After travelling to Minas Tirith, a small assemblage of our Band of Misfits stood on horseback before the mighty gates. Addiela, Xanderian, Calidis, Nethrida and Caryneryn waiting uneasily as other guests arrived. Most wore uniforms or armor of one of the Regiments or Companies of Minas Tirith, though there were a handful of other civilians as well. Finally a guide wearing a black armband arrived and cleared his throat. “Welcome, invited guests, worthies all, on behalf of Arne, Margrave Palaniel. Please remain in single file, do not dismount, do not stray from the path, do not pick any flowers along the way. The ride to the Estate Palaniel should take a bit more than an hour at a reasonable pace, barring orc attacks or corsair incursions. Thank you, and enjoy the trip.”
Three days earlier, a messenger wearing the green and black livery of House Palaniel had arrived at Tol Lochul, bearing an envelope to Addie of Rohan which included instructions and invitations to the Memorial of Septimal Caine for her and anyone she chose to bring with her.
As they rode up into the picturesque mountains above Minas Tirith, they had occasion to overhear various comments from their fellow guests. One Knight explained to his female companion that he never been to the Estate Palaniel and is very much looking forward to it. Another smart young Grandee said to his friends that the Margrave himself was coming down and had never interrupted his winter hunt before as far as anyone knew. Yet another elderly merchant explained to his grandchildren that the extended family was already at the estate, as were those who knew the way and officials This caravan he said was just for those who had never been there before...or for party crashers.
It was clear from the nod of his head that the last comment was intended to mean Addie and her company.
After riding for about an hour, just as the Guide had predicted, they arrived at an enormous and ostentatious gate, built around several statues of martial figures set into great blue iron doors surrounded by green and black pennants, fixed with the insignia of a mailed fist gripping a boar’s tusk and the motto “Take hold”, the insignia of House Palaniel, Blood Royal. A man in that same Green and Black livery awaited them at the opened gate.
The man intoned, "Gather by invitation and state your name for admission....'
Several people ahead of our heroes would state their names and offer their invitations, which were then matched against another in a pile of invitations...and allowed in.
As Addiela and company reached the front of the line, the servant glanced at them and shook his head in disapproval. "No, no...you must enter from the Eastern Gate. Have your invoice with you, preprepared...you will be paid at the end of the festivities.’.
Addiela had had the good sense to have her invitation at the ready in her left hand, her right hand on the reins of her horse Lily even though she didn’t need to really guide the well-trained horse. Without saying a word, Addie gave the attendant a look that would speak of upturned noses and reek of status lording as she handed the invitation down to the man.
The man tilted his head in surprise and then nodded in sudden realization. "Ah yes Captain Kraddock's orderly had mentioned some adventurers would be invited. I had assumed he was jesting... You may go through, follow the torches to the moon viewing platform...the Pyre will be lit at 11 Am sharp. Please remember that all silverware and small ornaments will be accounted for after the ceremony. All of these...people....are with you?'
Addiela slightly dipped her chin in a nod toward the attendant, though her eyes did not glance at him again. She was already looking ahead toward the path and the torches, "They are. Captain Kraddock wished to save time and resources by having the invitation addressed to 'guests'."
The attendant nodded impatiently and motioned them all through, though he did look twice at Neth's armor...at least she was properly attired, he thought, if not in the armor of a Company'
Nethrida certainly wasn’t a stranger to the customs, having had ample training many years ago. She had polished and cleaned her Dol Amroth armor to the utmost and made sure to wear the emblem of the Princess Lothiriel prominently on her shoulderguard, as a representative should. She kept herself to Addie's right, half a horse behind her so as to give her some space, and merely bowed her head to the attendant as she passed.
Carneryn rode close behind Neth mightily uncomfortable with just about everything at that moment.
Calidis stayed close to Xan, though she did not lean on her or hover too close. She felt no affront at the attitude of the attendant, nor did she feel ill attired. If one looked at her closely, she would seem surprisingly at ease. Whether that was because this sort of occasion was something she was used to or whether it was something else was anyone's guess.
