Solange slips her arm through Vere's crooked elbow as they walk from Castle Amber to the site of Adonis's memorial. Sunset has always been one of Solange's favorite times of the day and, despite the dire circumstances, she finds herself enjoying the simple pleasure of twilight on the mountain.
"So what's on your mind?" she asks her brother gently. "I can tell something is. Your mouth is set," she smiles.
Vere glances at her. "Indeed?" he asks. "I shall have to endeavour to better control myself in the future. I cannot be always giving myself away in this fashion."
He sighs, and looks out towards sea as they walk. "Soon after I arrived in the Isles Mother and Father had a long private talk via trump," he tells her. "Afterwards she told me that Father believes he is dying."
Solange stops abruptly and stares at Vere. "What? He said WHAT?!" Her eyes flit back and forth between his, hoping that she misheard, that when he tells her again, it'll be something else. What rhymes with dying? Flying. Sighing. Tying...
Vere shakes his head. "He did not say it," he replies. "Mother specifically said that he did not say it. But she also said that she knows him well enough to know that he believes it. She also said that she counts upon me to be more stubborn on this matter." He smiles slightly at her. "I count upon you to be just as stubborn. Father is willful enough to *think* himself dead if he truly believe he is dying. We must prevent that. It is one of the reasons I swore my oath, in fact."
Her hands on her hips, Solange sighs and looks away down the mountain. "The remarkable regenerative abilities of our family are well-known. Uncle Corwin regained his eyesight after four years, and I would venture to say that the Amber dungeons have less-than-medically-ideal conditions." Her gaze returns to her brother's face. "It's been over five years since the Sundering, and there's been little change in his condition, despite the best medical care we could give him. Little change. _Why?_"
It's a rhetorical question, and without waiting for an answer she runs a hand across her face. "If we go on the assumption that his body will heal according to the aforementioned 'remarkable regenerative abilities,' then we're left with some outside force that's acting upon him to stop his body from doing what it's inclined to do. Perhaps he's willing himself not to heal, but that doesn't really make sense. Vere, do you suppose his injury is tied-up metaphysically somehow with the Pattern here, and he's still damaged because it is?"
"The bones throughout his legs and pelvis were not merely broken, they were shattered. Like a teacup smashed upon a table." Briefly Vere's eyes flicker, as though remembering something. "They no longer produce marrow. They are, in Father's words, in the process of dying."
Solange looks down at the toes of her boots, hiding her expression.
"But when last we talked of this I did not understand that he believed he himself was also dying. Now, with hindsight and considering Mother's words, I can see that he has thought that for some time. It had occurred to me that there might be some connection to the broken Pattern, but no one I have spoken to has been able to offer any advice." Vere looks frustrated for an instant before his face smoothes over again, control once more established. "Fiona says that I should speak to Dworkin on these matters, he is the only one who understands them enough to have an opinion that means anything. But no one seems to know where he is, and I have been drawn into the defense of the Isles, and cannot follow up this path. It is ... most annoying."
"Do you know why he thinks he's dying?" she asks, looking up again. "Is it just a feeling, or is there something more specific, more concrete?"
"If so, he has not mentioned it in my hearing. King Random told me that as a rule members of the family either heal rapidly, without the need for assistance, or not at all. He was discussing Marius at the time, although he realized what he had said an instant after having said it, and dismissed me." Vere shakes his head. "Unless he was attempting to prepare me for the knowledge that Father would not get better, and wished to 'accidentally' reveal his belief that this was the case, rather than tell me outright and have me engage him in arguments about it. Trying to think through what any of our elders really meant to do, especially when they appear to have made an error, is an interesting exercise."
Solange frowns, then turns and starts walking again. "I worry about him, Vere, as I know you do too. I wish to be more proactive, but don't have a definite direction in which to proceed. That implies we're still in fact-finding mode, which is quite frustrating after all this time."
She glances sideways at her brother. "Do you mind if I share this information with Hannah?" she asks, knowing her brother prefers to keep family matters private.
"Aye," Vere says, a touch of the Islands slipping back into his voice. "If ye trust her well enough. I have not had a chance to get to know her, but you have. If we trust her with Father's health, then we should trust her with this."
Solange nods. She says nothing more for awhile, then asks, "Your red and grey locks. Did you give up wearing feathers?"
Vere smiles and raises his hand to the streaks of colour in his hair. "Ah," he says. "That." He glances at her with a slightly shy expression, not something Solange has seen in the past. "I wore Robin's favour in my hair when I walked King Corwin's Pattern. At one of the hardest parts, where despair threatened to overwhelm me and my inner fears rose to confront me, the feathers burned, and burned away the doubts and confusion. When the Walk was complete, I saw they had left their mark. It is a pleasant thing, knowing that wherever I am there is a token of her upon me."
Her eyes narrow in wonder. "That's a pretty amazing story. Another reminder that we really don't understand the Pattern and what it does to us, how it changes us when we walk it. I like it. Kinda makes you look punk."
She's not sure Vere will understand the reference, but that's okay. Solange smiles fondly at him and slips her arm back through his as she continues walking.
Vere raises an eyebrow at the comment, and returns her smile. As they walk on he says, "It is good to see you once again, Sister. I have missed you."
In Xanadu, Celina closes the door to her room now back from slipping formal condolences under the door for their Majesties. Once in Amber she expects to leave a formal note for Uncle Julian with Vent.
She tidies up her wardrobe and puts away the three outfits that she's decided are 'excessively Seaward' for the death of a landsman cousin. She checks her hair with her fingertips for the fifth time in the pale reflection of the window glazing. Too much time to grieve. Not enough time for mystery. She frowns. My hair is so strange when it isn't wet and funerals don't allow for pins and clips. It's going to have to do. She sighs with frustration.
Celina leaves her suite after tucking a pillow feather in the interior hinge jamb of the door.
In Amber, Celina leaves Vent's office and works her way down through the castle to the rear precincts. Once outside she shades her eyes against the sunset sky above and admires the Kolver range in profile. A quick flip of her hands tosses the immense black veil off of her shoulders and over her head, face and upper body. In ebony floor-length gown she resembles a senior prelate of the Grosk. She slowly moves up the highground with small steps to find her place for the service.
The ground is very warm under her bare feet. Celina decides that she really likes the sensation, found nowhere in Seaward.
