05.6 The Funeral

[slug]

Carlton Blacks Mercenaries
Company members:-
Taran – Half Elf Fighter/Priest of Mannanan Mac Lir, cousin to Carinne and Galvish
Carinne Rhianne Talynnart – Half Elf Ranger/Mage, Cousin to Taran and Galvish
Galvish – Half Elf Fighter/Thief, Cousin to Taran and Carinne
Krachtig – A Lazy Gnome
Barrigan Stonebeak – Dwarf Fighter/Priest, Company Engineer.
Lanneus Tuard – Paladin of Manannan Mac Lir
Derek Summers – Squire to Taran

Farewell to Kalan Ghent

With nothing further to delay us we take ship and head around to pick up our troops before heading to Jans Landing.  Upon arrival people are astonished to see us and claim we had been reported dead these last 4 months following the battle at the slavers city.

We are summoned to see Major McFadden who has taken over command of the Carlton Blacks Company as we were absent for so long.  He is deeply saddened by the death of Kalan Ghent and warns us to not accept any mission from Barelinian forces before being cleared with him, he also warns Taran that a commander of the Barelin army had been asking after him, it seems like Tarans past might be rapidly catching up with him.  The major departs with a teleporting mage and we are summoned by Lord Arlos who is saddened by the death of Kalan Ghent and promises to help out with the grand funeral arrangements.

Back at the office we have taken over we are greeted by some Barelin marshals who ask us some questions about the battle taken place all those months ago, apparently the Barelin report had said that we had died.  We cannot leave the area without their permission and will be asked searching questions later. Taran feels very uncomfortable at this.  The chief marshal mentions he had fought alongside Kalan Ghent and feels sorrow for his sad demise.   Finally we get some time to walk around the town and greet old friends, Taran inspects his stone house which is well advanced, Krachtig looks at where his burrows should be and several hours later end up at the inn where Gillian is spotted, Taran greets her warmly and gives her a beautiful necklace he had spotted while on his travels.

The companions finally get to bed after a long and arduous day knowing the next day will be full of preparations for the funeral.  Gillian wakes Taran up early the next day and asks him to come with her but not to carry weapons or armor or the like.  He is led to a beautiful grove which only her mentors, Sharin Cal and Carinne know about.  He feels at peace there and manages to forget somewhat of the recent tragic events.
There is much work to be done though and Carrine goes out hunting as do some of the townsfolk.  Galvish and Taran seek permission to travel to Specularum to purchase vast quantities of alcohol then to travel to see their families to bring people back for the funeral.  Tarans mother who is a priestess of Mannanan Mac Lir promises to attend.  Finally, the two cousins seek out Amber in the palace at Specularum to see if she would like to attend, once there they are escorted to see the Baron who is her guardian.  He grudgingly agrees to the trip but puts her care in the cousins hands.

After several mad days of preparation the day dawns for the funeral.  Everyone is turned out in their finest clothes and shiniest armor.  Galvish has prepared a fishing boat to act as the final transport for Kalan Ghents body.
So many people have turned up, it seems that Kalan Ghent was more then just our CO, he had led a rich and fulfilling life.
We carry his coffin to the docks and are amazed to see so many people including the latest commander of Carlton Blacks Company who is a descendant of the original Carlton Black.  Several notable personages give fine eulogies and we finally carry his coffin to the boat to the strains of pipes and drums played by the band Major McFadden bought with him.  At the quayside stands a woman in a dark green robe edged with real gold leaves, apparently she is one of the nine chief justices of Barelin.  Hushed whispers are exchanged between the rowers, who include Lord Arlos after Krachtig refuses to accept the position, determine that Kalan Ghent had a liaison with the women.  He raises even higher in some of the company members estimation.  This woman sings a haunting song as we row out to our destination to be greeted by Tarans mother amid other aquatic creatures.

The Bard plays a last lament on his horn as the body is committed to the seas and we row back to the mainland.  The celebrations start and rather than mourn his passing we celebrate his life.  At the end of the night family members are taken back to their home and we prepare for another day.

The marshals seek us out and ask questions of the battle on that fateful day all those months ago.  We speak the truth and they are satisfied with our answers, no doubt someone in the Barelin command will be hauled over the coals for deserting the battlefield and exaggerating our demise.

Major McFadden requests our presence and he confers promotions on us.  Taran will be the new Captain, Corinne is promoted to Lieutenant as is Galvish.  We also receive four months back pay and are asked where our futures lie.  Our original contract is up and we could take a leave of absence.  Also some personages from the other side of the island are interested in hiring us – this would lead us in direct opposition to Barelin, but after seeing how they run things think this might not be a bad idea to free the island from their rule.