"A-ancestors," Hauke said, his voice trembling as he saw the translucent shades of the five figures arrayed around him. Without a conscious thought, he dropped to one knee, just as he had when he visited the ancestral cave with his father so many years ago.
"My name is Hauke," he said, staring at the icy ground of the cave, unable to raise his head to meet their heavy gazes. "In the name of my father, Lord Ritchel, I apologize that no one has visited the ancestors in so long. There is no excuse," he said, lowering his head in shame.
Since his first visit to the memorial atop the island, he'd been taught that these ancient ancestors were to be respected and revered but never disturbed. All his life, he'd thought that it was all but impossible to visit them, but here he stood and they sounded so very alone.
