Loss is always felt differently by those who were touched by that which is no longer physically there. However, the feeling is just one part of a more important whole. How they are honored is what will be remembered by not only the living but those that are gone too!
The three of them had made it to camp where Krystina and Jyriad helped to get Asharlyn comfortably back to bed. Jyriad took up a position directly outside of shelter. Krystina, came over to Jyriad, placed a hand on his shoulder to make a connection and said, “Jyriad, I believe she’ll be okay. She just needs more time to recover. So much has taken place in such a short time.”
Krystina removed her hand, sat down next to Jyriad, looked at him then dropped her gaze before she asked, “Would you tell me a bit more about who you are?” Jyriad was silent a moment then replied, “What do you know about the border wars?” Krystina thought briefly, “My father when I was younger used to tell me stories of those wars, the battles, skirmishes and…”
Krystina trailed off for a moment in thought, then continued, “There were those stories, When I heard them, they almost sounded like tall tales. You know the type passed down from fireside talks and the like.” Jyriad asked Krystina, “Could you give me some examples of the stories your father told you?”
Krystina rose her head, looked at him then began, “My father would tell them with a sort of reverence and respect. He spoke of a person they called the ‘Mist Walker’ and other names too! He said that when he appeared at a battle, he could cut through a whole platoon as if he was moving through mist. They never saw or heard him. They never realized what hit them until it was too late.”
Krystina paused letting this story find its place between them, “He was a legend in those days, but no one has heard a thing since the peace arrived, and the wars were over.” Krystina mused, “Everyone talked as if he had found peace at last and finally found the rest he deserved. My father didn’t believe that though. He told me he thought he was just gone off somewhere until he was needed again.”
Jyriad spoke then, “I knew there would be no peace. That it was only a matter of time before someone else would get the dumb idea to grab power, start trouble, and begin to take what belonged to others by force.”
Krystina said, “Wait a minute, you said you knew, not he knew!” Jyriad sat in silence for a moment listening to the sounds of the woods around them. “Yes, Krystina, I am called by many names. The Lian call me the ‘Weapons Master’, the common people the ‘Mist Walker’ and still there are other names spoken of by other races and forgotten places.”
Krystina replied, “If I had not experienced what had happened to us over the last couple of days I might not have believed you. I always thought the stories were made up to keep us kids in line.” Jyriad thought and stared out to the trees and sky before saying, “There is a long story about how this all began but so much of it is of legend now! When people speak of the stories of his presence being a gift of the gods to protect the common man, women, and children. They are closer to the truth than you might think or want to believe!”
Krystina reached out and gently touch his cheek with her fingers. A moment to assure herself that he was real or maybe just human after all. “What do you mean Jyriad? Speak plainly to me, please!” Jyriad replied, “I am the first and last of my kind!” Krystina interjected, “Your him, you are the one whose life that dragon saved? It is said that she gave you her own blood to save your life. The stories say that she was being attacked by a hundred or more Lian and mercenaries. Those stories said that a lone soldier came and stood before her with his weapons as if out of mist, that he called out to the Lian and mercenaries that today was a good day to die!”
Jyriad replied, “Yes, that day was a blessing and a curse all in one! I stood there and we both joined our skills together to go into battle side-by-side. When all was done though, I was mortally wounded, had collapsed to the ground. She saved me but with it came at a price. I am still bound to her even now!”
Jyriad then said to Krystina, “Anyway, I don’t know about you. However, I am exhausted in believe we both need to get some rest after all this storytelling and remembering events that I thought were behind me.” Krystina leaned over and gave him a gentle kiss on the cheek. She then stood up and walked towards her tent where she laid down and fell fast asleep. Jyriad stayed where he was thinking about all that had occurred. Then he thought, “All I can say is hang on because once Asharlyn is better, things are going to get interesting!”
The evening was uneventful and Asharlyn slept well along with everyone else. Jyriad had slipped into a sort of meditative state where he could find deep rest while keeping his senses attuned for any danger that might approach their campsite. It was because of it that he sensed Krystina approaching.
She bent over and squeezed his hand then said, “Jyriad, get some sleep, you’ll have to keep an eye on Asharlyn later this morning as I plan on making the trip back to the hunters camp to check on my friends and get some more supplies in for us.”