Xanderian rode slowly with Calidis but leaned gently forward towards Addie, pitching her voice so she everyone could hear her clearly. "They pyre will be erected at the highest point of the estate. There will be seven torches arrayed there for the seven stars of Gondor, when the time comes seven worthies from amongst the deceased family and friends will be called to use them to ignite the pyre. There will be two levels....the lower grass area for general guests, a higher level around the pyre for family and honored guests.”
The party soon reached a massive, landscaped area covered in rich, fertile grass. Everything they saw screamed wealth and privilege. Waiters wandered offering delicate glasses of wine and small refreshments. The scents of spices far too expensive to be casually served filled the air. As they got their bearings and dismounted, across the law they spied Captain Kraddock standing in formal armor with several others....and also, they recognized their dear fried Nimlindir, turning her instruments on the bandstand.'
Kraddock noted them arrive and nodded in their direction.
Addiela nodded, remembering Xan's instructions as she slowly breathed out to dissipate stress; though she had been painstakingly trained by her mother and was accustomed to most etiquette in such situation, this this was not the Mark and she had never been to a funeral in Gondor. Thoughts played through her mind, a mixture of hatred for this kind of ostentatiousness and sadness over their reason for being here. However, when she spied Kraddock, she painted on her best smile while still maintaining a hint of mourning in her expression and eyes, a genuine emotion where the smile was not, and she guided the group over to him.
Nethrida kept somewhat close to Addie. Her arms kept behind her back, her posture straight as a plank. It wasn’t her first funeral, not by a long shot, but it was her first of such high societal status. As such she was taking extra care to ensure she'd stick to the protocol and etiquette she knew, though she did give Kraddock a look of sympathy, and perhaps a little bit of guilt.
Carneryn 's comfort wasn’t helped in the slightest when she spotted Kraddock, she hung as close to Neth as she can reasonably could and shared the same look of sympathy and guilt.
Calidis turned her dark gaze toward Addie, still remaining by Xan's side. Her expression didn’t change, the 'mask' she wore staying firmly in place…but in the depths of her black eyes could be seen genuine sympathy; not for others here but for Addiela.
On the bandstand, Nimlindir saw the group as she prepared to play. Instantly a broad smile crossed her face and she waved her violin over her head and pointed to herself with her free hand. She mouthed the words, 'ITS ME NIM!' without sound.
Nimlindir drew her bow and began to play a jaunty gavotte while wearing a bright smile as the other band members, still preparing, would stare at her.
Xan noted the woman on the performer's podium, as she casually takes a small canepe from a waiter and nodded to Nim gently...."I know" she mouthed....and followed the group to Kraddock.
Nimlindir smiled back at Xanderian's swayed to and fro in exaggerated sadness. At the right moment she winks and makes a fish face...and Xanderian smiled and shook her head.
As they approached Kraddock, the Pyre towering to one side dominated the view. At the top of the intricate lacing of branches At the top of it, in armor and a green and black over robe, laid Septimal Caine. For a moment they all stopped and stared.
Xanderian whispered explanations. "He wears the armor of his company, the robe of his house...his blades are drawn and in his hands, indicating he was an officer, they are cross on his chest to indicate he fell in the line of duty...his head is turned to the left indicating that he was born to the twilight, illegitimate…and his eyes are closed showing he was not himself of the Blood Royal.”
Kraddock soon gestured them over. "I was half afraid they would not let you in, or you would make trouble along the way. Hello Miss Addie, Captain Nethrida, friends....Ahhhh...Hello Monk, so now we have proof you and your sister are one person, only one appears at a time?'
Addiela glanced at the body for only a moment while Xan was explaining the symbolism, but her gaze quickly averted back to Kraddock. As she approached him, she took in a deep breath and offered a polite curtsey to him.
Nethrida looked up at Caine's body with a sad look in her eyes. Her guilty look lingering even through the sadness. When Kraddock spoke to the group she bowed her head respectfully. "Captain Kraddock, my deepest condolences for your loss. Gondor has lost a fine man."
Carneryn was also distracted by Caine's body for a long moment before taking another step forward and bumping into Neth..
