Chapter 2 - The Funeral

It was the tenth of Last Seed when all those gathered around Pelin's church to give the final goodbye's to the Count and former ruler of Fergana Vale, Count Markus Orinth, head of house Orinth. It was a small gathering that consisted mostly of close friends of Lady Orinth and part of the household itself.

Also the young lord Alain Orinth, the four year old son of Markus, was present at the funeral. Although he was not fully aware what was going on and as his only kin in Bangkorai, Maryelle, was busy with the funeral the young boy was safe in the care of miss Betz Sybelle, head priestess of house Orinth.

The ceremony was led by Gravewatcher Galen, an dunmer, hired by Lady Maryelle Orinth. There were some frowns and whispers about the hiring of this priest of Arkay. It was already quite unique to see a dunmer being a priest of Arkay as normally one would think they would be a follower of the three living gods. But this priest soon showed his capabilities as an Akraïn.

The ceremony was quiet in general and Lady Maryelle and three other honor guard carried in the closed coffin of the count. There was heavy atmosphere when they entered and as the honor guard and Maryelle placed the coffin before the altar the priest of Arkay asked Maryelle to speak some words. Managing to keep her emotions in check she spoke of how she had not met the count often in person, mostly conversed in letters since she was not born in highrock, but that he was a kind man.

The lady then returned to the shadows to let others speak. Though none knew the count very well as most present were employed only after his death. But Aelar Ellynar, the protector of the Lady Orinth stepped up and spoke some few friendly words about how he heard the people speak kindly about the count and concurred with Maryelle's words.

After the ceremony the honor guards stepped back up and lift the coffin back onto their shoulders. They made their way towards the family crypt where the count would find his final resting place.

With magic, the lady opened the cover of its tomb and as the priest of Arkay, Gravewatcher Galen, started to perform a ritual to protect the body and the soul from any foul magic, such as necromancy.

Once finished he asked Lady Maryelle Orinth to close the lid of the tomb and with some wave of her hand it slide back up, sealing the tomb forever...

As Lady Maryelle Orinth spoke to those gathered. Thanking them for their presence and inviting everyone to Dragonrock to enjoy drinks and food to celebrate the death of the count. But before she could finish her sentence, a young man walked by with a letter and offered her the condolences of her youngest brother, Morgan Orinth, currently fighting the war for the imperials.

Everyone gathered at the estate for drinks and food. There were songs and laughter in memory of the count. Some people even danced. The mood was lighthearted after such a terrible and sad ordeal but the house went to sleep with a smile and a song.