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Message: <blockquote data-quote="el-remmen" data-source="post: 42648" data-attributes="member: 11">Session #5 Isilem, the 9th of Ese – 564 H.E. Shu (37) did not seem to care that this was the day of a funeral, for he continued to send his rains down upon Aquerra mercilessly. Kazrack awoke and sighed, the memory of Malcolm’s death re-entering his mind with his day’s first breath. He got up and getting dressed walked into town to find Beorth and see what help was needed with the funeral preparations. The camp was quiet. At the Temple of Anhur, Beorth awoke to find Jeremy still sleeping, rolled into a ball in a bunk across the wood paneled room. He got down on his knees to pray, and then wrote of a list of things he needed for the funeral. As he was doing this, Kazrack arrived, shown in by Greglon of Anhur. “We need to build a pyre for Malcolm,” Beorth told his dwarven companion. “I will help in anyway I can,” Kazrack said. Jeremy awoke and sat up stretching. “Good morning, Jeremy,” said Kazrack. “Oh, it is a beautiful day,” Jeremy said through a yawn. “It is still raining. The skies still cry for our fallen friend,” Beorth said. “No, it is a beautiful day. The sun feels warm,” Jeremy insisted. Kazrack looked at Beorth with a puzzled look and then back at the blonde Neergaardian. “I’m hungry,” Jeremy said, patting his stomach. “Malcolm is hungry too. I have to get him some food.” “What do you mean, Malcolm’s hungry? Is that some kind of expression?” Kazrack turned to Beorth. “Is that some kind of expression?” The paladin shrugged his shoulders.“He’s hungry. I’m his friend, and I should get him something to eat. I’m gonna get him some him some haggis.” “Um. . . Jeremy? I’m sorry to tell you this, but don’t you remember? Malcolm passed on yesterday,” Kazrack said gently. Jeremy stood. “Is there food here? I have to go the inn to get him some food. He’s really hungry.”“Oh, no. He’s gone crazy. He’s gonna try to eat rocks or something,” Kazrack said to Beorth. “Different people react to death differently. Often such a shock passes. Let’s hope that is that case with our companion. You watch him and make sure he doesn’t hurt himself. I have to prepare the body.” “Yes, I’ll make sure he doesn’t eat rocks or anything,” Kazrack said, following Jeremy out. Outside, Jeremy walked in his shirt-sleeves in the cool rain, seeming to be oblivious to it. “It is a beautiful day. I hope they have something Malcolm likes at the inn. I don’t want him to be disappointed.” “Is this some kind of custom of his people? Do you bury him with his favorite food for the trip to the afterlife or something?” Kazrack asked, nervously looking for any explanation of Jeremy’s behavior. Jeremy stopped and looked at Kazrack, “Malcolm’s hungry. He wants to eat. I’m getting him food.” He continued to walk. H“Malcolm told you this?” “Of course. Stop being stupid.” Jeremy wandered in the rain for some more time, followed closely by Kazrack, and eventually made his way back to the temple, where he climbed back into his cot soaking wet and closing his eyes fell back to sleep. Beorth emerged from preparing the corpse; dressing it properly, wrapping it in a death shroud and such and explained to Kazrack what the pyre should be like – One pile of wood for each compass direction and one large one in the center to rest Malcolm’s body upon. Kazrack went back to the camp, and found Kamir explained to him what needed to be done, and the eager young lade began to gather wood from under the tarps where it was kept dry. Chance volunteered to help as well, and Jana went to the temple to watch over Jeremy and keep him out of trouble when he woke up. The rain let up slightly, allowing Kazrack and friends to set up the pyre without fear that the wood would get too wet. When they were done, Kazrack and Chance went back to the Temple of Anhur. They found Beorth and Jana eating biscuits and jam and drinking tea, waiting for them. Jeremy woke up, “Morning, still raining, huh?” “Is Malcolm still hungry?” Kazrack asked Jeremy hesitantly. “That’s not funny,” Jeremy said in a voice of anger. “Huh?” Kazrack was dumb-founded. “Don’t your remember getting up before? Walking around to get Malcolm something to eat?” “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Jeremy