CHAPTER 4 - FLAMES OF HONOR
THE ANCIENT TRADITION OF CREMATING THEIR DEAD IS ONE THAT CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. WHILE TODAY IT HAS BECOME MORE OF AN OFFICIAL MATTER IN TRIBAL TIMES THE TENGSUN WOULD BUILD GREAT PYRES OF WOOD AND HOLD LONG CEREMONIAL RITUALS UPON A TRIBE MEMBER'S DEATH.
TENGSU, A HISTORY 7.3
Ash was awoken by the sound of a horn. He only then realized that he had fallen asleep at some point. It took him a second to realize what the horn was. It was the ceremonial horn from Bjorn signaling the start of a funeral.
Syskon…
Ash got up from the kennel where he had fallen asleep with Frae. Frae stirred a bit before curling up and falling back to sleep. Ash quickly left toward the edge of the clearing to head back to Bjorn.
Ash let his feet carry him out of the forest and down the dirt path that led into town. His thoughts were caught up in the upcoming ceremony. He thought of when his father had explained to him during another funeral the purpose of their ritual.
“The fire burns them down allowing the person's physical body to be returned to the earth. We scatter the ashes next to the great tree we have in Bjorn. This guides their soul to the Hrafa’s Great Tree as ours is planted with the sacred Andipur mushroom which has the same roots as the one planted at Hrafa’s tree.”
Ash wondered if he would ever be able to join his brother in the afterlife. It was meant for warriors who had given their lives in battle and lived lives of honor. Lived to guard those that needed their protection. Ash had already failed at that. The person he was meant to protect most was gone. Hrafa would never see him to have honor enough.
Ash soon stood at the edge of the town square. Chief Mir stood at the center of the square holding a flaming torch. Next to him the people had erected a small pyre with Syskon’s body set atop it.
The Chief looked up and noticed Ash as he entered the square. To Ash’s surprise his father waved him over.
You want me next to you? Even when I have brought such great shame to our family? No… I cannot go… I should not stain Syskon’s passage to the next life.
Ash stood there a couple of seconds longer and resolved to not be a part of the ceremony. Chief Mir took the torch he was holding and handed it to Anna who was standing beside him and the Pyre. He then left the center of the square and began to walk towards Ash. His people parted a way for him as he walked past them, each of the men dressed as Syskon in their fresh Hjadr uniforms. The women were dressed in the ceremonial robes reserved only for communing with the gods during a solstice or moments or entering or leaving life.
Ash looked down at his boots as the Chief walked up to him trying to remain resolute in his decision to stay out of the ceremony. The Chief then kneeled down in front of him and grabbed his shoulder with one hand and the back of his head with the other. He redirected Ash’s face to look at his.
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Ash was surprised by the compassion and love that he saw in his father’s face as he looked into his eyes. He only now noticed his puffy eyes and tear strewn cheeks. His resolve softened as he saw emotion that he had rarely seen from his father.
“I am sorry son for not giving you a moment to grieve earlier. I let my emotions overcome me. For now you should be with Anna and me as we help Syskon start his journey to meet Hrafa at the Tree.” Chief Mir said in a quiet tone.
Ash began to sob again as his father brought him into a tight embrace. Ash’s arms hung by his side as he felt a wave of sadness overcome him again. He let himself be held up by his father as tears again came.
“It’s time son. Syskon needs us to guide him to the Great Tree.” Chief Mir said in a calm voice.
“I d..don’t know if I … if I can father” Ash stuttered holding back tears. “I don’t want to admit that he is gone…”
“I know son… but for now we need to forget about ourselves for a minute and focus on Syskon. He needs us to do for him what he cannot do for himself.
Ash and his father worked their way back through the people to the pyre. They uttered small prayers to the gods as the Chief passed.
“May Syskon have the blessing of Lottyr with him as the Father who raised him.”
“O kind Odgüttr, protect the boy in his passing, guard him in the battlefields to come.”
Ash gave nods of acknowledgement to the town people as he passed. He realized that he was grateful to be amongst people who cared so much for Syskon. Tears were worn on the faces of many of the people around him. Syskon was well liked by many and it showed as the town grieved together for him.
Chief Mir and Ash arrived at Syskon’s pyre. Syskon was dressed in a fresh Hjadr uniform changed from the bloodstained garments from the earlier battle. A new polyplate adorned his chest protecting him through the perilous journey to the afterlife that he was to undertake. His ax had been cleaned and shapened as he held it beneath his crossed arms. Syskon had all that would be needed to face Hrafa and obtain everlasting Honor by entering the Great Hall.
Chief Mir took the torch back from Anna and stood in front of the pyre. As he started to lower the torch towards the pyre he paused. He then turned back to Ash and handed the torch to him.
“I feel that it should be you Ash to send Syskon onward. He would have wanted it to be so and I believe that you will need this as well.” Chief Mir said.
Ash hesitated for a moment but knew his father was right. He grabbed the torch from his fathers hand and took his place next to the pyre.
Hrafa, please help my brother on his way. He is honorable. I can no longer protect him. Please guard him better than I did.
Ash lowered the torch to the pyre and felt the heat of the flames as they roared up from the pyre. He felt something start to burn within him as the pyre took Syskon. Rage.
I will find who did this to you brother. I will strike them down as they have done to you. I will be your protector. I swear it.