Two Heads are Better than One

In one basket lay his father’s head, and in the other, the head of a man whom he did not know, or recognise … but hoped dearly it was the right one, as it appeared in likeness to the miniature portrait he had been afforded before setting out to collect them both.

They weighed heavier than he had imagined they would. His choices had been few - either pay the executioner for their retrieval, or purchase a horse to carry them back - and of course, it was the first option he conceded.

Was a burial complete with just the head? There was simply no way to take the entire corpse home - even if he had been permitted. At the very least, this was confirmation of the event, and something to grieve upon for his beloved mother who was awaiting his return. Jonathon was grateful at this time to have a task to perform; it cased his anger, it calmed his trembling, it quietened his sorrow - he slowly and painfully walked on.

-Gabriel Brunsdon, Finding Self - Second Guesses- Azlander Series