I prepare to transport her to her final resting-place. Although she stood a head above me in life, in this pose she’s below me in stature, so that I’ll be able to carry her. I smile. Below me in stature? In physical stature only.
After attaching straps to her arms, I turn and reach back to grasp the straps. Hunching forward, I pull on the straps to lift her onto my back. She’s heavy. I shrug her weight further up until her feet clear the ground enough to let me walk nearly upright. Moving to the door, bearing her like my cross, I step onto the silent streets where Fan already waits.
~~~
Keys and I explored much of the Be’nan city that first day. Fan tagged along behind, keeping her distance from Keys. He was mostly silent. I knew that the Be’nans reaction to our presence, or rather lack
