The dark plume of smoke once more billowed on the outskirts of town, where the town pyre was often built when a valued member had passed to the beyond. Akon's figure wandered stoically among the graves outside the monastery. She carried with her a few items wrapped in green linen. She set them in the shallow grave she had dug, moving the dirt to cover the few items she had gathered. It was a simple wooden box with a few goblin recipes and a few random jewels and shines - the types of things a goblin would greatly value. On the headstone set at the grave was a simple carving. "Rivka the Great."
Akon rose, wiping the dirt from her long pale fingers. She folded her palms over her long blackblade, looking there at the gravestones which rested among the others, the freshest of which read the names of Rivens and Branwyn. Akon stood there, the gentle breeze tugging at the hood that protected her sensitive eyes from the harsh rays of the day star. She sighed softly, regret and remorse silently escaping her lips. "So many of you have we laid to rest in so short a time....yet your sacrifices are not forgotten."
"Rest well, my comrades, may shadows embrace you." She closed her eyes, bowing her head solemnly as she stood amongst them.
"Its just not my way, Cheza. You would know that if you could remember..." Valez looks upon Cheza then back at the grave. "I hope you'll visit mine before I have to visit yours. Sometimes I think this town will be the death of me. This whole world has become more dangerous as of recently. I even hear that the Uordeqs are none to pleased with some of the inhabitants here. I think I will watch the events unfold. Uordeq problens are theirs to deal with, certainly not the problems of the elves." Valez yawns and stretches out his hair falling over his face like a veil.
"I don't have much of an opinion of such things" Cheza smiled weakily. "Since I can't really recall much." her fingers begin to trace the outlines of the tree she was besides. "Like a leaf in the wind i am. Blown each and every direction. At least until my anchors showed up." Cheza perks up visibly a large smile on her face. "like ships you circled this burning ship and swpet me on board. Alas I do wish I could remember more. Even some of those in town I cannot remember again."
"Aye. Tis' a shame, but time passes on and what would we be left with other than old age? I would only hope to die in battle as well and not live out eternity as the elves do; unaging," he said to Akon.
Turning to Valez, Cail says, "Thank you for your gift, Valez, but I would ask that you please tell miss Cheza is it, to keep her voice down as we honor our fallen friends. You are more than welcome to stay, but it is out of respect that we stay silent."
Normally Jael would not visit such a place but he had heard what happened to Rivka. He had talked with her just before the events of that night transpired, but was not there to see what transpired. He did not know Rivka very well, but the things he did see of her reflected someone who cared about others and that was something to celebrate.
Spotting others walking among the morbid scene Jael figured they might have the same idea as him. A loud pop sound as he approached the group, recognizing most of the group he just let out a simple nod upon approaching.
"Is everyone here to see Rivka?", Jael asked, pouring the white wine he had just uncorked into a simple silver goblet with a single topaz set in it.
His question was answered for him upon reading the headstone. Carefully he set the filled goblet infront of the stone. He spoke as if no one was there besides him, "Rivka we spoke very briefly before your departure. From what I gathered you were a goblin who cared for her people and most of the people of Jastrey. You healed me multiple times upon my first arrival to Jastrey and for that I owe you my life as I do many others in this town. I am truely sorry about what happened to the goblins outside of town and I promise to continue to treat goblins as any other race. You were a great example of a goblin and today I celebrate your life Rivka. One day my body will die as well and I will fade from this world. I drink to life and in spirit I hope you drink with me Rivka."
"To Rivka!", he said loudly before taking a small swig from the bottle, "Oh wow. Very sweet. It has been a long time since I have had this." Jael took another small swig and enjoyed the flavor. He offered the wine bottle to the group, "Will anyone else drink, to Rivka?"
Cail, looking at the man that had just arrived said, "I will not drink, but I will sound a 'hear, hear' for her departed soul." After the toast, Cail turned to face the man. "I dont believe we have really been introduced in the past couple months. I am Cail and is a pleasure to meet someone who honors the dead as we do," he said as he motioned towards himself, Akon, and Valez.
