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nightspeakswrites · 8 years ago

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Death of Emorat Kai

Long post! Funeral scene for the father of one of my MCs. With this he now becomes head of the family.

Story: The Crystal Wars: Halite

Main Charater: Remiel Kai

Location: Kai Estate, Dumortier, Commonwealth of Beryl

Remiel walked slowly into his parents' bedroom. Dread bogged down his pace, his footfalls echoing dully on the grey stone floor. Lifting his head to look at his father, Remiel took inventory of the effects the wasting disease had wrought on the older man’ body. Emorat's papery skin glistened in the dim light of the room, the flickering light bouncing off his sweat drenched skin, highlighting his sickly pallor. Dark half-moon circles menaced underneath his eyes and when Emorat turned his head to look at his son, Remiel noticed that the intensity was missing from his father's gaze. Eyes which were once piercing were now clouded over, a foggy remnant of their once striking obsidian color. Remiel reached the four poster bed, his father seemingly swimming in a sea of linen sheets and velvet bedcovers, his emaciated body dwarfed by the fabric surrounding him. The hand he grasped was cool and the skin was parchment like. Remiel still wasn't sure that he was ready to ascend as head of the Kai family. But it was clear to him now that his father would not recover, as Remiel had once hoped he might. Whatever time he wished he had to prepare himself was definitely gone.

"Remiel" his father rasped, "this family is yours to lead now."

"Am I ready? I feel as though there's so much I haven't learned. I haven't yet attained master standing." Remiel dropped his gaze to his fingers, grasped tightly to his father's hand.

"You are ready enough." Emorat began coughing, and Remiel put a glass of water to his lips, helping him to take a drink. "You will make master soon enough. If you enlist with the other engineers, war with Halite will undoubtedly help you to expand your skills and force you to advance your casting beyond what you think yourself capable. War has a funny way of doing that." Emorat took a longer drink of cool water before continuing. "You'll make master, but be careful if you enlist, you'll need to work with martial castors, defense and engineering alone won't ensure your survival. Allsten will need your guidance as he gains skill as a castor. He's headstrong for sure, and he still hasn't given up on being a healer."

"I'll look out for Allsten as I always have father. He'll be just fine, I promise you. I'll look out for Raryn and Flaira too. I know you're concerned that Raryn hasn't been courted yet. I will help them to find suitable husbands when the time comes."

"I'm more concerned that you are unwed. You know there are unsavory rumors out there that you don't want to marry a woman." Emorat's piercing gaze returned for that moment, as though he half-believed the rumors himself, and if true he would find a way to carry on rather than leave Dumortier and the Kai family name to his elder son.

"I know of the rumors, father. You needn't worry. I'd simply rather study and practice so I can attain master status early than flirt around with any woman who waltzes by in a low cut bodice like some schoolboy seeing a woman for the first time. People talk whenever someone doesn't fill the prescribed mold they think is right or normal. I will marry someone of suitable standing, you needn't worry, the Kai family will carry on. Dumortier will remain eternal. Now rest father. Tsumera and the children should arrive tomorrow. She'd very much like to see you." That it would be the last time Emorat would see his eldest daughter or his grandchildren remained unspoken. "I'll see you in the morning father."

***

Edging into his own bedroom, Remiel eased the door closed, heaving a sigh. It was a narrow edge he walked any time he spoke with his father. It was getting harder to continue walking it, though it might not continue for much longer. He hated disappointing his father, and understood the position his father was in, but Remiel couldn’t stand hiding himself, denying who he is. The rumors were true, Remiel was certain he would never marry a woman. In the grand scheme of things it wouldn’t matter, though it was still something of a taboo among the nobility who generally consolidated power by joining estates. Much as he hated teetering on the edge between being the dutiful son and being open with his father, it seemed like he wouldn’t need to keep the facade up for much longer.

At the soft knock on his door, Remiel turned. “Rem, it’s me, can I come in?”

“Sure.” Remiel opened the door to admit his young brother, Allsten. The boy was almost 10 years old, hardly older than their nephew and niece. Smiling fondly, Remiel stepped back from the door, allowing Allsten access to the room, before closing the door again.

“You just came from Father’s room, didn’t you?” the young boy inquired.

“I did. Father was concerned about who would take care of you, and Raryn and Flaira. He’s hanging on, but I don’t know how much longer he’ll be with us.” Remiel took a seat on the edge of his mattress, and motioned for Allsten to join him.

“He’s really dying, isn’t he?” whispered Allsten, dropping onto the bed sullenly.

