The antics/responce of Guinevere's pet brings a smile to Arabeth's features.
Odessa looks at Gwen, her smile brightening around the edges from Phineas's response to her distress "The Professor must have had a sixth sense about these things. He too found me- after an attack had happened." her hand reaches up to touch the tattoo that spans her chest, in what appears to be a reflex before lowering again."His letters were a pleasant irregularity within the temple."
Glancing at the small amount of pattern that she can discern as Odessa's actions highlight said tattoo..
Arabeth extends a hand gently to a fellow worshiper of the gods/goddess. (^_^)
Zevran smiles, pleased that the newcomer has gotten the others to talk more about their experiences with the professor. "It does seem that he came to all of us, at the times we needed him most."
While Zevran did not say a follow up, his words hung in the air and everyone knew what he was thinking - The professor was there for us when we needed him, and now we'll be here for him and for Kendra, in any capacity that either of them need.
"As for me," Zevran's eyes swept over Kazallin with a sense of curiosity. It was clear that the man came from somewhere else, but Zevran was not able to determine from where. Their appearances were rather different, so it was unlikely that the other man was a Kayal, yet at the same time, he wasn't quite human either. Zevran decided that it would be a good idea to observe him further. "I am something of a refugee. The professor helped me escape from... well, let's just say it was another place. Afterwards he helped me become acclimated and we studied and adventured together for years in our youth."
"Huh, he found me after a bad battle as well, not too long ago. I'm not quite sure what it was that I faced, but the Professor was just as interested in figuring it out as I was." Teflin finds it curious that the Prof has saved so many others, then straightens up and pounds his fist to his chest.
"I'll have to figure out the rest myself, for both of us."
Kendra, after stopping briefly to talk with some of the other men and women, heading to the casket, alone. A hand rested on the closed casket. She whispered something to the casket before turning to face everyone and speaking aloud.
"It's time. Father Grimburrow waits at the gravesite for us. Let us begin my father's final journey."
She then looked over towards the group, before motioning some to cue them that their task had begun. She, as the last remaining family member, was to lead the procession, followed by her father's casket. The rest of the attendees would follow behind.
-----
The procession moved, slowly, through town, to the edge of the Restlands. The procession only pauses briefly at the entrance, before heading inside. A sign along the way marks the path taken The Dreamwake. As the procession reaches a corner to turn onto a path named The Eversleep, the way to continue on is blocked by a dozen surly looking men. The tallest of these mean is a wiry, white-haired man, who calls out as he sees the procession.
“That’s far enough. We been talking, and we don’t want Lorrimor buried in the Restlands. You can take him upriver and bury him there if you want, but he ain’t goin’ in the ground here!”
Kazallin's blood runs cold at the man's words. What? What could he want? Not here, not now...this child has suffered too much grief already.
From his place beside the casket, he calls out, "Good men! We want no trouble here, or anywhere. I am a servant of Desna, the Song of the Spheres. And I shall vouch for this man and his kin."
Odessa cocks her head to the side. It seemed odd that they'd prevent the final resting place for a scholar, his death was unexpected, wasn't it? Their actions seemed foolhardy at best. She glances towards Kazaillin, nodding once.
Surely they know that they risk the birth of a ghost within this town if they hinder a proper send off. It is as my Lady Ashava, the True Spark teaches, an unexpected death can cause the spirit to become lost. Ensuring a proper burial would surely reduce the risk of his soul wandering.
Arabeth holds her tongue for the moment, watching and observing the group's interactions. If this 'mob' settles and walks away...all is well and good. Arabeth steals herself though and prepares for if push comes to shove.
Gwen narrows her eyes: she is growing tired of standing here holding the dead Professor. Phineas jumps down from his position around her shoulders and growls at the men quietly. If his mistress could hold her tongue, so could he.
The men grumble and glare, muttering about necromancers. The tall one in particular glares at the group. The men head on off peacefully, but not quietly. They continue to mutter and complain about a necromancer not being buried near their kin.
As soon as they are gone Kendra turned to both Kazallin and Odessa, her face full of relief. "Thank you. I... I can't believe they would try something like this. T-thank you."
"I can't believe it." Spoke one of the well dressed older men that had already been at the visitation when everyone arrived. "I surprised they would sink to this new low."
"It is hard to believe, but remember they are all farmhands, and particularly of low character." Spoke another finely dressed older man, close in age to the other one that had spoken. "But all is well now. They are gone, and we can proceed. We're sorry they pull this stunt Kendra."
