The Legacy: Part VI

"Here old man, you dropped this. Knowing you, you would not rest easy without it." Ian knelt in the ashes by the burnt-out byre and laid Ferret's pipe down. A young lad named Mathias had found it at the ambush site and brought it in to Ian as he returned from dealing with Giles. The half-elf swallowed heavily. "T`si im T`si" Blood for Blood... the scales are balanced... and gods, Ferret, I wish it hadn't been this way. I should have hauled your butt off to Camelot so you could train recruits... but you wouldn't come, would you? You always said you'd die a merc. I just don't think you counted on this."

"I don't think he did, either. For all he trained us, he just couldn't let go of that last shred of honor, and expecting to be treated with honor by those he dealt with." Hadrian's smooth voice floated over from where he stood just at the ashes' edge. "He passed that on to us, Ian, you and I, and Marcus, and Dev, the rest. That's why the Twisted Otters are renowned... honest mercs!"

Ian nodded, then lay a glowing hand on the pipe and it flared. In seconds, it too was ashes. He rose and walked back over by Hadrian. "Do you think he would have liked my plan?" The older man chuckled. "Liked it? It was classic Ferret. Make the bastard at ease by thinking we'd all be here. Find an ally within by "cui bono." The execution... flawless. Except... Ian, the men were a bit, um, taken aback with how you finished him off. Why not a clean kill?"

"I truly don't know. I had such rage in me --- perhaps it was the blood oath. I truly don't know." He shook his head. "I'm hoping I'll find the answer when I get home. There is something not feeling quite right... " He looked off towards England for a brief moment, then came back to the task at hand." I couldn't be here last night, Ferret. but I am this morning, and there is one last thing I can do for you." He raised his hands, whispering softly in his Sithryn tongue, and slowly, the ashes began to rise and whirl about within the confines where they had lain. Faster and faster, higher and higher they whirled, until, now high above the men, they were blown away on a blast of wind Ian summoned.

Hadrian clapped Ian on the shoulder. "Oh, well done! Well done indeed!" They stood there a few moments longer as the wind whipped about, perhaps hoping it would strip away some of their grief. Finally Ian turned and walked to his big bay. "I loved him like a father, you know." He swung up into the saddle. "Take good care of the Otters, Hadrian. They are his legacy."

"I know, and I will. And could you give this letter to Marcus for me? Tell him... er... " Ian grinned. "I will, and I know. Good fortune to you, Hadrian, till next we meet." He took the letter, tucked it in his tunic, and with a final wave rode off. The older man watched until man and horse reached a ridge and disappeared from view. "You are wrong, Ian. The Otters are only part of his legacy."

"You are his legacy, too."