RP: A Lost Friend but a new Guardian

“Ah the frost today hangs in the air like death. How fitting” Cain mutters to himself He sits under the large statue on the base of the tombs looking out into the distance but mind fixated on a certain tomb in the back of the halls. He awaits his family and Horcus’ comrades to arrive and pay respects with a feast. Invited PC’s: Raven, Lux, Gabriella, Boris, and Lil (Others who have met Horcus can come that is just who letters are sent out to personally) Adolpho and his wife and brother are also invited  Lilla and her husband Mordus who is also the brother of Horcus live in the town and so are at the table already. Cain’s wife Eris returns as well with her two apprentices and elder Tithus is soon behind. Once all the guests have arrived Cain has a table brought out and food delivered from the lower inn. To most of the invited guests the food seems foreign in preparation most made over giant pit fires in the frigged cold giving everything a unique flavor. Food is served until every member at the table has a full gullet. A local bard is hired for the night to provide entertainment to the group playing joyful songs for heavy hearts. Cain recites some stories from his people old ones of him and Horcus to honor him. “Horcus had a name in our lands for a deed done that had saved me long ago a simple one but it was held with great honor. He was called the bear. Horcus and I were not born long apart from one another but he was a bit older fully grown when I was still a babe. His family Vitae swore an oath to protect the Immortui line long ago but none really cared on either side to enforce this tradition but Horcus when he had heard of this made it his duty to watch over me. Night after night he would watch over my room until I was strong enough to fight for myself. As a young man I was quite foolish and would get myself into more trouble than I should have and he was always there to protect. I had heard of a bear the size of two men and wished to hunt it for myself and bring it back as a trophy. It was quite clear later to me that the bear was the hunter and not me my bow snapped in two and my arm bitten into and dislocated I was as good as dead. Horcus had seen me leave and knew what I was trying to do and so when the bear took its killing blow against me he stood between the massive beast and me and it cleaved the shield out of the way leaving a large scar over his eye. We worked together the best we could to defeat the beast and returned home together with its pelt. And so I was alive and he a hero once I looked up to and still do. It will be a shame not having him we will be missed he will be doing here in the halls what he has always done being a guardian.” Everyone is allowed to pay their respects before the frigid lid of the new guardian is shut and Cain tries to run things as usual with the memory fresh in his mind. 

Eventually Cain would get a envelope from the courier if asked he would say it's from Lux. Once opened he would come across two things the first being a lovely emerald carved in the shape of a turtle and a sealed letter if opened and read it goes like this. To Cain, Hello Cain I got your invite but due to current events I am unable to come by and pay my respects to Turtle..once I am done with things the first thing i'll do is come by to say hi to him. I wont go on about how great of a guy Turtle was...you of all people would know this you guys were close I could tell that even if you guys didn't tell me you were friends, listen Cain I know you are going through so shitty times right now and I'm not one to cheer up someone especially at a loss as tragic as this...but I want you to know that if there is anything that you would need from me all you haft to do is ask...Horcus has saved my ass plenty of times and I never was able to repay that debt I owe to him...so to make up for that you have my blade or whatever else for the time being. Also that emerald you have there...it is a gift to the big guy make sure he gets it...please I will see you soon! Lux Much later after you go about your business you would catch a whiff of a intoxicating scent of some lovely pies that even pierces this cold night, you see a small figure in very fine furs as she climbs the steps up toward your general direction Gabbi waves to you giving her best smile but it soon vanishes as she remembers why she came her and tears up slightly. As she finally approaches you she goes to give the best hug a halfling could muster before letting go wiping a tear away before removing the hood on her head. "Cain it is so good to see you well...I came as fast as possible when I heard the news...I baked a pie..to help with the pain in your heart." She says sadly gesturing at her pack where you would assume a great amount of pie would sit ready to be eaten. Gabbi would walk with you in silence but would soon speak up her voice low "I thought that I would be a bit stronger in ceremonies such as these...though I still feel exactly the same...after what happened with..." You see her shake a bit not from the cold but just in sorrow as she struggles to finish her sentence.

Quinn and Marlock, Earch and Auto arrive and pay their respects. Quinn apologizes that Von can not be there as well, saying he's away on business.

Raven also arrives and sadly lays some flowers on the tomb of his friend Horcus. He says some prayers in Lykeri and then spends a night talking to the grave, speaking of all their adventures together.

