Chapter 63: The Mourning After
The Light shall lead her safely
Through the paths of this world, and into the next.
For she who trusts in the Maker, fire is her water.
As the moth sees light and goes toward flame,
She should see fire and go towards Light.
The Veil holds no uncertainty for her,
And she will know no fear of death, for the Maker
Shall be her beacon and her shield, her foundation and her sword.—Transfigurations 10:1, often sung by mourners as they light candles
Neat, tight script preserves a final epitaph for the fallen:
Frail, faltering in the darkness,
Though imperfect, her voice a balm.
Andrale, Falon'Din enasal enaste.
Naught but blood and torn flesh,
But a mother knows her child.
Soran, Falon'Din enasal enaste.
Fire stirred, ever an impatient heart,
But she would not be moved.
Siona, Falon'Din enasal enaste.
Arrows along the spine. The child cried,
Sheltered by his form.
Talim, Falon'Din enasal enaste.
Two emerged within an eve.
As one they fought, as one fell.
Rin, Ilan, Falon'Din enasal enaste.- Epitaphs for the Lost
We are the Children of the Stone. She supports us, shelters us, offers us the most priceless gifts of the earth. The worthy return to her embrace in death, becoming Ancestors. The unworthy are cast out, unable to rest, that their failings may not weaken the Stone.
So it has been since the earliest memories. We live by the Stone, guided by the Ancestors, who speak with the voice of the Provings, and whose memories the Shaperate keeps forever in lyrium.
We do not accept the empty promises of heaven as the wild elves do, or vie for the favor of absent gods. Instead, we follow in the footsteps of our Paragons-the greatest of our ancestors, warriors, craftsmen, leaders, the greatest examples of lives spent in service to our fellow dwarves. Our Paragons joined with the Stone in life, and now stand watch at our gate, ushering in those surfacers privileged to visit our city. We know there is no greater honor to hope for, no better reward for an exceptional life.-As told by Shaper Czibor
Dark Foundry
"My…son…"
"Ma…" Ericks ran over and caught her before she fell and held her in his arms. Tears flowed from the rogue's eyes…it had been a long time since he cried like this, he always had to be in control. He always had to be strong for his family in case the Templars came took away his father and sister.
"I knew you would come"
"You know me. I always save the day…" Ericks said. He was trying to keep a strong face, but was fooling no one…not even himself.
"Shh. Don't fret, darling" Leandra said. "That man would have kept me trapped in here. But now…I'm free"
"I get to see Carver again…and your father. But you'll be here alone"
Merrill walked over and placed a hand on hers. It was so cold to the touch, Leandra would have long now. "He won't be alone…" she said softly. "We'll be here…always" The corpse gave a serene smile. Although Leandra had never been a fan of the people his son called friends, she was still glad that Ericks had found people that cared for him. Whatever happens next, at least his son wouldn't be alone.
"Thank you…" Leandra said. "My brave little soldier has become so strong; you've made me so proud"
"I…love you…always" And she was gone, Ericks lowered his head and sobbed as Merrill hugged her lover tightly. Sorrow was all that remained of such horror. Later on the gang made a make shift funeral pyre and cremated Leandra's body along with the other butchered women so demons couldn't inhabit them. Once the pyre was lit, Ericks walked away with Merrill close behind…he didn't want to be in the place anymore.
"Ericks" Aveline said. "You know where to find me if you want to talk about it"
The Hawke Estate
Ericks was sitting in the study just watching the flames dance in the fire place, his eyes was dull and darkened. He had ordered everyone to not touch his mother's room; Ericks wanted to leave everything as it was to preserve her memory. The estate was full of sadness at Leandra's murder, Bodhan tried to do his duties like before to keep his mind off of the fate of his mistress, Sandal was silent…not at all like the boy. Orana was in the hall sobbing, the elf didn't know her mistress for very long but Leandra was warm and treated her as if she was her own daughter….something she never felt with Hadriana. One by one, the others came by the estate to give their condolences but Ericks didn't want to hear it right now. Gamlen rushed into the study. "Did you find her?"
Ericks just shook his head slowly. "I…was too late, she's gone" Gamlen staggered back like he was punched with only the wall to keep his balance up.
"I…I can't believe…." He then rushed over and grabbed Ericks by the collar. The rogue didn't even fight. "Damn you! If you'd been quicker or stronger, you could've….she could be…" The anger soon went away and was replaced with unbearable grief. Gamlen released Ericks and sobbed. The weekly visits had done much to heal their broken relationship, Gamlen had hope that eventually they could be close like they used to be before family drama got in the way. Now that hope was dashed all because of a madman. "Why her? Why Leandra?!"
