(Sorry if this is a bit long, wanted to keep the chapters down on this one.)
Epilogue
Rain poured down as some monk chanted about the light or some such nonsense. Reaver tuned him out as he stared at the wooden board covered with a black cloth, the shape underneath clear to those standing in attendance. Only five days after their chat, one after Hammer and Garth arrived, Natalie had died. He could hear the mourning in the streets below the castle despite being in the garden, the kingdom mourning the death of it's beloved ruler. They stood in front of the tomb she had built for her and her last husband, the man's body already resting in his stone coffin inside. Hammer was kneeling, hands clasped in front of the board. Garth stood beside her, head bowed as silent tears slid down his dark cheeks. Logan, surprisingly choose to stand back with him, the young man standing tall and attempting to keep his tears at bay. Reaver knew that he did not hide his sorrow for himself but for the teen girl who stood stoically between the two groups of people. On either side of the young girl was her mentor, Walter, and her butler, Jasper, the latter holding an umbrella over the girl.
Reaver studied the young girl standing in front of him, somewhat surprised by the fact she did not cry, even though her eyes seemed brimming with tears for her lost mother. Much like her brother she was standing strong in the downpour of rain, not even seeming to notice the wails from the streets or the soft cry sounds coming from the staff standing to the side of the main mourners. He felt like a fraud, standing with family and friends, not actually able to mourn properly after so many years of deadening himself. The children were actually standing strong but he... He stood there feeling nothing but emptiness. His only true friend was gone, leaving him alone in the world once again. He had known it would happen one day, it was the reason he had kept from forming attachments with anyone that could possibly die on him. And yet the frail body before him had managed in its life time to do the impossible. And now he felt empty, alone.
Soon he, Walter, Hammer, and Garth were motioned forward to move the body. Hammer could have lifted it with one hand if she wished, something everyone knew, but not one person would have passed on this. Not even him.
He ignored the glare Hammer shot him, used to her hating him for no reason. Or every reason. Garth surprisingly shot him a sympathetic look as he and Walter took their places on one side and the other two taking theirs. The children went first into the tomb, standing side by side, Logan holding the umbrella for his sister. The four holding the body slowly moved behind them, careful to keep the body balanced. No matter their feelings for one another not even Reaver was going to do something disgraceful to Natalie's body.
It took longer than he had expected for them all to reach the coffin in which they would place the queen's body. The children moved in unison, almost as if rehearsed, to the head of the coffin. As the four carry the body over the opening Jasper moved so that at the end he stood at the foot of the coffin. All together, the children only using one hand each, they lowered her body down. The action seemed to add to Logan and Mia, the girl the first to break as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. Logan's tears followed almost immediately after, their hands shaking before they all let go of the board. Hammer moved away then returned with the coffin lid, pausing to allow the children to place roses on each side of their mother's head before placing the heavy lid carefully on top.
Reaver waited patiently as they all left the tomb, knowing once both children were out of earshot Hammer would have words for him. And almost the moment the children were out of earshot his prediction came true, the large woman spinning around so fast her now grey dreadlocks spinning dangerously close to his and Garth's faces.
"And what in the hell do you think you are doing here, Reaver? You weren't around more than we were. You barely treated anyone like a person and yet you were here at HER funeral. Who the hell gave you the right?" The large woman was surprisingly quiet in her rant to him, her finger jabbing into his chest with each sentence. Garth raised a hand and laid it on Hammer's bicep, stopping her from going further into violence. "While Hammer is, as always, inelegant in her approach she is right Reaver. As far as we knew you did not come around much. Why are you here?"
He flicked a hand in the air, acting as if the question wasn't even a bother to him. "As far as you know. I was here at least once a year, sometimes two or three. You can ask little Mia or the boy Logan if you must know for sure I was here. And as for why I am here why are you here Hammer my sweet? Is it because someone we all know at at the very least respected passed away? If so then you already know my answer. I do not have to answer to you and don't you forget it. I was here for Natalie and for those kids."
