The funeral for the dead novices happened around sunset in the far eastern region of the campus grounds near the border of a training area that Liara called the Wandering Wood. By the edge of its southern tree line was a lake whose waters tipped over the edge of the Academy's branch to fall into the roots of Yggdrasil below. It was here by the wooden wharf of Lady Lake that Dwalinn began the ceremony for our departed.
Three of the dead had been claimed by their families, which is why only five wooden boats were being prepared for their journey into the afterlife. In each boat was body a wrapped in linen surrounded by the things they had in life and more. Wildflowers filled the spaces between weapons, armor, and mortal spoils, including hobgoblin heads, maenad hides, snake women's skin, and other materials taken from last night's battle.
