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Lord Eshteross’ study was warm, the soft glow of the fireplace filling the room with light and a gentle atmosphere. It would be pleasant if it weren’t for the body of Bertrand laid out, eyes closed with a serene smile on his face, on a blanket to the side. Orym couldn’t help but be glad that Bertrand had seemingly died content, even if he’d been murdered. Still, it felt desperately wrong that he’d been killed in this way. Bertrand might not have been the most trustworthy man he’d ever met, but he knew for certain he deserved a better ending than this.
As Orym contemplated this, he suddenly realised that Laudna was standing over Bertrand’s body. He watched in surprise as she bent down and started to say goodbye to a man she had barely known. Her words were heartfelt and something entirely unexpected. What’s more, that simple act was painfully familiar. And as Dorian moved to say his own goodbyes, Orym was transported back to the last time he had seen this happen.
………….
Zephra was quiet today, the usual noise of a buzzing village muted as they said goodbye to one of their own. Even the children knew that today was not a day for their usual antics. Orym could sense the sadness in the air, yet he himself only felt numb. He had done ever since he’d woken up that morning, when his world had come to a crashing halt. And it wasn’t like he hadn’t known it would be coming. After all, he’d been caring for Riegel for months, watching as the man he loved slowly faded away. Yet it still came as surprise, waking up to see the light that had been his husband gone forever.
A knock at the door startled him, shaking him out of his reverie. Slowly he made his way to the door, inching it open. On his doorstep stood his father-in-law, Gerrard, dressed in the autumn colours that was traditional Ashari mourning wear.
Gerrard cleared his throat, ‘Sorry son, but I’m afraid it’s time’.
Orym just stared blankly, before silently nodding.
‘Just let me grab my coat’, he said quietly.
Gerrard gave him a look of understanding as he gave a nod of his own, ‘Alright, meet me and Eliza by the tree, we’ll save you a seat’.
‘I will do, and Gerrard,’ the old man stopped as he made to leave turning back to Orym, ‘Thank you’.
‘Anytime Orym, you’re family and that won’t change’, Gerrard gave him a gentle smile before walking off.
Orym watched as he walked away before turning back inside to grab the scarlet coat he’d lain out last night. As he shrugged it on, he felt his left hand stop as something got caught on a loose thread. Shaking it loose he looked down to the hazel and platinum ring adorning his finger, and a hard lump formed in his throat. Shaking his head he stuck the hand in his pocket and tried to ignore the growing pain in his chest, clinging desperately to the numbness that he needed to survive. Taking one last glance around the room, he finally made his way outside and walked to the mighty tree that stood in the centre of his village, where the man he had called home lay beneath its great branches.
When he arrived he could see the whole village was already there, a sea of reds and yellows filling the space. The tree itself was covered in blossoms, the pink and white creating a backdrop for the jet-black ravens that perched on its branches. As he walked up, people in the crowd turned to him, giving him looks of sympathy. Orym simply tuned it out, unable to bear it. Eventually, he made it to the front, taking a seat by Eliza who simply gave him a look, before quietly taking his hand in hers. The gentle squeeze she gave steadied him, allowing him to turn his eyes to the stage where Keyleth stood by his husband’s body as she began to speak.
‘Welcome everyone to this gathering of remembrance, a time where we think on the life of a man who brought an energy to our family that none could match. Today I stand before you not as your leader, but as someone who shares in the grief we have all felt since Riegel passed on’.
Keyleth paused, scanning over the crowd before resting her eyes on Orym for a beat longer, before resuming her speech.
‘Riegel was someone who lived every second of his life in the hopes of bringing joy to someone. I remember as a child the garlands he would make for me to wear as a crown when my spirits were low’, she smiled softly at the memory, ‘I loved the beautiful tulips he formed, and it never failed to bring a smile to my face. That kindness and gentleness is something I looked up to and is something I saw every day. I grieve his loss, but I know there are those here who feel that pain more acutely’.
As she said this, she turned to Orym’s party, her eyes full of grief.
‘Gerrard. Eliza. I know your son was the greatest gift you were given. Eliza, I don’t think I’ve ever met a mother who spoke so proudly of her son while being so humble about how her love and teaching made him into the man he was’.