She spends the walk pondering a current full of faces: Merlin, Martin, Paige, Leif, and Brooke. Vere and Jerod exchanging looks. Vere in the library. Solange offering a comment. Brita staring at Conner. Bleys smiling. Lucas smiling. Brennan's flat stare. Lilly and Garrett in the water, washing up. Then Folly smiles out of a memory and Celina feels properly settled for a grieving ritual.
Just before Celina reaches the assembled family, there are two men-at-arms with crossed spears. She has a moment of worry. How will these two know her? Will she have to call for assistance to pass them? Her concern turns out to be moot, for the rangers have been well-briefed and let her pass.
The memorial service is held at sunset, two days after Adonis' death. The location is an easy walk from the Castle, in an area not far from Corwin's cenotaph and the proposed tombs for Eric and Deirdre. It's overgrown and rocky, but there is a freshly-cleared area in the center. Someone has smoothed the ground there, and the rocks from it have been set outside it.
Julian waits in the cleared area, dressed in his white armor and a black armband signifying his mourning state. Jovian is with him, in his Calusan flying leathers, wearing a similar armband.
Robin's Ranger gear is clean, pressed and in order, as is black armband adorns her sleeve. Her blonde hair is actually combed and glistening as it ruffles in the faint mountain breeze. Her tanned face is smudge free and not a loose thread, snag or stain can be seen on the girl. An entirely unnatural appearance to those who know her. While Robin's mien is not the forbidding frost of the earlier war memorial service, there is something in her green eyes that is... far, far away. Despite being out of doors, Robin is as shut down as she has ever been.
Canareth is visible in the distance up the mountains, ready to spring to the defense of the mourners if need be.
A pair of rangers stand some way down the mountain, spears crossed as if to bar entry. They ensure that only family members and those with them join the memorial; no passers-by are welcome.
A few minutes after Julian, Jovian, and Robin arrive with the rangers, Benedict comes up the hill to join them. He is dressed in brown, with a black mourning armband, and carrying his scythe-like blade. Lilly is with him.
If not for the sword at her hip, and the bright ruby ring on her hand, Lilly might be mistaken for someone else. At that moment, she seems more of a girl, unsure and emotional, then the woman most know her to be. Her gaze meets only the ground and she speaks with no one. Occasionally a hand wipes at a piece of unseen dust that has apparently settled one her simple black dress, piped with red and adorned with golden buttons. Long dark locks of hair spread down her back and across her shoulders framing her face and perhaps hampering her vision. She does not brush them aside however. For now she simply goes on trying to hide within her own skin.
Lilly and Benedict. Good. Robin nods her thanks to them politely, her eyes focusing a little on the two strangers. Strangers she can deal with.
The Rangers let them pass and they come up to greet the Juliani and offer brief condolences.
Not long after that, Cambina arrives. She is already wearing black, but she seems particularly sober today and has a black armband on atop her long-sleeved blouse.
Robin respects Cambina's sobriety. She doesn't feel that skippy herself today.
And following that, Brennan and Ambrose arrive. Brennan is dressed in his typical reds and blacks, modulated by mourning-- the reds are dark and very flat. He also wears the black armband of mourning, and the only other adornment he has is the blood red ring of the Order on the appropriate finger. It must be a trick of the light that puts the look of silver at his temples as they arrive.
Brennan stops with Ambrose after they're admitted for long enough for people to notice who he's brought with him, long enough to meet the gaze of anyone who might stare. And, much as he might like to greet Cambina first, he puts a light hand on Ambrose's shoulder and indicates that they should go pay their respects to Julian and his surviving children. Protocol and common decency demand it.
[Ambrose is willing to go.]
A few minutes after Brennan and Ambrose join the group, Merlin arrives and makes his way to Julian and his children to offer condolences. He is dressed in black and wears the black armband.
Brita arrives in full Ranger Brita regalia - the brass metal buttons on her formal red jacket gleaming. The black armand rides on her right arm but is woven with green ivy. She approaches the Juliani and bows formally to her Uncle and Cousins.
Robin nibbles one side of her lip unconsciously as Brita approaches. Most definitely not a stranger.
Robin returns Brita's bow with a nod. "I'm glad you are well, Cousin," she murmurs as she fights to maintain her distance and her demeanor.
Brita nods back and says simply "Thank you," allowing Robin to maintain her distance. She then moves towards the upward slope of the clearing and stands at military ease awaiting the ceremony.
Solange and Vere arrive shortly after Brita, walking arm in arm. Vere is wearing an unadorned white robe with a black leather belt inlayed with stylized running stags. On his head he wears a brown leather band with elaborate knotwork and stylized ravens.
Solange is wearing a long black skirt with boots and a black velvet jacket buttoned up to her throat. She wears no jewelry.
Vere's eyes sweep the clearing as they approach, seeking out Robin first of all, then taking in everyone else who is there, and finally returning to Robin once more.
Somewhere in the remote circling of Robin's mind, a wind whispers. She cocks her head momentarily and blinks - almost in confusion. But as there is no one currently in front of her, the girl remains where she is. In the distance, on the heights, far away.
He leans towards his sister and asks quietly, "Shall we summon Father and Hannah now?"
She nods. "Would you, please?" she asks as she looks around the clearing. Although her outward demeanor is calm, there is a brooding tension at the corners of her mouth that Vere knows is due to their recent conversation concerning Gerard.
"Mother has my trump of Father," Vere replies. "Give me yours, and I will bring him through."
Once she hands him the trump he holds it up and stares deeply into it, summoning the essence of Gerard. "We have arrived, Father," he says. "Come through." He holds out a hand.
Gerard passes Hannah through and then rolls onto the flat ground that was evidently cleared for his wheelchair himself.
Solange smiles at Hannah and takes her hands in her own. "Hannah, would you join us as we give our condolences to Uncle Julian and his family?"
"I'd like that, thank you," Hannah says with a very subdued smile and a small sense of relief. Hannah is dressed all in black, buttoned up all the way. Her black hair is tight on her head in a bun. Obviously where she comes from this is something someone might wear to a funeral, but she's a little unsure here.
Vere nods a greeting to Hannah, and quietly falls in behind his father's chair. He glances over at Robin once more, a slight frown on his face, then he slowly looks around the clearing, not at any of the family members who are gathered, but as though he were seeking signs of someone or something else.
When Brennan arrives, he pays his respects to Julian, Robin, and Jovian, in turn, and then introduces his brother.
"Prince Julian, please accept my sorrow for your loss. Robin. Jovian." For Julian and Robin, Brennan depends on their body language to determine if he offers a handclasp, an embrace, or nothing at all.