Later that morning he felt Krystina touch him to announce it was time to get up. Jyriad opened his eyes to allow the light of the late morning time to seep in and then he rose in a graceful way to a sitting position.
Krystina looked at him and said, “Coffee’s ready, and breakfast too!” Get a little of both before Asharlyn wakes up and you get busy caring for her today. Krystina than walked off to begin preparation for her trip that day across the lake and to the hunter’s camp and points beyond maybe to pick up supplies for them.
Jyriad picked up some coffee and breakfast, went and sat down near the shelter where Asharlyn was resting. He heard her stir and then she asked through the covering placed around her shelter, “Is that breakfast and coffee I smell? If it is I sure am hungry this morning.”
Jyriad got up and spoke briefly to Krystina about the fact that Asharlyn was now awake and wanting coffee and breakfast. Krystina responded, “Go and get her some of each but only small portions mind you. She’s still recovering. I am going to check on her recovery before the day gets in front of us.” Jyriad nodded his agreement and shuttled off to the campfire where the coffee pot and breakfast was waiting for him to pull some together for Asharlyn.
Krystina came out from beyond the shelter and said to Jyriad, “She’s doing well with her healing. I’ve never seen such a rapid recovery considering how bad her injuries were when we first brought her here.” She paused then, “If’s as if the gods are intervening for some reason. Like there’s a destiny they have in mind for her to fulfill and the need her to get on with it.”
Jyriad replied, “Who knows, you might be right. We’ll see what else she can tell us about this affair we’re all caught up in now.” Suddenly the covering was pulled back and a now dressed Asharlyn came out and sat with them. “You know, I am right here and could hear everything you too were saying.”
Jyriad smiled, “Good, that means there are no secrets between us, right!” Krystina reached out and gently slapped his shoulder and said, “Jyriad, don’t be so mean with our guest.” Asharlyn replied, “You don’t need to treat me with kid gloves you know. I’ve seen a lot in my lifetime, been through a lot more.”
Krystina got up and said, “Well, I am off to the camp to check on things and get some supplies. You two have a good day getting to know each other a little better. Oh, Jyriad remember she’s still recovering!” Jyriad smiled and said, “Be careful, we don’t know if there’s still others hunting for her.” Krystina smiled, “I’ll be fine, I have the whole hunters camp to protect me!”
With that she untied the line to the dock, jumped in and used a pole to push off and turn the boat towards the open waters of the lake. Jyriad and Asharlyn watched her as she raised the sail. The small craft caught the wind and off it went towards the hunters camp.
Asharlyn asked Jyriad, “Who are you? I mean who are you in truth, not the perceived Jyriad but the heart of who and what you are?” The sounds of a world coming alive in the woods around them rose in their ears. Jyriad thought deeply about this question then asked, “What is it you perceive about me?” Asharlyn’s response was tense, “Don’t you try and turn this into a conversation about me! My question was who and what are you? Also, Krystina and you, are you two you know, together?”
Jyriad replied, “No, Krystina and I are friends. I am a protector, one who has been sent to look over not just you but Krystina as well.” Asharlyn then said, “I overheard you both talking about the border wars while I was waking up this morning. Did you know my father?” Jyriad paused then said, “No, but I knew of him. He likely know of me as well.” Asharlyn replied, “What is that supposed to mean, quit speaking cryptically to me. I remember hearing something about mystic walkers, blood of the dragons, and a great battle where you received mortal wounds and yet you sit here with me. How is that possible?”
Jyriad said, “I am he that was, he that died, he whose part in this world had been undone, he that was reborn by the touch of blood born of the great race of the Dovah.” Asharlyn replied, “I know of these Dovah, they have come to me too! However, not for the same reasons, not to be reborn in their blood.”
Jyriad replied, “Yes, I know, she whose blood flows through my being came to me and request that I come, that I protect, that I uphold the oath of my creed.” Asharlyn then asked, “This creed you speak of tell me of it!” Jyriad replied, “It is known as The Way, it is a creed so every decision, every action I take is ruled by its words.” There are many such songs and verses said by soldiers and others who uphold what is honorable. This one is different and quite long but at its heart is this verse:
“ For those who suffer, caught in plight,
We bear the burden; we seek the light.
