Dude. I was away. Don't kill me pwease! I went to Creation again this year...and it was hot...in more ways than one. No seriously. John L. Cooper. That's all I have to say ^_^ Look him up!
On with business then. I was originally going to type this when I got back from vacation, which was great, but I spent my time sleeping and whatnot when I got back, so I'm typing it now, and I will have the rest of the summer to myself as it looks from this point. Onwards then!
Chapter 6 - A Hero?
The return excursion was smooth, considering that many of the women aboard the ship were in various states of shock of mourning for their dead children, cradled in their frail arms. It was likewise for the young ones who had lost their mothers, unable to be comforted, incapable of any interaction with their other half-siblings. Qymaen scrutinized the scene carefully from the place where he was seated, feeling their pain. After a few moments, he rose to his feet and went over to a pair of twin females, no older than five or six standard years, and knelt down beside them and the body of their deceased mother. They looked up at him with eyes full of despondency, small faces marred with immense emotion.
"Do not worry," he told them, placing one hand on each of their backs reassuringly, though he was sure that nothing could save them from the grief, "you will see her again some day, I promise you. But now you must be strong, and take refuge with your stepmothers, for their children have passed as well, and they will want someone to heal their hearts..."
They nodded simultaneously, scrambling up to rush into the waiting arms of one who had overheard the words he had spoken. The childless mother smiled sorrowfully, yet displayed her joy clearer than day. Proceeding to travel around and console all the other afflicted individuals, Qymaen felt that he was doing what he was always meant to do, and this made him quite content indeed.
...
T'lit'co jubilance knew no bounds when he was reunited with his family, as did his surprise when he learned that not one of the enemy inhabitants of the planet had given them any conflict. The other generals were shocked as well, and Aavok was doubtful, but thankful in any case. They could once more take their places on the battlefront.
Rahkah confronted Qymaen after all the family members, living and dead, had been accounted for, greatly impressed.
"You did good kid. For a first timer, I'll say you definitely did better than me. I screwed everything up when I first went to Abbaji. They got to us, and almost all of my men were killed. Of course - hah - I was young, and not as...experienced as I am now."
"Experienced?" Qymaen narrowed his eyes. "Is that supposed to be some obscure reference to your life outside of the war?"
"Whatever works, whatever works..." He smirked devilishly, looking very much aware of what he had meant. "Now then, about my promise..."
Qymaen shook his head rapidly. "No." He stated firmly. "No, I do not want to become one of you. I want to remain in solitude and make changed out from under the eyes of the public."
"It's too late for that, kid." Laughed Rahkah. "You shoulda thought of that before you went gallivanting off to rescue those people. Everyone and their mother must know about it by now. You just wait till they start worshiping you. Man, will you be in for a rude awakening."
"I cannot." He said again, more fixed on denying what he knew was the truth than ever before. "I will not."
Rahkah sighed deeply, "Have you ever considered that it might just be fate knocking?"
"Fate? I do not believe in such nonsense. Things will happen when they happen, when the gods will them to, not by chance. You know that as well as I."
"Don't you ever grow tired of contradicting everything I say, Sheelal?"
"Not in the least."
"Hmph. You have a lot of backbone. We could really use you. Truly. It's been awhile since we have accepted someone so openly into our war-brotherhood. The last one was...well, me, and they were really hesitant, seeing as I'm a..." He coughed and ended the sentence early.
"Alcoholic?" Qymaen finished.
"Yeah...you could say that. But what I meant to bring across was the fact that there has been talk about you for years. Dau-Maz is adamant about recruiting you, so is T'lit'co. The other two are for you too, though a little jealous, heh."
"Why do you keep trying to convince me to do something which I have already declined, N'jaere?"
Rahkah looked intensely at him, very serious. His usual crooked smile flattened out, and he said slowly, "You are destined to be a hero. You can't deny it anymore. Your father's legacy has finally caught up with you, kid, and now you have to take hold of it."
"A hero? No. I am not a hero."
"Trust me...you will be. You will be just as sure as I am that the sun will rise tomorrow. You just have to let us help you."
Short yes, but they are supposed to be, to reiterate. Hope you liked it. Review pretty please!