User:Bovel/Omens unseen
Omens unseen is a short story describing the final moments of elder Okati of the Darkspear tribe.
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Slowly twilight crept over the still sea and Echo Isles and blanketed everything in a pale nuance. The shriek of bats who fluttered right below the canopy was still heard in the distance, but the chill of the night gradually retreated. Coarse and raspy coughs tore into the calm as the old troll turned on his frond-spread, gasping for air in between every round of coughs. Okati's attention turned to gentle a gentle footfall, someone entered carrying herbs in heated water determined by the smell. The blind troll attempted to sit up and a pair of strong arms quickly grabbed at his gangly shoulders from the side of his spread. Siame had sat vigil over Okati since dusk. With a bony hand he motioned the newcomer to sit.
"Fi', Okati no be feelin' like brew, juss put it by de skull as an offerin'."
Shamra complied with his wish and splashed a few droplets on the darkened ogre skull and put the bowl beside it. She had helped tending to Okati since they first met when he taught the young troll a simple offering to Lukou. A quick shuffle of her feet and she slid down opposite Siame. Another serie of croaks came and went before Okati put a light hand on each of his caretakers.
"De sky is clear, no? Please, lead Okati to de shore. Wish to feel de dawn-sun."
"You really fo' dat, Okati'jin?" Shamra retorted silently and was only met by a quick glare from Siame.
The female trolls offered one supportive hand each to the mystic and slowly lead him through the sleeping village. As he heard small waves crashing into the sandy beach he asked to be let go. Siame handed Okati his big voodoo mask, with some effort he hunched down and rested his chin and heavy tusks on the edge of it. Eyes closed as if anticipating the bright rays of the sun even though he would never see them anyhow. The humid breeze from the ocean eased his wild coughing.
An argument broke out between the two young ones a few feet away from their elder. Almost in unison their voices raised and then they hushed at each other. Okati heard that it was about him but did not care. Siame and Shamra took their bicker further away and brought it down to sharp whispers. It ended in a loud offended snort that turned in to gasps as they turned towards the old troll. There he lay curled up like a child on the sand, pale and not breathing anymore. Bright rays of the sun caressed their necks with a soft warmth as it peaked over the horizon.