With honor’s shield, and loyalty’s might,
We guard the meek through endless night”
Asharlyn responded, “When you say you are a guardian you really mean you are to be our shield to stand before the endless night that would come against us.” Jyriad then said, “Yes, now that you know, how does it make you feel?” Asharlyn replied, “Worried! Concerned for you that you would be sent to protect, to guard me and now Krystina because I had chosen her without her consent.” Jyriad looked into Asharlyn’s eyes and saw that they began to well up with tears. Jyriad said, “Maybe we should talk of something else, I did not mean to upset you.”
Asharlyn leaned over and placed her forehead against his. She rested both hands on his shoulders and said, “I am so sorry that you have had to become part of this. It is my burden; they should not place this weight upon you.” Jyriad replied, “They have requested me to help, but it is by my choice that I do so. I care for you Asharlyn. Somehow, I know deep in my heart that we are bound to each other. I will be here for you as long as there is life within me to give to you!
Asharlyn pulled back some, looked Jyriad directly in the eyes, they both leaned closer, and she said I care for you too! Like you, I too have felt the connection between us. It is something more than human passion or love. I am scared though of this destiny, this place they, the divines want us to go.” Jyriad then leaned in, and their lips touched. They both fell into an embrace of feelings that rose to overcome the foundations of who they were individually. They were merging, heart-to-heart.
Then suddenly, Jyriad sensed something, and he pulled back, stretched out his senses and found Krystina, devastated emotionally by something. She seemed utterly lost. Asharlyn asked, “What is it Jyriad? I sense great pain flowing to you from…Krystina. What happened to her Jyriad? Can you sense where she is. Jyriad replied, “Close I think, I sense she is nearing the shores and dock for this island and our campsite. Jyriad pulled out a long curved shaped sword and laid it next to Asharlyn. Keep this with you just in case. I need to go to the docks to be there when she arrives. She seems so lost.”
Jyriad rose and began to move towards the docks, he saw the boat sliding out of the fog that was beginning to rise off the waters due to a cool breeze beginning to blow in from the North. He waited and her boat hit the docks with a bang and slid sideways until it was aligned with it. Krystina sat there with her head bent over at the rudder.
He jumped onto the boat, grabbed the ropes and tied it to the dock. He then stepped over to her, knelt down and gently spoke, “Krystina what happened? What is wrong?” Krystina raised her head, her cheeks soaked in tears and said, “Jyriad, they’re all gone, dead! The whole darn camp, all my friends! Who would have done this and why?”
Jyriad looked back towards where Asharlyn watched them from a distance. He then gently squeezed her hands and said, “Come with me, let’s sit with Asharlyn and you can tell us both what happened.” Krystina just nodded okay. She rose slowly and Jyriad placed his arm around her waist to help steady her. They both headed back to where Asharlyn watched with an anxious look upon her face after seeing how Jyriad appeared to be helping to steady her as they both walked towards her.
Jyriad helped Krystina to sit down, then went to his pack and pulled out a flask. He pour a small amount in a cup and handed it to her. He said, “Drink this, it will help you. Whenever you’re ready, please tell us what you found?” Krystina lifted the cup to her mouth and let the liquid slide between her lips slowly. The liquid was sweet, like a fine chocolate or something. She looked over at Jyriad and said, “Thank you that helped.”
Asharlyn asked, “Can you tell us what happened? I sense it was something bad, really bad!” Krystina leaned her head over a moment and laid it on Jyriad’s should then said, “When I docked at the hunters camp. That’s where we took you once I met up with Jyriad and asked for his help. They’ve been keeping his horse and mule in their care and watching over his stuff.” She paused then said, “The fog had rolled in from the lake and was sitting deep in the camp. I called out and no one answered. I kept walking into the camp when I came across the first bodies.”
Krystina paused as Asharlyn and Jyriad looked at each other as if to say, “What is going on?” Krystina then said I bent over while keeping my senses aware for any noise. Only the silence of the fog and the drip of its wetness could be heard. She said, the first three I came upon had been killed with a single blow each. One had her neck cut, the other two had a mark right below their heart. Whoever did this was a pro and knew exactly how to kill them without a struggle.”
Krystina then said, “I checked the whole camp, the animals were left there, all okay including your horse and mule Jyriad. However, everyone else were dead. Killed with the same cold efficiency.” Krystina then said, “I was stunned and worried too that they might know about the camp here out on the lake. I ran back to the boat and sent it off into the fog of the lake. Once in there, I spent time tracking along the opposite direction or our camp before I began to maneuver the ship slowly back on course for the camp here.”