Ericks was almost reluctant to speak but Gamlen was family and he deserved to know what happened to give him some closure. "The killer used Ma to magically reconstruct his dead wife" the rogue said. "They had the same…face"
"What sort of nightmarish magic is that? Oh Maker…" Gamlen said in horror. "Maybe the Templars are right, lock the mages up! Throw away the key!"
Ericks frowned. "And what of Bethany…? Should she suffer because of what that bastard did?"
"I…I don't know" Gamlen sighed. "She would've been better off if she was normal like you and Carver" he said. "Magic's always run in this family. It's a curse and now even your mother's fallen victim to it"
"I wish you'd never told me what that twisted son of a bitch did to her. I wish I hadn't asked" He looked back at his nephew with murderous eyes. "I hope you killed him" Ericks just nodded. "Good. I hope it hurt"
"Bethany needs to be told; hopefully the Templars will let me in to speak to her" he said. "Take care, my boy" When Gamlen walked away, Merrill entered the study.
"Ir abelas, ma vhenan"
"I don't speak elven, Merrill"
"It means 'I am filled with sorrow for your loss, my heart' Merrill said sitting beside Ericks. "She's in a better place now"
"She's…with the Maker"
"Or with Falon'din. You never know"
"Would an elven god even welcome a human?"
"Falon'Din and his brother Dirthamen were inseparable from birth to adulthood" Merrill said. "They were split from each other when the kindly Falon'Din took pity on a dying deer and carried her to rest beyond the Veil, to a place his brother could not easily follow"
"The deer's spirt was released from her weakened body and she once again became light on her feet" she said. "Seeing this, Falon'Din vowed he would remain to guide the dead to their place in the Beyond, this is why we call him the Merciful One"
"Well…whoever Ma meets, I hope she finds peace with Da and Carver"
Merrill rested her head on Ericks shoulder. "I know she will"
Viscount's Keep
Several days later, Ericks back out in public looking to see the viscount. Dumar had been writing to Ericks saying he had something to divulge but couldn't trust anyone but him. Knowing the viscount, it had something to do with the Qunari. The rest of the gang was worried about Ericks being back out so soon after his mother's death. Ericks assured them that he was fine though the others were not so convinced. The seneschal mentioned that the viscount was in the meeting and told the gang to wait. During the wait, Ericks decided to check in on Aveline.
"Avi"
"Ericks" Aveline said. "Back at solving Kirkwall's problems, I see"
"Of course, what would they do without me?" It was meant to be in his usual sarcastic tone but it sounded bitter. Ericks wasn't fooling anyone, he was trying to force himself to go on like nothing happened. But Aveline knew the dangers of keeping that kind of pain bottled up, she has seen it happen to even the best warriors.
"I don't care what else is going. We haven't spoken about Leandra. How are you?"
"I have a smile on my face that should be enough for most people"
Aveline shook her head. "That doesn't work on me. I knew her, too. I want to think my mother was like her" she said. "I just have flashes of…impossibly long hair"
"But my father…would you like to hear one thing?"
"You've never talked about your family before" There wasn't much to talk about when it came to her family. Aveline's mother died when she was a very small child. Her father was Orlesian back in a time where being from Orlais or having heritage from the empire was dangerous in Ferelden due to how fresh the Rebellion was. His name was Benoit du Lac, he was once a respected chevalier but had flee Orlais with his family when he lost his patron to the Grand Game.
"My father trained me in all the skills he had been forced to give up" she said. "He spent everything to get me into Cailan's service"
"Do you know what I remember?" Aveline asked. "When he read to me….stupid things, dragons and heroes…he wouldn't turn a page until I reached over and took his hand"
"That big man made every step of the story my choice. I loved that" she said. "He died of the wasting in a Denerim ward…those last weeks, I read to him"
"I had to take his hand to turn the pages and I couldn't tell if he was too weak or if it was an old game" the captain said. "He smiled at that, at his big girl" She then gave a small laugh. "I don't know why I'm telling you this" She went over to the cabinet and poured a drink and offered Ericks some.
"A glass for those we've lost" Ericks said.
Aveline nodded. "All right then" she said. "Benoit du Lac and Leandra Hawke" Ericks was then called for and as the rogue turned to leave, Aveline spoke up. "Don't let anyone tell you when to move one. Take their hand and say 'my choice'"
"That's all I have. I'll miss her too"
Ericks smiled. "Thanks, Avi"
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