“You’ll take care of me. Won’t you Rem?” he asked, looking to his older brother.

“Of course I will. I always have, haven’t I? Ever since you were little, I have taken care of you, and our sisters. Tsumera may have children of her own, but she’ll always be there for you as well.” said Remiel, wrapping a reassuring arm around his brother’s slim shoulders.

“I’m scared. I don’t want Father to die.” Allsten sniffled.

“I know. I’m scared to lose him too, but I don’t want him to be sick like this any longer. We’ll figure things out and Father will be in the stars with Mother. He hasn’t seen her in a long time. They’ll be able to look down at us together from their places in the stars.” Remiel reassured him, tucking his brother close to his side. “I promise I will love you and take care of you just as they did. Dumortier will always be your home; it’s here to stay, and so am I.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m sure Allsten. We’ll stay here. I’ll need to finish my journeyman training and prepare for acceptance as defense master, so we’ll need to be in Morganite, but you’ll come with me and we’ll stay in my apartment. There’s a second bedroom there and we can bring over some of your things so you can set it up how you like. You’ll be able to attend classes with defense Master Merakai.”

“I’d have my own room?” Allsten asked, his cobalt eyes twinkling.

“Your very own. I could even introduce you to some of my friends. You’d like Saoirse, she’s an excellent healer, and she has a sister about your age. And you could meet Pallex, he’s very funny and an excellent swordsman. He can make fire dance along the blade of his sword.”

“Really? That’s so cool!”

“It is pretty amazing. It scared more than a few of the guys at combat training with us. They had never seen a castor enchant their weapon.” Remiel laughed.

Allsten smiled and then stretched in a long yawn.

“Why don’t we get you to bed, and I’ll write to Pallex and Saoirse and see if they’d like to visit us here, that way you can meet them sooner, and they will be familiar faces when we stay in Morganite.”

“Okay” Allsten mumbled, slowly rising from the bed. “Will you walk back with me to my room?”

“Sure” said Remiel, standing to walk with his sleepy sibling.

Shortly after their father’s body was cremated, Remiel and his four siblings sailed out into the waters off the cliffs at Dumortier. The wind whipped at the ship’s (name?) sails, but the engine crystal powered them through the choppy waters.

When they were [distance] out from shore, Remiel slowed the ship and dropped the anchor. Tsumera took the urn from a crate on the foredeck[?] and held it over her head. “As your eldest child I commit your memory to my heart and your body to the seas.” Strength carried her voice, as she pressed her lips to the porcelain urn and passed it to Remiel.

Remiel repeated his elder sister’s actions, holding the urn over his head and projecting his voice over the buffeting wind. “As your eldest son and heir, I commit my life to our shared family honor, your memory to my heart, and your body to the seas.” He too pressed a kiss to the urn, before passing it to Raryn, whose voice broke as she spoke her commitment. She kissed the urn quickly before passing it to Flaira. The youngest of Remiel’s sisters spoke her commitment softly but clearly, her eyes shining as she kissed the urn and held it out to their younger brother Allsten.

Allsten’s hand trembled as he held the urn, and Remiel stepped closer to him, resting a calming hand between the young boy’s shoulder blades. “As your youngest son, I commit my life to our shared family honor, your memory to my heart, and you body to the seas.” Allsten kissed the urn as well, before passing it back to Remiel, and wrapping his arms around his older brother.

As Remiel removed the lid, Tsumera held their younger sisters, her steel-grey eyes wet with tears as the younger girls sobbed against her. Allsten too was shaking, his small hands clenched in his brother’s wool coat. Remiel tipped the urn over the deck rail and the wind caught the ashes, scattering them out across the sea their father had spent so much of their lives on.

When they returned to the estate, Remiel and Tsumera ushered their younger siblings into the family parlor where they warmed themselves by the hearth, sipping tea. Lornton brought in Harten and Karena, and coaxed Allsten and Harten into playing a card game. Flaira and Raryn soon took over holding Karena, distracted from the afternoon’s events by the living doll of their niece. The elder Kai siblings moved to the window, keeping their voices low.

“What do we plan to do with the others?” Tsumera asked, unsure what her youngest siblings might need.

“Raryn and Flaira will be alright, they already spend most of their time in Morganite living in the apprentices’ dorms. For them, I don’t think too much will change.” Remiel replied, stormy eyes staring into the dark clouds on the horizon.

“And Allsten?” she inquired, stealing a glance at her young brother playing cards with her husband and son.