She then rose her head and looked at Jyriad and asked, “Do you think it were those bounty hunters that had injured Asharlyn?” Jyriad replied, “Maybe, but this sounds like the elite of the Lian that did this. They are well trained in the art of war. I need to go there and figure out what happened. See if I can find any tracks and evidence of who it might had been.” Asharlyn said, “Alone, without any help?” Jyriad responded, “I’ll be fine, remember who I am . You two stay here and keep a watch at all times until I return.”
Jyriad stood up and went to gather some additional supplies that he tied to his pack and headed towards the boat. He launched himself out and headed for the hunter’s camp. He stretched his senses outward towards the camp. He could sense small echo of the party that had come in to do this. He would know more once he got there. When he arrived he hastily docked the boat, extended his senses and located his horse and mule. Princess Ali, his horse had taken herself and the mule into hiding further up the ridge in the wooded area. Jyriad thought, “Good for her!”
He made his way to his horse to first check both Princess Ali and his mule out to make sure they were both good, they were. He then located a staff he had custom made by a master smith who lived up in the high ranges. It had a sharp jagged edge on one end that was made of special metals burned and forged by dragon fire and magic. The other end had a rounded ball that he used to disable opponent enough to question them if need be.
Jyriad thought to himself while unclasping the ties, “It’s not been since the border walls that I had to use you old friend. Today I may have need of your service again. We’ll see.” Afterwards he whispered some words to Princess Ali to stay on alert. He then took his staff and went back into the camp of death. He used his staff like a walking stick and made sure he kept the sharp edge digging deep into the ground each step. This way no one should suspect it as a weapon but just a walking stick for the mountainous area they were currently in.
He edged into the center of camp with the sun setting behind him. He suspected the camp was being watched but for some reason they never thought Krystina to be a threat. He began checking the dead hunters.
He heard movement. This time a ring of Lian enforcers slipped from the shadows to surround him. He ignored them and continue to check the bodies of each of the hunters. No mercy was shown here; it did not look like they had much of a chance. This was a slaughter of innocent men and women who all laid dead now.
He waited to see what would happen next and stood up finally tired of waiting for them. Another figure slipped from the shadows. He came up to Jyriad and spoke, “My name is Alonarire! This site is under investigation for crimes against the Lian autocracy.”
Jyriad replied, “Where’s the investigation? Everyone’s dead at this point, can’t question those that can’t speak for themselves, can you?” Alonarire replied with acid biting his tongue, “Watch your impertinence or you may find yourself bleeding out alongside of them.”
Jyriad didn’t flinch at all, “What are you investigating and what right do you have to kill all these people? Alonarire ignore his questions and pulled out a poster with a drawn sketch of Asharlyn on it. He asked, “Have you seen this girl? She is wanted and we are offering a substantial reward for her capture.”
Jyriad replied, “Nope, I just came ashore from a fishing trip out on the lake. Stocking up supplies for my next run up into the high ranges.” Alonarire responded, “Really, and do you plan on flying your boat upstream into the high ranges. I see no horse nearby. “ Jyriad said, “Excuse me a moment!” He raised his fingers to his lips and then whistled a sort of bird cry that sounded like a hawk’s cry. Princess Ali came prancing in with the mule in tow.
Jyriad said, “See horse and mule! I am a trader in special wares that I collect and sell to all the towns and villages around here. “ Alonarire then said, “I could let you go you know but then I suspect you know more than you’re letting on.” Jyriad replied, “Your choice but know this. Every decision in life has a set of possible outcomes, some are good, and some are very bad!”
Alonarire smiled a crooked smile and spoke, “I don’t like what you just implied, who do you think you are anyway?” Jyriad replied, “The real question is what will you do when you find out?” Jyriad then added, “Of course, that only matters if anyone’s left who can ask. You might want to consider that in the future. “
Jyriad paused to let that statement sink in. “Many of these people lying dead here were my friends.” Alonarire began to send some signal to his troops by shifting his stance and looking down. Jyriad saw his opportunity. At that point, Jyriad swung his club up and brought the rounded end to knock Alonarire out cold.
It was so fast that his troops barely had time to reach their swords. Jyriad then pivoted his feet bringing up the sharp edge of the staff and began to spin in a circle. It was so fast that within a few brief seconds, every one of the Lian elite were bleeding out from a cut across their mid sections. He cut them directly below where their cuirass ended and the belts for their pants began.