All Kendra did was nod, before looking down full of mixed emotions. It still baffled her that the residents of Ravengro could be so cruel. Her father was no necromancer.
"Dear Lady Kendra, do not let those men upset you. All of us here, know your father is no necromancer." This was the younger man that had spoken to Kendra earlier, as you all had congregated.
"Thank you, Adivion." Kendra offered him a small smile.
"Ridiculous! They spoke as if they owned that land!" The gnome bristles with outrage. It's a good thing the matter was resolved swiftly or he might've shouted a few choice words at them. He settles for cracking his knuckles and falling back into step with the procession.
Arabeth just sighs quietly with relief and adjusts her shouldered burden as the group once again moves along its way.
Zevran is glad to see that no incident occurred, and his grip on his cane relaxed somewhat. Kendra's spirits seemed low enough already without violence breaking out at her father's funeral. Still, Zevran couldn't help but find the conversation somewhat troubling. It had been many years since he had seen Petros, but surely the man couldn't have become a necromancer. Curious as he had been, there were lines that he knew not to cross. Or at least, Zevran had thought so. He reflected that it had been many years since they'd seen each other, and anything may have happened. What was most worrying is that the men really seemed to believe that there was something to fear from having the old professor's body near that of their loved ones, and Zevran could not decide what to make of that. 'Best to keep our eyes open, ol' chap.' he thought to himself, as he follows the others.
Necromancer? I cannot believe that Petros would dabble in anything like that...
Still, the thought makes Kazallin uneasy. He glances around at the group, re-evaluating everyone, considering potential undead threats. This is Ustalav, after all. Perhaps I shall come back tonight to hold vigil against the walking dead.
The procession proceeded up the path, till it reached an open grave, by which a grizzled old man in priest garb stood, with two younger, well built men with shovels. "I heard a commotion down the way. Did something happen?" The priest was the one who spoke, his voice gruff and stern, yet kind.
"Gibs formed a mob and tried to stop us. They were calling Petros a necromancer. The nerve." This was one of the two finely dressed gentlemen. "But they are gone now."
"Someone should say something to the Sheriff. Knowing that group of ruffians, they'll try something once we are gone. I trust you will take care the matter, Councilman Muricar?" The priest asks.
"Of course Father Grimburrow." The man, Councilman Muricar, didn't seem to appreciate being told what to do but he would not disrespect a Priest of Pharasma.
The priest looked to the group motioning towards the grave, prepared and ready to receive the casket. "If you will."
As soon as the casket was in place, Father Grimburrow began the proceedings. "Today, we are here for one reason, the death of someone we know. Professor Petros Lorrimor, was a beloved father and a kind mentor. He is survived by his daughter Kendra, and shall be missed. But do not weep uncontrollably, for Petros has only moved on to his final rest. He is in the hands of Pharasma. He may be gone from this world, but memories will remain." He looked to Kendra. "May your soul find his again." He stepped to the side, still looking at Kendra. "Would you like to say a few words?"
Kendra had teared up again as everything started, tears running down her cheeks. While she had not yet again collapsed with grief, she was still wracked with sobs. She only nodded to Father Grimburrow, before she moved forward to talk. It took her several moments, as the sobs held her as she tried to stand tall for her father. "Father, he... he was always one for learning. It was his bread, what kept him going. Those journeys he made, the stories he brought back to me. They were tales of new worlds, the people he met, and the friends he made. A tragic accident took him too soon, not just f-from me... but from everyone he ever touched. But his memories, and those he shared them with, live on... It's in... those memories my father, still lives." Kendra proceeded to break down, barely able to stand moving back away from the group.
Father Grimburrow moved forward, "Is there anyone else that would like to say a few words?"
Arabeth remains quiet and withdrawn as the burden of the casket is let down...and thence placed within its final space within the ground...Lost within the thoughts of her own head she pays little to no attention as others speak around her.
When the good Father Grimburrow speaks, however, she is attentive to his words and bows her head in respect for/to them. She listens just as passionately to the Lady Kendra's words, a faint smile offered in support as the other woman speaks.
At the good Father's question Arabeth thinks for a minute, gathering her thoughts and composure...Before nodding, smiling and stepping forth.
Arabeth first walks upto Kendra, taking and clasping her hands tight and close and whispering words to Kendra,
Before turning in a swirl of her cloak and looking, almost as if for the first time, back and around at those gathered around. She turns her head and again offers a bow of respect to good Father Grimburrow before raising her head, taking a deep breath and...
