The next day, I left the cavern for Deanna funeral. I arrived early, the air was different since Deanna left this world. I can feel the mountain calling me to visit, her mountain. Normally birds sang, but now it was missing, the forest morns her. It has been three days, of stillness. A whole has been ripped through me. I started up the trail, her trail. The ground damp from overnight rain. The smell lurer me to follow the steps.
The hillside once cover with flowers and butterflies, now was empty. The wind changed.
The stairs were just coming into view. I felt Deanna, she was here. I could see her like yesterday just holding my hand as we went up the stairs. Sometimes her knees would pop and crack, "It happens with age Somenaco," she would giggle and poke me with her walking stick. My eyes filled and I could no longer hold the tears roll down my face.
I made my way to the cliff ledge. There was still the scent of copper and brunt wood. I looked for signs of the fight. I saw the place where the leaves were swapped away. I walk over to the stone bench taking a seat. I stared into the sunset, the colors where always Deanna's favorite part, we would try to name them, Soft blue, pink, yellow. The sky was peppered with small clouds.
My eyes swelled with tears and I let out a cry, more of a growl, "Deanna, please help me." I felt the mark, my mark beginning to burn. The pain rip though my chest. I fell over in pain, hitting the ground.
There was a void of color and the sharpness of the cliff edge was gone. The apple tree rustler, and there she was Deanna walking up to me.
"Somenaco, my child" her voice sweet and warm. She sat on the bench. I lean against her legs and placed my head on her lap, as I did when my father died. "There, child. Let it out," she lightly rub my back and I could not help myself, I cried until my world stopped hurting.
"Excuse me," a women's voice. A gentle shake "Sir are you ok?" I opened my eyes the silhouette of the women with rays of light framing her was all I could see. I was lying on the ground next to the bench, damp for the morning mist. I use my arm to push myself up.
"Sir," her voice soft ramble on but I could not make out the words.
I found her face, Elena, "Sorry," I struggled to stand, leg still very sore from my fall. She took my arm and aided me to the bench, "How long have you been up here." she asked. I looked out into the horizon, the pastel blue and yellows welcome the morning.
"I must have fall' in asleep," I tough my face, could she see the scar. "What are you doing here?" I asked her trying to seem normal. "this was my G-ma spot, this is our families tree." She rested her palm against the trunk, almost absently. "G-ma loved this stone bench," sat down next to me. "Where is she, your g-ma." I asked although I know the answer.
"She died they said she fell, but…" she looked away.
"Im sorry for your lost." I said as she got up and walked off. I watched her until she was out of sight.
I walked down the mountain trail and headed for the inn. I took a shower and dressed in my grey and white robes. I took them from my mother's house without her knowing. I tied the sash and pulled my hair back. I took another potion Yulanna gave me and watched the scar disappear. Potion had worn off just after I got back to the inn, which was good.
I handed for the temple. Stopping by Jack's and getting a coffee.
The temple was near empty, and the graveyard was still. They buried their dead, however they will bury her without knowing who she really was. No swords. No symbols. No fires humans did not burn their dead. Just a pine coffin and a linen shroud draped with mountain flowers. The humans don't know that we dragons walk in this world, and they don't know about humans who are guardians of the human race. There will be no special ceremony.
The ceremony was held in the lower glade near the city temple. I stood at the edge of the wall, cloaked in glamour and the white robes of mourning. The Council had forbidden me to attend, said it would risk everything.
But I came anyway. She deserved more than silence.
A small crowd had gathered. Neighbors. An old herbalist who cried harder than anyone. None of them knew what she carried. What she protected. What she gave up.
I feel something tingle up my back, I stand straight and look around…
Elana.
She wore the white funeral robes of her people. Her eyes were red from tears, but her cheeks were dry. Humans believed colorful robes would distract the spirits from walking up the temple steps to pass through the Doors of Judgment.
She stood beside the grave like a great oak tree, the breeze moving her hair lightly, motionless while they lowered the coffin into the ground. Her hand gripped a folded square of cloth, I couldn't see what it was. Her mother didn't come. Noella was probably still in shock. Or maybe it was guilt she had tried to get Deanna to move to the city.
But Elena didn't cry. She stood there like a mountain, Deanna would have been proud.
Friends and family came forward, one by one, each dropping a handful of rich soil onto the coffin. When the priest began to beat the ceremonial drums, a slow rhythm pulsed through the trees like a heartbeat.
She turned her face, just slightly, and I saw her wipe one cheek with the back of her sleeve. That was when my knees nearly buckled. I hurt my leg when I fell from the sky. I pressed a hand against the old oak tree I was hiding behind, steadying myself. Gritting my teeth. My claws were so close to surfacing I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep them down.
I wasn't supposed to be there. I wasn't allowed to speak to her. But gods, I wanted to. Just one word, I thought. Just to let her know she isn't alone. To tell her how sorry I am.
But the bond was silent. So, I stayed in the shadows.
As they covered Deanna with soil. As Elena laid a single fire lily on top of the grave.
And as the wind shifted, carrying the scent of pine, earth, and something faintly burnt. I knew who it was without looking. I felt his presence before he placed his hand on my shoulder. Digone.
"If the council asked I was never here." I said, leaning against the tree. "I know." he said. I turn to see he was also wearing the white and grey robes on morning. We hug, then turn to watch the family. Really I watch Elena.