Turn 100 The Funeral
The funeral procession marches by, headed for the mausoleum. The
obviously unattended stone room offers up a rush of stale cold air
as
the heavy door opens. Inside the mausoleum a fog like cloud of
dust
rises as a result of feet disturbing the stillness. Large heavy
coffins
occupy a large amount of the space inside, adorned with cob web
covered
trinkets and utensils, as though the dead would somehow awake and
have
use of these things. The light from torches gives an erie glow,
mixed
with the unsettled dust, barely illuminating the dark receses of
the
room. The pallbearers enter, escorted by guards as befitting the
rank of
a Lords son, followed by the party members.
Wulfgar follows the prossession into the tomb and waits quietly at
the door.
He looks around the tomb and tries to take in everything. He
listens to
Gareth
and the others as they chatter hopefully outside! He pays his
last respects
and mutters a prayer to Callus to accept this boy and to send us
guidance as
to where and what we should do and go.
Softly intoning (for him anyway) a funeral dirge learned from his
past
years, the paladin offers comfort and support to the many fallen
within the tomb, requesting Pikahl's sheltering hand to embrace
those
who need him, and to watch over and aid those who have not yet
realized they do. "Watch and protect, defend and inspire; duty
eternal, by thy name, Lord Pikahl." Gareth bows his head once,
symbolically, upon completing his blessing, then stands stiffly at
attention as he watches over the funeral proceedings and his
companions.
Wulfgar stands and watches as the funeral proceeds letting the
words from
Arilyn drift across his mind the treatment of Callus by her
inexperienced
hand was like a burning hot poker stuck deep into his back.
Wulfgar looks
up to the ceiling and wonders if Callus was paying attention it
would not be
like her to ignore treatment like that and more often than not she
would
react in the harshest of ways. He let a smile cross his face and
vowed to
pay a tithe the next time he visited her temple.
Reggie watches the events of the funeral, keeping a close eye on
his
sick friend Keldar.
At the funeral, Keldar stands at the ready, watching over the
proceedings.
Vincas stands and watches the funeral in silence. His frequent
glances at
Keldar make it obvious that his concern is more with his friend
than with
this solemn event.
Keldar just stands and stares at the procession. At the end, he
makes a
symbolic motion and murmers "You shall be avenged... Mansal shall
see to
it."
Caoimhin walks with the procession, saying nothing, his head bowed
slightly.
After the funeral, you note that Orman is obviously struggling to
maintain composure and not appear upset. His fists are clenched,
and his
eyes are glistening. The boy is interred, and the service is over.
Reynolds never attended.
The knight gently nudges Wulfgar to follow, carefully makes way
over
to the grieving guard, and lays a comforting hand on his far
shoulder.
"It is difficult to lose those close to us, much less the
children.
Fear not; Pikahl will watch over him in the next life." Gareth
pauses
for a moment as he evaluates the guard's state, then shakes his
head
and watches Orman carefully as the consolation continues. "A
string of misfortune has centred around this keep; what a tragic
mistake, that Baldwin should lose his life while coming to tell us
of
the identity of his true father. I suppose it explains lord
Reynold's
absence; the guards did locate him, yes? Still, there is such a
thing
as form and honour." A slow headshake. "Perhaps Wulfgar's
contact
with his god will allow him to speak with the boy one last time to
confirm the name... or does a warrior as high in this keep
already
possess the answer?"
Wulfgar follows Gareth and listens to his little speech to Orman,
he looks
at Gareth and nods his head when it seems appropriate. "Orman I
feel sorry
for you, and I wish I could find out more information however I am
not sure
the boy actually knows who his real father is or I am sure he
would have
said when I spoke to him" Wulfgar pats Orman on the shoulder. "I
would
have hoped Reynolds would have attended but I guess he will take a
bit of
catching now. I think it would be best if you took control of the
keep now
and arrest Reynolds on his return and get someone from the Kings
House to
come and clear all this mess up."
Wulfgar walks out of the tomb after the service and his and
Gareth's small
talk with Orman. He looks at the others "Okay I think maybe we
should
prepare to leave. Has anyone checked our supplies? If someone
would check
that we have enough then we can ready all the horses and leave as
soon as
Gareth is ready.!" Turning he starts walking towards the stables.
Wulfgar stops at the door of the stable and looks at the group he
walks to
Keldar.
Reggie scrambles onto his mount.
"I don't know about the rest of you, but lets get out of this
place
quick before something else happens"
Reggie then urges his horse into the courtyard, waiting for the
others
to saddle up.
"Pah... the cowards in this town are not WORTH Mansals blessings.
Let us
go warriors, and find more worthy folk to aid!"
The gnome heads to the stables.
Wulfgar nods and heads for the stables. His head hangs low, from
the lack
of sleep and the use of much of his powers throughout the night.
With a
sigh he enters the stables and walks to his horse. He gives it a
rub down
quickly before saddling it up.
After everyone departs the tomb, Gareth pulls Olman aside. "I am
curious,
friend Olman, what you plan to do about the situation. My company
must
depart by order of Reynold, and so the problem is traded onto thy
shoulders.
Somehow Antar spoke to the boy and told him who his true father
was.
Antar is found guilty... who found it out, by the way? It was
incredibly
quick; the day, or the day after we left. By most rights, you
would need to
know OF the problem before solving it. Something still seems
wrong to me,
but I wish to know what you will do about the situation with
Reynold,
Baldwin and his brothers, and the townsfolk. My conscience
demands of me
the question."
Gareth awaits the response, chats a bit w/ Olman, leaves a brief,
but
sealed, updated dispatch to be sent to Dragonmeyr, then heads out
to the
stables to rejoin the party, readies and thanks Emperor, asks for
Pikahl's
wisdom over the keep and the party, and heads everyone out and
south.
Orman replies after listening to your questions "At this point, I
will care
for the boys, and continue to aid in grooming them to be Lords
themselves
one day. As for Lord Reynolds, I can but continue to search for
him. Upon
his return, I don't have authority to defy his orders. He was
appointed by
King Arion himself who apparently wanted his cousin Reynolds in
this region.
I do intend however to dispatch a carefully neutral missive to his
majesty
informing him of current events. As for Antar, M'Lord did not see
fit to
make me privy to those events other than afterward. I'm afraid I
cant help
you there."
The knight rubs the breastplate of his armour with a thumb.
"Indeed not,
for we must abide by the rules of our society. I think your
actions are
well thought out... I also have a missive for King Arion, which
should lend
weight to your report." Producing the sealed document, Gareth
passes it to
Olman. "I would suggest that both are sent immediately to ensure
that there
are not any... complications in having them leave the keep. I
must go now;
be strong of faith and spirit, friend Olman. Pikahl watch over
thee and
protect thee."
Turn 101