Remiel followed her gaze, pleased to see his favorite sibling smiling again after the difficult events of the past few days. “I promised him I would take care of him. That I’d take care of all three of them, though I doubt the girls need much from me.”

Tsumera turned her gaze to her brother, seeing the serious set of his face and the determination in his stormy eyes. “Will you be naming him as your heir then?”

Remiel nodded, still watching Allsten play. “I have no intention of marrying a woman for the sake of producing heirs. I regret the fine line I had to walk with father about it, but I can’t, I’d never love a wife as she should be loved. If Allsten accepts, I’d formally adopt him and name him as my heir.”

Tsumera reached out, gently turning her beloved brother’s face to meet her gaze. “I’m sorry for the self-deception you needed to engage in with father. I wish he could have understood; he just wanted so badly to ensure the estate will carry on. So do you, but you’ve managed to see other ways to do that without sacrificing yourself.” She offered him a sad smile. “Mother just wanted us all to be happy. She’d be very proud of you.”

Remiel hugged his sister tightly then, as much to thank her as to hid his tears. “Thank you,” he breathed into her ebony and midnight blue hair. “This doesn’t bother you at all? That I’m not interested in women?” He pulled back eyes searching her face for any signs of disgust or rejection.

Tsumera smiled, placing a hand on Remiel’s cheek, hoping to quell his insecurities. “I have always loved you and been proud to be your sister. That won’t change. I hope he’s worthy of the devotion you bestow upon those you love.”

“I think he is” Remiel replied automatically, more focused on the relief that his sister understood.

After evening had set the family gathered outside in the courtyard, facing the cliffs of the estate. Others had gathered to join them, the household staff, a pair of naval commanders, a handful of people from the town who knew the children and had found stability under the Kai family’s rule. Pallex and Saoirse stood together on the fringes, his covert teammates scanning the crowd. In all, Remiel thought there were maybe two dozen gathered for the commitment of the late Lord Kai’s entity [find suitable synonym/translation of “soul”] to the eternal stars.

Remiel gathered himself, standing tall and hoping he projected a sense of strength. He smoothed his formal shin-length vest, feeling the crashing pattern of the waves appliqued into the deep blue of the body, the rough oceans of home stitched into the fabric. Moving to stand facing the crowd, Remiel held his arms outstretched above his head and projected his voice over the waves crashing against the cliff base below, shouting the opening invocation. “For the stars are infinite, and just as we are born of such noble dust so to are we fated to return.”

The murmur of the small groups response “The stars are infinite and eternal” was nearly lost to his ears, the waves crashing more persistently against the cliff.

Finishing the initial invocation, Remiel turned to face the ocean, keeping his arms outstretched toward the night sky. “Infinite stars, we commit to you this night the entity of Emorat Kai, Lord of Dumortier, Commander of the Commonwealth’s Naval Forces, father to Remiel, Allsten, Tsumera, Raryn, and Flaira. Husband to Elia Kai who has already taken her place amongst the infinite and eternal stars. Grandfather to Harten and Karena. His rule over Dumortier was firm but fair, offering stability within the region and paving the way toward a renewed alliance between Carnelia and the Commonwealth. Those gathered here have been touched in some way by Lord Kai, as his children, his comrades, his retainers and townsfolk. Though we are saddened in the wake of his passing we are charged with honoring his memory, to preserve this estate and the surrounding towns with the firm and fair guidance he always maintained. In this his life has had purpose, and in honoring this purpose will we better ourselves.”

Remiel lowered his arms, turning back to face the crowd, his eyes seeking the warmth of Pallex’ amber gaze from across the courtyard. Voice low and gravelly from attempting to compete with the roar of the ocean Remiel made the closing supplication. “Infinite and eternal stars, we ask that you find a place in your noble heights for Emorat Kai, that his entity may know everlasting peace.”

“Be at peace” came the echo from those assembled, and after a brief moment they began making their way out of the courtyard, preceding the family and making their way to their horses and carriages. Hiraeth and the other servants made their way back inside, followed shortly by Lornton, Tsumera and their children, and the younger Kai siblings. Saoirse and Pallex moved to join their teammate, and they slowly made their way back to the estate, both wrapping an arm around Remiel in silent support.

The trio made their way into the family parlor, before Remiel spoke again. “I’ll be back down in a minute, I should help Tsumera get the others to bed.” The dark haired castor turned, the heels of his boots clicking on stone tiles as he made his way in the foyer and up the staircase to the family wing on the second floor.