Sabaufein arrives with on a shared carriage ride to the Halls. He greets Cain with a nod. "Well met Abbot. I hope you don't mind a lowly soul as myself joining the mourn. I fought beside your passed friend on a job or two as you might have read or heard. I hope to lighten the weight on your shoulders by the small amount I am able to." He leaves fine smelling incense with the priests and flowers to the grave. At the banquet he eats little as if deeply in thought after which he prays at the tomb in Erdari for the gods to guide Horcus' soul.

Grigor Payne walks towards the tomb, hailing Cain. I never met Horcus but I heard a lot about him, he was a fighter such as myself a profession that is too often overlooked. I heard that he was a fierce warrior and almost as efficient in battle as you Cain. And I've seen you fight, killing dangerous creatures three at a time, squasing them like bugs. I can only imagine what terrible power could have been to snuff out a life so powerful as Horcus. Maladon must be much more dangerous than we previously thought. After fighting with you side by side Cain in the temple of the plague zombies, and you healing my deadly disease essentially saving my life, I consider you a friend. I offer deepest condolences for your loss.  With that Grigor takes his leave. 

6 days have passed since the funeral when a disturbance of air, a wind hose like appearance can be seen closing in on the halls and the settlement beneath. It is heading to the stairs and while rushing upwards it starts turning it shape into a humanoid figure. Soon a face emerges and what was wind is no a half elf. Kroasi is walking up the stairs. She approaches the entrance and looks at the guards. "I need to see Horcus' grave" she says while passing by the guards with a voice that caries a slight echo. Arriving at the tomb she spreads some seeds around each corner of the sarcophagi which then start growing into flowers and ranks, caressing it and holding it in place. Of each corner a small shoot makes its way to the middle where they weave together and finally a purple dappled blossom appears.   Cain standing next to her she says "I know not much of you. I know not much of him. He might not be the warrior with the mightiest blow, and I have often seen him miss his mark when striknig at his enemies. But when there were foes he was never the one to hesitate to put himself between them and the others. A rock, a wall that shielded those behind him. Putting his life on the line even for ones he barely knew. It pains me that those who are good must die. Without his bravery I would not be standing here today, I would have failed already on my quest to protect my people. At least his remains shall never fall." With this she gets up from her knees and starts muttering words and drawing symbols in the ground. Her words than turn into a song, returning to muttering as time goes by. After half an hour she returns to silence and steps out of a circle of symbols drawn on the floor in front of Horcus' grave. "I hear you were a friend to him. I hope we can find friends in each other, to compensate us both for this loss." With these words she steps out of the cave and her body again starts transforming, her feet turn into swirling air and soon no part remains as it has been, though Cain could swear he could still perceive the fracture of a face in the wind hose sliding away.

Lil arrives at the funeral with a pale look on her face. Her nervous nature seems to blossom, and her eyes seem dark as if lacking any life. Occasionally she can be heard muttering something to herself, almost if talking to someone who does not exist. Yet if any person approaches her she silences her tongue, and does not respond even when addressed. It is unclear what is plaguing the child, but it is immediately apparent that the death of her friend has dealt a great blow. The night of the funeral she pulls her brown fur coated jacket over her head, and uses her bright red hair to hide her face. She is given a plate of food, but it is left untouched with not a single bite taken. Eventually her small form can be seen walking over to the grave, and giving a few words for the dead in a moment of privacy. When returning it is immediately clear that she has tears running down her face. Again she begins speaking to herself, though this time her words seem to be filled with more anger, and passion than before. She approaches Cain in a moment in which he is alone, and with trembling lips and tear stricken eyes she finally manages to speak. "I'm... I'm.... Uh.... I'm.... I AM SORRY!" Yelling the last few words a look of utter regret is clearly written across the young girl's face. Yet she doesn't wait for Cain's replay, but rather breaks into a sprint in the opposite direction.

A couple of days after the funeral as Cain goes about his business around the halls he might feel a comradely hand on his shoulder. "Alreet, mate." Boone says gently. "I 'eard about your loss. Wanted to give me condolences personally, din't really know Horcus much but from what I can tell, he were a right good'un he was... if you need me, you know where to find me, aye?" Ezekiel begins to leave when he stops and turns back "Oh, I almost forgot! That Iloa fella asked me ter give yer this." Fishing in his pockets the ranger pulls out a trinket carved from driftwood and pushes it into Cain's hands. It's features are strange and exagerated but bear a passing similarity to Horcus. "'e said its a ticky or summit, supposed to attract helpful spirits. Don't hold with that sort of thing myself but, well... anyway. See you later I hope." 

Boris came and payed his respects too, I somehow forgot I hadn't posted yet. Boris is uncharacteristically quiet throughout it all, barely making eye contact with anyone else there. Only breaking his silence to give Cain his condolences.