insisted. “You must have been walking in your sleep,” Beorth said. “I don’t do that.” “Well, anyway, it is time for the funeral,” Beorth said, and with that they placed Malcolm’s body in a wheelbarrow and rolled it over to the camp where the burning and funeral would take place. All of Crumb’s boys gathered around the pyre, which was right beside the grave where Dunkle’s body lay at the bottom. Deet and Crumb stood to the side and behind the crowd a bit, as did Devon, Markle and their companion (on the opposite side). ----------- Beorth whispered a short prayer over the powdered incense that he held in his hand and moving from the south (at Malcolm’s head) to the north and then from the east to the west, he placed a small pile of incense in each of the four directions. Silently he lit each pile and within moments the camp filled with the thick scent of incense. Beorth stepped to the head of the pyre and extended his hands in supplication to the Gods. “Anubis, I am no priest but I stand before You as Your servant and ask You to grant me this favor. Today I am sending you the soul of Malcolm Mac Duligh. I beg You to greet his soul when it arrives and to allow him entry into Your realm. Watch over him while his soul experiences Duat and until the time comes when Your Father calls upon his heart to be weighed and his soul is judged.” Beorth plucked the torch he used to light the incense from the ground where he had ensconced it and placed it into the wood piled near Malcolm’s head. The flames fought the droplets of water falling from the sky, but eventually the fire began to grow. Moving clockwise around the pyre, Beorth came to stand at its northern point. His voice rose over the crackle of the growing flames. “Father Osiris, Judge of the Dead, today the soul of Malcolm Mac Duligh will arrive at the gates of Anubis’ realm. In Life, he fought honorably and bravely in the name of Good. When the times comes to weigh his heart, I pray that You will find it as light as a feather and the You will speed his soul onward to whatever is planned for it.” Beorth plunged the torch into the pyre at Malcolm’s feet and watched as the flames spread around Malcolm’s ankles. He tread the distance to the eastern point of the pyre in silence. After glancing into the sky where Shu’s tears still obscured Ra’s Glory, Beorth addressed his words to the King of the Gods. “All powerful Grandfather Ra, God of the Sun, an honorable and just warrior has fallen in battle and his soul now travels to Anubis’ realm. I ask that You make room in Your celestial barge for Malcolm’s soul and transport him safely to my Father who will be waiting. His soul merits your attention and deserves this honor.” After igniting the pyre along the eastern side, Beorth came to rest at the West. “O Great God Ptah, Creator of All, the soul of Malcolm Mac Duligh has left this world and has begun its journey to Anubis. I ask You to protect Malcolm’s soul on this journey and bring him safely into the care of Anubis.""When we left on our journey many weeks ago, we prayed for Your assistance and I pray now that You will continue to watch over us so that we, like Malcolm, may safely reach the end of our path." Beorth knelt and lit the wood in front of him. As he walked to stand again near Malcolm’s head, he felt the heat from the fire grow and through the smoke, he could see the flames consume Malcolm’s body. “Father, today You will receive another soul into Your care. Welcome him and keep him safe.” In a whisper few could hear, Beorth added, “Peace be with you, Malcolm. In Death, as it never was in Life.” And with that Beorth cast the torch into the center of the pyre and watched to ensure that Anubis’ will was done. -----------All bowed their heads as the flames licked upward towards the grey sky, which still squeezed out some last drops of moisture. Chance and others began to cover Dunkle in his grave. Beorth walked over and said some words over Dunkle as well. As the pyre burned down and Crumb’s boys (and Crumb himself) began to wander over towards the mess tent, the companions noticed that standing back a respectful distance from the funeral were a group of armed and armored men. There were a dozen in studded leather, with helmets, holding spears and