Remiel poked his head into Raryn’s room, finding his teenage sister seated at her writing desk scribbling into her journal, one hand bunched in her cascade of midnight blue hair. He knocked softly on the doorframe, “I just wanted to check in. Is there anything I can get for you?”

“I’ll be alright. I brought what I needed from the guild’s library to continue my research for Master Ezran.” Raryn turn in her seat, facing her older brother more directly. “Can you check on Flaira? She seemed pretty upset, but she didn’t want to talk to me about it.”

Remiel nodded, unsurprised that his sister planned on throwing herself into her apprentice research. “I’ll see if Tsumera or I can get her to open up. If you need something, don’t be a stranger, alright?” he asked, serious in his offer. Raryn had a tendency to isolate that worried him at times.

Raryn huffed at her brother’s insinuation that she was detaching herself. “I’m fine, honest. Father’s passing was a long time coming. I’ve made my peace with it.” She offered a small smile of reassurance to her overprotective brother. “Goodnight, Rem.”

“Goodnight, Rare.” Remiel closed the door behind him, moving across the hall to his youngest sister’s room.

He paused at the door, hearing sniffling, before knocking and entering without waiting for Flaira to yell at him to go away. Without a word he moved to sit beside the young girl who reminded him so much of their mother. As he held his sister tightly she broke down completely, her chest heaving against his as sobs wracked her petite frame. “Shhh..” he murmured, gently stroking her chocolate and ebony hair, “shhh.”

Her sobs slowed after a few minutes, and Flaira lifted her head to meet her brother’s stormy blue-grey eyes with her own cobalt eyes sparkling from all her tears. “What do we do now?” she asked between hiccups, “We’re all alone.”

Remiel hugged her again and then drew back to wipe the worst of the tears from her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. “We are not alone. So long as we are family, we will never be alone. I won’t let anything happen to you while I’m lord of this estate, and Tsumera and I will always be here for you. Besides, your dorm is just down the hall from Raryn’s,” at the look his youngest sister gave him he continued “and she will always make time for you when you need her. She throws herself into her work as a means to cope. Don’t let that fool you into thinking she isn’t just as sad as you, or that she doesn’t care as much.”

“Are you sure?” she asked, unbelieving.

“I’m sure. I was the same way when mother died, except instead of research I threw myself into raising Allsten and making sure you and Raryn were alright. Taking care of others kept me from drowning in my sadness. She does care, Flaira. I promise you that.”

The young girl nodded, dabbing at her eyes with the edge of her sleeve.

“Would you like me to have Hiraeth bring up some tea?” Remiel ask, getting up from his seat and making his way back toward the door.

“The Ranun white tea?” Flaira asked, hope showing in her cobalt eyes.

Remiel nodded, and made his way back into the hallway, closing her door. Tsumera waited for him a few doors down, already changed into her flowing nightgown and dressing robe. “How is she?” Tsumera asked, jerking her chin in the direction of their youngest sister’s door.

Remiel kept his voice low as he made his way over to join his older sister. “She was afraid she’d be all alone. She just needed reassurance that we’ll continue to take care of her and that we and Raryn are available when she needs us.”

“Of course we are.” Tsumera asserted, her arms crossed in front of her chest. “Raryn I assume is working on research already?” At his quick nod, she shook her head softly. “She’s just like you in that. Both of you afraid if you grieve you’ll never surface from the depths again.”

Remiel chuckled quietly at that, knowing his older sister to be correct in her assessment. “How’s Allsten?”

“He’s bunking with Harten tonight, Lornton and I thought it might do them both some good to have each other close by. Allsten was waiting for you though. I think he’s just as afraid as Flaira that he’ll be alone, as if we’d somehow leave him to fend for himself.” She shook her head sadly, midnight and ebony hair falling across her eyes. “He’s in his room for now, but there’s a bed made up in Harten’s room when he’s ready to go to sleep.”

Remiel nodded. “Thank you.” He paused, raking a hand through his chocolate and midnight hair, unsure of how to broach the subject of his ascension with his youngest sibling. “Should I talk to him about naming him heir?”

Tsumera cocked her head to the side in thought for a moment, before responding. “Actually, I think now would be a good time. It would reassure him that he won’t be alone and that you’ll be there to care for him, just as you always have.”

Remiel nodded once, glad of his sister’s advice. “Thanks, Tsu. I’m having Hiraeth bring up tea for Flaira, is there anything you or the others might want?”

