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Leadem, Christopher

"The Mantooth"

.... But I should not want
to kill Akar. I should not reward your courage with banishment. I am
sorry, Carnivore. I am sorry. I grow old, and afraid of dying.' And
he covered his face with his hands.
And Kalus wept, because he felt the same emptiness. He wept for
weakness and fighting and death, and feeling so much. And he went to
Barabbas and took down his hands, and awkwardly embraced him. And
Barabbas did not know what to do, but only that he loved his son who was
crying, and that he was not alone anymore. His own tears still fell,
but now for love, and he felt the great emptiness filling slowly, and
all the while Kalus said strange words.
'Forgive me.'
Then Kalus backed away, drained of all emotion, and went to see if Akar
was all right. Then he turned back to his father, still feeling though
he had nothing left.
'We are allies,' he signaled. 'I will always fight for you. I
love you, my father, you are stronger than I. Do not be ashamed.'
And Barabbas no longer felt old and foolish, and as he turned to face
the others, felt no shame. They stood silent, as the wolves stood
silent, and Kalus knelt beside him friend, forgetting his own injuries.
Akar tried to raise himself off the damaged shoulder but could not. He
slid down in anguish.


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