The next person Lee spotted among the crowd was Juris. Like Sarum, he didn’t know Juris that well. But they fought alongside one another. That was enough for Lee. They knew each other differently, that’s all.

Juris was dressed in a vibrant orange shirt and mingled with a few others. Lee made his way over, and when he spotted his chance to speak amongst the crowd, he did.

“It’s good to see you again. Though, this may be the last time. I’m leaving soon.”

Juris clasped Lee’s shoulder and spoke sincerely, almost as if he knew this was coming.

“I wish you safe travels and hope you succeed in your goals—both of them. If you ever come by Neldam again, know that you will be welcome. You’ve saved many lives in your short time here. More people would have met Death if not for you.

Lee was thrown for a second, not expecting such a heartfelt conversation. He kindly smiled.

“You saved as many as I did. I just kept you in fighting shape. You’re the one who killed them to stop them for good. Also, I never thanked you properly for defending me against Maika. So, Thank you.”

Lee’s smile faded slightly.

“I just wish there wasn’t a need for this funeral. I still believe…”

Juris cut him off, but the others around knew what he was going to say. They frowned.

“We know, Lee. We know. Let us not dwell on such topics—especially not here. Not now.”

Lee, successfully chastised, nodded. This was not the time or place. He shouldn’t even have brought it up.

With the conversation now awkward, Lee excused himself.

That wasn’t how I wanted to leave…

His final words to Juris were… not great. He wished he could have a do-over, but he had put his foot in his mouth. He hoped that those wouldn’t be the last words they ever spoke to one another. He would speak with him again if he ever found his way back to Neldam, just to have a real final goodbye.

Lee scanned around the branch for anybody else whom he was acquainted with. It was still early, so everybody still hadn’t arrived, but he didn’t spot anybody else.

This put his relationship with the Dark Elves into perspective.

Lee didn’t really know too many people in Neldam. He knew some of the higher-ups but not many of the common folk. He didn’t even know his favorite baker's name.

He knew Anya, the clinic's lead, the Elders, leaders of the city, the Elder of Magic’s daughter, Neia, and… not many others. Ruven was Neia’s companion and his friend, the son of the ‘best’ bower’s store.

The Spring family was the only common people he could say he knew and had a relationship with. Kaylith and Nymie, their father… He didn’t even know his name.

He didn’t do a great job trying to integrate himself, and he was just now noticing it the day before he was leaving.

Slightly dejected, Lee sat down at an empty table and picked at some of the food that was laid out for the funeral service.

—------------------------------------

Time passed, and Lee didn’t talk with anybody else. He watched as new people joined the service, but again, not anybody he knew.

He had hoped Artus Mavis would show up so they could talk about magic. But, in retrospect, that was a pipe dream. Artus was probably deep into some books or throwing spells in the consortium. He was most likely unaware or uninterested in a funeral service.

Lee chose to believe he was simply unaware.

Suddenly, all the chatter on the branch came to a standstill. Lee turned in his seat and saw Elder Anix Hethal, the Elder of Elves, standing at the podium. Anix gazed around the branch and spoke confidently but with a hint of somberness.

“We are gathered here today to say goodbye to our fallen. The brave defenders of our city who have been slain in battle, defending our homes and our loved ones.”

Everyone on the branch was silent, and the only sound during his minor pause was the whispers of the wind.

“I will now announce their names. So that all of us may remember them in the lives we live. Lives that they have given us. Lives that they no longer have.”

“Terabith Helstrim, Ioni Featur, Rowen Felsprig…”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Anix continued to read the names of the fallen as Lee closed his eyes and sat in the silence. He knew he wasn’t going to be able to remember all their names. But, he wished he could. They deserved better.

Lee felt a little guilty upon hearing the names. He knew he did all he could, but hindsight always lets you know what you could have done better. Some of these names were from those killed by the arrows he had deflected near the start of the siege, and he knew that their deaths were partly his fault. He wouldn’t even be able to know which names were theirs.

Every once in a while, when a name was read, he would hear a gasp from someone in the crowd, then a sob.

Lee bet that if the heavy emotional atmosphere had a weight, the branch they were standing on would have snapped off.

Anix finished reading off the names and, without any further comments, stepped off to the side of the podium. A small group of Dark Elves dressed in brilliantly colorful clothing took his place and, without warning, began singing. Their voices rang out in perfect harmony, and they sang almost like a church choir.

