"It's been awhile since we've seen him."
"Yes."
Agito was quieter than usual, as she always was when we came to this place. Her eyes were heavily set, hands balled tightly, and her face was stiffly grimacing. To anyone else she would have seemed angry, but I'd been her partner long enough to know that she was fighting back tears. I continued on quietly and she followed along beside me, stopping only when we reached our destination, where she broke the silence with a small greeting.
"Hiya, boss."
I placed the bouquet of flowers I was holding down onto the gravestone. Zest Grangaitz, a man betrayed by his trust who chose to die with his honour. Agito and I visited his grave often, mostly at her request. Still, as a knight who chose to die rather than turn his back on his beliefs, I had respect for him.
I heard Agito sniffle behind me, but I didn't look up.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine. It's nothing."
She never was honest with her emotions, though I suppose that was partly why our unison was so strong.
"Hey, Signum…"
"What is it?"
"Do you think he was happy…when he died?"
Happy? I still remembered his last moments, the death that he had chosen. It was what he had wanted. Was he happy about it though? He was much like me: a knight who stood by honour and lived by the sword. But to die for that alone, would I be happy like that? I glanced over at Agito. She was watching me, discreetly wiping her eyes, waiting for my answer.
No. I wouldn't be content with that. To live and die for my pride and beliefs, a death like that would leave me hollow inside. No, the only way I'd be satisfied in leaving everything behind would be…
"What about you, Agito? Are you happy?"
"Huh?"
"Do you have any regrets?"
"Of course not!"
"Then neither does he."
Defending those entrusted to me. Honouring those who have fallen before me. This is my duty. This is my flame. I am the Knight of the Sword, Signum.
