In a darkened night sky thousands of stars shown as the sun fell along the horizon the grew brighter and brighter as the moon became clear but tonight they wouldn't shine quite as brightly as usual. A deep crimson hue slowly spreading across the tall walls of the fortress upon the hill starting from the manor the whole ancient pyres that went dusty for years began to lit up by the guards. The children of the villagers happily playing about excited about the pretty lights as the whole fortress became a deep crimson color the lights shine even into the private residences as if ignoring walls and all forms of defense the color spread but it did not do any damage nor frighten those who saw it. The elderly looked at those lights with sorrow in their eyes as they young looked at a them with doubt. They knew what this meant but they didn't know how the lord died. They weren't aware of all that happened in the manor and the latest news they heard was that the annoying mist that had been coming and going of late recently killed someone for doing something evil. This sprung up some fear but as the guards assured them it was true that the dead person truly did something worthy of inspiring hate even in bystanders. However they didn't know the lord died too. Was the crime the murder of the lord or something the lord did? Doubts began to rise as the people began to talk but the elders quickly stopped all those they heard. Why would the funeral pyres be lit for a lord who was evil?
After the people had calmed down the parents quickly gathered there children as everyone crowded to the sides of the main road leading from the manor to the exit of the village waiting. A duo became clear wearing all black as they road horses at the front of a long group of guards behind the two women on horses a group of people carrying a large simple coffin followed closely on foot followed by a series of mourners. A trail heading out from the manor slowly formed as all the staff in charge of the territory and many of the servants from the household followed behind with lowered heads.
------
Mourning... That's what this was meant for. However at the end of the day. People like to confuse the act and claim it's a matter of respect for the dead. Something for the people you've lost however aren't they already gone? What's it matter to them. If it was as simple as a religious act of burying the corpse to see it go to god properly wouldn't it just be easier to do it without making such a big deal? No they include everyone that knew the deceased and they come. The greatest lie involved is why they come. Everyone comes for themselves. They came to mourn and say goodbye. Not out of some silly need to burry them otherwise why would they allow someone else to burry the one they loved? They would spend the effort and time to dig the hole and ensure the whole procedure is properly done. Weird thoughts cross my mind as I look out at the crowd of people gathered around hiding my little face in Ellies hood that is shrouded in mist as she strolls down the road. A person I had never seen has died. I hold nothing to mourn yet I am here. I was kinda forced but what is even the point in bringing that up? I have my reason to be here just like everyone else. Looking out at the people following the procession lead by Anna and her step-mom I can't help but be curious how many of the actually mourn and how many hold other motives.
Maybe some just want to be popular so they joined to be in the eye of the whole fort getting the parade experience. Some might want to suck up to the next lord. Some might be trying to become the next lord. How even would they decide the succession? Who knows. Who really cares? Greed is a common thing in all creatures. Everyone has their own form of selfishness they wanna pull those people seeking to get ahead or fulfill a desire and using this moment for it aren't in the wrong as what's the point of even living if you don't find your own happiness and fight for it? Kindness and selflessness are just childish concepts. No one is truly selfless as the people they those who have such a trait do it for a reason some simply because it makes them feel good. That's them being selfish... Isn't it? Putting their own feelings first. The act isn't evil nor is selfishness, I guess... Life is just life. What's the point of being anything but happy? Stopping to think about how you are doing wrong and how you could be better will just waste away a few precious seconds of your limited life span. Following that heart of yours should always come first.
The procession slowly came to a halt before a large gate outside the city it wasn't far but everyone seems tired. Not physically but emotionally. As the gates are opened the procession passes through and slowly walks to the large hole dug in the ground. Reaching it people began to part and stand to the sides of the gave behind the family as the coffin is slowly carried above the hole and the group of men including Nathon slowly lower the coffin into the ground. Reaching the end of their grasp they let it fall the rest of the way. With a loud thud the coffin striking the ground. They don't have like a pully or ropes? Weird... Whatever. It's also kinda strange that the noble didn't get a tomb. Won't the wealthy usually have one of those? Looking around the crowd again curiously as Ellie walks over to Anna I spot a familiar black robe... One I've seen crumpled upon the floor. With a shiver I decide to stay on guard. Watching everyone closely not knowing which of the tired looking people might be fresh zombies waiting to pounce. Reaching Anna Ellie said nothing and simply got her attention before hugging her. Annas face went into the mist and inside the hood seeing me sitting inside she twitched but said nothing. I guess suddenly seeing a monster is uncommon for these people. She backed pulling out the hug. "Thank you for coming." With a nod Ellie turned around to leave but I quickly form a message inside her hood before her eyes and she stops before quietly and quickly walking over to Addie.
Addie was confused at first when Ellie rushed up and pulled her close and the hood went half over the side of her head but hearing what Ellie said next Addie's expression became serious... Quickly pulling the case strapped to her back down she held it before her chest while looking around vigilantly. While Ellie just looked at her confused wondering what a necromancer was to scare Addie so much. After a few hours of some of the mourners paying their respect to Anna and her stepmom before bowing to the still unfilled hole everyone turned around and stood quietly away refusing to leave until the family has gone. We stood vigilantly quietly watching for any attacks. Eventually the grave is filled and Anna and her step mom walked towards the entrance. Expecting the attack to come now Addie and I hold our breaths as Ellie stands quietly ready to fight despite not knowing why we were so serious she still acted appropriately seeing and feeling that seriousness. However nothing happened. Anna and her mother went through the still opened gates and left. Seeing they had left I immediately write a message to Ellie telling her to leave with Addie immediately. Nodding Ellie tapped Addie's shoulder and began to walk towards the entrance the necromancers revenge might come towards us instead. I mean we do leave a rather familiar green trail. After blending into the crowd I quickly swallow up all the mist and clouds making the green trail following Ellie around vanish but the hood is long enough that no one can see her face anyways. She is not the only hooded figure amongst the crowd but she's definitely the only one whose hood is a part of a backpack. However I can't do anything about that. Hopefully Ellie can just blend into the crowd. After leaving the group Addie knowing what we need to do quickly grabbed Ellies hand and bolted towards the nearby woods. If we are the target going back to the city would only be more dangerous for us and the city.