Fathers and Mothers

“Efficiently,” Rastaban said.

Rami nodded once, sharply, and gestured for his men to form up. “Bury the body. We will have the ceremony at dusk.”



The shaman began ordering the men around. Rastaban and Khouri followed Rami back to the fire in the middle of the camp.

“What you did was -”

“Necessary,” Rastaban said. “You taught me necessity, and he’d have led your army to slaughter in its first battle.”

Rami gazed into Rastaban’s eyes and sighed. “Where did I fail? I tried to be a father, and -”

“You are a good father,” Rastaban said. “Only I had no mother.”