Tribute - To the Crusaders

"What happened?"

Decimus inquired, his eyes tentatively watching this strange new comrade. Shiena folded her arms,

"Are you just asking, or do you really want to know?"

"I wouldn't have asked if I didn't want to."

Decimus replied calmly. A sigh escaped Shiena's lips.

"You read stories of kings and men, heroes who fought and wounded pursuing their dreams. How that desire to live over-wrought the clench of death that sought them."

She shook her head.

"I was in such an accident. Where.. I wondered if I would live or die. It was nothing serious, now that I can think of it as something I survived. But at the time, you wonder. Your mind ponders things unimaginable to the daily thought. I lived, as they thought, but... It wasn't anything awe-inspiring as the stories might have you believe. You wake up and realize things are better. My dreams, my goals... They didn't change. I wasn't filled with the insurmountable urge to better the world. But... It did make me appreciate one thing: memories."

"In the end, at the edge of that cold dark abyss, our memories are all we take with us. Amusingly enough, I didn't have many memories. I thought I didnt' have any at all, until..."

"Until?"

Decimus repeated, sitting silently across the stream from where Shiena stood. The rogue unfurled her brow and smiled faintly,

"The small memories. The simple joys of every day life... I compounded every pleasant thought I had every since henceforth, and it made me smile. Even as I lay dying. My thoughts turned to a group of warriors from far south, across the ocean. Not a Hero nor King would know their name; no history book will sing praises of their deeds. But they don't need to."

"They called themselves the Crusaders of the Flame. And when I was wandering, a stranger in a strange land, they took me in and called me friend. They became a sort of second family for me. Unlike mercenary groups or Rogue guilds I've seen, these people had an air of comradery about them that was unmatched. They didn't hestitate to trust me. Why? Because they trusted each other. Should I ever draw sword or knife against one of their own, they'd rise and protect each other. That fierce comradery was what kept me with them... Until I traveled north on my own for a season... And met my fate at Death's door."

"The Crusaders were not heroes; they were my friends. And when I thought I didn't have much to be grateful for in that dark moment, I remembered them and the times we shared."

And it made me smile.