childofathos

I have been thinking, since my conversation with Ryu, about the need to leave something behind. My people do not do this. We understand how easily such things can be destroyed. Instead, we pass on our knowledge and our tradition through teaching, generation to generation. But I have become increasingly aware of late that the child I carry could well be the last of our kind, and, understanding the life I live and will probably continue to live even after the child is born, I wonder if it would not be prudent to leave something behind in case I do not survive to see my child grown.

My own mother was taken when I was a very small child, and though my father often told me stories of her, I cannot help but wonder if she ever thought about leaving something similar for me.

So to my child who is not yet born I would say: This is your heritage. These are your people, though you may never meet them. Pass on this knowledge, these customs to your own children someday, even if they do not bear the name of Athos.

And to anyone else who may read this: This is the story of my people, and the messages I would give to my child. If there is no one left to carry our name and our story, at least do not let us be entirely forgotten.