Chapter 7 The funeral

Preparations were made for Julian's funeral. Alchemy had taken the job of watching over Will, even though that the latter was protesting against it and claiming that she was perfectly well. Saying this she often wobbled on her feet or was her face almost as red as her hair due to her fever. Caleb sought a place to bury his father. He chose a place near Mackenzie falls, a place where he used to fish with his father, and there he started digging together with Edeline and Angelo. Aketon, with the help of Taranee, Cassidy and Nigel, crafted a beautiful coffin, decorated with swords, shields and dragons. Nerissa was mostly mourning but showed her strength of heart by washing Julian one last time and clothing him in the finest garments she could find. He looked like someone of royalty. When the preparations were made the rebels moved Julian's body into the coffin. They carried it upstairs and towards Mackenzie falls, hoping that no Lurdens lurked nearby. The coffin was placed above the hole and kept floating thanks to Angelo's telekinesis. Then all the rebels were called for the ceremony. Caleb and Nerissa were sitting next to each other in the front. Nerissa was dressed in a black battledress. Even though it was a funeral they could never let their guard fall. Caleb wore a black leather armor with black trousers. Blue Destiny hang at his side. G.E.N.I.E. were also wearing black battledresses. Nigel, Joel, Cassidy, Aketon, Alchemy, Martin Mandy and Andrew sat in the front row as well, either wearing the same black armor or a black battledress. Will was there as well. She had to actually threaten to add some more people to the funeral and to shake the Infinite City before the others agreed on taking her with them. She was dressed in a Chinese black dress which was cut open on the left and right. It had no sleeves and a Chinese golden dragon was painted on it. Taranee was standing next to her, keeping her conscious and standing. Will would have done the speech herself but she was too weak to speak, therefore she told Taranee telepathically what should be said and Taranee would say it to the people gathered. Once everyone was seated Taranee stepped forward to speak.

'Dearly beloved.' Taranee spoke. 'We are here today to honor a great man. He was loyal, a good friend, a loving father and husband.'

Nerissa broke again into new sobs while Caleb put one arm around her, comforting her a bit.

'Let's all hold a minute silence to honor this man. To think about the things he has done.' Taranee said as she closed her eyes and bowed her head down.

The other rebels followed her example and everything became quiet. It even seemed that Meridian itself was being quiet. No sound was heard except for the falling of the water of the waterfalls. Because of the silence everyone could hear that a pair of boots were coming their way. Many people opened their eyes to see who dared to interrupt the ceremony of one of the greatest heroes of Meridian and many people gasped. Standing at the end of the crowd was Raythor. Taranee herself couldn't find any words to say when she heard Will's voice in her head. She glanced at Will and saw that she still had her eyes closed.

'Raythor, please take a seat next to Will.' she said.

Raythor, who was surprised that the rebels would allow him to stay, walked slowly to his place. Many rebels bowed their head slightly for him, as a sign of respect. Everyone of the rebellion had heard of Raythor. He had sworn loyalty to Queen Elyon and even though the Queen was enthralled, she never did something to dishonor his loyalty. The rebels all had high respect for Raythor's feeling of honor and loyalty. They also knew that Julian was an old friend of Raythor, a friend and a battle comrade.

'I had the pleasure to get to know Julian during my Guardian days.' Taranee continued as if nothing had happened. 'We saved him back then from the Underwater Mines. He often teased his son with the ladies or taught us about the nature of Meridian. He was always there if we needed advice here on Meridian and he was not too shallow to give it to us. He was a man who I respected with all my heart and I hope that the Father will give him a spot next to him in heaven.'

With that Taranee went to sit on her spot on the other side of Will. Caleb then got up.

'Yeah…This old man was mostly there when I needed him. We used to go fishing here. We often caught some big ones which we would take home and eat. He taught me all he knew about sword fighting, battle tactics and how to survive. Too bad he never taught me how to behave around women.'

This got a small laugh from the people. Caleb wasn't good at speeches, everyone knew that. And this speech was maybe the most difficult for him.

'When I found out that he was alive, the Guardians helped me to save him. I could remember the look on his face. I could tell that he was proud of me. I regret it that I couldn't spend more time with him but the whole problem with the evil Nerissa (Nerissa looked at her feet in shame), the escape of Phobos and now the mad former Air Guardian Hay-Lin I couldn't fit him in. I was either fighting evil with the Guardians or trying to find myself a love life. But every time I asked him if he wanted to spend some time with me he laughed goodheartedly and patted my shoulder. He would then say: "My son, I've seen you growing up and you've become a fine man. I still have to get my own life back on the road but you know how you could help me? Get married and get some kids. I've always wanted to be a grandfather."

I then laughed with him, knowing that he was kidding. But now I regret it not having him standing next to me. Dad, you were the man I looked up to and now I hope that you can still watch over me up there.'

Caleb then cleared his throat and went to sit down. Nerissa got up as well, but she was quivering. She at least would have thought that some of the rebels would attack her or boo her but nothing happened. She cleared her throat and hid her metal hand.

