I figured the fade was their afterlife.
“Yes, we’ll give Raror his final journey before we leave,” I said, “but do we need to keep an eye out for the rest of the Spurns? Are they going to try and finish you off as well?”
“No, that will not happen.” Lisped words came from behind.
Brace and Josian fell into a defensive pose, blocking our vulnerable position on the ground.
Looking around their legs, I could see an emerald-haired Spurn. She was stiff, and looked as if she wished she was anywhere else.
“We were all overtaken by some type of fervor. I could see what I was doing, but didn’t care or understand why,” she tried to explain.
Her hands were clutched across her stomach as she stared past us toward Talina and Raror.
“Earon want to mourn Raror. We need to prepare the fade ceremony,” she finally croaked out.
There was no mention of Gladriel. Talina didn’t move or lift her head, but she spoke strongly.
“Do not come any closer,” she said to the other Earon. “I know you were Raror’s mating partner this season. But I will not share the honor of sending him off. He was my brother for all seasons.”
She spoke with such dignity, and for the first time raised her face to stare at us directly. Her lovely brown eyes were swollen, ringed in heavy red. Her features were grave, a sadness that could never be resolved. She wore her loss in such a profound manner that again I found my eyes filling with tears.
“I understand, Talina. I will let the others know of your wishes. The pontoon is being prepared. We will leave as soon as you are aboard.”
The Spurn walked away.
“We need to go to sea for the ceremony?” I asked, even though I knew on Spurn there would be no other way.
“Yes, I will carry Raror, and release him back to the ocean from which we are born.” She stood then, and with a deceptive strength gathered her brother into her arms.
She began her journey along the beach. Every step she took weighed her footprints into the damp sand, but she never faltered. She bore her burden with poise and a sense of purpose that would have made Raror proud. As we walked, I finally let my eyes rest on the fallen Spurn. His eyes were closed and he looked peaceful, despite the myriad of cuts and bruises littering his features.
I had seen my share of dead bodies on Earth, but not anyone that I really cared about. My thoughts were heavy as we followed Talina. She never showed the burden of his weight. The only time she stumbled was the moment the Earon pontoon came into view. It was the only break in the horizon line. Emerald-green flags flew from every level. Talina fell to her knees, but didn’t drop her precious parcel. She sobbed tearlessly into his chest.
“I am sorry, my brother. The flags should have flown for me first. It was never supposed to be you.”
She continued to talk to him as she rose again and stepped out into the water. We watched from the beach. It took her no time to reach the pontoon, even dragging Raror with her. Many Earon hands helped pull them aboard. There were many sorrowful faces with so much grief pouring from them.
Talina stood on deck to wave us over.
“I wondered if we were invited,” Brace said as we paused at the edge of the water. “Do you need help, Abby?”
I shook my head. “No, I’ve spent enough time in the water recently. I think I’m getting the hang of this swimming thing. Just don’t let any creatures eat me,” I added when we were standing waist deep.
They both laughed, which was in no way reassuring.
Keeping my head above the water, I paddled out at a reasonably fast pace. I wished again that I hadn’t worn jeans. They were not the most comfortable swimming attire. Brace stayed close to me. By the time we reached the pontoon, there was no sign of Talina. Other Earons helped us aboard and directed us upstairs to wait as the pontoon started to move off swiftly as if a hundred seahorses pulled it.
“I wonder where they go for this ceremony,” I said as the land disappeared behind us.
“Someplace sacred to them,” Josian said.
Every culture, race and religion practices different traditions for birth and death. On Earth, we’d been taught of the elaborate funerals that were performed to mourn the dead. I didn’t understand the entirety of the event, having never witnessed any myself, but it seemed quite abundant. But that was before the downfall.