Ashes to ashes

The quiet procession delivering Hendrik’s body made its way slowly to the keep.

Finally there, Alexis thanked the workers for their help and made arrangements with them for the next day.
Soon after Islana and her were swept up into suffering through the questions and the bureaucracy that where inseparable tied to an event such as this.

Alexis kept it short and to the point. She just wanted to be done with this crap and see Hendrik to his rest.

As it turned out, that, at least, would take no time to arrange at all.
The Friar had already been prepared to give last rites to Jiyn.

‘Now he can kill two birds with a stone. Convenient.’

She thought bitterly, but she was still glad her friend would not have to wait for his funeral.

Together with Islana she attended the rites, two women saying farewell to their friends.

Alexis stood quietly before the funeral pyres, hands clasped in front of her, the flickering flames illuminating her somber face and providing heat in the otherwise cold nighttime air.

As the fire consumed the mortal remains of two good men, the mercenary sent a silent prayer to Zin that he may grant them respite in his garden, gift them the peace that seemed so absent in this brave new world.

Who knew? Maybe she would join them there sooner rather than later by the grace of a murderer’s dagger as well.

But no matter. She would see this through to the end.