Lylonna quietly walks up to the grave with her hat pulled low on her forehead to cover her eyes from the group. She stared silently at the headstone for a few moments before letting out a long sigh.
Without looking up or moving, as if speaking to the air, "Rivka was not like other goblins. I started to trust her, the only goblin I've ever trusted. She saved me so many times..." Lylonna paused for a moment, "She asked for my help, and I was willing to return the kindness; a kindness that before coming to Jastery I had no idea goblins were capable of." The gnome's voice began to grow louder and more emotional, "Rivka started to change my views of goblins; that not all were mindless savages with a weakness for shiney things." She paused again to regain her composure, then quietly resumed, "Then she attacked me. I had to defend myself. I had no choice." With a deep sigh, "I'm sorry I have nothing to offer you other than my feelings, Rivka. I wish it didn't come to this."
Lylonna then turned and quietly walked away, paying no attention to any others gathered around the grave.
"Cheza may do as she wishes human." Valez glares at Cail. "be lucky you dont live as long as elves. Just so you dont have to witness the vanity in all of this." Valez pulls his white cloak around his body and nods towards Rivka's grave. "We should all be so lucky to go tread where she now treads."
Pulling the hood from his head and revealing his white hair, Cail says calmly, "I do believe, my good elf, that you have me confused with someone else. I will live as long as you will, although I do not expect to." Looking towards Cheza he says, "That is quite alright. Silence is not necessary, but a lower tone is all I ask for; out of respect for the dead."
"Well Met Akon.", he said his eyes still on the grave, "My name is Jael Taydon, glad to meet you Cail. With death comes the celebration of a life lived."
He watched as Lyl made her way to the grave, and watched as she walked away. Everyone pays their respects in their own ways. He raised a brow at Valez's harsh comments.
"Valez this is a necissary ceremony to remember a life lived. I have drank this wine many times before, though it has been a good while since I have tasted it. White wine of the sweetest kind is specifically drank to represent the ending of a life, like a good meal. Savor the flavor of life Valez. You might have a longer one than some but death will come for us all one day.", Jael said calmly, his eyes still on Rivka's grave.
He took a drink from the wine bottle and passed it to Valez forcing it into his hands less it drop and end up on the ground. "Drink Valez."
valez sighs and takes a sip of the wine. "Aye..." He looks down to the dirt then to the grave stone and stands up, handing the wine back to Jael. "Please give none to Cheza...she will get...violent..." He smiles looking down at Cheza then his face becomes serious again. "How did she die Cail?"
"It's a pleasure Jael. Thank you for paying your respects."
Cail then turned to Valez again.
"How she was finally struck down and by whom, I do not know. Somehow she was empowered by one of the brother swords of Goblin make. In the Shadelands we fought and we fought with all our might, then we were transported to Ogmash. A horrible place full of filth and all manner of repulsive creatures. There was where her end was met. I was hurt badly during the last few moments and I remember little, but when I came to, she was dead. That is all I know. Perhaps Akon could tell you more. She was concious longer than I," he said as he looked over at the warlock.
"So it wasn't the Uordeqs huh? I would have thought so...who has the sword now? I would think such a treasure would have made itself known to be earlier. I would like one I think. It would be interesting to have. I am curious about how Rivka met her fate. I feel like the one who did it should have someone to answer to. Are you not thirsty for vengence Cail?"
Turning to Cheza, Cail said with a flat tone, "Vengence is not required on those who have done me no wrong. None of the warriors or creatures that we faced that night did anything to me personally. They were only doing the bidding of their masters and reacting to instinct. As for the sword, I do not know who has it now. Amidst the confusion mixed with that Freewater fellow, I couldn't tell which way was up then, much less tell you where the sword is."
Chuckling a litte at her remark about wanting a sword like that he said, "Who wouldn't. Power like that is hard to come by, but it is also dangerous. One must have sound mind, body, and soul to wield such an oppressive and ill boding weapon. It may have been a goblin sword, but it would be a mistake for it to find itself in the hands of one again."
