From Ashes
(random one-shot. Long after Firesong. Kestrel's POV no matter how odd that may be…)
I smell burning again. The village is one fire. Charred timbers and tear-streaked faces are all around you, child, but you don't weep. It is a strange thing for a child.
But not for you, my brother's child.
Or, rather, my brother's great-great-great-great-great-great-great –great grandchild. I keep track of such things.
Don't stare at me with those great, dark unblinking orbs. I know you can't see me, anyway.
Ah, here comes your brother. He takes your hand and races away from the destruction. He'll keep you safe. The raiders have gone now, anyway. Your village can come out of hiding. The mothers clutch their children to them, and the men stare with haggard faces at all their families have lost. How can humans be so cruel!
Yet you, deep eyes, you are not afraid.
So long my peace lasted, and I still remember the smile of your great-great-great aunt on her wedding day, and of the carefree days that were before. Firesong brought such peace to the land.
And yet, somehow, that abomination regrew, as always. The Morah was hushed, but not silenced, and slowly, the fires came again. The villages burning. The armies marching. Different names, and different leaders, and different strifes, yet somehow it came again.
And the peace was ended. But you, deep eyes, know all this, as your family trudges on, in search of…something. In search of something. Of food, of home, of…peace. But you won't find it. Yet.
Yes, I see it in you, deep eyes. I think I know what your future holds. But such is the path of the child of the prophet. Don't cry deep eyes, because it is dusk, and your family has no food around their fire. Don't weep. Peace will come again.
The singing is great, and fast, and thundering as stampeding horses. It takes your breath, your life away, but oh, it is so sweet. And new things are always growing, deep eyes. Flowers will spring from the ashes.
So hush now, deep eyes, and let that soft breeze I set blowing drift you to sleep. Let the fire dance like I do before your eyes. Hear my voice through the ages. A Singer is never truly alone.