So Long, Sister

by Ghak the Hairy One
as told to Steven Vance Wadding


I stood over the man from Amoz, preparing to thrust my spear through his heart.

"Ghak, no!" I heard.  Jahneel threw herself protectively over him, pushing my spearpoint aside.

"Jahneel, what are you doing?  He stole you from us.  He has dishonored you!  He must die!"

"Yes, Kadeen stole me.  But he has treated me with honor and respect.  He was escorting me back to Sari so that I could let you and Father know that I am well."

"We will tell Father that you are well when we go home after I kill this thief," I replied.  "Stand aside!"

"I will not!"  She stamped her foot.

I sighed softly in despair.  I knew my sister well, and knew that she was beyond the point of listening to reason.  I prepared myself.  I had a plan.  If I swung the haft of my spear about, I could knock her aside, and follow through with the point in the heart of this Kadeen, as she called him.

Jahneel must have guessed what I planned, for she leapt forward and grabbed the spear.  Behind her, I saw the Amozite come to his feet and rush in behind her.

"Jahneel, you have killed me," I cried as he knocked me to the ground, releasing my spear and grabbing for my knife.  But I was too late, as his own knife slashed towards my throat, and...  did not cut.

"I, Kadeen, King of Amoz, would not choose to kill the brother of my mate Jahneel," he said.  "But if that is the only way that there can be peace between us, I will do so."

Jahneel knelt beside us.

"Ghak, he is a mighty hunter and warrior.  And he is the king of his city, and beloved by his people.  He treats me well, and together we will have strong sons and beautiful daughters."  She paused.  "And I love him," she almost whispered.

The fight went out of me.

"If I don't bring you back, Father may go to war with Amoz."

"You can talk him out of it.  Tell him that I am happy."

We embraced, and she and Kadeen headed back towards Amoz.  I watched until they went among the trees, when she looked back and waved.  She managed to send a messenger at the birth of their son (who was, indeed, strong), and another at the birth of their daughter (who was, indeed, beautiful), but that was the last time I saw my sister.

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