Kirell enters the mournful scene.
"You welcome her in, you slay her entire family, then you cry over her grave. What a pathetic scene this is."
"Rivka returned to this Jastrey to seek vengeance upon all of you. I gave her a chance to take Tor and leave but she wouldn't be satisfied until she united it with Val and killed you all."
"The Brotherhood would not allow that to happen, so she was vanquished and Tor will be dealt with."
" As long as ValTor is permitted to exist this shard will be in danger. The Brotherhood of the Bladed Gavel is dedicated to protecting Jastrey, it's members will sacrifice all to protect her, no matter the cost."
"She was a Goblin, and she deserves the same tribute any Goblin would give her, but since you have robbed her of that right I will perform the ritual."
"Being is changing; that which does not change ceases to be. Embrace transformation as the greatest truth of existence and cast aside the gross distinctions of form. Do not shackle yourself to a stationary or static way of life. Seek out the infinite variety of the world. Only when you cease to be as you are will you truly transform."
As the Angori turns to leave he spits upon the grave, and says in an almost inaudible voice. "Your Dead Now"
Akon's eyes take on a subtle fire, though her gaze does not move from the grave. She speaks to no one in particular as she mutters. "Would anyone blame a creature for taking vengance upon those that brought enhiliation to their kin? I would not. The wrath she wraught was justified. Those of this town slaughtered her people, when she saught peace. She was a victim of the chaos and blood ridden society we are plauged with. It is only within our power to make such actions cease...."
"But are their actions which should be answered for...? Yes." She says with a quite resolution, gaze shifting to Kirell for a moment before she looked back to the grave and bowed low. "May your rest be rewarded with the peace you saught."
She then drew herself to full height, looking to the others under the shade of her hood in the daylight.
Delvin stuck to the shadows that the trees surrounding the usually peacefull graveyard offered, his hood up and his eyes focused on the scene before him. He watched as wine was poured, as respect was given, and as spit struck the headstone. Grief was an emotion that this elf failed to grasp, but he was respectful enough to let the others grieve in their own ways.
Silence was his friend as he took a few steps closer, intrigued more by the people of the town than by their dead. Jastreyans were an odd sort, though he'd keep the thought to himself for now. He eyed the warlock carefully, measuring her for a moment as she spoke of past events and of vengence, now there was a motive he could understand. He pressed himself away from the trees and made to move next to the small gathering, dispersing his desire to remain hidden.
"I know little of this goblin, though her passing is on the lips of every Jastreyan". He gave a small sigh as he scanned the headstone, he'd kneel for a moment to let the tips of his fingers brush across the etched "R" of Rivka's name. "The annihilation of her kin, you say" mentally he clucked his tongue. "Her actions, justified as they were, were rash from my understanding. A more diplomatic approach could have averted the grief we all now feel. A voice of reason from the beginning would have saved lives. Alas, you all have my respect". While he was down there he'd wipe the spit from the stone, "There is no sense in slinging dishonor in the direction of those that can no longer defend themselves, we do as we must and then we move on" He'd finally stand and bow his head in reverance, the only thing he could truly offer.
Akon's gaze turned gently to the elf. "Many of this town, when Rivka invited her kin in peace to live near us, inviting them here by saying we were kind towards goblins, as we had indeed been kind to her, met her kin with the brunt of their blades, rather than the kindness promised. Imagine inviting your entire line of heritage to place you thought would bring peace only to watch as the fields without our walls were lathered in their blood.
"When her kin were discovered, many of the townsfolk brought destruction, genocide, to all of her brothers and sisters. She tried to stay both sides of the battle, told both sides to put their weapons down. She saught Val'Tor, in rightful heritage, as the goblin sword of power, to lead her people away from our town, and leave us in peace. Yet, denied both sword, and peace, she saw as one member of our town, Wyndfere, brought utter destruction upon them all. She was the lone survivor of the horror brought upon her kindred. She felt the weight of their slaughter on her chest. The power and wicked nature of the swords combined in her hands only drove her over the edge. She was greif strucken and confused. Could anyone rightfully blame her for her actions? Not I."
