Saying Goodbye
Sethos was not one for speeches, so when he indicated that he wished the family to join him in the living room, no one argued. No one even thought to deny him. Such was the power of not speaking, and he wielded it well. Patience itself, he watched his father and younger brother sit down. This was hard. Surprisingly so. He was too old to be so touched.
"I am leaving." Nonetheless, he was not one to sugar coat things. Autsu continued to watch him, expression flat. Father looked surprised, maybe saddened. "There is a chance for me to walk the lady's path, and take a child of my own. I am taking it."
"And you must go to do this thing?" He loved Kniene at that moment, the way the man didn't argue, only asked for clarity in quiet tones.
He shrugged in response, lifting a hand to gesture to the house at large, which was, after all, not so large as that. Kniene nodded his understanding.
"You will be going far?" Autsu was harder. His voice was cool but his eyes were bright with pain. Oh Autsu, old/young brother. How to heal that fear in him?
"No. Not far. The little one will know its family. I will wish much of you." He would need much. He didn't think he could do it alone.
"I am proud, my son." Kniene stood to cross the room, and kissed him on the forehead gently. Tears welled up in Sethos's eyes, and he was not afraid to let them fall. He'd found such kindness here.
"I am not going far." He repeated, and the words were so unnecessary, yet he needed to say them, which he never needed to do. All the same.
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