We come upon the ranking Brotherhood Collective head, Diavido as he glares at Okoruro’s den. Okoruro has summoned Diavido to discuss an imperative matter. Crestfallen, Diavido is reluctant to enter. He musters a nonchalant half grin and calls out.


Okoruro; oh mad but wise one, why did you summon me here? I sense I interrupt your usual folly of drunken self-incitement. I can smell the stench of a brew of spirits; pass me a gourd so I may partake. I know as I quench, I only but deaden my troubles.

Sit Diavido and drink. The brothers of your clan are worried. They say your sorrow is unnaturally extending due to the loss of your beloved, the adorned Kalduel. It seems grief is morphing into sickness. You do not nourish adequately. You do not take to the baths. You do not train and your brothers, they worry out of care.

Diavido & Okoruro
Diavido & Okoruro

 

Okoruro, I am not stricken with sickness, I weep naturally for my departed. We were from the same tribe, completed warrior training together and were bed fellows for more than eight cycles. The history and love is unfathomable. How should one properly grieve with such a heavy loss?

Loss is a part of life Diavido. Grieve but do not allow diminish in health. This will impact the clan. Your brothers are not questioning your sorrow. They too lost a strong dear brother. They need you. Continued grief after so many moons, rightfully worries the clan. We do not know when the next breech will occur. It could be many moons or many cycles. Regardless the clan needs to be of one mind for the sake of strengthening the energy and defending our existence. The Brotherhood Collective must always exhibit united might.

Okoruro…the loss of Kalduel, the loss of his very essence depletes me. I have never encountered this emotion.

Diavido, your sorrow shows compassion dwelling within great character. Those inside and outside the clans misses Kalduel. They recognized his prominence but least not forget his death came due to defending and protecting our existence. He knew the threat and chose to attack the primary nether-beast on his own once it entered through the portal mists. The clan would have been decimated under the stealthy attack. Kalduel not only sounded the alarm throttling the onslaught, he went into the fray with such ferocity that he single handily slayed the primary nether-beast; an unimaginable feat. Yes he perished from injury; nonetheless his legacy will live on for ages in monument and within scrolls in the Majestic Hall. He is more than a hero.

Kalduel & primary nether-beast
Kalduel & primary nether-beast

Okoruro, I’m aware of his legacy and that is what concerns me as well. He was the mightiest of the clan, the strongest of the Brotherhood Collective. I see the uneasiness and anticipation from my brothers. I was his second and now they look to me to be the first. Okoruro, I am not as strong as Kalduel. I have cut through numerous beast hordes but I was still his second. I feel everyone wants me to hasten grief so I can lead. I feel unworthy. Furthermore, within all their love, there is a loneliness that the brotherhood cannot replace. The lack of comfort and touch adds to the unresolved. I do crave.

Diavido, you mustn’t wallow in pity. You seek assurance where none is required. Look to your own history. Look at your battle and combat accomplishments. Are they not great? I beckoned you due to my own concerns but let us end this. Remember Kalduel but clear your inlets and allow the energy to flow, cleansing yourself of this toxic grief.

You will ready your brethren and lead the clan. Brother Kalduel’s sacrifice brought us many cycles to prepare. You may were second in strength but you are first in cunning. Your battle foresight gave Kalduel direction and is why we have continued to triumph. After the end of this coming moon, you must cease the grieving and take your position. This is the only option.

Diavido my boy, as for the emptiness of touch, in your heart and bed chambers, HA HA HA, fill it. There are countless admirers waiting to be tested. Word is clansman Taliandro from the East Realm Brotherhood Collective has covertly threatened warriors seeking your companionship with pummeling. You two had an excursion during your second phase of life, did you not? I hear once you take your lead, he will make an official combat challenge for your companionship.

Okoruro, how do you know of such things past and present? That excursion during my second phase of life was inadvertent. As memory suggests, only a fist full of trusted brethren knew of the flesh bond between Taliandro and I.

Oh Diavido, I may be mad with spirits but I hold title of wise one for reason. Take my words as prophecy. Unbreakable bonds Taliandro will give you. He is eager and you are deserving.

Diavido, know that current existence has its multitudes of teachings. These teachings nurture growth and build character. That character lends itself as fuel for your positive Dymox energy. It manifests in your hand-to-hand skills as well as your weaponry. It’s what makes you a member of the Brotherhood. It’s what makes the Brotherhood our guardians. Even without Dymox energy, your character alone should still wield power. Know Diavido, you are powerful.

Okoruro, I shall lessen the time between my visits. You always leave my wells replenished with sage words. I will take my rightful position as Brotherhood Collective leader and strengthen our resolve. In time, Taliandro shall have a chance for companionship combat. It has been sometime since I have unleashed and I know our flesh bond will be voracious.

Okoruro, I leave you to your follies. Until next time old friend.

HA HA, and I shall continue where I left. I bid you blissful moons Diavido.

Okoruro
Okoruro

Don’t laugh to hard at my rudimentary sketches for this short story. It’s been well over a decade since I have tried my hand at drawing. I was inspired to write this short story after viewing the below painting by German artist Hans Thoma. As I studied the painting, I could only wonder what the two were discussing. I used it as a muse to come up with my own tale and decided to have illustrations to further push the conversation between the two characters. I also wanted to hint at the storied overt sexuality of Pan or the Faun of mythology. I hoped you enjoyed it. As always, please feel free to share your thoughts and feedback.hans thoma