having short swords and maces at their belts; a handful had crossbows. Standing a little before them Kazrack recognized the Captain of the Guard. The dwarf also noticed standing beyond this group were three men. Two held halberds and maroon tabards, and the flanked the third who wore a chain shirt, and seemed middle-aged had a bushy mustache and bright friendly grey eyes. Kazrack walked over to the Captain of the Guard. “Captain.” “Kazrack, right?” the man asked. “I wanted to say that I was sorry for the loss of your companion, and to tell you that the Lord decided to investigate these goblins himself. He wants to talk to you and your companions before we leave.” “Of course,” Kazrack said respectfully, and gathered his companions. The Captain brought them over to the man flanked by the two others with halberds. “My Lord, this is Kazrack and his companions that I told you about,” the captain looked at the young adventurers. “This is Cutter Jack, Lord of Cutter Jack’s.” They nodded their heads. The lord spoke in a pronouncedly “unlordly” way, “I just wanted to give my condolences for the loss of your companion and to thank you for your help with the goblin problem and bringing it to our attention. I am convinced that goblins alone could not create such fine armor, so we are going to investigate this. However, before I do I wanted to reward you for your efforts.” The lord gestured to one of his men, who pulled a fat pouch of coins and handed it to Kazrack who passed it to Beorth. “I know no amount will repay the loss of your friend, but I hope this does give you some small comfort,” He looked up. “It looks as if the rain was only taking a respite. We need to be going on our way. If your journeys ever bring you back to Cutter Jack’s you must come by the house for dinner. Okay?” “Um, okay… Thank you,” the friends all mumbled and with that the Lord stepped of accompanied by his men. “Pleasant chap,” Chance said. “I think we should donate this money in Malcolm’s name, in his honor,” Beorth said. “Sounds like a good idea,’ Kazrack said. “I think we should count it first,” Jana said. “It doesn’t matter,” Jeremy said, sullenly. “Aye, we should count it, for certain. No need to be givin’ away too much now,” Chance added. “Exactly,” said Jana. “It matters not. Malcolm paid his life for this money. We should do something worthwhile with it,” Beorth insisted. “Ah think we should use it ta buy the best bottle of booze we can find and get smashed,” Chance said.“That sounds good, too,” Jeremy said with only slightly more enthusiasm. “Is that what Malcolm would want?” Beorth asked. “Of course,” said Chance, eyes gleaming. “Yes,” said both Jana and Jeremy. “I think so, too,” said Kazrack. “Here is five silver pieces, Chance. Go buy something,” Beorth offered. “Five pieces of silver! Loosen yer pockets, man! Malcolm was worth more than that,” Chance said. “That is all your getting.” “Fine, I guess I’ll ahve ta gamble it fer more.” However, before Chance could take off. The lunch bell was rung and they were all reminded of the meeting Crumb had wanted to call ,and the friends gathered with the others, to where Crumb stood beneath a strange object that Deet held over their employer’s head. It was a parasol with an oilskin cover, that kept the now heavy (again) rain from making him too wet. He spoke in his deep deep baritone, “As ya all know we lost two of our numbers yesterday and that is very sad, but it is also a waste. There is no need to go running off huntin’ goblins or anything similar, when you have much more important things to be done in Gothanius. I have a great deal of time and money invested in you boys and there is a such thing as `the spirit of the contract’. In Gothanius, you will be equipped and there will be some training. Why risk yourselves now when you are unprepared? As an incentive I plan to up your daily travel pay to 5 pieces of copper…” Kamir let out a quiet cheer, and Crumb continued, “Luckily for you there are some people here who care enough to go after those who would so easily risk their lives. They wouldn’t go off by themselves to hunt goblins, but would risk themselves to return those who would. I think that if you get a chance you should thank those people for nipping this thing in the bud, before a few people