Each Lian fell to the ground with surprised looks on their faces. Their surprised looks were stunning as their life force began to ebb away onto the surrounding ground. Jyriad watched each one and said to them, “Aan Dinok Fah Daar Wo Fod Lost Lahney”, “A death for those who should have lived”.
He walked over next and picked up the limp unconscious Alonarire and took him to a post used to hang meats after the hunter skinned them where he tied him up. Jyriad then went and stripped the Lian elite or enforcers of their armor and swords. He then took their bodies and dropped them into the burn pits and set them afire. He knew the darken smoke rising from the burn pit would be seen even back at the camp where he left Asharlyn and Krystina, but there was nothing to be done for it now. He would explain it to them when he returned.
He then dug a long trench where he carefully placed on the dead hunters in it. Gather up some rocks that he used to build a cairn above each hunter he buried. He then propped up the armor and weapons the Lian had used to kill them to honor the dead and create a memorial that would be a warning to any others who came in their wake with bad intentions. He wanted people to know. Sometimes justice is served and it could be vengeful.
He then took his staff and knelt to his knee among the memorial he made to his friends to honor them. He then cried out to the stars, “Mu Zin Fin Dilon Naal Sharing Un Zil Full Do Love Sizaan Full Do Lahney Ni Nu Dreh” , “ We honor the dead by sharing our hearts, Full of love lost, full of lives not yet done” The heavens came alive then, a light shone down brightly that night upon the spot where Jyriad knelt in honor to the fallen.
Alonarire had woken up to find himself bleeding from his head, tied to a stake and heard the strange language this man cried to the heavens and saw what happened afterwards. He was shaken to his core after witnessing this and wondered who this man was. Jyriad slowly rose and made some runic signs in the air. At each cairn a light burning like the stars found their way upon each one and stayed there. It was his gift in memory to them so they would always be remembered.
He walked over to Alonarire and said, “I have questions. How you answer will determine whether you live or join your fellow soldiers in their final reward.” Alonarire asked in a dry voice, “Who are you anyway and where are my men?” Jyriad pointed over to the memorial site and Alonarire could see the armor and weapons of his six men at each of the cairns. They appeared as sentinels now, guarding those they had killed.
Alonarire spoke again, “That’s not possible, they are some of the best there were. I handpicked each of them myself. Who are you?” Jyriad said to him, “First , what is it about this girl that brings a special Lian enforcer squad this far north?” Alonarire replied, “She’s a political prisoner. We were hunting her to bring her back to the prison where she was being held.”
Jyriad responded, “A whole Lian squad of their finest to find one young girl who escaped from a prison of yours? There’s more to it , out with it before I lose my patience and the thought that there might be some value in keeping you alive.” Alonarire replied, “She killed every guard and Lian back at that prison, Then she took out the Lian at the embassy attached to the prison. She is dangerous, don’t get fooled by her gentle demeanor!”
Jyriad said, “This gave you no right to kill these people, as I said, some of them were my friends, and all of them were a friend of my friend. Your men have paid a debt owned for the lives they took of these innocent people. “ Jyriad asked, “What is her name?” Alonarire said, she is Asharlyn D’Abernon. A royal princess of the house of Endyrinal, a direct blood line to the royal houses of the old imperial empires. “
Jyriad then said, “I remember the stories about that family, there was a father accused of being a trader to the Lian autocracy. What I recall, you paraded him through the streets of your capital and left him to die. A royal bloodline of the imperial empire. Your arrogance is beyond anything I have tolerance for.” Jyriad thought a moment, then said, “I remember a mother and a young daughter who disappeared. They were never heard from again. “
Then Jyriad began again, “So, you’re saying this girl you’re looking for is that young girl now grown up? Her father must have been someone special to train his daughter to be good enough to take out a whole prison, an embassy, and its guard after being held in prison and likely tortured for how long!”
Jyriad looked at Alonarire and said, “I am going to leave you here for now. You’ll have a chance to escape if the wolves, bears, or mountain lions don’t get to you first. Make sure if you escape, you tell the high council this. You wanted to know who I am. You’re fireside stories are full of my tales. During the border wars it was a name both feared and respected even by the Lian.”
