Wisdom & Departure - Chapter #88

Free Enterprise  -  Wisdom & Departure  -  Chapter  #88


By the time Barbarossa awakened ( around mid-day ), Tyr had already been up, worked out, cleaned up, eaten and was now ready to be at his father's beck and call.

The first thing his father wanted to do was go for his “daily constitution”.

“I have to loosen up the kinks in these old bones or I'll be stiff all day.” Barbarossa said.

So, Tyr dutifully got him dressed and took him out. With Snowball in the front like a lead hunting dog ( because she knew the route ) and the Ceremonial Guard following, at a discreet distance.

Upon their return approximately two hours later, because Barbarossa liked to point out sites of interest as he walked, they were informed by Victoria that a Holographer had arrived. That they were going to be taking family portraits. Tyr sighed and rolled his eyes because he hated taking holos. But he had to agree that it was an excellent idea.

So without further delay, Tyr got his father cleaned up and dressed. Then they went up to the roof where Backus the holographer and his three wives were setting up. With the exception of a few, the entire immediate clan was there.

It was a beautiful sunny and warm afternoon, and Tyr smiled as he saw The Insurrection off in the distance. The smile turned to a frown when he noticed certain people missing.

“They'll be here.” Tamara said, aloud as she sensed Tyr's thoughts. Seemingly a second later, here came Haxhis, Khan, Kori, Gilgamesh, Dylan, Harper, Monique, Trance, Bekka, and Rommie.

Everyone patiently waited as Backus set up and took numerous shots with people gathered around Barbarossa. There were shots with each one of Tyr's brothers and half brothers and their families, his sisters and their families, then finally of him, and his family and friends.

Towards the end when Tyr was losing his patience, Tamara had to remind him to “Smile not glower.”. To Tyr it seemed like Backus was taking an inordinate amount of holos of him, Victoria, Barbarossa and Snowball.

“In light of the current situation, these holos may prove to be very valuable.” Tamara thought at Tyr. Tyr's response was to grin and bear it. Anything for Dad.

Finally the session had ended, and everyone drifted away. Victoria led Barbarossa back downstairs, out of the compound and to a huge open area where a ginormous tent had been set up. Outside of the tent, about two dozen grills were going as chefs cooked up delectable delights. Inside they found out where everyone else had disappeared to.

There were picnic tables set up in lines to accommodate everyone. Everyone was seated and waiting for The Matriarch and her Consort The Arch Duke to arrive. When they did and were seated, dinner was served.


* * * * * * * * * * *


Barbarossa had had the time of his life. He had eaten a little too much, played with his grand and great grand children, and when the music started up, cut a few hesitant steps with his lady.

It was while Barbarossa was dancing, Khan sidled up to Tyr and spoke to him.

“Barbarossa is going to sound like he's out of his head when he talks to you tonight, but it is imperative that you listen to him.” Khan said.

In response the tiny hairs on Tyr's neck stood straight up. The music had ended and Victoria assisted Barbarossa back to his seat. Tyr looked back towards Khan and he was gone.

“Will I ever understand that Katay?” Tyr thought as he sat next to his father.

The rest of the evening and night was an impromptu Amature Hour show of sorts. It included singing, dancing, poetry reading, story telling, etc. Tamara really wowed everyone by playing her guitar and singing many songs for the group.

Tyr noticed somewhere during these events, Victoria and Barbarossa had disappeared. His mind refused to go there. . . .

As it got later, family members, excused themselves and left for the sake of their children, who'd become sleepy and grumpy.

As the last group left, Tyr wished his crew and friends good night and helped Barbarossa up. Victoria walked with them back to the compound. At the juncture where she was to turn left for her quarters, she stopped, hugged Barbarossa and gave him a kiss. He returned the favor. Tyr thought it looked like they were saying good bye for the last time, but hurriedly banished those thoughts from his mind, as Victoria hugged and kissed him too.

Tyr walked his father back to his quarters. As soon as they entered his quarters, Barbarossa tripped and would've fallen were it not for Tyr catching him, and setting him back on his feet as if he were a child.

“Are you alright, Father?” Tyr asked, as he observed the wistful look Barbarossa had in his eyes.