"I saw the grief in her eyes that night....spoke with her in the moments before she was whisked away by the portal...it was once we found her again that all the events brought their final toll upon her. She was driven beyond reason by the things which took place, as we did try to keep her from her actions that night. Who brought the final blow upon her, I know not. But I blame her not for her own actions. She had right to bring her wrath upon those which murdered her kin."
"What's done is done."
Delvin listened closely to the words of the warlock, her reasoning was sound, her portrayal of the events unbiased. "Betrayal is a wicked thing, it twists the soul and drives us to actions we'd refuse outright if not for the loss of clarity" another soft sigh escaped his thin lips, "so often promises go broken, oaths go betrayed, trust isn't something that should be given freely in this town it seems" He'd turn back towards the woods, seemingly not caring that his back was exposed to the Uordeq, "I'd like to share words with you in private soon, Warlock, you seem to be one of few who possess a sound mind in this town". With that he'd dissapear into the forest as swiftly as he'd emerged.
Jael stood there in silence allowing the conversations to continue as they would. He listened to what everyone had to say and eventually ended up back with the wine he had brought. Another drink and he scooped up the goblet he had placed on the ground.
He poured the goblet out ontop of the grave, "Find rest Rivka, your time on this world is over."
Standing he proceeded to recite what he had been there for to the new arrivals, "I am not here to cry. I am here to celebrate Rivka's life. She was no enemy of mine, I agree with Akon's conclusions, and therefore I lift my glass to her."
Taking a last swig Jael put the bottle on the ground, a good few drinks still remaining. With that he gave a nod to everyone and turned to walk back to town, "Good day everyone. You are all welcome to finish off the wine should you choose. I will see you all again around the town I am sure."
A lone goblin appears on the burial site dressed in a long woolen overcoat, gnarled face and matted black hair. He bore no weapons, and carried only a large bag over his shoulder that croaked ocassinally. Slowly he walked over to Rivka's grave and in his most dignified voice says, "Rivka Queen, Grishal Boss said that was dumb. Goblins live, goblins die, Val'Tor only a legend. Now you dead, and Grishal Boss all sad. Grishal can't fix dead, Rivka Queen."
He drops his sack on the grave site, the top opening and hundreds of small frogs hop out and jump around everywhere. "Chase the froggies, Rivka Queen. They'll take you home."
Grishal looks around and for the first time seems to take notice of everyone else and a small grin begins to form on the edges of his mouth. "Froggies!" he exclaims, and begins to chase the frogs all over the site. After a while, he pauses and looks at everyone, "Did silly adventurers expect Rivka Queen to be nice and civil forever? Goblins peaceful and scared when alone. Goblins terrifying force in big numbers. Rivka Queen had army, you think she not try to take what she wanted?"
A small portal opens next to the grave and a man in a skull mask walks out. he pulls out a sharks tooth from one of his pockets and lifts his mask. This would be the first time anyone has seen anything but a smile on this face in a long time. As he mutters a few words in some strange language he leans over and his arm phases through the ground when he pulls it back the tooth is gone. He looks at the sky for a bit and smile begins to form once more. Walking off into the distance he pulls his mask down and a portal opens and the man is off once more.
Staring at the goblin as the frogs spewed from the sack, Cail raised an eyebrow and a slight scowl came across his scarred visage. As the goblin spoke, its voice like knives in his head, Cail replied in a low tone, "Rivka was a kind soul, most unlike the rest of your kind. Her mindset was distorted by the abundance of charity and acceptance she received from town. I know that she wanted to share her 'wealth' with the others of her race, but that doesn't mean letting all of them in our town borders, overwhelming the citizens with, I hate to say it, filth. And i'm not talking about the goblin's themselves either."