Alonarire gasped, “But we thought you were dead! No one has heard anything since the border wars about you!” Jyriad smiled, “yeah, my demise is a bit overrated wouldn’t you say?” The eyes of Alonarire lit up with a new sign of respect for this man. “You’re the weapons master, and you’re going to let me live?”
Jyriad replied, “If you like I can change my mind but I rather you deliver a message to the high council of the Lian.” Alonarire said, “What is that?” Jyriad said, “Let them know what happened here and let them know you now have my attention. If I find you in this land again hunting for this girl I won’t hesitate to exact payment. Tell them it will be them I come for next, not the armies that stand in front of them. So be sure to ask them how much they value their own lives. You could try and stop me, if it comes to that, but really do you want to having seen what happened here today?”
Jyriad sent his horse and mule off somewhere. He then went to the boat and turned back to face Alonarire once more, “I have shown you grace today, count yourself lucky. If I see you again you can join your hand-picked enforcers in the ever after.” With that Jyriad went to the boat and began his journey back to camp. The boat disappeared into the fog and continued to make it way back to camp.
When Jyriad came back both Asharlyn and Krystina were waiting for him with the fire blazing. He smelt the food and when he sat down they handed him a cup of hot herbal tea and a plate of hot food. There was silence for a while. They both gave Jyriad some time to get some food in him again.
Finally, it was Asharlyn who asked, “Jyriad what happened? We heard nothing for a long time then we heard you speaking the voice of the Dovah. The heavens opened up and a light shone down close to where the hunter’s camp was located according to Krystina.”
Jyriad finally spoke, “It was Lian enforcers who killed the hunters. They did not know who I was and approached me, their leader Alonarire questioned me and didn’t like my answers. They were going to capture me and likely kill me when done but it didn’t turn out anything like they thought. I will take us back there tomorrow. I have buried your friends and gave them what honor I could! We should go there tomorrow to pay our respects to them.”
Krystina finally spoke up, “What happened to the Lian?” Jyriad looked at them both with a tear dripping down from his eyes. I left one of them alive, the leader Alonarire, so he could escape and take a message back to the high council of the Lian. The rest of the enforcers now stand guard over your dead friends. “
You’ll see tomorrow. I am sorry ladies, I know you have a hundred questions for me, but I am exhausted and need to recover after all of that.” With that he walked off toward the place they had found him the day before. They knew he was emotionally drained so let him go. Krystina said to Asharlyn, “Well, I am going to camp out here tonight to watch over you although I doubt anyone will come after that happened!” Asharlyn said, “Goodnight Krystina, I guess we’ll see for ourselves tomorrow.”
The next morning Jyriad was back fixing breakfast for all of them and providing some hot coffee and tea. Jyriad waited until they were done then said, come on, I’ll clean up once we return from the camp. He helped Krystina get Asharlyn into the boat then off they sailed for the hunters camp. When they arrived both girls saw the memorial Jyriad had built for them. There was a small place where starlight twinkled on each cairn. Krystina asked, “You did this for my friends! I will never forget the kindness you have shown them.” Then Krystina grabbed both of their hands and led them to the memorial site. They saw the post where Alonarire had been tied was empty with cut ropes hanging there.
Then Krystina began to sing a song and said to both Asharlyn and Jyriad to join in whenever they could with her. She said it was old song of her countrymen that they sang of the passing of one’s life. It was also the remembering what they meant to you in life. The song went something like this:
“Life provides no guarantees,
That today might be the last sunset you see,
There are no promises of what tomorrow might bring,
So, raise up your voice and sing,
To friends, to lovers, to mothers and fathers,
To brothers, and sisters celebrate our time together,
Guarantees life does not give. So, laugh out loud and cry
when you can,
We honor the dead by sharing our hearts,
Full of love lost, full of lives not yet done,
So, raise up your voice and sing,
Of the moments most treasured,
Of the memories held dear,
Of the tears that are coming,
Over losing someone so dear.”
Both Asharlyn and Jyriad joined in and the three of them sang their laments to the heavens and their voices echoed across the land and waters of the lake. Silence returned after they were done, Jyriad stood there holding the two ladies close to him and sang a final chorus:
“Of the moments most treasured,
Of the memories held dear,
Of the Tears that are coming,
Over losing someone so dear.”
All that could be hear was the soft lapping of the waves rolling in from the lake and the soft sniffling of tears that had fallen in honor of those who had been killed.