Robin's eyes focus from wherever on Brennan when he moves into her field of vision. The corner of her mouth ticks gently, something like a smile, but it's obvious that the Ranger is not up for hand-games today.
"Brennan. Thank you for coming." Even her voice is subdued, though nonetheless sincere.
But he knows Jovian well enough that a handclasp, and another hand on his elbow is the minimum. Depending on his demeanor, it might turn into an embrace. "We will remember him with honor."
"Please let me present my brother, Ambrose, here at King Random's request."
Julian arches his eyebrows but accepts the introduction and Ambrose's quiet condolences, offered to both Julian and his children. Jovian starts to say something, but Julian lays a quiet hand on his son's arm and Jovian lets it go.
Robin thanks Brennan for coming and doesn't seem to react to Ambrose's introduction with anything other than subdued courtesy.
When the brothers have finished their introductions, Ambrose takes his leave of Brennan and walks over to join Brita at the edge of the clearing.
Arriving at the site, Celina recognizes Uncle Julian with a slow nod. Celina nods more briefly to Jovian and the girl at his side, a wife, a sister?
For a moment, Robin's brow furrows slightly. Then she decides that she is seeing what is in front of her eyes. Another stranger. Good.
Robin returns Celina's nod with one of her own, before circling back once more for the high reaches.
The Seaward cousin stands solemn and still and a bit apart: a black reflection of Rebma's heritage come to honor Adonis.
Celina is wearing light black gown with no jewelry or accessories and no shoes. Her hair is woven and braided to keep it neat. A black veil drapes over her head, shoulders, and falls past her hips to her knees. Her face under the veil is without makeup. In Seaward, honor to the dead is given by emulating part of their departure, which is assumed to be spartan and clean of mortal trappings.
Merlin comes to join his sister after she has made her greeting to Robin and Julian.
"Celina," he says, "I have spoken with our father. He says he will be attending the funeral, so we will see him soon. How are you, and how are things in Xanadu?"
Vibrations seem to fill the space between her brother and she. Almost she hears them and she certainly feels them against her skin even under her clothes. Celina wants to gather him up, some physical surety that might comfort her and yet she certainly feels would perplex him. She swallows hard and blinks back the yearning.
Somehow she can so easily imagine this as a funeral for Merlin if the contest had a slightly different source.
If Dara succeeds there will probably not even be a body.
Celina shivers.
She smiles. "Xanadu is bright and clean. It has a fast, fresh current." Her fingers yet want to touch him, so she makes fists to imprison the need. "I am so well, knowing that you are here and hale." Then she realizes that she hasn't done the polite thing. "And I certainly will look for our father to honor the ritual with us.
"How are you, Merlin?"
"I am well," he says, glancing at her clenched hands, then looking back up at her face. "Less productive than I would have hoped, for it seems that Folly is missing, and I have spent some time distracting Martin from his worry about her. I believe he is making one last attempt to contact her before he joins us."
Looking past Merlin, Celina can see Corwin and two companions coming up the hill.
In the moments of their small exchange, Celina is distracted from seeing Paige arrive. Once Celina realizes the widow is here, she doesn't miss the smudges under Paige's eyes. Then Paige introduces the twins. And-- the identify of the woman --Robin!
Celina studies Robin anew.
As she watches, Gerard's party comes through the line and Vere moves to join Robin among the receivers. Merlin makes a hm noise as he does so, clearly filing the interaction for later thought.
Looking past Merlin, Celina can see Corwin and two companions coming up the hill.
"And father brings company." Celina squints. "Not Bill or Alice." Her voice is steady, but her thoughts are a turbulent kind. War really threatens friendships most through lack of information, Celina realizes. She motions with a hand to Corwin as he nears as invitation even though he will move to Julian first.
Corwin nods briefly to Celina and Merlin as he joins the short line to speak with Julian.
Celina notes Robin's tears and becomes another kind of mirror, weeping herself unnoticed. It isn't relief or tension but rather some sort of balance.
"The gentleman with our father is our cousin Reid. I do not know the woman." Merlin observes the interactions among the group as they move up to speak with Julian. "The woman appears to be Reid's companion, not our father's."
"Ah," Celina studies Reid. She smiles a bit. From orphan to overflowing with cousins. She sneaks a glance at Merlin and sighs.
Conner arrives with Fiona on his arm. She is dressed in green, with a black armband on her modestly-cut gown. She lets Conner escort her to Julian to offer their condolences.
Conner is dressed in black with accents of his usual greens though a flat shade without shine. There is a bundle of cloth held close to his body with his right arm and he escorts his mother on the left. Instead of a grin, he wears a look of somber reflection. He couldn't help but paraphrase a quote in his mind, 'To lose Adonis once could be considered unfortunate; to lose him twice smacks of carelessness,' Conner sighs. Robin forgave him once was he was powerless to save her brother. Perhaps she will do so again.
"Uncle. Cousin." Conner nods to each. "I am so sorry." Conner says no more. There is nothing else really to say. Then he takes the cloth out from under his arm and presents it to them.
It was a tradition from the Navy. A burial at sea left no memorial, no gravestone to visit and weep over. Whenever possible the flag from that day was taken down from the mast and presented to the widow. The flag Conner now offers had hung from the castle that day. It is folded with care and precision into a tight triangle on which could be seen the Unicorn's head on a field of green.
"Conner..." Robin blinks a little, "Thank you."
There should be more, but from the heights, it's hard to remember. So Robin settles for a grateful glance and a nod.
Julian accepts the flag. "Thank you, Captain." He tucks it under his own arm, where it remains while he and his children receive all the remaining condolences. He also accepts a brief whispered word from his favorite sister before she leads her son away toward Brita and Ambrose.
Paige walks sedately toward the gathering relatives, fussing quietly over the twins that accompany her and Bleys up the hill. She's dressed in green so dark that it might be black, a simple dress girdled with a black leather sword belt. Her hair has been cut to shoulder length, well over half of the red locks gone. On her pale arm is a black armband, at her waist hangs a short blade. She wears a veil that along with her makeup almost hides the dark circles under her eyes.
Bleys is in subdued dark reds and oranges with the black armband of mourning. The twins have donned white tunics that come to mid-calf. Bleys probably had something to do with that, from the slightly displeased look he has on his face.
She steers the children toward their other grandfather but seems at a loss for words other than to introduce them.
