Chapter 32
CHAPTER
THIRTY-TWO
She does not ask for our help, but she does not need to. We kneel at her side and pluck wildflowers. We gather as many as we can carry before taking them to a greenhouse, and then Elara begins to bind them with white ribbon.
“White symbolizes purity. It is a way to send them into their next life,” she explains slowly.
“These will be presented at their graves.” Once it’s done, she runs her eyes over her creation, seemingly happy.
Her expression is withdrawn, her eyes sunken and sad, and I ache to reach out and hold her, but I can tell she’s holding on by a prayer.
Right now, she needs to be strong, so I silently vow to help in any way I can. “Follow me.”
Within an hour, we change into pure white tunics.
They were clearly meant for others, but the fact that she includes us makes me happy, especially since she is dressed the same.
When she is ready, we follow her out onto the grounds.
Everyone else is dressed in the same colour and style.
It surprises me, but I suppose black is a human tradition. Here, it seems they celebrate death.
The sun is setting, throwing the sky into a beautiful array of colours, which seems to signal the start of something.
Soft music fills the air, and voices all around us take up the sound.
Haunting words of goodbyes and love surround us, and Elara joins in as she picks up a bouquet.
Others do the same, and we watch as they walk towards twelve white coffins under the trees.
Once Elara and the others reach them, they spread out until there is a woman holding flowers behind each coffin.
They step forward in sync and place the flowers upon the lids, then they step back again, and Elara turns as the song tapers off.
“Today, we send them to their next lives. Although we may not see each other again in this lifetime, we will in the next. Each and every one of these women was a warrior for love and our people, and we will always remember them. They are gone, but they remain with us in spirit. Today is not just for sadness, but for love and the celebration of their lives. It is what they would want.”
There’s a squawk, and we all look up to see a group of birds flying above us, dancing in the colourful sunset before calling out once more then shooting into the sky, and she grins.
“They bless us with their presence, just like this land will bless them into their next life. Today, we are equals in our grief. I remember with you. I weep with you. These are our people, and we will give them a new, better life. May your next one be free of suffering and pain.” Her voice is strong, clear, and powerful, but her eyes brim with tears that overflow and slide down her cheeks as she heads towards the coffin she placed the flowers on.
It must be her mother’s. Elara whispers something too soft for me to catch before kissing it.
Her hands shake ever so slightly and her back rounds in her pain, but she does not break down.
She offers the same gesture to the others before kneeling before them, her head bowed.
The others soon follow suit, and I copy them, watching as the coffins are lowered into the ground.
Nobody moves as they are entombed, and when the dirt falls, their voices take up the song again, this time speaking of love and future lives.
It is beautiful, and there is so much love within the women around us, we become one. I join in, and I hear the others begin to sing as well, and when Elara turns, I know she hears it. The smile she offers us is small, but I know she will be okay.