"My past is one of some privilege." Arabeth gentle adjusts the great, unique black cloak adoring her shoulders. Though all of her items, from boots, to clothes, to armor show an equal amount of moneys spent on quality.
"My life safe and sequestered within the loving confines of a monastery devoted to the Goddess." She looks to Kendra smiling,
"I was not fortunate enough to know my parents." And Kednra might realize Arabeth's smile is on of support and admiration, not envy at Kendra's fortune, "But the Priestess and Priests of the temple were and always are as close as kin to me." Arabeth's eyes turn to look both over the crowd and back into her past.
"It was here...as I attended the daily duties that are those of faith, that the good Professor came seeking assistance for one of his endeavors." Arabeth shakes her head, "I do not know of all the intrigue and such that brought Master Lorrimor and myself together...But offer aid my clergy did, with myself as the one to whom said responsibility lay." Arabeth's eyes lower to those gathered.
"I was much younger then. With no knowledge of the world at large beyond the cloister's walls. To say that the good Professor was more my guardian than the other way around would be the honest truth of the matter." Arabeth smile turns rueful,
"The good Professor was a font of knowledge and education. Something which we continued and maintained after the business which had brought us together was resolved." Arabeth's features draw closer, her pain rising but not over flowing,
"I count it amongst my many blessings to have had such a wonderful teacher and mentor..." Her voice catches, "I am truly saddened by the loss of such an open, honest and wonderful friend..." Arabeth blinks, as if suddenly finding the light too bright as she nods, indicating that she is finished and moves to rejoin the group.
Odessa kept her head bowed in solemn contemplation, her hands folded primly in front of her. She was not as close to the Professor as several of the others seemed to be. These were not her rituals and this was not her place to speak.
Tonight I should return, however. Just in case.
Kazallin steps forward, inclining his head slightly to the priest. "I, too, knew the Professor, and I traveled with him on his journeys some years ago. I know of few men as learned, wise, and generous." He gazes calmly at the casket, his face revealing a deep peace. "In my faith, we have a saying: That you are too far to hear the song does not mean that it has stopped; that clouds obscure the moon does not mean it does not shine. A singer may fall silent; a book's cover may close. But the song, and the story, and the moon, have their own truth, which exists and continues regardless of whether we see and hear it. That of the Professor's story that we can see is done. But the song is not ended. And as long as his life continues to touch our lives, the song shall never end."
Kazallin smiles and places a hand on the casket lid. Goodbye, old friend. I will return to stand vigil for you tonight. Then he goes to rejoin the group.
Teflin begins to applaud, before realizing that no one else is. He pauses, then decides to step up as well. In a few quick strides he turns to face the gathered, and clears his throat:
"I was very lucky indeed that my path and the Professor's intersected. For his curiosity and intellect, I was proud to call myself his colleague. For his warmth and spirit, I was proud to call myself his friend. And but for his serendipitous discovery of a bleeding gnome off the side of a seldom traveled road and his succor am I alive to call myself anything at all! If not for him, my company would be wolves and worms!" He cuts himself off again as he starts getting carried away. Oh no, did I lose them?
"What I mean is, I'm glad that the Professor goes to his rest in such good company. There's...nope. Done." Teflin seems to think better of whatever he was about to say, and scurries back into the group.
As Teflin returns to the group Arabeth kneels and gently places a hand upon the his shoulder, smiling and nodding slightly to show she understands the Gnomes heartfelt expression. (^_^)
Zevran smiles encouragingly as each person steps down after their speeches, but does not himself get up to deliver one. He had little to say that wasn't directed to Petros himself, and did not believe that his old friend would be able to hear any of it. The time for that had passed.
Still, he's unable to help but look around at all the people gathered, and feel proud of Petros. Kendra had grown into a wonderful young woman, and all these other lives that had been affected by having known him. 'You did well, old friend,' he thinks with a sad smile.
Gwen watched the proceedings with mild interest. Out of all called here because of the Professor's will, she felt like she was the furthest from him, and she didn't have anything to say. She glanced down at Phineas, who was sitting primly by her feet. And obviously Phineas didn't have anything to say either.
Kendra, though tears fell, her face was filled with a smile as Arabeth returned to the others after the speech. The smile stays as those who choose to each come up and give a speech. To hear about her father from those he had met brought up other happy memories.