Julian takes a moment to examine the children as he greets them by name and expresses the wish that he will come to know them better soon. Jovian also takes a keen interest in the twins; he seems to have a better idea of how to address them than his father,
Bleys also offers his condolences to the group, offering Julian and Jovian a clasp but choosing not to intrude on Robin's grief.
Distance eyes discover Paige in front of them and Robin's hand lifts slightly before dropping back to her side.
Then the Ranger's gaze drifts to her niece and nephew. A far away green glimmers there briefly and she cocks her head a little. "Hello. Brooke. Leif."
Bleys does not exist.
The children are fascinated by their paternal relatives, and would linger, but there is obviously a line forming behind them, so Julian reluctantly lets them go on. As Bleys and Paige shepherd the children away, Gerard rolls over with his children and Hannah in tow and offers his condolences to the group.
Hannah offers Julian a supportive smile and lets Gerard introduce her. She offers her sympathies to Julian, Jovian and Robin, before moving off to the side to stand alone.
A nod is given to the stranger that accompanies Robin's other family, but she can't muster more than that.
Solange has already offered her condolences. She nods somberly at Julian and his family and moves on.
Robin's mind sweeps in for a closer pass as her uncle speaks and her sister nods. "Thank you... both. For everything." she murmurs quietly.
As Gerard wheels himself away, the funeral party can see Corwin coming up the hill with Reid, who has an unfamiliar woman in mourning garb on his arm.
Vere has fallen back as they approached Julian and his children, and he waits until after Gerard and Solange have passed before moving forward. He nods silently to Jovian and Julian, responding briefly if they speak but otherwise remaining silent.
Then he pauses to gaze into Robin's eyes. "No words," he whispers. "We do not need words."
And he lets his father and sister continue without him, stepping forward and turning, standing beside and just slightly behind Robin. This is his place, and this is where he will stay for the memorial.
As Robin lifts from Gerard and Solange, her hovering gaze is drawn to Vere's like the waterfall to the sea. The girl's breath leaves her entirely and her throat is choked with all the things that she is incapable of saying.
As He speaks, Robin's eyes squeeze shut and tears begin to leak silently from the corner of her eyes. The sound of His movements, the feel of His warmth behind her! As she leans back against Vere, Robin is finally and fully there. Tears of grief and exultation mix on her cheeks as sorrow and joy mix in her expression.
When Robin's eyes open once again, she can see all of the clearing, all of her family, all of the world, with calm acceptance in the place of austere withdrawal.
As they approach Reid pulls Papillon a bit closer to his side, both reassuring her that she isn't expected to interact much and at the same time letting the others know that she's under his protection from social attack.
At the head of the receiving queue, he makes the appropriate consoling words and gestures to the grieving parties. Meanwhile, in the back of his mind, he can't help but thinking about one of his favorite paintings by a fellow art student in Clervaux... "Immolation Emulation", in which a subject is being licked with flames while standing before a similarly burning building... an image that may have been inspired by the great fire of Clervaux. So Reid is outwardly sympathetic, but inwardly disappointed that he missed such an artistic inspiration as the burning of family might have provided. He'll want to get description from Brita later...
After their obligatory condolences, he moves them to the side, not necessarily seeking anyone out, but making eye contact and nodding at those who acknowledge his presence.
Corwin lets Reid and Papillon precede him in the line. He offers brief but clearly sincere condolences to his brother and their family.
With Vere at her back, the urge to bristle and hiss is far far less and manageable in this oh-so-public forum. Robin finds that she can accept Corwin's condolences even if she may never be able to accept his self.
When Julian and his children turn their attention to Lucas, Corwin makes his way over to Merlin and Celina.
Lucas arrives, moving with an almost stately slowness, perhaps because Solace is on his arm and cannot hurry. Lucas is dressed in black, the formal court mourning one might wear at the Court of Louis XVI (although it is to be hoped that Solace's hair follows the later, simpler fashions of that time - she would probably find black ostrich feathers or a forest in mourning arranged in her hair rather a trial). He departs from convention in the brooch that fastens his cloak - it is a rich green.
He waits quietly in line with his relatives to offer his condolences (and those of his mother) to Julian and his family, offers them with all due sincerity and moves on, moving to Paige and her children, to whom he also offers condolences, to the twins on their loss of a father and to Paige ... the condolences carry the undertone that he condoles with her on the task she is faced with as much as the loss of her children's father. The conventional offer of assistance seems sincerely made ("if there is anything I can do to help ... " expressed with infinite delicacy).
Then he sees Ambrose, standing with Brennan. Involuntarily his hand lifts slightly and is then forced down to his side. He is wearing black gloves, but it is not difficult to imagine his knuckles are white beneath the leather. He does not look at the group again, but his eyes are flinty hard as he moves back to take his place with Solace.
Paige kisses Solace on both cheeks. "You're looking better," she says, seemingly pleased by that.
Lucas glances at his wife, and then at Paige. He seems a little less than convinced.
Looking to Lucas she asks, "Are the children in Xanadu yet?" Her left hand has settled comfortably on the jade hilt at her waist. "I hope to make plans to move most of the household, soon."
"No," says Lucas, who has given the faintest of nods at the sight of the blade Paige bears. "The children are still in Amber. They won't be going to Xanadu yet - at least, not until things there are more settled. They'll be joining my Mother. As for your own removal, the ship is still at your disposal, cos, if you prefer the sea voyage." His eyebrows lift slightly. "Long days out of sight of land. You might find it ... relaxing."
He nods to Brooke and Leif. "I grieve for your loss. My own father died when I was much your ... age. I was fortunate in having had the chance to know him for longer. But his loss was a heavy one."
The two children look at him gravely. Leif looks him in the eyes, briefly. "We did not know him. And grandmother told us he was to die soon, anyway. His sister was dead already."
"He died and was reborn every season, and the person he was was only a part of the Godhood that is," Brooke adds. "But thank you for your concerns."
"Your stoicism does you credit," says Lucas. "And I am glad your Grandmother has proved such a fount of excellent instruction. It is to be hoped that my own children will benefit from the wisdom of their own grandmothers similarly."
He moves slightly to one side so Solace might speak to the children, while he raises a slightly quizzical eyebrow towards Paige.
"On terms of great intimacy, are they? But how delightful for you."
Paige's gaze is always on the children and on the skies. "Unfortunately I have no idea how intimate. They recite Arcadia's history and their place in it by rote since the possession," she explains. Her left hand is idly tracing the knotwork on the dao's guard. "I can't protect them and I fear I can't keep them from their father's legacy, not even long enough to know that they'll avoid his fate."
