The Funeral of Sir Roderic of Falt

[GM Craig]

Eschewing returning to his own manor, Sir Cedwyn, in company with Sir Artaigne, joins Arne and Valka in conveying the body of Sir Rodric to the lands of his ancestors. So far as you know, messengers have been sent to Falt. The Lady Habren, well regarded as deeply in love with her husband, is not likely to have taken the news well.

In a fancy carriage supplied by the Earl, dressed in the dark colours of mourning, you bring sir Roderick home.

Peasants working the fields of Falt watch quietly as the carriage approaches. One of the peasants leans down and speaks to a boy, who takes off at a run towards the manor.

Several minutes later, you arrive. Servants line the stairs, and Lady Habren stands at the top of the stairs, looking stricken and pale. Behind her stands a young man - of an age with Sir Cedwyn.

Lady Habren does not move as the carriage comes to a stop, and you dismount. Grooms come from the sides to care for your mounts. Habren says in a shaky voice, "I bid you welcome, Sir Cedwyn. Arne and Valka, welcome home."

She descends the steps. The young man follows her.

"A messenger arrived from the Earl a week ago." She seems distracted a moment. "Allow me to introduce Sir Geoffrey, Rodric's Cousin. He has been appointed steward of Falt on behalf of Rodric's sons."

[Geoffrey]

OOC:  Geoffrey towers over Habren, (his SIZ is 18).  The right side of his face is quite scarred up and he's missing most of his right ear.  The scars are very old.

I'll start looking for an avatar in the coming days.

[Artaigne]

Not really sure of what his status still was, and not wanting to burden Cedwyn with petty questions during the time of mourning, the Irishman continued to treat Cedwyn as his liege and follow him, doing what duties he could to assist the other man. 

Upon their arrival in Falt, he held back from the main group as they met with the new widow.  He had not known Rodric long, but he had much respect for the knight, and, again, did not want to intrude on fresh grief.

He stood by waiting to see if he was needed.

[Cedwyn]

Cedwyn inclined his inclined, "Lady Habren. Sir Geoffrey. May I introduce Sir Artaigne. He joined us in battle in the north and returned hence with us."

He paused as words simply failed him.

"My Lady. I offer you my condolences. Rodric was my friend and brother knight. He fell fighting the bodyguard of a Saxon Thegn. He fought bravely and well, doing what he believed was right and proper to make you safe in your homes. He would want you to know that."

"We bear his body for internment among his forefathers."

[Arne]

Arne stood by the carriage in which Rodric's body lay; in the short time he had known the knight he had developed a strong sense of respect and loyalty for the man, and took his duty as an honor guard very seriously.  Sir Rodric and Lady Habren had taken in the Nords to live on their land out of compassion, not duty, and to Arne that meant everything to him.  So, too, Lady Habren's help when Valka had nearly died in childbirth.  The woman had been pregnant when she came to Valka's aid, and she had risked her own health and that of her unborn children.  Seeing the weary, stricken look on her face tore at him.

He bowed to Lady Habren and Sir Geoffrey as the former greeted them and introduced the latter, and nodded his agreement to Sir Cedwyn's condolences to the widow.  Dropping painfully to one knee - he still hadn't fully healed from the horrific wound he'd taken - he lowered his head and said, "Sir Rodric was a great man, Lady Habren. I am honored to have been his friend, and will sorely miss his company.  Valka and I - and our people, too - mourn with you and your family for your loss."

[Valka]

Reserved

[Arne]

(OOC:  No disrespect to the dead intended, but I think Sir Roderic's getting a bit gamey . . .  )