The women and children and their necessary possessions were packed and stowed on the horses. It was night now, and many men from both tribes were saying farewell to their families. The sounds of sadness filled the air, as the women and children mounted up, surrounded by a band of armed warriors. There were last minute embraces, and tears shed, and promises made that each hoped would be fulfilled.
Husam kissed Qirfah’s cheek as he helped her to the saddle; then hugged his children and kissed the tops of their heads as he handed them up to her. Their little hands reached down for him, and he kissed their fingertips, telling them of the new sights they would see with their mother. When he looked up, he could see Qirfah’s gaze go to one who stood at the far edge of the crowd. She turned back to Husam, her eyes filled with such sadness that his heart broke at the sight of it. ‘Take care of the precious little ones,’ he told her as he kissed her finger tips and faded into the throng.
Then they were off, moving swiftly eastward into the starred darkness of the desert night.
[ July 21, 2003: Message edited by: piosenniel ]
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Eldest, that’s what I am . . . I knew the dark under the stars when it was fearless - before the Dark Lord came from Outside.
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