My apologies for messing up the posting of chapters 11 and 12. Blame it on the gray hairs. They mess with the memory for some reason. Thanks to everyone who followed and/or reviewed. The next story in the lineup
( Hart's Destiny ) will post by Saturday.
Thanks again to all for bearing with me.
Vindictious
Chapter 13 Remembrance
Ozpin closed his eyes for a moment, gathering his thoughts.
The stone marker had been placed to one side of the large open area just inside the main gates to the school. The flowerbeds surrounding it gave the area a sense of peace that his friend had sought all of his life.
He'd allowed a week to pass, suspending classes to give everyone involved time for the tears to end, before calling them all to this memorial service. Now he had to remind the people in front of him why life had to go on despite their loss.
RWBY, JNPR, and CFVY stood in the forefront of the assembled students. Their instructors stood in a group off to one side. Their somber faces turned to him as he began to speak.
" We are gathered here today to remember a man who was a friend, a mentor , a loved one. Edda Odson made the greatest sacrifice a Hunter can, giving his life to save the people he was sworn to protect at all costs."
The headmaster paused for a moment to clear his throat.
" His philosophy was 'Each day is both a gift and a test'. Treasure each day that is given to you, for none of us knows when the end will come. Care for your friends and your loved ones as he cared for all of us. Face the challenges that each day presents without fear and strive to overcome them. 'Your friends will test you as much as your enemies will', he said. None of us are perfect, Edda made mistakes just as we all do. But friends show understanding and forgive those mistakes out of love for each other. ' How you meet life's tests will define your future'. The path of life changes with each decision we make. Some things in our life will happen no matter what we do, but how we reach those points varies with every choice we make. Be mindful that your choices affect everyone around you, choose wisely to avoid causing unintentional harm! As Hunters and Huntress' we are sworn to defend others, as he did.
Tightening his hands on his cane, he looked down to the marker.
" 'Losing a battle is easier than losing a loved one'. True words, for we have lost a loved one, but we will remember him."
The teams slowly filed past the marker, each person stopping for a moment to touch it softly, leaving a token or a flower, the pile growing as they moved on.
Yang and Ruby were the last in line, waiting until the others had left the immediate area before approaching. Yang kissed her hand before placing it flat on the stone.
" I'll find her, I swear it, Uncle Edda!"
She watched, smiling sadly, as her little sister placed a single chocolate chip cookie on the spot where she had laid her hand.
" I'll never forget you. I love you Uncle Edda!" the girl whispered.
Arm in arm, they walked across the open space to where Weiss and Blake waited for them.
" Cattle die, kindred die, men die. All we can hope is to leave a name that lives forever "
An Ancient Norse Proverb