Calidis let her gaze drift to Caine's body and, for the slightest of moments, the mask slipped as she struck by the reality that she had never attended a funeral for a Secondborn before. It was strange to her, knowing that his fea now resided beyond the circles of the world in a place no one knew of. She then turned her attention to Kraddock and gave him an elegant and proper curtsey before taking Xanderian’s hand.
Xanderian nodded gently to Kraddock. "Hail, Captain. I share your grief...Septimal was a fine man, though it has been some years since we spent time together. As for my sister, fortunately I do not need to bear the shame of her typical behavior, as we are indeed separate. She happens to be away on urgent business.
Kraddock looked surprised for a moment. "Ah yes...you were at Randarial as well.....bad business that. However, it is good to see all of you....'
A slight shifting of people allowed them all to notice one of those Kraddock had been speaking with was Captain Gareth of the Hounds of Anorian. Nodding to them, Gareth was about to greet them when there was the sound of a trumpet fanfare. Kraddock sighed. “The family is arriving.'
"We do appreciate your efforts to allow us to pay our respects to him..." Addie narrowed her eyes at Gareth when that cobalt cloak of his caught her attention; however, she was quickly distracted by the trumpets and turned her head to look in that direction.
Nethrida nodded at Addie, agreeing with her all the way. "I am deeply grateful for this opportunity" before also hearing the trumpets, and promptly turned to face that direction, moving her hands behind her back again.
Carneryn sighed quietly as trumpets sounded and wrung her hands, she turned to face that direction wishing that she were anywhere else.
There seemed to be around 300 guests standing around the garden, but now most of them were gathering in towards the large double doors leading from the pavillion.'
Nimlindir rolled her eyes and elbowed the musician next to her. “Oooh, something is happening!'
The leader of the band sighed to Nim."You seem...ummm…distracted...perhaps it would best if you mingle? After all you seem to have friends here, no?'
Nimlindir gave her goofy Nim grin, 'If it would not be too much trouble...' and went dancing off playing her violin, starting another jaunty tune.
The bandleader shook his head, speaking softly to her back as she went away. “No..no trouble at all. I swear this is the last time I hire foreign musicians.
The horn player watches her go as well. “Did she even understand this is a memorial service?”
Shaking his head in amazement, the band leader prepared the music for the next piece. “Apparently the body on the pyre wasn’t enough of a hint….elves.”
Up until now, the honor guard of knights of Elendil's Vanguard that were stationed along the edges of the crowd had been standing with naked blades pointed down to the earth. At the sound of trumpets they would spin, so the points face upwards.
Xanderian tilted her head. "Then the rumor was true...the Margrave is in attendance so the blades are upward. There are five Margraves in all of Gondor, each heading one of the five ancient houses which came in tact with the Faithful from Numenor. House Palaniel is one of them.”
As the doors opened, two figures emerged....one young woman, dressed in grey and crimson robes, seeming quite serious and bereaved. The second a little girl wearing a black gown and a golden skull in her blond hair'
The girl began to sing in a high, angelic voice..."Behond, handmaidens of sorrow, she comes, she comes, the Lady Larol comes with a tread of heartbreak...she comes, she comes...'
The woman in grey and crimson stepped to the side...as following the child was a woman dressed in entirely golden armor that looked as if it were spun onto her like silk...around it was a shimmering black robe of spiderweb lace. Her blond hair was worn loose in mourning, and her eye makeup was a startling black for the occasion.
Kraddock shook his head..."Larol of the Tide of Destiny and Lianna of the Pale Kestrels. Two sisters, two captains....that has never been before, and likely never shall be again.'
Larol paused to survey the crowd and accept their adulation and sympathy. She placed one forearm against her face in grief, and there was scattered, then quickly silenced bits of applause. Noticing him, she moved towards Kraddock, and thusly, towards our heroes.
When she reached the group, Captain Larol rested a hand on Kraddock's shoulder. "Captain...such a loss so early in your command...such an ill omen..." She nodded to Gareth. "Hail cousin....it is good your vital duties have allowed you to attend, I do hope there are not gates or supply rooms left unguarded....'
Larol glanced at Addie and looked relived. "Oh, yes please...wine...the Dorwinian please, chilled but not cold. There's a dear.”
Addie stared, and Nethrida looked down. “And here we go….”
