I find my way back to the room where Hralfar and Kjunn had been counseling. They both had greeted me in a surprised fashion, though Kjunn seemed annoyed.
“My father has died,” I had said.
“I am sorry,” said Hralfar quietly.
“My condolences,” Kjunn said. “I am sorry I could not help.”
“I came for two things,” I continued, without waiting for either of them to ask. I almost told them that condolences were definitely not the reason I came, but did not want to offend them.
I trip over a stone sticking up out of the road, almost losing my footing and falling underneath the weight of the casket.
“You okay?” says Bownan.
I shake my head, but continue walking. If I say anything tears will come out instead of words.
I am not hurt at all physically. My entire emotional structure has just collapsed, and I don’t see rebuilding it a possibility in the near future.
How will I tell Mother? I wonder. And Ethan and Nicholas? They are expecting us to return, but he will not. How can we anyway? They’re still in Terrace…
“What?” Hralfar had said.
“First of all,” I said, “I came to make a request.”
“What is that request?” the Jarl pushed. Kjunn was silent, irritated that I have interrupted his meeting.
“My home is taken by the enemy. Even if we could go back, it would take us more than a week to get back, and by then the body-” my voice cracks and I look down.
“I get it,” the Jarl had said sensitively. “You can’t go back.” He waited a moment and pressed, “Your request?”
“You’re the Lord Jarl,” I had pointed out. “You must own some land or have claim to most of it.”
“Not personally,” he said. “But I can reserve land to use for specific purposes. What do you need?”
“I came to request land for a barrow,” I had said. “It doesn’t have to be lined with gold or studded with jewels. I merely want a barrow of wood and stone in which I can bury my father.”
The Jarl nodded. “Did you have a specific place in mind?”
“Actually, I do,” I said. “The Vale of Life.”
The Jarl nodded again. “I can help you with that.”
Our procession holds all of those that knew Kadmus Armstrong Senior. My friends are there for my support, namely Percival, Jericho, and James, who has shown considerable improvement. His arm is held in place by iron bars tied tightly to his skin and a tight sling around his neck. It’s apparently working because he shows little signs of pain.
Each of their fathers accompanies us, as do Frederick and Leon. Several more of my father’s friends have joined us. Lord Jarl Hralfar leads the small procession.
Throughout the day there are few words traded. We simply walk, wearing our black tunics.
“You can?” I had asked the Jarl, slightly surprised.
“Of course. I can spare a few men to build a small barrow.”
“Thank you. When can they start?”
“I’ll probably send them tomorrow morning. Is that when you’re doing the burial service?”
“Yes.”
“It will take you a day or two to get there. I’ll see how fast I can get them to build it. What was your second request?”
Before we reach Dragongate Bridge, Jarl Hralfar turns our company onto a side dirt path to the left. No one argues.
Pine trees are plentiful, but I do not find their scent or the sound of the river comforting. There is a gaping hole in my heart that refuses to be filled.
We spend the night only a little ways down the path, at the base of the mountains. I can hardly sleep.
The next morning we start up the incline of the mountains. It’s a hard hike, and I wonder why we’re putting so much effort into going up the mountain when the Jarl said he’d get a barrow built in the Vale. Still, I say nothing.
Soon we come up above the trees. A steep cliff drops to our right, and a tall ridge rises to our left, splattered with pine trees. Now that our sight is not restricted, we have a fantastical view of the entire vale. The trees are a deep dark green and the waterfall is vibrant blue like the sky. I see no beauty.
My father holds my shoulder as I hit the metal feebly.
“Stronger. Don’t be afraid, Kadmus.”
I try to hit it harder, but sparks hardly shave off of the hot iron. “It’s not working!” I complain.
My father sticks it back in the fire and squats next to me so his eyes are level with