"At this rate of aging, I'd be more worried about progeria than any paternal legacy," says Lucas drily. "As for protecting them ... do you think they might be growing in order to protect you? At all events - I realise this has been a busy two days - but have you or your father given them much in the way of training yet? Or started to prepare them for the Pattern? One hesitates, of course ... I'm not sure I'll ever be entirely comfortable with the thought of Hope or Phillippe walking it. But then I profoundly hope never to attract enemies against my blood of the magnitude of the twins' grandmother.
"Although, it must be said, Lady Vesper smarting under some supposed social slight is formidable in her own right ... "
He speaks lightly, but Paige might understand the gravity of the mood that lies behind what he says.
Lucas knew how she hated funerals, even memorials such as these. They had spoken of it during the Sundering and even before then. The empathic parts of her were hurting and she couldn't mask it from the children, let alone family that knew her. "It's not their grandmother I fear at the moment, it's their great-grandmother," Paige admits. "Hopefully they'll be more receptive to understanding their relations after today." The tone is hopeful and despairing.
Lucas looks around the sombre crowd gathered on the hillside.
"Well," he says thoughtfully, "they'll certainly know a dam' sight more of them.
"Have any of our stronger-armed cousinage pledged themselves to the twins' protection yet? I mean, I'll do what I can, but I fear that their design style and mine will probably clash. There's clearly going to go overboard for green and though I won't deny it has its place, sometimes it can be terribly last year."
The closest thing Lucas has seen to a smile on Paige today curls the corners of her lips, but it's gone as quickly as it appeared. "No, no particular vows to serve," she answers.
"I suspect that their paternal grandfather is going to have his hands full. Their aunt and uncle, perhaps? And I would imagine, given their father's ... ah ... devotions, there are a good few babes in the woodwork still to emerge."
Paige nods toward the three youngsters with Couth. "You need not imagine," she answers. "Robin and Jovian? I think her dislike for me and my father tempers her passion for protecting her nephew and niece. He will probably decide to take it upon himself, my feelings on the matter being nothing more than an adle-brained mother's fancy." The sarcasm in her tone is evident. "To be honest, I don't trust him, not when he's already a dragon in his head. How much easier will it be for another to find purchase there?"
Paige takes note of the King's approach, and looks back to her children.
And Lucas looked to Solace to make sure she was not over-taxed.
While Lucas is offering condolences to Paige, Martin arrives with Llewella on his arm. He scans the group briefly and scowls at something he sees, or more likely, doesn't see, as he escorts his aunt up to Julian and his family.
Llewella is dressed in Amberish garb; like her nephew, she wears the dark armband of mourning, black against the green of her long gown. She offers her condolences to Julian and the family, seeming slightly surprised to see Vere among them. Martin, by contrast, seems mildly less unhappy with Vere's presence there than he is with the general tenor of the universe, and the clasp he offers Vere and Robin along with his condolences is particularly warm.
A glimmer of surprise runs through Robin's eyes but, perhaps that's not such a bad thing. She returns Martin's hand clasp firmly.
Behind them, Couth comes up the hill with three youngsters in tow: Sage, Tatter, and Breeze. Breeze is moving slowly, with Tatter and Sage supporting him. They all have the black armband on. Each of them tells the group how terribly sorry they are for their loss. Julian takes a long time examining the three of them, and Robin can sense a flicker of power as he does so.
The youths are all in awe of the Warden and Robin, and confused by Vere's presence. Couth, who seems to have a better idea of which way the wind is blowing, just expresses his condolence to the newcomer as if he were another Ranger before shepherding the youths away.
Vere nods to them gravely, without speaking.
There's no mistaking the warmth, relief and worry in Robin's eyes as she greets the Rangers. An actual smile leaks to her lips and almost a twinkle within the tears for Couth's understanding.
Robin pays particular attention to her father's talent. Time to start learning just what it is that he does to protect them all.
Robin believes that Julian is simply sensing any power in them; he doesn't have time for more, even with the comparatively long time he takes to reply to them.
Once Corwin has finished his business in the line, he moves to join Celina and Merlin.
Celina studies her father and all things of his actions here. It is past time she understand more about the elements that really make up her origins. There is so little time remaining.
Corwin comes over and greets his son with a warm clasp. His turn toward Celina is slightly--not hesitant, but it's clear he's waiting for her to initiate whatever physical contact there will be between them.
Celina's first reaction is a nod. She greatly approves of Corwin's restraint.
"Celina," he says, sounding slightly relieved. "Merlin told me you were out of Amber when the attack happened, but I'm pleased to see you that you're well for myself."
Celina blinks at the undertones in Corwin's voice and stifles her prepared greeting. Surprised at the sudden feeling in her blood for his, she reaches and raises his hand and bends enough to kiss it. She says nothing else.
Corwin's hand is comfortable in hers, and he does not easily relinquish Celina once she has him.
Studying the funeral place and purpose, well aware of Corwin's mood, she stands silent and attentive to the ritual, but the deeper currents roll dark and icy.
--as I cannot keep her safe--
--see that you are well--
--a danger to both herself and Rebma--
--go and return--
Celina pays close attention to the ritual. It is for a man she never met, but it is also for all of them. She feels a comfort in this moment that has not been present before. There is a strong idea in her that Adonis' legend has not ended if it inspires the blooming of her own destiny. If she takes up the lesson in memory of him--Adonis will be a fertile genesis.
He is dead, but she is listening very hard. She believes that the words spoken here are going to point the way to tomorrow.
Brita stands there and seems somewhat distracted initially - glancing around the clearing but looking at the ground more than the people. Eventually, her attention drifts to the mourners. She seems somewhat curious, her head cocked to one side as she waits and watches.
She sees Brennan and Ambrose arive and a smile of greeting crosses her features before she can control it. She gives a little wave.
Ambrose catches her eye and nods as Brennan takes him over to meet Julian. A brief smile crosses his face for a moment, erasing the worried expression that he was wearing.
When they are done, Ambrose breaks away from his brother and comes to speak with her. "Brita," he says. "How are you? Brennan said that you were injured in the attack on Amber."
"Cousin Ambrose," Brita's smile of welcome is wide, "I am Fine, although...," she brings her hands forward from behind her back and flexes the bare, reddened fingers a little, "it will take Time to Heal completely." She quickly puts her hands behind her back again as she glances briefly Brennan's way. "Of course, I should still have the bandages on, but I have Something to do later that requires my Direct Touch."