After the Father waited a brief moment to see if anyone else was going to come make a talk and seeing no one else, Father Grimburrow stepped forward. "As Pertos journey ends, remember that ours continues onward." He made the montion of drawing a spiral in the air, before dismissing everyone.
With one last moment of her hand on the casket, Kendra approached the group. "All of you are welcome to come by my home. They." She took a deep breath, briefly collecting herself again. "They plan to read the will this afternoon. I, I know some of you just got into town and might want to rest... or eat something. I... I could make some tea?"
Kazallin smiles at the young woman. "Some tea would be lovely. Thank you, Kendra. I'm sure we'd all appreciate it."
Arabeth nods in agreement with Kazallin's words.
Arabeth moves closer towards Guinevere. Thought she gives the other woman's pet a good distance initially, understanding animals can react poorly in new surroundings and where emotions are running high.
When the group moves off towards the Lady Kendra's house Arabeth will offer Guinevere a comradely arm in a show of friendship and mutual support.
"Then, then let us go." She gave a smile and said farewell to the others. Along the way she attempted to make small talk as she lead them the distance to her house. It was easy to tell she was trying to distract herself.
Odessa starts heading back to the house lagging behind the others in quiet contemplation, mulling over the priest's heavy words.
Pharasma does not sound like a gentle lady. Kendra's words break through her contemplation though and she looks towards the rest of the assembled.
We're not all here for the will...are we? Odessa hastens her steps to fall in beside Teflin, glancing towards the rest of the assembled, trying to keep her voice from carrying too far.
"Are you here for the reading as well? I assumed myself and Gwen were-lacking the closeness that the rest of you all seemed to have with the professor. However, we are such a small group...we cannot all be here for the will...can we?
"I'm here because of the letter, don't expect to be in the will since I knew the Professor for a brief time and my debt is to him, not the other way around." The gnome whispers back, though somewhat loudly.
"He did say that if I ever came to visit, I could borrow his copy of Lords of Madness, Sixth Edition. That's the latest one! And since I am here, I've been trying to think of a way to ask Kendra. It could help so much...ah, but is there something you expect?"
Arabeth will wait till Guinevere picks up he pet...or Guinevere begins to walk off with very one else with her pet scampering along. Should Guinevere accept Arabeth's offer of casual acquaintance, all's well and good. If not Arabeth will still smile and walk along beside her and the rest of the group.
Gwen quirks a smile at Arabeth trying to make friends with her. That doesn't happen very often. Trying to keep from insulting Arabeth, Gwen takes her arm gently, allowing Phineas to fend for himself on the ground.
Hearing Odessa's words she turns to her. "Yes, though in my letter it did mention something about beneficiaries...."
Kazallin walks beside Zevran, watching Kendra. "You seem to have known Petros very well indeed, friend. Do you know what illness he died of? Though he was certainly old, I would hardly expect a man so consistently, even stubbornly healthy to just drop dead one day."
Odessa laughs a little "I expect during our time between now and our eventual departure you'll get to see it." She looks between Teflin and Gwen, switching her focus.
"My letter said something about beneficiaries as well. I was...surprised when I received a summons at all, actually. He was very kind, wasn't he?" She smiles to herself, before looking back at Teflin, "I did not actually expect to receive anything, but I thought he may have a request."
As people begin to 'open up' and talk amongst each other, Arabeth smiles at Guinevere's acceptance of her offer of this companionable walk together.
While they stroll and chat Arabeth more looks to the town which the group is wandering through.
Though something causes a slight frown to darken Arabeth's features as they cross the bridge and begin move through the businesses and shops of the town.
"Does it not seem a little passing strange that there were no....average...people," Arabeth struggles to find an apt descriptive word for the common, working man of Ravengro, "...present at the ceremony?" She muses quietly, more for Guinevere's ears than to bring her thoughts to the still distresses Lady Kendra. At the talk of 'beneficiaries' Arabeth shrugs, the motion of her shoulders causing a slight rustle of her feathered cloak.
"Hearing the good Professor's thoughts passed on to us through the papers offered. His ideas recorded for this solemn time. That is reward enough for me." Are Arabeth's initial remarks though she looks to the others.
"It was the Lady Kendra..." And Arabeth pitches her voice so as to not carry too far amongst the group so as not to cause any more distress to the good woman, "Who mentioned in passing that it was neither age, nor ill health that took the dear Professor...but the words were 'accident'..." And Arabeth's features grow thoughtful once again as she contemplates the implications of what has been hinted at.
