Ta Da! Lookie! a (slightly) longer post!
Even the best story, Telki decided, does not prepare one for the real thing. Neither of the girls were prepared for the breadth and majesty of Waterdeep. Salt tinged the air, adding a spice to breathing that pricked the heartbeat and buoyed heavy spirits. Calling Seagulls overhead hinted at mysteries just over the watery horizon. Towering white buildings and dingy little allies crisscrossed everywhere enough to make a pair of country girls plumb giddy with confusion.
Yet the main thorough fare was strangely somber. Dark blue ribbons lined the street, and the crowds lining them were still and silent. There was no shouting, no fidgeting, no conversations, as sad and mournful looks lined the street , watching the procession make its slow and careful way from the Temple grounds down the main thoroughfare, and to the City of the Dead.
Two caskets were being carried in state, side by side. The two escorts for the caskets couldn't have been more different. Around the nearest casket, people wore plate and carried shields, while the farther casket was surrounded by an escort in leather and had bows slung across their backs.
The casket closest to them was being escorted by two the most sorrowful men she'd ever seen. Even though one was dark haired and sun bronze while the other was blonde and fair, they were so alike in bearing, expression, and feature she knew they had to be brothers. Both were clad in full plate armor, and carried shield's with Tyr's familiar symbol: the scales of justice resting on a hammer.
“ 'Tis a shame about Justin, those two there never were all that lighthearted, they'll be pure grim here on out.” A wizened little fellow, no taller than Telki, spoke up at her shoulder. His weathered eyes followed the two brothers, concern for them evident in every crevice of his face.
“Aye, the joy died, leaving only duty....and revenge.” This insightfull sally came from behind Telki. A wee woman even smaller than she was trying to see between her and the old man. Telki shifted to make room for her and she caught a glimpse of the blonde's face as he passed by them.
“I guess there'll be a reckoning soon after this. That will be one pack of Drow we'll never hear from again.”
“I never did hear how it happened. Wasn't Hawk a ranger? How did they sneak up on a ranger?”
“Fah, woman! No drow can sneak up on a ranger like that! Justin and Hawk were at this High elf villa, and 'twas a war party, thirty strong. Hawk, Justin and the villa men kept the raiders at bay while the women got the children out of the villa and away. Help came back in time to keep the attackers from dragging the dead off for who knows what....but not in time to preserve their life.”
“It was Gideon and Gabriel that found them, wasn't it?”
“Aye, as luck would have it. No one should have to find a loved one like they found poor Justin. . . .”
“What do you mean?
The little lady reminded Telki of the little Bobbin birds that would sit and twitter on the sill at home. Their curiosity knew no bounds, either. Her attention, though, wasn't centered on the talk behind her, but on that grim visage full of soul deep sorrow on the dark haired man. She felt his pain as her own, because she was fighting to keep hope for her parents alive, and knew what would engulf her if that hope ever wavered. He was already there. Something compelled her to step forward from the masses. She laid a hand on his knee. He stopped and looked down. The tiniest curiosity sparked admist the sea of grief as he looked in her face.
“May I say a prayer over the caskets? I know,...I know that better may have been said inside, but all I've to offer?” Telki felt she was handling this badly. Why was she stopping a stately procession to offer inadequate blessings on already blessed caskets on their way to a stately and grand gravesite? What was it about Sad eyes?
“Thank you, young priestess. That would be appreciated.” His words were at odds with the bleak expression. They were deep, warm and kindly. She could feel her face blushing furiously as she performed the simple blessing.........and watched a miracle she was not expecting. Huorn's light actually entered the city, and bathed both caskets in a golden glow. From the surprised murmurs and startled riders around them, neither were the escorts. She could see grateful tears in some of the leathered escorts around what must have been Hawk's casket. She saw one mouth the words “Thank you” from where she was. Telki was quickly hoisted into the saddle in front of the Dark eyed one, before she could melt back into the crowd. “How did you do that?”
“I'm not sure, it's never done that before, and most certainly not in a town like this. Ah, could I ask your name, please?” Now she was nervous, surely all that kindred feeling stuff was just fancy on her part for such a drop dead gorgeous face, and her own pain looking for sympathy.
A dry chuckle met her ears. The lack of humor in it made her wince. “You bless my brother, and don't even know my name? You are quite interesting, young priestess. I am Gideon Rainier. Paladin of Tyr, and captain of the city guard. You would be?” Brown eyes deeper and clearer than her favorite brook filled her vision, placed in a face to make a nymph weep.
“Telki Forrester, I'm just a young hind of Huorn”
“Well, Hind of Huorn, that was a sign if ever I saw one, and you were meant to get my attention. After this ceremony, we will find out why.”
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