“The white tea that Flaira like so much is fine. If Hiraeth wouldn’t mind bringing up some for Lornton and me. The boys should be alright with the pitcher of water in Harten’s room.” She paused, then laughed adding “ask Hiraeth to bring up a pot of green tea for Raryn. She’s never much cared for white tea, but she’ll be up all night if we let her drink the black tea she favors.”

Remiel laughed as well before bidding his sister goodnight and making his way to Allsten’s door, knocking softly. “Allsten, it’s me, can I come in?”

The door opened and Allsten stepped back from the door, allowing Remiel to step a few paces into the room before clinging to him. Remiel hugged him tightly, somewhat relieved that he only needed to deal with one crying sibling tonight. “Allsten, can I talk to you about something important?” Remiel asked, looking down at his brother’s mop of ebony and midnight hair.

Allsten nodded, drawing back and looking up at his older brother with confusion in his cobalt eyes.

“Remember when I first came home, and you asked me what would happen when father died?” Remiel led the way over to the window seat, motioning for the younger boy to join him.

Allsten nodded as he made his way over to the window, sitting cross-legged on the garnet cushion. “You said I could stay with you, and that I could have my own room in your apartment in the city.”

Remiel smiled fondly at the boy. “That’s right, and that will always be open to you, but you do have a few choices to make.” He paused, waiting for any question his brother might have, but as Allsten continued to listen intently he continued. “With father’s passing, I will ascend as Lord of Dumortier, but I’ll need an heir.”

“Just like you were father’s heir?”

Remiel nodded. “Exactly. In most cases, the heir is married and has children of his own by the time he ascends.”

“Is that why father was always asking you about girls?” Allsten asked, his face twisting at the word.

“Father was hoping I would be married already, but I have no intentions marrying a woman, and so I will not have children of my own. In that case, I will need to name someone as my legal heir.”

“You don’t have a girl you want to marry?” Allsten asked, trying to understand what his brother was implying.

“No. I love someone very much, but he’s not a girl, and so we won’t be able to have children together, even if we did marry.” Remiel waiting, wondering how his youngest sibling would react.

“Oh.” Allsten seemed puzzled for a minute, teeth pressing into his lower lip. “Is it that boy that was standing with the blue haired girl?”

Remiel laughed, surprised at his youngest sibling’s observation. “Yes, his name is Pallex.”

“So you want to marry him?” Allsten’s young face serious.

“That’s if he also wants to marry me, but I don’t think he and I are ready for that just yet.” Remiel laughed at the earnestness in his brother’s question. “In the meantime, I will still need to name an heir when I ascend and am formally recognized as Lord of this estate. I was hoping you would want to be my heir.”

“Really?” Excitement coloring Allsten’s voice.

“Really.” Remiel assured him before continuing on, his voice turning more serious. “But I want you to think about this. Being an heir has additional responsibilities. You’d need to learn about how the estate functions, so you can take care of it and the people who depend on this estate properly.” Remiel’s gaze softened, unsure of how Allsten would respond to what else he needed to say. “There are two ways I can name you as my heir. The first is simple, you’d be my heir so long as I have no children to inherit Dumortier themselves. For us, this would be fine, as I have no intention of marrying a woman and having children.” He trailed off, nervous.

“Okay, what’s the other way?” Curiosity evident in Allsten’s voice as he leaned forward slightly.

“The other way would be more permanent. You would be my heir above any other children I have or claim. I would formally adopt you as my son and heir.” Remiel waited, his word seeming to hang between them.

“So I’d be your son for real?” Allsten asked, his eyes shining. “I think I’d like that. You’ve already been taking care of me since father was gone all the time. Could I still call you Rem?” he asked, concerned.

Remiel laughed, relieved that Allsten seemed so happy with the arrangement. “Of course you can. Would you really like to be my son? Even if I want to marry Pallex?”

“Mhmm” Allsten crossed the distance to hug his brother tightly. “I love you, Rem.”

“I love you too Allsten.” he replied, returning the fierce hug. “Shall we get you to bed? Tsu told me you were helping her out by sleeping in Harten’s room so he’s not alone.”

Allsten nodded with pride. “She said I would be a big help and it would make him feel better about being somewhere he’s not used to.” He scrambled down from the window seat and collected a pillow from his bed along with a small navy blue blanket.

Remiel walked Allsten down the hall to the room he was sharing with Harten, tucking him into bed before closing the door and making his way downstairs. He stopped in the kitchen to ask Hiraeth about tea before returning to his friends in the parlor.

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-nightspeaks

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