I was born the day after my father died. Bedengii had been a good King, a great King, but I never knew him. The King I knew was Chekirii, Bedengii’s adopted son. My brother. In many ways, the only father I ever had. He named me ‘Brother’ - Bira. He was strong and fast and brave and so very, very tall. He was so much bigger and stronger than I was. A Primal Smilus. He was larger than life, in everything he did. He did his best to be good, even though it was hard for him. To be honest, I loved him all the more for it. Being a kind, good King like our father didn’t come naturally to him, but he tried anyway. To me, that made him the greatest King.

But the day came when his powerful legs shook as he walked. When waking in the morning took longer, when his joints ached with the cold so badly he couldn’t leave the den. And when that day came, I took his colors, as he had taken Bedengii’s before me.

Chekirii had always told me that he was no King. That the throne belonged to me, and he was just saving it for when I was ready. I always laughed. How could I take the place of my brother, so big and so strong? But I was now King. And the only thing I had of him was our father’s colors. 

For a time I wandered, seeking answers. How could I honor both the father of my blood and the father of my heart? How could I bring together my two Kings?

And then the ancestors showed me the way.

I am the union of my brother’s strength and my father’s heart. I give tribute to them with every breath I take.