5. Lies
Myrina told the tribe members that he had left the tribe. She did not explain why but just that he was not returning. There were questions but Myrina told them not to question their creator or Kale’s choice on leaving. Only Myrina and Katsumi knew the truth. The thought of Kale and his banishment had dispersed from Myrina’s mind. She no longer had to worry about her older brother and his shenanigans. She did have moments where she missed him but she remembered that she wouldn’t have to sacrifice him. Thinking about that made the sad feelings disappear. If he passed away on his journey then it would be the will of the goddesses and not by Myrina’s hand. Obi had also been a great distraction.
Katsumi avoided the rest of her tribe mates. Partially because she wanted to find some quiet place to practice her painting. The other was due to them not seeming to care that Kale was gone. They all went on with their lives like nothing happened and that Kale was going to come bounding through the gates with supplies they needed. Everyone but Titus. The youngest son seemed to be taking it the hardest. He kept apologizing like he was the reason Kale had left. Katsumi tried to comfort him. She desperately wanted to tell him Kale was safe.
He had approached her when she went to the spa. Kale asked that she keep an eye on his siblings. They were still too immature to deal with everything. He worried for Myrina. She wasn’t properly prepared for running the tribe. Titus was far too worried about everything. Katsumi agreed to watch over them.
His final words to her kept replaying in her head.
“I love you Katsumi”
This was the first time he had said it to her face. Hearing him say this would get her through the trials she would have to deal with in years to come.
Titus felt extremely guilty. Kale leaving so soon after their argument made Titus blame himself. Kale would never just up and leave without saying goodbye. There had to be a reason. Was it his fault that Kale left? Could it be that Titus’s anger had driven Kale off? He should not have shouted at him. Titus had no right to do that. He worried for his older brother’s safety. What if he was alone, dying. No one to help him or ease his pain. If something happened to Kale because of this Titus would never forgive himself.
He couldn’t look Katsumi in the eye anymore. Anytime he did, all he saw was pain in her face. Titus knew how much Katsumi had loved his brother. They were a match made by the gods. Seeing the pain he cause made Titus feel horrible. He would apologize profusely every time they were in a room together. Katsumi would shake her head.
“Do not apologize for your brother leaving, there is nothing you could have done” hearing her say this did not help him feel better.
The only thing he felt could ease his troubled soul would be the meditation mats. His mother had told him a long time ago that they could help take away some of the burdens of life. He had never believed her but it was worth a shot.
He entered the meditation room after the evening meal. Titus muffled a startled sound. He didn’t think that anyone would have been in there. He did not expect a very nice looking rear-end to be waved in his face.
“Ah prince Titus” Demetria stood up smiling. “have you come to free yourself from the daily trouble?”
It took a moment for Titus to answer. He was thrown off by Demetria in such a relaxed setting. Whenever he had seen her working she had a very focused look on her face. She seemed to have no time for things other then her work.
“Prince? I am brother to the creator. Not a prince…” the woman shrugged at the reply.
Titus walked over to the mats at the other side of the room. He stood there for a few moments trying to thing of how to start. Due to lack of interest he never learned how to use the mats.
“Is something wrong” Demetria questioned. He looked over at her. She was smiling warmly.
“I do not what to do” He heard Demetria make a humming noise and walk over to him. She took the mat next to him.
“Follow my lead then” she instructed him on each stance. Once he had a basic grasp on the moves, she taught him a basic routine that would help clear his mind.
The moon rose high in the sky when he was brought back to reality by an exhale.
“I hope this has helped whatever has been causing you turmoil” she stepped off the mat as he straightened up.”Goodnight Titus”
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