"The most important work always does," Ambrose agrees. He glances at his brother, then back at Brita. "I hope I'll be here to see it. Brennan arranged my safe passage so that I could speak to King Random. I'm hoping that I'll have a chance to stay and meet some of my other relations afterwards."
Brita smiles again. "I hope my Task will not take too Long and that you do not Disappear back to Shadow Uxmali before we can Speak again."
From beyond Ambrose, Brita can see her mother watching her.
"Cousin Ambrose, you remember my Mother, don't you?" and Brita smiles a greeting at her mother as she waves her over.
"Of course. She's unforgettable, not unlike her daughter," Ambrose replies with another smile at Brita.
Fiona murmurs something to Conner, who is escorting her away from Julian and turns to move toward Brita and Ambrose.
Conner does lead Fiona towards them.
When she is close enough, Brita gives her a big hug, although not using her hands prevents her from lifting the short sorceress off the ground.
Fiona returns the hug with enthusiasm. "Brita. How are your hands?" She holds out her own, expecting her daughter to do the same so she can inspect the burned appendages. As she does so, she adds, "And Ambrose. How pleasant to see you--even if it is on such a sad occasion."
Ambrose smiles at Fiona. "Always a pleasure to see you, aunt. Even, as you say, on such a sad occasion."
Brita does indeed hold out her hands, "I've been using some Aloe on them, Mother. And Cousin Brennan did a good job of seeing to them initially. They will be fine."
"Of course they will," Fiona says, examining the damage. "Just be careful with them until they are."
Conner cannot suppress the doctor in him from taking a quick look at Brita's hands. Conner is satisfied with what he sees and turns to Ambrose in greeting.
"Yours is an unexpected face this day, Cousin." Conner greets him. "It is good of you to pay your respects."
"King Random permitted me to attend. I'm to speak with him afterwards," Ambrose explains. "Brennan told me about the death, but I didn't know our cousin, or hear the details of his passing. I'm not familiar with the Amber rituals to mark a passing, either. Do you know what's going to happen?"
Brita also listens with half an ear although her attention has been drawn to the King and Queen approaching the Juliani.
"There are so few passings among our Family that there is no one ritual applied." Conner replies. "In this case, we follow the ritual that Julian's rangers observe. Stories and memories are shared of the deceased and the story ends with the placing of a stone upon the growing cairn. Those with no story simply place a stone in silence."
"That would be me, then," Ambrose says.
Fiona smiles agreeably and says, "You will not be alone. Many of Adonis' cousins never met him."
As Vialle and Random pay their respects to Julian, the murmur of chatter dies away in preparation for Random's speech.
Caine hurries up the hill, ahead of what looks like the last party: Random, Vialle, and Garrett. He is dressed in a naval officer's uniform, with accents in green and a black armband. After offering his condolences to the family, including a particularly warm clasp for Julian and an approving glance at the flag under his brother's arm, he moves on to allow the King and Queen their turn.
Robin is polite with Caine but those near her can sense her recoiling slightly from the Prince.
Random has taken longer than Caine to arrive because of the difficulty of escorting a blind woman up the hill. For all that she's obviously worried about stumbling, Vialle seems pleased to be out of doors, enjoying the wind and the sun and the sounds of nature. Random leads her over to Julian and his family and leads her through the little line, cueing her by using names and guiding her gently with one hand. Julian is partcularly gentle with her as well.
The King is dressed simply, in dark orange and muted colors. His only adornment is the Jewel of Judgement. Vialle wears a dark red gown which complements her husband's colors. Both of them have the dark armband of mourning.
"Majesty," Vere replies softly in reply to Vialle's expression of sympathy.
The sight of Vialle enjoying the open air brings a certain lightening to Robin and she is able to respond to the King and Queen with gentle murmurs.
Garrett looks around at all the relatives as he arrives in the clearing, but he reacts to no one but Julian and his family. After offering them brief words of condolence, he strides wordlessly over to take what he assumes to be his proper place next to Martin and waits silently for the service to start.
Random nods to Julian and climbs up on a rock. "We are all assembled. I met Adonis Adonai on the day of Dad's funeral. It was the day I became King and the day I knighted Adonis on the battlefield. I never saw him alive again.
"He did not acknowledge me at the edge of the abyss, he did not attend the coronation, and he did not attend the memorial for Dad and Eric and Deirdre. But he did something that none of us here can say we've done, even if we would. The consequences are as yes still unfolding, but now is the time to honor Adonis for who he was and what he did. I have only one thing to add to his story, an accolade. No higher accolade exists.
"He died for the good of Amber."
Random pauses to see how people react.
Brita straightens as Random begins to speak. She has taken on the stance of a Ranger at attention. The only thing detracting from the straight line of her back is a slight tilt of her head as she listens to the story and the ones to follow.
Garrett listens in solemn silence. At Random's last line, his chin rises slightly and he stands even more at attention. His pride in his homeland is evident.
Lucas stands quietly, his arm around Solace - perhaps for comfort, perhaps to offer her physical support - and listens attentively, his expression one of grave interest.
Reid thinks to himself, "Then he died in vain, for Amber is surely as doomed now as it was when I last left."
Vere has an arm around Robin, offering her both comfort and support. He listens to Random's speech solemnly, with no change of expression.
Uncharacteristically, Brennan is standing alone and out of the way with his arms folded across his chest when Random climbs up on the rock. Too much to do and not enough time to do any of it in the midst of or during the rituals, he's contented himself with locating people that he wants to talk to. Lilly, as soon as possible; Jovian, soon after; he scowls, evidently looking for one or more other cousins, and failing to see them in attendance; Corwin; Benedict.
This is her King. And this is the way it's going to be. And because she understands why he says what he says, Robin keeps her face solemn and nods.
But through Vere's arm, he can feel the faint shiver that goes through the girl. Her eyes close briefly as Robin leans into Vere a little more, drawing the strength to stave off another of her black turmoils.
Already facing in that general direction when Random begins to speak, Brennan does not shift his posture in any quantifiable way, except for a small swivel of his head and eyes. Still, the change in focus and attention is unmistakeable. His nod is just as small.
Like Brennan, Celina stands a still sentinel.
Paige's eyes are as dead as they've been all morning, not focusing on the King, nor anything on here in this Shadow. Not even a shadow of Amber, but one that had been Amber. Heavy lids close and her head shakes gently. No matter how noble Random's spartan words were, no matter what anyone decided that he died for, it was Paige's stupidity, her lack of focus, her fault that he had to make such a sacrifice. She had stolen him from these people, from his children, as if she had lit his pyre herself.