“I was just thinking of the times when not too long ago, I woild pick you up and set YOU on YOUR feet.” Barbarossa replied and smiled. “How quickly the years pass.” he continued, as he headed towards his bedroom with Tyr following close behind.

Again, Barbarossa staggered and nearly fell. Before he hit the floor, Tyr scooped up in his arms and placed him on the bed. He then reached for the communications console to summon the doctor.

“No, do not.” Barbarossa said, as he weakly reached out and stayed his son's hand.

“Father, you are unwell. You need a doctor.” Tyr said.

“Fat lot of good that will do.” Barbarossa relied. “It's just a wee dizzy spell. I've been having them for the past few days. I find that when I lay down a bit, I feel a lot better later. That's what I get from skipping my nap, today.” he quipped.

“Father, I don't like the way you look.” Tyr said. He had sat on the bed, and drawn his father into his arms. Barbarossa's head on his chest.

“Nudie. Running around without his clothes again, driving everyone crazy because they can't catch him . . . . . . That's all we need, a naked butt running around the Arch Duke's compound in front of dignitaries no less. . . . .” Barbarossa said.

“Huh?” Tyr wondered.

“Victoria was amazed that we were having another child. So was I. . . . . .” Barbarossa babbled on. “You were a delight in our older years. We called you Baby Boy when we weren't calling you Nudie. . . . . . . .” Barbarossa babbled.

“What the. . . . . .” Tyr thought.

“I'm gong to give you a get out of jail free card.” Barbarossa said. Tyr frowned

“What the hell is he talking about?” Tyr wondered.

“I made you promise to wait until you got home to open my gift. You can open it as soon as you are done here.” Barbarossa said. At his father's mention of the gift, Tyr became hyper-alert to what he was saying. Khan's warning also rang clear in his mind.

“ Tamara, Xena, Amanda and Desdemona are good women. Treat them well and they will give you many strong children. Promise me, Tyr that you will name one of your sons after me.” Barbarossa said in earnest.

“I will, Father.” Tyr replied, then frowned. Nietzschean fathers did not make a request like that unless . . . . . . . . .

“Listen to me, son! Listen!” Barbarossa ordered. Sounding much like his younger self, when he ordered battalions.

“I'm listening, Father.” Tyr replied, as he grew more and more distressed.

“You are the center of the wheel. All things revolve about you. You are the only god; your strength the greatest strength; your arm is the fellest arm. No value is greater than yours; no glory greater save that which will spring from you.” Barbarossa intoned. This was the Nietzschean Paternal Blessing. Nietzschean male children heard this from their fathers often as children, but when they became adults, they would not hear it unless. . . . . .

“Father! Are you alright?” Tyr asked. He appeared relatively calm on the outside, but inside he was a mess emotionally.

“I'm just so tired, Tyr. Thanks for being a wonderful son.” Barbarossa replied weakly. Tyr could only blink tear filled eyes in disbelief. Barbarossa closed his eyes once, then opened them, rolled them up into his head, sighed, and was gone.

“Father? Father? Father?” Tyr asked, futilely. He already knew, but he felt the pulse points and for a heartbeat. The Arch Duke of the Kodiak Pride was dead.

Tyr embraced his father's body closer to him, bowed his head and mind screamed.


"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"



* * * * * * * * * * * * *


Tamara was startled out of a sound sleep by Tyr's mind scream. As a result, she screamed out loud waking up her sisters.

“What the . . . . . . ?” Amanda asked.

“It's Tyr. Barbarossa is dead!” Tamara said, as tears ran down her checks.

“OMG! Victoria!” Desdemona said.

“You guys go see about her, and I'll deal with Tyr.” Tamara said, as an earsplitting wail rent the air.

“Holy Crap! What was THAT?” Amanda asked.

“Tyr's death wail.” Tamara said, as she hurriedly got dressed. Seconds later an equally loud and plaintive feline howl tore though the air.

“Divine have mercy! That sounded like Khan.” Xena said.

“It was.” Tamara said.

They were all dressed and ready, and all ran to their various destinations, as the rest of the compound awakened and the word spread.




Note To Readers: The Nietzschean Paternal Blessing is Andromeda CANNON and is also mentioned in Keith Hamilton Cobb's “Ancestor's Breath”. The rest of the story is not. Yep, I'm just covering my “six”.