Zevran opens his mouth to reply to Kazallin's question, but is interrupted by Arabeth's mention of Kendra's phrasing. It catches him so off guard that he nearly stumbles, clutching onto his cane harder than he had before. "Accident? This is most troubling." Zevran murmurs. Zevran had assumed that it was either age or sickness, but hearing suspicions of it being something else has him worried. "Please excuse me." he says politely to the others.
Curiosity getting the better of him, he speeds up and then slows to walk alongside Kendra. As she links her arm through his, he pats it, smiling at her, but his eyes betray his concern. "My dear," he began. "I know this is hardly the time or place, and it's the last thing that you want to talk about, but I'm afraid that I must ask what happened to your father. I would have expected word of illness, and last I saw him, he seemed to have many, many years left. Please," He looked deeply into her eyes, his own glittering with tears. "Be a dear and tell an old man what happened to his only friend?"
Arabeth continues to wander along with the group arm casually in arm with Guinevere.
The group stuck to the roads, crossing a bridge and passing through town square. The group passed two sets of polls, each having flyers decorating them with snippets of news and local events and happenings. There are a few people out on the streets but they eye all of the group with cautious looks and whispers amongst themselves.
Kendra had been walking along, mostly silent just listening to the group talk in hushed voices. Teflin had briefly made her smile at the mention of borrowing one of her father's books. He wasn't exactly as quiet as he thought. It made her laugh a bit to herself. She wasn't catching much that the others said in their hushed voices.
Smiling as Zevran moved up to walk with her, she linked arms with him. But as he asked, she tried not to flinch, before deflating some. "F-Father died in... in an accident. I'll... I'll explain more once we get... get to the house." She looked up at Zevran, tearing up some, hoping that he would be willing to wait till they reached the place she called home.
At Kendra's reaction to Zevran's words Arabeth frowns slightly...But keeps her silence for now about the gentleman's rather 'brusque' behavior towards the Lady Kendra.
*Continues to watch the town as the scenery slides by. Enjoying the company shared in this casual walk.* (^_^)
Zevran looks at Kendra kindly, and says "Of course.", giving her hand a light squeeze. But as he looks away, and towards the countryside, his face becomes clouded with worry once more. 'That word again,' he muses. '"Accident." What in the world could have happened?'
Gwen listened to the conversations around her, processing everything to the best of her ability. Glancing down at Phineas she nodded her head very slightly, knowing what he was thinking. They were going to stay up at the house tonight, and snoop around there while everyone else is either asleep, or being otherwise occupied.
The group continues on, passing through town square and heading south. The further they get from the Town Square, the less pointing, whispers, and veiled looks the group receives.
Soon the group reaches a home, the Lorrimor Place. Kendra makes the trek to the door, pulling out a key, before holding it, letting her guests enter before her. Her eyes are red rimmed but she seems to have pulled herself together.
Once everyone was inside, she showed them to some comfortable couches. "Please, make yourself comfortable. I'll make some tea." With that she headed to the kitchen and started making noises in there, putting a kettle on and getting out the tea cups.
Arabeth nods politely to their hostess Kendra as she is allowed into the family manor.
With a friendly pat of Guinevere's hand Arabeth signals that their pleasant and charming walk together has come to an end. Arabeth nods at the seat offered, but instead moves to help Kendra with the preparations of the tea making.
Arabth also takes time to remove her heavier outer-garments and remains in her lighter dress. Her great cloak, however, remains about her shoulders. Now possibly being more worn as a 'Badge of office' in regards to her church...
Kazallin settles into a couch with a sigh, his leather armor creaking quietly as his weight shifts. It would have been better had I had time to change clothes....ah, well. His gaze roams about the living room, taking in everything, searching for clues to his friend's life and death.
Once inside, Zevran moves immediately to an arm chair and sinks into it with the sense of someone returning home. To an observer he looks patient and almost comfortable, but those looking closer can see a great deal of concern and confusion in his eyes, and a tenseness in his shoulders. He looked as someone waiting anticipating bad news, though it had already come.
Phineas bounds ahead, glad to be out of the damp, and curls up on one of the other sofas, quickly falling asleep. Gwen moves gracefully and drapes herself elegantly on the couch next to Phineas, shedding her wet outer clothes. She is perfectly comfortable in this situation, surprisingly enough.
The gnome hops onto the nearest couch, and notices that everyone seems to be looking for something, but he's not sure what. He twiddles his thumbs as he waits for the tea.