Zenedin could even feel it now, the colour draining from his features. Makeshift bandages had done well for themselves considering the circumstances. Though now he could feel the scarlet beginning to soak his chest through the linen bindings. Each foot fell heavy as he made to exit the church into the warmth of the glistening sun. Shoulders slumped, an ailing hand grasping at air to find the stone wall which ran the perimeter. Each breath drew longer, filling lungs to fight the fatigue and wavering focus. The dagger wound still stung, though with a numbed edge as sensation began to tingle in absence beneath his skin. A small price for the freedom that the death of the ninja had imparted on his family.
Nevertheless, the Serendian had done it, lasted long enough to walk his dearest cousin down the aisle and sit through a ceremony of happiness and joy. His wife squeezing his hand as they watched their family growing, even if it meant a war was well on its way. He would not be the one to spoil the celebrations. All attention had to be with Donya, not with himself. Zenedin believed his wounds trivial, a stab that had yet to bring him down, and thus ignored the protest of his body as he had bound the cloth about his abdomen. A fix that would be enough to see him through until the âI dosâ and beyond, far enough that the taste of wine still comforted his tongue. Suddenly taste had become that much more important. To feel, to pick apart flavour. The ability to do that even as his awareness  was fading  Regardless, he was happy, he was at peace as he stepped over to the shade of a corner store.
âYou two havenât put me through enough yet, have you?â he whispered with a good natured smile on his lips, mind growing wistful and witless as eyelids flickered. Each chuckle, a deep movement of his diaphragm, arcing the pain of his injuries through his core. The words meant for his father and grandfather as they peered down upon him from their place of rest. The informal form of prayer he extended to his predecessors was answered with a pulsing of his heart, the pain calming to a sullied ache.
âReally? You had to wait that long for that?â A bald head lolled from side to side. Thoughts turned to a time when they were both still with him, both still playing with him, setting him up for life and its trials.
His head knocked against the cold iron of a bucket. The old tool rattling and crashing besides the wheat sack he had found himself perched upon. Weak hands extended in a vain attempt to steady himself.
âDo you need me yet? Theyâre safe now, all of them. Sheâs married, grandad! She actually beat me at someth..â his voice trailed off, jaw drooping slack for a moment before his body jerked his senses awake once more. âI take that as a no?â words murmured softly to the air as his head relaxed back on a bed of hemp sack, the smile very much painted into a grin within the one sided conversation. âI just want to sleep now, dad.â Lips clapped as he worked his tongue about his mouth.
The wet feel of his own blood, thick between fingers as it struggled to clot beneath his suit jacket. Worry and concern for his own condition dissipated as his belief that he would be found held steadfast. What little energy remained drew inwards, pictures and people revolving in his imagination as he thought of their futures. Kaliynna finally finding the right love. The warmth she so deserved. Akila finding the peace at her heart. Edwinn calming the storm at his centre. Karidaen finally leading his own band of mercenaries. Â Shanlee resolving herself from the valkyries for good and finding the life that lay beyond prayer and strict restriction. Silhouettes of sons and daughters taking their parents hands. Donya still sparring away, ducking, dodging and weaving, whilst Jherden was stuck with a baby at his chest, slung cosily in white cottons. Tamariss smiling down at the ring on her finger as she collected their son in her arms.
The quiet street perfectly framed the broad man in his own mind as imagination began to give away to sleep. A bleeding wound reduced to less than a leak as his heart rate slowed and eased into rest. The warmth of his thoughts guiding him away.
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