Last Voyage
Chapter Eight: Finding Closure
Alannah leaned her head against Ilosovic's shoulder as she watched her father's coffin being lowered into the earth. Nearby, Katarina and Victoria were clinging to their husbands, tears pouring steadily down their faces. She looked to her right and saw that Michael was crying just as hard, but trying not to show it. Tarrant and Alice stood across from her, expressions of grief on their faces. Even in the dimming light, Alannah could see that Tarrant's eyes were a dark blue. She smiled to herself. Alice and Tarrant had been nothing but supportive to her these last few days, even going so far as to work in her shop, sweeping, dusting, and stocking shelves. When Alannah insisted on giving them something for their kindness, Alice had refused. "We're doing this for you, Alannah. You need time to heal."
She was brought out of her thoughts by the steady rumble of thunder, and soon after a fat drop of rain landed on her head, followed by another, and another. She blinked away the rain, and then the skies opened up, soaking the mourners to the bone in seconds.
Then, as quickly as it began, it was over. The sun came out, and Alannah wrung out her hair and dress as best as she could. The ground around the grave was muddy, and she thanked Time that she had decided to go barefoot.
Mirana, who looked completely unruffled by the sudden cloudburst, cleared her throat before speaking. "We are here today to mourn the death of Captain Elias Sullivan. He will be remembered by some as a friend, by some as a business man. But to most here, he is family. He made a mistake when younger that he regretted, and feared that his family might not accept him back into their lives. But they did, and he was forever grateful for that. He is proof that forgiveness is within all of us, and that everyone has the power to change if he or she so chooses. I will not tell his family to not grieve, for tears are not evil. I will say to them, he lived a long and happy life, one made happier by all of you."
Ilosovic nodded to his men, and they began shoveling the dirt into Elias's grave. Alannah watched, then heard Katarina's voice.
"Of all the money e'er I had,
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm I've ever done,
Alas! it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit
To mem'ry now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all."
Alannah sang the chorus with her. "So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate'er befalls
Then gently rise and softly call
"Good night and joy be to you all"
"Oh, all the comrades e'er I had,
They're sorry for my going away,
And all the sweethearts e'er I had,
They'd wish me one more day to stay,
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I gently rise and softly call,
Good night and joy be with you all."
"So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate'er befalls
Then gently rise and softly call
"Good night and joy be to you all!"
As the last notes faded, Alannah wiped a tear from her eye. It would take time, she knew, but soon enough she would find peace.
"Fairfarren, Daidi. I will forever love you."
FINIS.
