The Dusk

     I flinched as Caprio delivered the killing blow, my hands forming tight fists. Inside, I knew the elven guard he was fighting didn't have to die- and worse, he did, too. Yet he still chose to kill her. “ Rivvil-” I muttered the slur to myself, trying to keep in mind how many lives I was saving by traveling with this man, however morally neutral he was.

      Still, she was a graceful and disciplined fighter, only doing her job. And I hate to see elves die. They are an intelligent people, usually diplomatic, if not kind.

      “Come on,” Caprio called, wiping the blood from his long sword before sheathing it. “If we reach Wruby City by nightfall, we'll see the coast tomorrow.”

      I nodded, then stepped forward and knelt down, beginning to gently adjust the body of the fallen elf so that she looked more at peace.

“What are you doing?” Caprio asked.

“I need time to bury the body.” I stated, not looking up.

 He laughed. He actually laughed. I pursed my lips.

“Leave it.” He replied,"We don't have time.”

 Now I looked up, working to keep from scowling “I always bury the dead.” I informed him, locking eyes.

“We have not the time.” He repeated.

“It will not take long.” I gave him a look that communicated in no uncertain terms that I would not compromise when it came to this bond.

“Fine.” He said at length. “I'll scout ahead. You have 10 minutes.”  He walked into the trees. I looked back to the fallen elf. 10 minutes would not be long enough to dig a grave. But I did not fear. I was in North Zoso: I wouldn't have to.

      Almost immediately, the ground around the body began growing grass. I'd read books and heard stories of what happened when people died in North Zoso, but never had the occasion to witness it. I watched the grass grow; wondering at how fast it happened.

      Suddenly, right before my eyes, a figure began to form. it's simply materialized from the space around. it was just under my height and had what sculptors would regard as the perfect bodily dimensions. It was made of soil, it seemed, as its skin was textured with that rich brown of the landscape around us.

      The being opened its ‘eyes’- they looked to be made out of agate or some other stone- and met my gaze.

      I raised my hands to my chest, bringing them in, palms towards me, then palms out back towards the spirit and a gesture of peace and respect, to show a sharing of your spirit or soul with another. To my surprise, the being returned to the gesture.

     “I am Kaze Collins.  I'd like to pay my respects to this fallen elf. She fought bravely and gracefully.”  I looked down. “ She didn't  deserve to die.” I added in a soft voice.

“Her name was Quelenna Naïlo.” The spirit spoke. I nearly jumped back in surprise. I had heard of the spirits called the Dusk, and knew a little about them, but I did not know they spoke; and I did not know they knew things about the person who had passed away. 

“What else can you tell me about her?” I asked after recovering from my surprise. The spirit knelt down across from me.

“She liked to listen to the wind in the trees. She liked watching the snow fall.”  The Dusk was now smiling sadly. ”She was in love. In her own words, she finally found an elf she loved almost as much as she loved the ocean.”

      I looked up, meeting the somehow very living eyes of the Dusk. There was suddenly a lump in my throat.

“Do you oppose to me blessing the body and releasing it to the land?” the spirit asked.

 I shook my head.

      The Dusk closed its eyes and gently laid its soil-made hands on the body. I watched, bowing my head respectfully as the spirit whispered something in the elemental language. The grass around the body began to grow over the sill form. At the same time, the body seemed to fade into the ground. In only a few moments, it was as if the body had never been there.

     “From death comes life. Every end is a beginning.” The spirit said. It stood. “Respect, khal’abbil.” It finished.

     I closed my eyes. I do not deserve the respect of this pure spirit. It called me ‘khal’abbil’, meaning ‘trusted friend’. I do not deserve either title. I stood by while this innocent elf was murdered by the man I'm traveling with.

      I opened my eyes to speak to the spirit, but the Dusk was gone. 

…Two Months Later…

      The tide sounded in a deep bass that vibrated my skull as it crashed into the shore. Under my feet, the white quartz sand retreated with the wave, burying me to my ankles. My thoughts drifted, inevitably, it seemed, to Quelenna. the elf I had not known, yet mourned. The elf whose death had made me realize that things needed to change in my life. She loved the ocean. My eyes scanned along the shore, then out to the horizon, blinking away tears that I tried to convince myself were only a consequence of the salt in the air.

     As the waves  crashed against me the second time, now dancing around my calves, I turned west. The sunset was almost over, the deep orange lights of the fading sun hovering about the water in their reflective dance. Down the beach always, Druun- my fiancé- and Mavis- our dog- were playing in the water, Druun skipping stones as the dog splashed chaotically after them. I wanted to talk with him about how I felt, about Quelenna, but what would I say? How could I explain the loss I was feeling when I didn't truly understand it myself?

      A few minutes later, I felt a touch on my leg and looked down. Mavis was looking up at me with expected eyes. I reached down and ruffled her ears.

“You came back different.” Druun called as he walked towards me, the white sand making his skin look even darker than its usual almost ebony hue.

“I know.” I said at length.

 He put an arm around me and I leaned in, the action giving me more comfort than I think he realized.

“I feel different.” I whispered.

“Nobody said you had to stay the same.” He replied, ever patient, ever perceptive.

      We stood and watched the clouds turn from orange to red. With the change, our silent lamentations turn to silent praises.

      My troubles retreated with the tide as waves of peace washed over me.