His words brought a soft chuckle from Garth even as Hammer stared at him with her mouth agape. Reaver rolled his eyes and lifted his cane to tap the underside of the large woman's chin, reminding her to close her mouth. Garth tilted his head with a simple smile on his lips, the look making Reaver want to smash the head of cane against the other man's head. "And why are you laughing and smiling, hmmm?"
"Oh nothing. I just find it refreshing to see that you have more than one aspect to your personality. Though I am surprised you actually were willing to tell us this much." the Will user paused, his head turning to the door before looking back to the other two who were watching him. "Actually I wonder who will see to any of our deaths. While you may be safe from time and aging Reaver you are still mortal when it comes to wounds and illness. Hammer and I will soon succumb to the hands of time our selves."
"If I must I will show for your funeral or pyres or whatever it is you people do for your death ritual. However, unlike for Natalie, I will be going so the pair of you won't haunt me for the rest of my unnatural life span. Sounds good, yes?" With that he turned to the door and took a step before pausing at the sight in the door. The small waifish form of the young teen stood in the doorway, her hands clasped against her chest as she looked at the trio. Reaver swore under his breath before reaching up and pulling his hat from his head and striding to the girl. "Moppet what are you doing down here, and with your clothes all wet. You will get sick and no one wants that."
"I...I... Why are you guys talking about dying? And why couldn't you do something for Mother, Reaver?" The girl's soft voice cut at him, once again wishing he had not become attached to Natalie or her brats. Garth, seeming to know his issue came over, one hand resting on the girl's shoulder softly. "Little one should you need to know things of that nature we will tell you. However today you should focus on your own grief, not on old people worrying over the future."
Reaver nodded in agreement and carefully turned the girl around. "I will take the moppet up to her room and make sure her butler gets her changed before dinner. After dinner I will be leaving for my yearly errand so if we miss each other I bid you both adieu."
With that Reaver ushered the girl out of the room, having her guide him to her room. He was slightly miffed that they had to go outside to get to it, wondering what genius thought to put her path outdoors. Guards parted as they saw him going up to the room, the action causing him to raise an eyebrow before Jasper and Walter came rushing from the room. "Princess! Why did you run off like that? You will get ill in these wet clothes"
Reaver smirked at the worried words of the butler, seeing the girl lower her head as she heard his words parroted from someone who raised her. "Moppet went wandering and found me and the others. I brought her up here post haste so that she can be seen to before dinner."
His words, meant to smooth the ruffled feathers of the butler did seem to calm him some as the man ushered the girl into her room. Reaver turned to walk to his own room in the guest wing when a large hand landed on his shoulder. He tilted his head to look at the old solder, one eyebrow raising once again. The old man glared at him, his eyes narrowed as his free hand pointed at Reaver. "You didn't do anything to the Princess did you?"
"Oh for goodness sake. I may be a bit of a lecher and definitely promiscuous but that doesn't mean a child has anything I want. My one rule is nothing I do should involve a child." Reaver said, his voice showing his anger at what the soldier was asking. Him, touch a child? Not for all the money in Albion. Even the death of Michelle was not actually his fault, a thing he tried to remember when he thought of the fact he was technically the reason Lucien went after the child and her father while they prepared the ritual. He pulled away from soldier and straightened his jacket before pointing at Walter with the head of his cane. "And if I ever here you accuse me of such a thing again I will prove why I am known for my marksmanship. Never accuse me of being a direct danger to a child again."
"A direct danger?" Reaver rolled his eyes at the way the man seemed to hang on that one point, something that always annoyed him about the military types. "Yes. I wouldn't dare lay a finger on a child. Now if I employ someone who chooses to do so when a child works for me then I am not responsible for their actions, despite it being indirectly connected to me. Now if you do not mind I have things I need to prepare that I was asked to as a last wish from our dear queen. Tatty bye."
With those parting words Reaver walked away, his temper flared enough that everyone parted out of his path. Before he reached his room he saw one of the more salacious maids eyeing him and a smile parted his lips. His temper always flared his hungers for many things. He might as well have a bit of fun before dinner. He crooked a finger and led her to his room to calm himself before the last time most would see him for awhile.