Reaching for her little grandson, Caleb eagerly grasped his Nana’s hand, bathing it in tears.

“Strength, my Caleb. You are the last of this house,” she choked, gripping his hand firmly. “Strength to our family, strength to our people.”

Her head held erect, she looked about in blindness for those she knew would hold compassion and support for her plight.

“Who will help a daughter of Iskäri?” she asked boldly.

Standing, the High Elder removed Caleb, stepping back to make room for the necessary preparations, motioning for Shea to do the same.

Wendell counted as twelve women came forward each offering, “I will help my sister,” as they wept. Sliding their hands under Kyliene’s body, they gingerly lifted her as Moira took the brilliantly white fabric from her arm and gracefully rolled it across the grass. The women gently laid Kyliene down once more, wrapping and tucking the edges to completely cover the body.

Moira placed her hands on Kyliene’s head and wailed, “Never would I have thought this cloth we wove together would have been used for anyone but I!”

Caleb rejoined her as the people gathered around them.

Kneeling in silence, each Iskäri placed their hands upon the shoulders of those in front of them, creating a web of arms and bowed heads, every one reaching into the center towards Caleb and Moira. Each whispered prayers for the last of a family line, offering up all the love and strength of their people.

They wept as one.

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This original score was written for my book, Prelude to a Hero, by Ruud Janssen of Myton Music.

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