Cail's scowl loosened and he continued, "Her decision was not well thought out. And although I was not in town at the time, I do know a little of what transpired through my friends here and about. Wyndfere was in the wrong as much as the goblins were in their decision to overrun town. What did you expect would happen if such a menacing force threatened our borders as well as infiltrated our town?
"And no, I for one did not expect a goblin as well mannered as Rivka to stay civil as long as she did and that she did, I applaud her, but still there are rules to follow in a setting such as this town. People are expected to 'behave' while in the company of other 'civilized' folk. We all have our place. Rivka ascended to civility above the rest of your race and was welcomed here with mostly open arms, including mine.
"More of your kind will be welcome, in my opinion, if they also can reach that same state as she did."
"Rivka was still a goblin. One who, from what I have gathered from the last little while's conversation, tried to kill everyone over Val'Tor- which seems rather dangerous." A soft voice drifted from not far away. It's difficult to determine how long the small Uordeq had been there, though it was somewhat obvious she had at least been around to hear the Angori's words. "I think I would trust the Grishal to know his own kind a bit better, Cail. Any Goblin can pass off as trustworthy when alone and outnumbered- any one of any race can. I for one only trust a Goblin seeking a powerful sword so far, and Rivka asked for help finding it from the start. Also, call me racist, but none of her kind can be trusted when great numbers of them can be found and Grishal here said she had an army. I, personally, hate that I missed the fight. By the way, anyone can fake civility. It isn't difficult. I am sad to see that whatever happened turned out this way, however, but I am not sure I can mourn someone that attacked those she supposedly valued as comrades."
Katri had wondered what would happen if Rivka had ever found Val'Tor and her family came as the little Goblin had wished. From the words of Kirell, it hadn't been good. The little green creature had apparently put on a good show and then gotten herself killed when she chose to attack Jastrey for what she had wanted. Though, the Uordeq was slightly sad to see her dead. After a moment, a small smile crossed her face and though hidden by her mask, it could be heard in her voice, "Besides, why do you think no one mourns the deaths of my kind often? Underhanded dealings and betrayals are the same, no matter the species."
"Judging an individual due to their race is a flaw that has lead to many unjust deaths...." Akon's words hung dull in the air. She had turned back to the grave now. "She never attacked out against any of us, even when the townsfolk were murdering her kindred infront of her. Nay, even in that moment she tried to bring peace between the two sides, requesting that both put down their blades. It was only after the town slautered her people that she turned against us. To bring judgement upon her would require that judgement be brought upon all that were involved. What's done is done." She said, solidly and resolutely.
She then knelt to lift of the wine, and drank of it, wiping the back of her hand across her lips sourly, then pouring some of the wine on the grave in return. "Istensia's blessings upon you, and shadows embrace you in your slumber. May your rest be peaceful lest fate still call meaning to your soul."
She then turned herself towards the woods, remarking loud enough for those around her to hear as she departed. "Ironic, is it not...that the Angori which slayed a fellow townsmember, Stiers, infront of us all..., who carried the sword of Tor right before Rikva possessed it....the sword who's possession finally turned Rikva against the people of Jastrey...was the same to spit on her grave?"
"Ironic...is it not?" She murmered as she walked to the forrest edge and back towards town. "Perhaps, then, there is something else at work here...something more truly malicious than the broken mind of a sorrow laden goblin." She left the statement's conclusion to sit stale in the space between them as she continued on her way. "They say Scorch lives among us...."
"The day you speak so openly and valiently for your own kind, Mistress Nivarian, is the day I may believe the utter crap you've spouted today." Katri remarked shortly. "Sneaky saves and defences out of sight certainly don't prove anything, being that those actions are easily fabricated, by the way."