The Seaward cousin drinks of this surrounding ocean of family. She marvels at the things alike and tries to learn from the things different. She notes how much she wants to believe in Uncle Random's attitude. Will he support her if she takes a similar path? By such tiny signs does the great ocean speak of change. The worst of the storm is still to come.
Celina looks back at where she has been and realizes she is standing where she needs to be.
Hannah looks over with some concern toward Paige and the twins, just briefly, before turning her full attention back to Random.
Conner is watching more for other peoples reactions than showing one of his own. He is unmoved and uninspired by Random's words. Some part of him is satisfied to hear Random speak the words a king should say. The rest of him is disappointed that it was the King who spoke and not Random.
Random looks over to his brother Julian and nods once, briefly.
Julian steps forward and speaks to the assembled company. "Today we honor my son Adonis after the custom of the Rangers. There is no body to lay to rest here on Kolvir, but we will assemble a cairn to mark his passing." He turns to Jovian and Robin, and gestures to them.
Robin shoots a glance to Vere, her face firming up. He has given her the strong arm to launch from and this task is hers. Choices regarding his own tasks are always his own.
She steps forward to join her father and brother.
Jovian and Julian move to the two ends of a rather large and somewhat flat rock. It's perhaps four to four and a half feet long and two or two and a half feet wide.
Though her own strength is not that of her father or her brother, Robin squats down and grasps a side of the stone.
They hoist the thing into the air, not without some strain, and together, they move the rock into the center of the clear area, where they place it carefully, mindful of fingers and toes.
When the rock is set in place, and the dust of its placing has settled a little, Julian goes to the edge of the cleared area and places picks up a large stone, about the size of a man's head. He says, "Adonis never wanted to leave Arcadia, but he did so for those he loved. Let that memory lighten grief." Then he places the stone in the center of the flat rock.
"I stood with my brother on the edge of the Void, and I recall his shout of pure joy at seeing Her. I shall remember him as a man who was capable of purity. Let that memory lighten grief." Jovian places a black rock atop the large flat stone. When he does so, there is a roar from Canareth.
Robin chooses a flat stone of rosy pink. Holding the slate to her chest, Robin speaks to her father and brother. "When last I saw Adonis he was laughing and playing. We were -- and remain -- truly brother and sister from that point."
Her green eyes seek out Paige and the twins. The three young Rangers. "For Adonis, family always came first. Let that memory lighten grief." Robin places her stone like a bridge atop the rocks of Julian and Jovian.
Vere steps forward and selects a rock, seemingly at random. Standing, he gazes at the cairn for a moment, as though searching for something, then says, "He is a cousin I never met, a brother I shall never know. But he has not gone from our hearts or our minds. He will live, wildly and tenderly, in our memories, and in our actions from this moment forth . As night precedes day, and winter precedes summer, so does destruction precede creation. He lived as he wished, and died as he chose. His sacrifice was not in vain. Let that memory lighten grief."
He lays his rock down gently, its corners making an almost perfect fit to the rock Robin had placed, then returns to stand next to her.
Paige steps forward, if not confidently, at least with purpose. Her newly cut hair falls about her face as she looks down at the stone slab before meeting the assembled eyes. "I met Adonis twice and knew him at once without words," Paige began. Her normally rich round tones are strained. "So I'll spare none for that. When we last spoke, mere minutes before his sacrifice, my understanding of that man changed. Where I had seen just a man, I saw a someone not concerned with just my children, but those he left behind in Arcadia.
"He asked me what I needed, explaining that in his divinity he was Everyman," she continues. "I answered that before my needs were those of our children. That they needed a father, a protector, but that nothing had shown me that such a man existed within him. That others had told me him incapable of the role.
"I was wrong," Paige finishes. "He died so his children might live. Let their memories lighten our grief," Paige hefts a stone and brings it gently to her lips. As she leans to place it upon the slowly building cairn a tear marks the stone.
The twins take a single rock between them and move to the cairn. "Our father lived according to his law and died according to it. Let that memory lighten grief," Brooke says as Leif places the stone. Then they retreat to Paige's side.
Bleys follows the children to the cairn with a long oval stone that a lesser man could not hope to carry. "We have learned to our cost that family is all we have. Adonis loved his family, even unto death. Let that memory lighten grief." He places the stone and takes up a position on the other side of the twins.
Brennan steps forward, a solemn air wrapped around him like a second cloak. He looks up. He speaks quietly, with a heavy voice that carries easily.
"I knew Daeon as Kern. I knew him as Adonis. I knew him not in his other names, but they were always with him. Daeon was many men, and many things. Son and sibling, warrior and wanderer, lyricist and lover. But two things he was, above others: a divinity of life, and a father. Always, inseparably, both.
"When his time came, he made his choice. He laid down those lives, a father's right sacrifice that his children might live, and learn, and love in safety and in freedom. Let this legacy lighten our grief."
Brennan stoops to pick up a generously sized rock with a rich vein of red material running through it, and places it on the growing structure.
Cambina places a single stone on the slab and comes to stand by Brennan, slipping a hand into his. Corwin, behind her, chooses a large stone and places it gently on the slab without saying anything.
Celina pads silently forward. She curls down like a wave greeting the shore and retrieves a rock that nearly overpowers her hand in size. One more step and she halts at the cairn. "I did not know Adonis. I don't know his choices or his burden. I do think he has taught me something powerful. Let that memory lighten grief." She sets the stone gently down and steps back to her former place.
Merlin takes a reasonably large stone and moves over to the cairn. "Adonis was brave beyond Ygg, in a realm for which he could not have been adequately prepared. Let that memory lighten our grief." He places the stone on the cairn and returns to stand by his father and sister.
Fiona takes a stone that she probably shouldn't be able to lift and brings it to the cairn. "He did not shy from danger. Let that memory lighten grief."
Conner steps forward and selects a stone with a jagged edge.
"When first I met Adonis, he rent his own flesh rather than accept healing by energies not his own. I thought he was a fool." Conner says matter of factly.
"When last I met Adonis, he took his children's doom upon himself and won for them a reprieve." Conner pauses. "From self centered to selfless. Let that memory lessen grief."
Conner places his stone in an empty spot and withdraws.
Brita steps up after her brother and pulls from her pocket a small brownish-green stone that has been carved to look like an acorn. She looks around at the assembled and smiles slightly, "God-Cousin Daeon may Strike Me Down for this assessment, but ... He has Proved to be a _True Warrior_. He Lived for what He Believed. He Fought for what He Believed. He Died for what He Believed."