inspired others to go do the same. No need to mention names – We all know who they are.” Kazrack, Jana, and the others could sense the subtle sarcasm in Crumb’s voice. Everyone knew who they were, and everyone also knew that they were the first to go out there looking for goblins, and they were the ones who had tried to train some of them to fight. “Regardless of this, Deet and I have secured wagons and oxen and we will be leaving tomorrow, through Bountiful to Stonebridge and north all the Tall Twin Rive from there. Because of all the supplies we need to bring, you will have to switch off riding in the wagons every day – Half of you walking, half of you riding. Except for the dwarf, he will get to ride all the time as to not slow us down. I will be driving the first wagon with Kinney and Deet will be in the rear one with Horung. (38)  So get your rest, and we’ll be off in the morning!” The group dispersed, and Chance ran into town returning with a hand keg and a few bottle of wine and a bottle of Dwarven Spirits. Jana, Chance, Kazrack and Jeremy sat in the dwarf’s tent and drank away the night, toasting to Malcolm and laughing a lot. Beorth was no where to be found, preferring quiet contemplation to revelry. When the inebriation had really set in, Chance stood up and sang his “Son of Whore” song: Ain’t nothing as lucky as a son of whore/ Ain’t nothing as lucky as a son of whore / Ain’t nothing as lucky as a son of whore / Ya get some good luck and then ya get a bit more! / Ain’t nothing as lucky as a son of whore / Ain’t nothing as lucky as a son of whore “Ya know me mum whas a hooer. Thas right,” Chance said in his drunken slur. “Me Da’ said she’d do anythin’ for a cahpper; for that promise of a cahpper even.” ‘Did you like your mother?” Jana asked. “Ah nevah metah,” Chance replied. “Ah’d come back ta Verdun to see `er, but I found she had died. Me Da’ brought me up in Wallbrook. He said, thar’s lots of suckers. . . I mean, money to be won I Wallbrook.” Everyone laughed. “Hold on. I got something fer ya, Jeremy.” Chance ran back to his tent and returned with a sword wrapped in a cloth, “It’s Malcolm’s bahstard sword. I figured ya’d wan it.” Jeremy was silent for a moment and then finally spoke, “I don’t know. He always told me a should use a bigger sword, but it really isn’t my style. I guess, I’ll take it, but I doubt I’ll use it.” “You know there is a custom among my people, where we re-forge an item that belongs to a loved one that has passed away so that can use it in their memory,” Kazrack noted. “If we get to a forge I can use, I could do that with the sword.” “That sounds nice; maybe some rings we could all wear,” Jeremy smiled. “I’ll carry it for now,” Chance said. “Well, we know you won’t use it,’ Kazrack said. “Now, what da hell is that supposed ta mean?!” Chance said, with the sudden anger of a drunk. “I just meant that you aren’t exactly the bravest person around,” the dwarf said, a bit of ale and spirits loosening his tongue as well. “How da hell wouldja know? Ya busy runin’ around killin gooblins with ya big pole-axe or whateva’ da hell it is. I do my part. Ya know, a real hero doesn’t haveta explain himself, but lucky fa me, I’m nutta real hero! I sheltered Jana with me own body when I gravely wounded, an’ there were arrahs flyin’ all about.” ‘That’s true he did,” Jana concurred. “An’ when the goblin warlock tried ta get away, who blocked his path? I did!” “Chance has his uses,’ Jana said. “Ya damn, right!” Chance said, standing. “I’m sorry, Chance. I guess I misjudged you,” Kazrack admitted.“Ya damn, right ya misjudged me, and I’ll tell ya another thing…” And with that he passed out. Kazrack let him sleep there. Jana returned to her tent, and Jeremy stumbled back to his as well. Beorth returned from whatever he had been doing and went to sleep as well. Tomorrow they would all be deeper into the inland of Derome-Delem.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Notes:(37) Shu is the god of Birds & Sky of Ra’s Pantheon – twin to Tefnut (Goddess of Oceans). He is one of the five elemental gods of the pantheon.(38) Kinney and Horung are the assistants Crumb hired to help him and Deet manage the trip overland to the Kingdom of Gothanius.</blockquote>

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