly bent my legs and thrusted out my arm, sending the boat off the shore to go float towards the middle of the river with a pull of magic in the water.

I straightened myself and clasped my hands behind me tightly as I watched the boat move away.

As I watched the boat move in silence, I took a deep breath and softly started singing to him again, his favorite song he had for me and my mother.

Mother and daughter
Dance in the field
'Low the hills
Where the wildflowers grow
Oh sweet child of mine
Let your bonny heart run
There'll be trials
Long before you've grown

I felt the others eyes on me but I didn't care.

When the sky grows dark
And the air turns cold
Arise, my child
Be brave
The flowers may wilt
The sun may fade
But time can't take courage away

His words still rang true today, his song carrying a weight to it.

Mother and daughter
Wander the field
'Low the hills
Where the wildflowers grow
Oh daughter, your proud heart
Is fierce to behold
But remember
We reap what we sow

His song was a lesson and a tale at the same time and I will never forget it.

When the sky grows dark
And the air turns cold
Arise, my child
Be brave
The flowers may wilt
The sun may fade
But time can't take courage away

I watched the boat move with my voice being the only sound.

Mother and daughter
Sleep in the field
'Low the hills
Where the wildflowers grow
Winter has come
On the edge of their steel
And blood falls like tears
On the snow

He'd always sing this to me, this was my favorite from him but now it bear so much truth to it.

When the sky grows dark
And the air turns cold
Arise, my child
Be brave
The flowers may wilt
The sun may fade
But time can't take courage away

I'll be strong, I'll be brave, don't worry father.... I'll be strong.

When the sky grows dark
And the air turns cold
Arise, my child
Be brave
The flowers may wilt
The sun may fade
But time can't take courage away

Someone stepped forwards, offering me a bow with a flaming arrow but I shook my head, standing near to the shore and flicking my wrist, fire blazing in my hand and throwing that at the boat that caught fire, a floating funeral pyre.

No, time can't take courage away
Time can't take courage away

A single tear slipped by my defenses and raced down my face as I watched the flames consume the boat.

I waved my hand towards the ground, dragon's blossoms blooming in batches on the shore where the boat had rested before it being sent into the river.

I felt Audrey's gentle hand rest on my shoulder as I didn't react, silently watching the flames blaze hot and high, the shiny streak of my escaped tear left untouched on my face.

"Goodbye." I whispered so low only I had heard my voice we all watched the flames in silence.