Ranger Brita turns and bows slightly to the Juliani. She straightens and says in the voice of a Goddess of Asgard, "Eternal will He Feast in the Halls Of Valhalla and His Legacy will Walk the Nine Realms."
Brita then moves to the cairn and places her stone on the pile as she says, "May this Knowledge lighten Grief."
Ambrose follows Brita up to the slab and places his own stone on it wordlessly.
Reid steps up and finds a stone with just the right weight, flat on the bottom, more rounded on the top, as if other stones placed on it will slide off. He carefully places it among the others before stepping back into place, not making any distinct or recognizable vocalizations.
Papillon comes with Reid and silently adds a comparatively small stone to the cairn.
Caine adds a large rock to the cairn. "He risked his life beyond Ygg so that his fellows could return home. Let that memory lighten grief."
Llewella adds a small rock to the cairn, and after placing it, takes a pouch, which Celina recognizes as a funerary offering-pouch after the Rebman custom, and nestles it among the stones of the growing cairn.
Solange takes a deep breath and steps forward. She chooses a grey stone that fits nicely into the palm of her hand. Gazing at it for a moment, her fingers closed tightly around it, Solange contemplates what to say.
She's already listened to her cousins paying their regards, their speeches filled with uplifting things said about the deceased, all very correct and appropriate. She has no such speech inside of her. In the only interactions she had with the man, he was behaving irrationally: first, lashing out at Aisling when she tried to heal him and then reopening his own wound, and second watching him commit suicide. Everyone here seems to think he did this Honorable Thing, that he needed to die to save his children and in dying he achieved some Great Victory, but Solange suspects that's a lie. The Dragon is still out there, and not even Aunt Fiona is sure how to protect Paige's children. In Solange's opinion, he would have been the better father by staying alive.
So here she stands on the mountainside, a grey stone in her hand, everyone watching and waiting for her to say the appropriate and correct things. Silent, Solange places her stone on the cairn and walks back to stand by Gerard.
Gerard wheels himself up to the cairn and places the large stone he has across his lap on the edge of the slab. He looks at Julian, but doesn't say anything.
Hannah simply picks up the stone closest to her. She pulls something from her pocket with her other hand and silently walks to place her stone next to Solange's, and sets three feathers tied together with twine on top of it. Just as silently, she returns to her spot.
Lucas moves forward. For once he is silent, his dark eyes gazing at the cairn for a long, inscrutable moment.
Then he steps forward and sets two stones, already weathered with green lichen, to its place among the growing pile.
"Let memories of him lighten grief," he says, and quietly retires.
Solace, with him, adds another small stone to the pile.
Couth escorts the three youngsters to the graveside. Each carries a stone.
"He was kind to me when he escorted me to the castle. Let that memory lighten grief," Sage says, and places his.
"He was a ranger among rangers. Let that memory lighten grief," Tatter, who was clearly coached, tells the company, and places his.
Breeze hesitates a moment, then abandons whatever speech he had prepared. "He knew he was gonna die, and he took time to be kind to me. Let that memory--lighten--grief." The boy chokes up and turns away, and Couth takes the stone and places it.
"For the rangers who cannot be here today to thank him. He saved a lot of our people in the war. Let that memory lighten grief," Couth says, and places his own rock. Then he rounds up the boys and takes them back to their place.
Benedict can only manage a small stone with the single hand he has remaining to him. "Adonis fought bravely at the last battle. He earned his knighthood by deeds of arms. Let that memory lighten grief," he tells Julian.
As Lilly steps forward, a change overcomes her. The girl departs and the woman reemerges. Within the course of a few steps, all confidence is recalled. A good sized stone is chosen and swiftly retrieved. Once at the mound she pauses for a moment, gazing around the crowd. When last she speaks her voice is clear.
"A sacrifice of blood is a powerful thing. As we traveled back from the Abyss, he came to my aid. I had been confronted by a strange race. They asked that we come forward to earn our the rite to travel through their lands. We soon realized that a great sacrifice would be needed to ensure safe passage. Daeon devised a plan and asked for my help. I agreed and when the time came, I did not hesitate. I plunged my sword into his side spilling his blood and bringing him to the edge of death; exactly as he requested. The danger did not concern him. It was, as he saw it, necessary. He never hesitated to do what must be done regardless of the consequences." Lilly places the stone gently and odd smile coming to her face for the briefest of moments. Looking up, she allows her gaze to fall on Julian for the first time all day, "Let that memory lighten our grief." With a nod she return quickly to her father's side.
Martin places two stones. With the first, he says quietly, "For Folly." Then he turns to look at Julian, Jovian, and Robin, and says, "When I first met Adonis, he greeted me with trust and open arms, a rare thing among our kinsmen. Let that memory lighten grief." Then he adds his own stone and retires to his father's side.
After the first couple of speakers, Garrett realizes his carefully researched and practiced remarks will simply not fit the tone of this service. So he improvises. He steps to his right, selects an irregularly-shaped stone flecked with mica and moves to the cairn. He says in a clear voice, "I did not know Adonis, but from everything I've heard, he was much like this stone - many-faceted. Strong as granite, with a spirit that sparkled like mica. He must have had great love in his heart to make the ultimate sacrifice for his children. Let that thought lighten grief." He fits the stone carefully with the others and returns to his spot, assuming a parade rest.
After everyone else has gone, Random picks up a stone and hands it to Vialle, and then another. He takes the first back from his wife and proceeds to the cairn. "I spoke before as King, and now I speak for myself and for Vialle. I look at what you all have built here in honor of Daeon and I can only think 'that boy sure has a lot of stones.' If I were a preacher-man, I'd have a sermon on that topic with three supporting paragraphs with three points in each, bracketed by an opening and closing paragraph which told you what I was going to say and then told you again what I had said. It would take about an hour, unless I got rolling. As it is, you get this. That on this day, as many of us as could came together despite our differences with each other and with the deceased and we honored him. He was one of us, and, I've learned, that's damn important. His choices have consequences; for him, for us, for many worlds. Let that truth lighten grief."
Random turns away and leads Vialle back to the edge of the cleared area.
Julian turns to the assembled company and says, "Thank you for coming, and for honoring Adonis. Let us go now, with our grief lightened by the memories we have shared." Those who have attended Ranger funerals recognize this as the end of the ceremony.
Last modified: 31 August 2005