Page 89 of The Champion
“Are you ready?”
Squeezing my mother’s hand one last time, I answered my brother with a single dip of my chin before I drew in a deep breath and rose from my chair. My eyes automatically went to Victor as I walked the ten steps to the podium. Sitting with our two children and other members of the family, his expression was earnest. Over the many years of loving each other from a distance we had developed tiny signs and expressions between us that only we understood. And now, after twenty-four years of marriage, our bond had grown to an almost telepathic connection where we finished each other’s sentences and often didn’t need words to know how the other was feeling. Right now, his eyes shone with warmth and concern for me.
My hands shook a little when I grabbed onto the podium and took a second to collect myself. Trying to forget that millions were watching from around the world, my focus was on the hundreds of family members and friends in the room.
“Today we say goodbye to a legend,” I began, but I had to clear my voice and rely on my practice from speaking in public.
“I stand here today, not as a representative from Wisdomia, but as a daughter, heartbroken with grief. To most of you, Khan Aurelius was a strong figure of authority. To me he was the dad who always had my back and who gave the best hugs in the world.
“Perhaps the collective sadness we feel today is about more than the loss of a strong and beloved leader. With Khan Aurelius’ passing comes the sense that an era has ended.” I paused and looked to my uncle Magni, who sat with empty eyes looking ten years older than last time I saw him.
“My father was thirty-three years old when he became the ruler of the Northlands. Back then around ten million men and a mere hundred women or so inhabited this country. He once told me that he took the job knowing that it was unlikely he would get to see old age. Those who know the violent history of this country can tell you how common it was for leaders of the Northlands to be killed in riots, rebellions, and assassinations.
“The fact that Khan lived to be eighty-five years old, and died peacefully in his chair, is a testament to the change of times that he helped facilitate in the world.
“Except for some minor trading between the North and South, there used to be no contact between the Northlanders and the Motlanders. Those of us with parents who grew up on different sides of that wall have heard awful stories about the rumors that flourished on each side spreading fear and misconceptions. Together with my mother and other strong people, my father worked hard for decades to break down those stereotypes and misunderstandings.
“You won’t hear me claim that my father was perfect. In fact, as my mother sits here today, too grief-stricken to speak, she will be the first to admit that the man we all loved so dearly had a fierce temper and a stubborn mind. The fact that their love story started out with my father holding my mother hostage speaks to his flaws, but also to the miracle that my parents ended up spending almost fifty years together.
“Despite my father’s imperfections, he was loved by a nation. The name Khan has been on top of the list of the most popular names for boys here in the Northlands for decades. That speaks for itself.” I looked up and smiled at my brother, who had named his youngest son after our father.
“Personally, I believe Khan’s popularity was directly linked to the impressive results he created for this nation. The Northlands is no longer an isolated, war-torn country with only men living here. It’s a rich and diverse empire where people have the freedom to travel the world and marry for love.
“Looking at the impressive numbers of immigrants from the Motherlands, it was inevitable that they changed this country. The Motlanders softened the harsh Nmen. In return, Nmen challenged the Motlanders to see masculinity not as something dangerous and toxic but as a beautiful thing.
“People learned that love can be expressed in many ways. Sometimes, it’s beers shared with friends while dirty jokes are being told. Other times, it’s a declaration of pride between a parent and child. Not to mention passion, loyalty, and trust between lovers.
“Perhaps our biggest lesson over these past fifty years has been that masculinity and femininity were never meant to overshadow or overpower each other. They are forces of nature designed to complement and create balance.
“And the world is getting more balanced. Slowly.” I looked to Jonah, who had been one of my friends and a mentor in my time as prime minister of Wisdomia. “The imbalance between men and women around the world continues to be evened out. One of my father’s greatest triumphs was to see Jonah Cervici take the seat as the first man on the Council in the Motherlands. It was something he took pride in because without his negotiation skills and intense pressure, the Council would most likely never have reached the equality they have now.” I looked down, paused, and felt emotions well up in me.
“I wish I had known on Monday when my father called me that it would be the last time that I spoke to him. In his usual style, he took credit for Thor’s and Linea’s second re-election as leaders of the Northlands. I know that in the twelve years since he stepped down, both he and my mother have supported them closely. One thing is for sure: Khan Aurelius always did his best and he expected the same of those around him.
“I can tell you that twenty-four years ago, when I chose to seek my happiness in Wisdomia, my father wasn’t happy at first. Nevertheless, he supported me and once again played a key part in world history.
“It was rare for my father to praise other countries, but early on he told me that he liked and resonated with one key part of our culture. It’s the part that we call the pathfinder mentality. With a blend of people from different cultures we understood early on thatNormalis a concept that changes across borders, cultures, and time.
“In Wisdomia we’ve taken the best from other places in the world and created what worked for us.
“It wasn’t easy for my father, but he accepted that for Victor and me, living as a couple in the Northlands, France, or Motherlands didn’t feel right to us. Instead, we created an alternative that didn’t exist at the time.
“Needless to say, you don’t have to start a new country to break free of limiting norms or traditions. We can all do that in our everyday lives by considering if our traditions are limiting or empowering us. Khan Aurelius understood that. He had a deep respect for the traditions that made this country. At the same time, he possessed the courage to start new traditions and update the ones that didn’t serve the people anymore.” I took a second to slowly breathe before ending my speech.
“I’m sure that wherever Khan is now, he’s challenging the status quo and striving to improve things. He would expect all of us to do the same and carry on his legacy by creating an even better future for generations to come. One thing I’m sure of is that those generations will know the name Khan Aurelius and refer to him as atrue legend.” With a last nod, I left the podium and went to sit down while my brother stood to take over as the next speaker.
Victor and our son Nathan smiled at me, silently telling me that I’d done well with my speech.
The adrenaline from talking in front of millions made it hard to sit still and pay attention.
Soon, the official part of the funeral would be over, and we would go on to celebrate my father’s life with his friends and family. I couldn’t focus on Thor’s words but reflected on my own mortality. What would Isobel and Nathan say about me at my funeral? Had I been too often absent because I took on a role as a public servant? Had I been an inspiration to them by stepping up and taking responsibility? I was fifty-four years old, healthy, and with a long list of things I wanted to do before I died. And yet, all I could think about in that moment was how fast my life could be over. My father had seemed healthy and now he was gone.
Am I afraid to die?
The question seemed silly because it was inevitable.
I wasn’t a religious person and unlike my sister-in-law, Linea, I had never had much time for spiritual practices.
What happens when we die?
