Chapter 4: Funeral
After Serge finally succumbed to her sickness, the lightning was shrouded in grief as they had Lost a mother figure who even when sick never forgot about her people (Children as she was the mother of the clan).
The grand halls of the palace which had mostly seen use in joyous times, had been transformed into a somber sanctuary, where the family and clan members gathered to honor their fallen Matriarch, even the leaders of subordinate clans were there.
Soft light fell from lanterns which rested upon the walls of the hall and bathed room in light and shadow which mirrored the heaviness in the hearts of all the attendants.
Serge lied peacefully, dressed in traditional ceremonial robes woven from the finest of fabrics, which worked in highlighting the clan's financial success. The design reflected her role as a devoted wife and mother, her serene expression offered a bittersweet comfort to those present.
After the indoor ceremony everyone relocated to the Kormt, one of the two rivers of the Bifrost (The Bifrost are two rivers which feed water from the sea to the Bifrost Basin which is the most lush area on the continent) here they would hold a ceremony that would allow Serge to enter Valhalla instead of Helheim.
Orin, the Patriarch stood at the banks of the river, his usual stern demeanor softened by sorrow, he stood as a pillar to the clan even as his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil, by his legs stood his two children clutching their mothers parting gifts, for Young Thrain a necklace with a golden hammer at the end, and for Hela an obsidian sword, these were meant to be charms for protection.
Clan members, warriors, governors and elders filled the banks. The air was heavy with whispered prayers.
Orin struck his trusted spear but to the ground producing a sound that spread throughout the banks, everyone quieted at his signal.
There were no grand speeches, made in that moment as the silence spoke volumes.
Serge body was laid to rest in a small boat that was expensively designed and was carried along with the waves. As Orin struck the ground again a powerful horn was blown, at that a flaming arrow was shot out by the clan's best archer (Heimdallr who had the rune Gjallarhorn which gave its user the ability of far sight based on the amount of asmegin funneled through it)
As they watched the flaming boat carrying their mother's body floating away they knew that their lives would no longer be the same.
That night after the funeral Thrain went to see how his sister was dealing with it, and when he got there he saw her crying to herself.
He didn't need a moment to think he went over and gave her a hug, "It's not fare I promised her to look after you and now look here you are looking after me"
"Don't worry about this I have to keep up my honor of being the oldest don't I, plus I'm sure I'll need you to look out for me soon sister, as we still have a long road ahead of us"
"So you won't leave me behind brother?" she asked with the hope that her brother would not leave her behind like her mother did her.
"Yes I won't, you're going to be stuck with me for a long while Hela, you and I forever till the End right?" he asked giving her his pinky finger
"Yes you and I forever till the End" that was the night they made a promise that would dictate the progress of their lives.
From outside the door Orin who was watching his children was asked a question by one of his two sworn brothers.
"So aren't you going to join in brother?" Hundingr asked in his usual gruff voice.
"His right you know you should be in there with them" Heimdallr agreed with the sentiment that Orin should join in the moment his children were having.
"No they are doing great, better than me even, they don't need me to go in there and ruin their well-earned momentary night of peace" Orin refused with a somber tone.
"Well if it's like that you are coming with us then, the rest of the team has vowed to get you drunk tonight." With Orin was dragged off to drink his sorrows away by his friends and brothers.