Gana stood over a grave. He swept away the dead leaves and grass. After that, he poured water all over the grave then spreading daisy flower petals all over the grave. He took a stool and sat on it before heaving a deep breath.
"We are leaving soon, grandpa. You know, I never said thank you, so uhm, thanks, grandpa."
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The six-year-old Gana clumsily carried a basket of eggplants. He put it near the storage room of the hut which he and his mother resided. He wiped off his sweat before hailing his mother.
"Mom! I'm done, I will go play." Gana laughed heartily.
"Be careful! Be back before sunset!" Ziri shot back.
Gana weaved his way between the huts, as he heard a familiar grunt. Manhad was seen dragging a bucket of water. 'That sounds like grandpa,' Gana concurred.
"Hey, grandpa! You need help?"
Manhad glanced over," Ah, Gana boy, please do."
Gana followed Manhad while hauling the bucket. Once that matter settled, Gana decided to sit with his grandpa on the stairs.
"Hey, grandpa. What is it like to see? Like, how you use eyes?" Gana innocently asked.
Manhad almost spat out the water he was drinking as he looked at Gana with mixed expressions.
"Hmm, well, you could see the light, you could see the colours, the shapes, the beauty." Manhad saw the boy had a very curious expression. He continued, "How you use them? I don't know how to explain it to you."
Gana tilted his head, conscientiously thinking and absorbing Manhad's words. Manhad chuckled at his action before returning a question to Gana.
"So, do you feel its unfair that you are blind?"
Gana turned his head towards Manhad," I don't know grandpa. It has always been dark since that's all I see anyways. Maybe, this is normal? Erm..." Gana shrugged.
"Haha, you may not be able to see, but you can feel. Hold onto that feeling, whatever that is. It will guide you throughout your life."
"Hmm, well I can feel mom's pain. She always cried at night saying "I'm sorry, for birthing you blind." repeatedly. I'm not sure what she meant but I want to help her."
Manhad was startled by this and sighed," Your mom is a very strong woman. Always remember to protect her, okay?"
Gana nodded," I will, grandpa."
Manhad smiled, his hand reached out and patted Gana's head softly. " Your blindness won't be your only obstacle. I pray your heart is as sturdy as a rock."
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Gana found himself ruffling his hair before clenching it. He stood there motionless for about five minutes then turned to walk towards his hut. He knocked on the door and entered. He saw his mother already tying the bag to her body like a sling.
He put the other bag on his shoulder. "Mom, let me carry that-"
"Nonsense, dear. Your mom is still strong."
Gana scratched his head, "Erm, sure. Shall we depart?
The mother and son duo left the village that treated them so well these past few years. Their destination was Dalna Village. The village had a strategic location where the three main rivers from the great tribes converged in Dalna. The Panjang River, Deras River and Lentuk River all intersected at Dalna Village. Under the leadership of Ayak Tribe, Dalna flourished and its economic power became a powerful reason on why the Ayaks were able to remain independent.
'Based on what sensei said, Dalna has a lot of trouble dealing with river pirates. Becoming a bounty hunter there should be very lucrative' Gana mused to himself then peeking over at his mother who was moving shabbily and breathing hard. Seeing this, he tied both of their bags to the front of him as he lifted his mother on his back to perform a fireman carry.
"Wha-What, Gana!?" Ziri almost screamed.
"Calm down and rest, mom," Gana grinned.
Ziri just sighed as she let her son carried her on the way towards Dalna. 'Hm, this reminds me of when mother carried me to Sandak.' Gana reminisced. Their journey consumed four days of constant walking and resting. Gana approached the two shirtless guards that were wielding their spears.
"Is Dalna open for new residents?"
One of the guards flicked his head, signalling the other one to lead them in. Gana let down his mother while still carrying their two bags. Ziri and Gana followed the guard into an office-like building. A man in his fifties was writing on a paper parchment before inspecting the mother-son duo. He instructed them both to sit as he stood up, revealing his golden-red clothes, a symbol of a head guard.
"So, you want to permanently stay here in Dalna?" He asked dominantly.
They both nodded.
"Where're you from?"
"Sandak," Ziri replied. The man stroked his chin as his face shown a profound look.
"Hmm, I'm sorry about what happened at your village. I am Kazar, the head of Dalna guards. Your lodgings shall be provided after we investigate you further and think more about how both of you can contribute."
After a few more hours of questioning and getting the identification papers, they finally able to rest inside their new lodgings. Unlike their old hut back in Sandak, there were bedrooms and beds, toilets and there are no holes on the roofs. It's almost heaven-sent. That night, Gana sneaked out after Ziri fell asleep.
At the back of these lodgings, there was a plot of land where they will spend their time producing a paddy field out of it. Gana sensed his teacher lying down under a tree at the edge of the ploughed land. He sat near him while leaning against the trunk.
"So what you think? This village ain't bad, hmm?"
Gana didn't answer instead he asked, " Are you the one responsible for us having an easier time to stay in this village?"
Shiki grinned per usual, "Well, their Ayak chief owed me a favour for helping him with something. So don't worry."
"Sensei, you are too damn mysterious. No wonder mom did not trust you."
Shiki chuckled awkwardly," Well enough about me. You are exempt from working in the military because of your age right?"
"Yeah, I said I want to be a bounty hunter and then they laughed." Gana pouted.
"Haha. Well, until you reach sixteen, it is about time you learn the Amaterasu Sword Path. Oh, and you will follow me to kill someone. You may have killed tigers, elephants and boars, but killing a human being is way different."
Gana's ears twitched when he heard 'sword path', "If I can become stronger out of it, then sure."