"I personally don't take the word of a corpse loving diablrist much over that of a traitorous Goblin. Spout all the mistrust and ironies you wish. I see it as hipocrisy." A raised eyebrow was just visible beneath a hood. "Or perhaps you've just gone soft, trusting in your time here in the light, as Rasiri did. Perhaps, my dear Mistress Nivarian. You've lost your touch for being an Uordeq. Invoking the blessings of a light-bringing Immortal? tsk tisk"
"Still, I suppose it's none of my business. I've been told I jump to conclusions to quickly, so I suppose I should speak with a certain Angori before I start agreeing or disagreeing with any spouted assumptions or pointed fingers." The little Uordeq shrugged but her voice held a pointed tone. She looked at the grave of Rivka. She walked forward and carelessly dropped a black rose on the goblin's resting place. Her eyes were empty and she walked back to where she had stood when she first arrived, a short distance from the grave and Akon. A muttered Shadows embrace you, may have been heard by those closest to the burried female.
Cail listens to Katri and Akon in turn and says in an aggitated tone, "Curbing your tongue may be a wise decision, Katri, especially when you are spitting poison in 'her' direction. Yes, a goblin she may have been but that doesn't mean all goblins are alike. That doesn't mean that she had to be just like the stereotypical filth that we make them out to be. No offense Grishal," he said to the live one.
"She believed what she did was right and wasn't it Wyndfere who also did what he believed what was right when he destroyed countless lives? An eye for an eye, I say. That is just how the world works, 'princess'. Hmph. Princess you are indeed, for I saw your father. Once and that was all I needed to see to tell that you are indeed his daughter."
Cail's voice then returned to a flat, almost monotone, sound as he said, "Now. I suggest that we all leave the dead in peace. Let us finish paying respects and go. Let the dead rest."
"Oh and Ohren," said Cail. "Rivka was the one killed. She fell just over a week ago in a great catastrophe of a battle." Cail stepped over to Ohren and clapped him on the shoulder. "She lies there under earth mixed with wine and spit. Leave a gift if you wish and depart quickly. I feel a storm brewing."
Katri barely spares a glance at Cail, save to give a horribly, icy chuckle in his direction. "I would listen to the Goblin trying to tell you otherwise. Adventurers here trust far, far too easily."
She adjusted the black rose to lay properly on the dead Goblin's grave and tugged her hood up to shadow her eyes. Turning, she strode out into the trees in the direction of town.
Taklinn walks quickly to the site, after hearing in town of the goblin's fall. "She was just a goblin, but I had thought that she had a bit better sense than to go against town. More moxy than I would have imagined. As fer the swords, they was a goblin legend, and were gifts given freely by the Immortals. They ain't goblin make if ye catch me meaning. She was consumed by them and was to use them against town, so she perished fer her folly." Taklinn reaches into a pouch and pulls out a small ingot of copper ore and places it on her headstone. "More'n I would have thought I would do fer a goblin, but she was useful in a pinch. Too bad she thought to attack us fer killin' her kin, but if ye can't drive goblins out early, they are a tough foe to evict." Taklinn mutters as he walks away from the scene with determined strides back towards town.
As Katri walks away, her laugh still ringing in his ears, Cail says to himself, "Hmmph. I imagine we all felt the same way about he Angori all those years ago. Just look how we get along now. If we are to trust at all, someone has to trust first. It might as well be those with the civility enough to do it."
As Taklinn walks forward and places the ore on the headstone, Cail locks eyes with him and nods before walking back towards the Farm, leaving the rest of the group behind.
Cail, having seen the smoke from the farm, walked with arms crossed over to the fresh grave. Coming to a stop beside Akon, he knelt, placed a hand on the ground and muttered, "It's all I can offer you, but I hope it pleases you none the less." *CONJURE*
From underneath his palm, a faint light shines. Cail clenches his fist, seemingly around something palm sized, and turned his hand over. He opens his fingers to reveal a multicolored stone that shone with a radiant light, giving off little bursts of rainbow color as the bright sunlight touched its surface. He placed the Opal onto the lower ledge of the headstone and stands straight again.
Backing away from the fresh dirt, he says aloud, "She's healed me many times since my coming to this town, whether in battle or adventuring through some dark place. There is no payment other than that small stone that I could give her for such charity, and I will continue to cherish your memory for as long as I remain alive."