I remembered the stories my mother used to tell me when I couldn’t sleep. Stories of ancient burials.
How they’d carve great ships for their dead—load them with flowers, coins, their favorite things. And then set them alight. Push them into the lake. That was how they let go. How they made sure the soul didn’t get stuck in the body. How they helped it find its way home.
The moment I saw those boats, I knew. I knew exactly how I’d say goodbye.
One for each of them.
That’s what I needed. That’s what they deserved.
I stopped walking. Will noticed, his gaze following mine.
“Boats?” he asked, quiet.
I didn’t answer. My eyes were already fixed on the vendor.
The man looked up from his carving, his hands still moving with practiced ease. His brow was furrowed, sun-worn, his eyes kind beneath it.
“A boat for the lady?” he asked.
I nodded. “Four.”
His knife stilled mid-stroke.
“Four?” he repeated, like he wasn’t sure he had heard me right.
He looked to Will for clarity, but Will just gave a crooked smile and said, “Four.”
The man nodded slowly, set his carving knife aside, and wrapped the little boats in brown paper. His hands were steady, practiced, folding the edges clean before slipping them into a simple bag. I turned to another stall and picked up candles and matches.
“So… what are you gonna do with them?” Will asked, falling into step beside me.
“I need a lake,” I said, like it was obvious.
He angled his head, searching my face. “What for?”
“A ceremony. To say goodbye.”
His mouth parted like he might ask something else, but then he just nodded, quiet and steady.
“All right,” he said. “Let’s find a lake.”
We found one as the sun started to fall. The sky had turned purple-blue, like a bruise spreading slowly across the horizon. The lake was still and quiet, holding a kind of knowing, as if it understood what I needed.
A quiet moment.
Just me and the spirits of the dead.
Will didn’t talk. He just sat beside me and lit the candles one by one. His hands were steady, the way they always were when mine weren’t. I held the first boat close to my chest.
“Einar,” I breathed. “I’m sorry I always found you so annoying.”
My voice shook.
“I can’t believe I used to wish you’d leave me alone, and now I’d give anything to have you walking by my side again. To have you watching over me.”
I wiped at my face but the tears just kept coming.
“I’m sorry I didn’t appreciate all that you did for me. And if you want, you could keep watching out for me, because I still need you.”