'By the time I got to know Julian, I was already dishonored as a Guardian.' Nerissa started. 'By that time, the creature now known as Vertex, had already taken me over. But when I saw Julian, I managed to gain my control back. I don't know if Vertex was stopped by the feeling of love or that she was weakened because of the spells she needed to use to keep our identity as the Mage but I managed to be myself. I fell in love with him and nine months later we got a son, Caleb. By then Vertex was starting to gain control again and I had to leave Julian and Caleb. Years later, after Phobos' downfall, I saw Caleb and Julian again. Caleb often visited me as the Mage and I was proud of what he had become. Julian really rubbed off on him. And now just three days ago, when I was freed of Vertex after being controlled by her for nearly 50 years, I could fight with Julian. I was hoping that he had forgiven me. I was hoping that I could live with him again. But that dream was crushed again by none other than Vertex herself.'

A small electric current ran over Nerissa's left hand as she clenched it.

'Now I can only hope that the Father will give him the love I failed to give. Julian, I love you and you will never disappear from my heart.'

She went back to her seat where Caleb took her in his arms and she cried in his chest. It seemed that no-one else wanted to get up. They either didn't know Julian enough to say something or couldn't do it because they were scared that they couldn't stand up straight. Then one man got up. Raythor went to stand in front of the crowd with his back to Julian's coffin.

He cleared his throat.

'He was an interesting man.' he started. 'He and I had known each other since we were kids. We always dreamt of joining the Royal army and fighting for the Queen. We often practiced with wooden swords until our fathers came to get us for the work on the farm. Yeah, we were close. He also took me on a lot of his crazy adventures. I think there are no kids on Meridian who ever did such a dangerous stuff on their own as we did. We poked Lurdens for fun, we often stole something from the bakery and even managed to nick a carriage full of hay and joy ride with it. Aye, those were the times. Then when we were old enough, we joined the Royal army. We pledged our allegiance to the throne and Queen Weira. We fought hard against Lurdens or thugs and we both climbed in status. But then Phobos came. He took the throne and Julian and I took different paths. He joined the rebellion, telling me that he had sworn loyalty to the crown and that he would fight for the unknown Princess, while I stayed loyal to Prince Phobos who was part of the Royal family. We both respected the others choices and promised each other one thing. That if we would die, we would die together.'

Raythor turned to the coffin with a wry smile on his face.

'But this bastard managed to break the promise. I told him to wait until we would fight each other, but then again. He died protecting what's truly important. He protected his heart and the future. And for that, I'll take my helmet off.'

Raythor bowed for Julian's coffin and took his helmet off. He then put the helmet back on and unsheathed his sword. He gave one soldier's salute before turning around and going back to his seat.

No-one moved a muscle. They all stared at Julian's coffin. Caleb nodded at Angelo and Angelo started to lower the coffin slowly into the hole. Nerissa started to cry again while Caleb held her in his arms. Cassidy cried in Joel's chest, Mandy in Andrew's and Alchemy in Martin's. Natasha and Georgi were hugging each other while the tears were falling freely. Ilana and Edeline hugged each other as well while Ehren cried in Angelo's chest. Taranee cried in Nigel's shoulder. And Will cried softly in Raythor's, who petted her hair softly. The whole rebellion mourned at the sight of Julian's coffin being lowered into the ground. Caleb got up and together with Aketon he filled the hole with earth. Once the hole was filled Edeline created a beautiful bed of flowers on top of it. Raythor laid his own sword in the middle of the flowerbed and Nerissa used the bits of her powers to carve a tombstone. It said:

"Here lies Julian Silvermane. A loving father, husband and friend. He fought for a free Meridian. R.I.P"

Everyone walked by one more time to pay their respects to Julian and to his family. Raythor left as one of the first, seeing that he couldn't be missed too long at the castle. Will and Taranee ended the line. Mostly because the telepathic talking had taken a lot from Will's power and she was too weak to move until the end of the funeral. She along with Taranee went to Caleb and Nerissa.

'Thanks for saying all that stuff, Taranee.' Nerissa said. 'It was beautiful.'

Taranee smiled sadly and wanted to say that it weren't her words but Will spoke first.

'Yes, they were indeed fitting words. I'm sorry that he died.' she said with a sorrowful look in her eyes.

Caleb and Nerissa saw that Will's face was completely calm but they saw the lone tear that had rolled over her cheek. They thanked her and Taranee and they all slowly headed back to the base. Before Caleb entered the Infinite City he looked one more time at the sky.

'God, please watch over my father and let him lay in peace.' he prayed softly. 'And dad, don't worry. I'll find a way to bring peace. To both Meridian and myself.'

With that he walked back to the base.

[A/N] I know. Short chapter. But I thought Julian deserved a chapter of his own. He was one heck of a guy and I'll miss him. Besides, I had the choice to either scratch the funeral or to place it with another part that I thought didn't fit with the funeral. But no worries! I'm continuing with the next chapter as we speak. Also yeah, this chapter has a title but that's all in honor of Julian.

So people, you know it! Review!

And till next time!