Chapter 79: Punishment
Ghashiun knelt before his father, his Chief, with his head bowed low. Silent tears ran down his face.
Sha-Mo stared at his son; his stupid, reckless son, who put them all at risk from the Avatar's fury.
He forced his force to remain steady as he said to his son, "You have broken the laws of our people."
Ghashiun nodded his head, still not looking his father in the eye. He managed to say, "Y-yes, father."
"You stole that which was not yours to take. You entered the sacred lands of the Great Library without my permission."
Ghashiun was unable to speak. He just nodded.
"Your actions put our people at risk. The Avatar could have killed us all in his fury. He would have been within his right to do so. Your actions caused the loss of many of our sand-sailers."
Ghashiun nodded again.
"You lied when confronted by your Chief. You have dishonoured yourself, our family, and our Tribe."
Ghashiun finally managed to turn his face up towards his father and Chief. The man's face, that had previously only looked at him with love and a touch of exasperation, was now filled with anger, sorrow, and disappointment.
He looked back down, unable to stare at his father any longer. Shame coursed through him. Any anger and defiance he'd possessed had long since left him.
Sha-Mo allowed a tear to slip down his cheek. He pronounced judgement.
"For your crimes there can be only one punishment. You are hereby banished from the Hami Tribe and our lands. You are stripped of our protections and affections. You will find no shelter with us, nor hospitality. It shall remain so until you have redeemed yourself in our eyes. Now, begone."
It broke Sha-Mo's heart to say such things to his son. But he said them anyway. It was his Duty.
He watched as his son stumbled off, alone, into the Desert.
