go with you...after all…you made us warriors, back home. Why can we not join you?”
Kaimana knelt between his children, his hands firmly gripped on their shoulders. “You are brave, my daughters, but this battle is not for you. You are still young, and have much life to live. I would not risk your lives for a cause I swore I would fight for.”
Daimana gripped her father’s arm tightly. “But father…we can fight with you…I know we can…it’s worth the risk not to be separated…isn’t it?”
Kaimana smiled upon her, and ruffled her hair. “Daimana, even though when we die, here, we simply go somewhere else to exist, there are things in this part of our world, many steps you should take joy in walking, before you take such a great leap as death. The next plain of existence is different, as it is similar to this one, and you will go there when ready. For now, you and your sister must watch over each other…and right here. Please…do not follow me into battle, only do as I have asked.”
Daimana’s head drooped regretfully, as her tears grew into streams upon her face. The armored hand of Kaimana came beneath her chin, and lifted her head up, her father’s voice carrying calmly upon her. “Do not fear my going…we will meet again, I promise.”
Daimana smiled as her face was moist. Kaimana smudged her tears from her face with his palm. Samana nodded in agreement with her father, and wiped her tears away with her elbow. “I know, father, we will watch over each other as you have said.”
Kaimana stood up and smiled. He felt regret for having to leave his children behind, but it was for their own good. He did not want them to share the same fate he knew he would. Donning his helmet, Kaimana whistled his armored horse to his presence. It soon came from beneath the wall bridge. “I am proud of you, my daughters, and I know in the coming years you shall prove yourself warriors as great as your will to fight.”
Kaimana mounted his steed and nodded to Hoosun, thankfully, for his services. The owl stood among Amen and Henk, who had been watching the emotional separation the entire time. The great warrior paced about the onlookers, and sat atop his steed before his daughters and their new friends. “Keep Murga with you. He is a fine horse, and I’m sure he will continue to serve you well, as he always has.”
The twins nodded in synchronization. They would do as their father had ordered. Hoosun stepped to the side of Kaimana and bowed respectfully to his friend. “Fair travels, my friend, may fate guide you safely on your journey.”
Kaimana smiled behind his slit visor, and turned for the gate. “Take care of my children, old friend, and take care of yourself as well.”
Riding off as water and grass spluttered beneath his great beast’s hooves, the father left his children behind, keeping his head straight forward, fearing to look back upon the faces of his saddened daughters. They watched as their father strode, seeming dramatically further with every stride of his steed. They were soon to be without him.
Kaimana was swiftly at the great, stone entrance and kicked the turning gear, which caused the door to open before him.
Taking a few gallops forward, Kaimana stopped his steed’s fleeting tread and drew his sword, turning to see his daughters once more from afar, his great horse standing high on its back legs, giving great height to the warrior as he thrust his blade into the air, in ceremony.
The sight was surely that of a warrior’s farewell. Sheathing his sword as his steed returned all limbs to ground, Kaimana pulled the reins hard and changed
Craig Buckhout, Abbagail Shaw, Patrick Gantt