Flindra handed her brother a waterskin for she knew he was tired from his labors. Digging was always difficult work and this task was made harder with the knowledge of the purpose of this effort.
Leudh put down his shovel and drank his fill. "Thank you." He returned the water to her.
"You're welcome."
"I think this is deep enough," he remarked sadly. "I'll widen it a little at the bottom and then it’ll be ready."
Flindra nodded in understanding and her eyes suddenly flooded with tears. She looked away to hide her sorrow for she had promised her father she wouldn't cry. In spite of her efforts to force back her tears, she sobbed audibly.
Leudh dug out one last shovelful of dirt, threw the spade into the heap of dirt piled to the side of the grave, and climbed out of the hole.
Flindra felt strong arms surrounded her as Leudh embraced her. "Don't be ashamed to cry, little sister. Death is always hard." His voice was husky with emotion.
"I told him I wouldn't cry, though," she protested. "I know he's finally free of pain and has returned to the Spirit, but I miss him so very much."
"We’ll always miss him, but I'd like to hope he is somewhere in the Beyond and is looking back at us with a kind smile."
Flindra smiled through her tears, "Thanks, Leudh. That helps."
"Let's go home and get Momma, Brehwan and the boys. It's time to send Papa home."
"All right."
They stood. Leudh retrieved his tunic and slipped it on for the breeze blowing on his sweat-dampened body felt cold. They turned and started down the wooded slope towards home.
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