“From the star-swallowed sky,

From the hearts of those nearby,

We all gathered here,

Amidst the most sincere,

To say goodbye.”

Soon, others began joining in. Lee didn’t know the words to the song, as this was his first time listening to any music on Pallesia. It was a shame his first time had to be at a funeral. He added it to his ever-growing list of regrets.

“"Beneath the willow's weep,

Where memories and shadows creep,

In hushed tones, we share,

Our love and burdens we bear,

A final promise to keep

For those of whom who reaped,

We swear and share.”

Everybody was silent once again, and the group upon the stage left. Anix retook his place.

“We will now welcome those who wish to share. Please step forward.”

A good handful of Dark Elves walked forward and created a line next to the raised dias holding the podium.

The first in line sang another song. He wasn’t the greatest at singing, but nobody was going to disparage him. He sang his heart out as his voice shook and tears sprang from his eyes. After he was finished, another took his place. The woman played a somber tune for a few seconds, then decided that she couldn’t do it. So, she left.

Lee was watching as Elf after Elf got up on the stage and either played or sang a song. Lee thought of his uncles parting words.

“I don’t know much magic, as that’s Arcani’s domain, but perhaps for this funeral, you could play a song?”

Lee shook his head ruefully. His uncle had apparently prepared him for this moment. He stood from his seat and walked towards the end of the line.

As he walked forward, many nearby elves gave him a questioning glance. They weren’t unfriendly looks, more along the lines of ‘do you know what you’re doing’ looks. Lee didn’t mind.

After about ten minutes, it was his turn. The branch was always quiet, not counting the small sobs of grief, but it was somehow even quieter now.

Lee cast his new spell, Musical Melodious Memory, and the Dark Elves of Neldam got to hear a piano for the first time.

Lee set his spell up to play Prelude in C Major by Johann Sebastian Bach. It was his favorite classical piano song and the only one he ever learned how to play.

It was a simple song, but a simple song could hold a vast range of emotions.

Lee pumped his spell with mana, enabling all on the branch to hear. The first emotion he produced was happiness. Happiness for having known the one whom you had lost.

Midway through the song, Lee swapped the emotion to acceptance, then near the end, swapped it one last time to contentment.

Lee wasn’t some psychological mastermind, but he thought he did well. Prelude in C Major was fitting for a funeral.

Once the song was over, Lee silently left the stage. He stole a glance toward Elder Sono, who gave him a small smile and a nod.

Lee sat down at his seat and watched the rest of those who wanted to ‘share.’ As he was towards the end, it was over quickly.

Anix strode forward to the podium once again and said some parting words.

“We will now finish by sending our fallen to Death and Syver.”

Multiple people from the crowd stood, and each person was carrying an urn.

Lee watched as around half of the crowd walked towards the dangerous bend of the Garbola branch. The all stood next to each other in a long line, removed the tops off their ornate urns, and dumped the ashes over the bend.

There was a long moment of silence as everybody watched the dark gray ashes spread out as they fell through the air off the side of the tree. Some pockets of ash were carried far with the wind; others sank slowly.

After around a minute, Anix spoke for the last time.

“A moment of silence and a prayer for the fallen.”

People all around closed their eyes and said prayers. Lee himself joined in.

Death, guide their souls to where they need to be. They deserve a proper send-off.

There wasn’t any reply, and Lee didn’t even know what a proper prayer was. He was never religious back on Earth. But here? Where you could actually meet and speak with them? That changed things.

He tried his best anyway. It was the thought that counts.

After the moment of silence, everybody gathered in small groups, ate some of the food, and mingled. It was a nice ceremony. Lee’s funeral was probably way over the top and most likely catered towards Christianity because of his parents, but it wasn’t like he got to choose.

Lee was about to stealthily make his way out, as he didn’t truly belong here, but Elder Sono made his way over.

“You didn’t need to do that, but thank you. I’m sure it means a lot to everybody.”

Lee just waved it off.

“It was nothing, just a spell—a very beautiful funeral service, by the way. It was not too dissimilar to some of the practices from my home.”

Elder Sono shook Lee’s hand.

“Best of luck on your journey, Lee.”

Then Sono turned around and walked off into the crowd.

Lee stared at his back until he was gone.