Ulyssus set the wrapped body in the small canoe he had fashioned, and his son lay the shroud with the battle standard symbol etched into it. The man was once a husband and a father of three. Now he was just a father of one, and a widower. This war was taking everything he loved. And yet he stood on the sandy beach by the shore as the sun set, seeing off his dead son.
He spoke a few words of prayer, and his youngest pushed the canoe out into the ocean. The calm sea lapped at it, and pulled it through.
Ulyssus knew that the wash had fit the mood; but he was unsettled with how laxed it was. Like it was the eve before a great storm.
It indeed was.
The army had recieved orders that they would attack the enemy fort at dawn, and a calm silence had engulfed the men, and it would seem nature, alike.

His youngest son, age of twenty lit the arrow tip wrapped in cloth afire with a piece of flint. He aimed loosely, but could not fire.
A rough scarred hand rested on Tekan's shoulder.
"Aye, boy." He whispered softly, slowly taking the bow and arrow from him. He pulled back the string and fired perfectly, the body inside the canoe lighting a flame.
The bow lowered, Ulyssus's shoulder dropping as if a great weight had pulled it down.
"A man should not have to see his sons die before him. It is...unjust."
Tekan didn't say anything looking to his father's scarred and aged face.
Finally Ulyssus took a step back. "Come." He said firmly. We must prepare for tomorrow."

They headed back to camp, and Tekan found his tent. He would craft arrows for the most of the night.
Ulyssus would stand watch with his greatsword, restless on the eve of battle.

Hixon, one of the other warriors in the large army, slowly walked over to their tent. He hadn't been allowed to accompany them to the shore to see the body off, but Ulyssus's older son had been one of his close friends.
He paused at Ulyssus's side. He stood a few inches taller than the older warrior, but he was slender and lighter haired. He didn't say a word, standing with him for a long moment. He didn't have anything to say.
After a few more moments, he slowly walked over Tekan, silently helping him with the arrows.

Ulyssus enjoyed the moment of silence with the youthful man. Maybe of them looked up to him like a father. It made him feel older than he was, but in these desperate times the recruits were becoming younger and younger. Ulyssus was firm and tactful, intelligent and near genious. But he was gentle and kind to his younger comrades; like only a man who had birthed and held a babe could be. He had a love for all, although as the times passed, that light grew dim, swallowing him up with grief.

Tekan was silent and he glanced to Hixon. He frowned and shook his head, before whispering. "It was my fault."

Hixon frowned, glancing at him but continuing to work. "No it wasn't," he said firmly, pointing an arrowhead at him briefly. "Don't say that."

Tekan shook his head. "I was being an idiot. I....I didn't see the horse I was bragging about my kill....he pushed me out of the way." He whispered, shaking his head over and over. "And father....he doesn't know. Gods. What would he think if he ever found out?"
The young man was reduced to dry sobs. He didn't know how to cry, but his breathing was convulsive.

Hixon frowned and hit his shoulder, although it was a very gentle, not strong hit. "Stop," he whispered. "It's not your fault. I should have been there too. There wasn't anything to be done about it though, alright?" He reached up and ruffled up his hair a bit. "Work."

Tekan inhaled strongly and nodded, focusing on his arrows rather then his shame. He wanted to get past this day. Work past this. He wanted to fight tomorrow morning and see a victory in his brothers' names.

Hixon nodded and helped him for a long several hours. After that though, he got back up and walked over to Ulyssus. "You want a break?" he offered quietly.

Ulyssus didn't respond for a long moment but he stepped back and looked to his comrade. "Have you ever seen the sea so calm?" He whispered softly, nodding to it. "It's like Neptune himself has stopped tending to them."

Hixon glanced over and slowly shook his head. "Perhaps he is preparing to aide us?" he suggested quietly. "One could hope, right?"

Ulyssus would have chuckled on another day. Instead it came out more like a grunt. There was another moment of silence. "You were a good friend to my son Fellion, Hixon. Tell me." He murmured. "Did he ever speak ill of this life?"

Hixon turned his gaze back to the man and slowly shook his head. "No," he said quietly. "He wasn't too happy about leaving for this war... I remember. There was this one girl... But." He shrugged a bit. "He never seemed unhappy to me."

"Hmm." Ulyssus murmured softly shaking his head. "I would have never denied them another life if I had another choice. But without their mother, Hixon. Without a home." He stopped his sentence and shook his head, looking down, clenching his jaw. "I cannot stand to lose another son. I am thinking of sending Tekan back with the supply ships."

Hixon nodded slowly, glancing over his shoulder to the younger man. "Would they let you send him?" he asked quietly.

Ulyssus sighed and looked down. "No. But if I were to disguise him as a ship worker--" He stopped where he was and shook his head. "I speak of treason. Forgive the ramblings of an old man. Grief has caused my mind to slip me briefly." He nodded to Hixon. "You should get some rest." He said, dismissing him informally. "Leave me to gather my thoughts."