Eliza gave a snort, as Orym felt a tear drop onto his hand. Looking to her he saw the tears streaming down her face, but she wore a smile at Keyleth’s words. Gerrard had his arm around her, his own expression sombre as his own tears fought to stay back.
‘Gerrard’, Keyleth continued, ‘Your strength was a constant in Riegel’s life that I know he cherished, as well as the constant support you offered.
Gerrard gave a solemn nod, a single tear escaping. Orym just looked down, trying to block the out the pounding of his heart.
‘Orym’, he stared at the ground, trying to hold himself together, ‘The love you shared with Riegel is one that I know you considered a great blessing. You balanced each other perfectly, and there was many a night I passed by the mountainside to see you laughing and talking in each other’s arms Your bond was unbreakable and something many of us can only wish to have’.
Keyleth paused once more before calling out to the crowd again, ‘I now invite you all to share your own memories of Riegel, as we remember and honour his life’
As the people of Zephra started to call out and tell their stories, Orym kept staring at the ground, praying that soon this would be over. Hours went by as this tight-knit community remembered a man who had left his mark on all of them, laughter and sadness mingling together. Orym barely registered any of it, too lost in his own thoughts. Finally, he felt a nudge as Eliza leaned down and whispered in his ear.
‘Do you want to say anything love?’.
Orym firmly shook his head, remaining silent.
‘Ok, but please look up. Keyleth is about to finish the ceremony’.
Orym flicked his eyes up to see Keyleth stood over Riegel’s body. Closing her eyes she started to mutter, and as she spoke the blossoms from the tree started to float down and swirl around his body. The pattern they made was mesmerising and as they started to dance, Orym heard a resonant hum come forth from the crowd, as a single, low note echoed through the square as the town said goodbye to their friend and family. Soon the petals began to settle, creating a shroud that covered everything but his head. As the last petal dropped, Keyleth opened her eyes and said the final words of remembrance.
‘Riegel you will live in our heart and mind always. Goodbye friend and may your spirit float on the winds for eternity’.
With that the crowd bowed to the body in silence, before one by one leaving to the mountainside where they would continue to celebrate Riegel’s life. Before he knew it Orym was alone, save for a single hand on his shoulder. Glancing up he saw Keyleth, a sad smile on her face.
‘Orym you should say goodbye, trust me you’ll regret it if you don’t’.
Squeezing his shoulder she left him, sat on his chair as he slowly plucked up the courage to make his way to his husband. It was silly really, he thought, that he could fight a monster with no hesitation but he was frightened to say goodbye.
Eventually, he got to his feet and made his way over. Glancing to Riegel’s face, he saw the warm smile he loved so much spread on his face, still there despite the harsh reality. Orym began to stroke his hair, as his resolve finally broke. Tears he had kept back for days finally started to fall, spilling forth until there was none more to give.
‘Riegel, you made me the happiest man in all of Zephra. I’m not sure what I’ll do without you. Ever since you went I’ve been lost. I can’t even bear to see a sunset because you’re not here to watch with me’, Orym sniffed, wiping his eyes as he choked up, ‘But I promise I’ll go see the world, just like you asked. I’ll go to all the places you used to dream about, and when I finally see you again I can’t wait to tell you all I’ve seen. I love you Riegel, and I always will’.
Orym leant down and gave Riegel one final kiss, before making his way back home. Or rather back to the place that he lived in, leaving his true home lying beneath a tree, lost to him forever.
……….
Orym snapped back to reality, the visions of a past life fading from view. It took him a moment to get his bearings, and when he did he saw Ashton in the middle of giving his own speech. He saw the group, split into their little sections, but it still felt like they were supporting each other. It was something he admired, and yet he couldn’t bring himself to join them. As the last of the group said their goodbyes, all eyes turned to him. There was a prolonged silence before he gave an almost imperceptible shake of the head. He couldn’t tell what his reaction made the others think but right now it wasn’t important.
Eventually, after talking with Lord Eshteross the group departed. As Dorian passed, the air genasi placed a hand on Orym’s shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. He didn’t say anything, but Orym understood perfectly. The gesture warmed his heart and reminded him that he wasn’t alone now. Hadn’t been for a while.
As he watched the door shut behind his friends, he thumbed the hilt of his sword where a ring of hazel and platinum now lay. He smiled softly, before turning to Eshteross to continue his mission. He had a new life now, and just like he’d promised he wasn’t going to waste a second of it.