Burying Droy.

“My Lord?” Zal shouts into the complete darkness of the enchantment quarter. A silhouette moves in front of one of the workbenches, “What is it?” Ulal asks. Zal could return a couple of questions to that. Why is there no light? Why didn’t you touch the food? What are you working on? However he isn’t one to doubt his lord so he will swallow these and do what he was sent to do. “We are ready for the funeral.”

A clacking noise, Ulal has put down some kind of tool. A second clack when picks something up. In his hand the multi-coloured jewel begins to glow as it absorbs magic power. “Has it been two days already?” he asks and stepts out of the thick darkness. He has bound his long grey hair into a ponytail to get it out of his face. Zal is somewhat taken aback by the new clothes, especially the metal arm, and their rather rough look. It doesn’t help that Ulal’s red eye seems to pierce right through him.

“How interesting I barely feel hungry or sleepy.” He says with a look at the untouched food. “I should test my new limits sometime. For now I have a funeral to attend.” Zal nods with a hint of sadness. “If you would come with me, Lord Ulal.”

The duo steps out of the base, Ulal still holds on to the jewel, and into the sunlight, there every important member of the crew has gathered. Alratha waves at Ulal with unfitting happiness on her face. Her smile looks wrong however, something is bothering her. Ulal can’t make out if it is Droy’s demise or another problem. “I heard you go by Lord now, Master?” She asks. “Yes, so drop the master you insensible garbage. Even I know to have some tact.” Ulal scolds her for her cheery attitude. Of course, it doesn’t change a thing and Alratha continues her maniacal smiling.

With just a few bruises on their faces Meltzer and Zal seem to have won the lotto. A second look at Alratha reveals that her crash must have had some rather nasty consequences as her usual fluid motions have become extremely clunky and forced. Catherine looks extremely tired still; the ritual has fatigued her thoroughly. An and Al are unharmed, then again they aren’t human and have to comfort the now widowed Celine. The blonde is taking the whole funeral thing a lot better than Ulal has expected, carrying herself with dignity and determination. Ulal steps next to her.

Droy’s body lies in front of them on a wooden platform. “He wanted to be burned.” Celine explains, “He told me the night before….we knew I could have been our last after-all, Lord Ulal.” Ulal simply nods and looks at his fallen servant. With his fixed uniform and his pale skin in the sunlight he looks peacefully asleep on a bed of wood. “I don’t particularly care about niceness. We are not people of character. We are traitors, demons, murderers, slaves and slavers. Now we are missing the smuggler.”

He waves with his gauntleted arm, the bed of wood ignites at the base. Soon the flames consume the wood and the stacks burns brightly. “I will honour those that have earned it. Droy has served me with determination, albeit his loyalty has been weak at times. In the end he gave the ultimate sacrifice. For that he shall remain in my memories for eternity.”

Ulal turns from the fire and to Celine. “What will you do now?” he asks her. “Whatever my mistresses want me to do.” She gives the correct, if not the human answer. “Very well then.” Ulal walks away. “Today we mourn the loss of a comrade. Tomorrow we will leave the base behind us.” Before he can leave Meltzer steps to him. Ulal only now sees the fire of revenge in his eyes, something has happened while was away. However that is not what his treasurer wants to talk to him about. “I was informed earlier today that the people of the Shelter have finally broke through the tunnels.” He whispers, “They said they found a laboratory of sorts and there is more of that creepy metal there. You might want to take a look at it.”

Ulal very much does want to do that. “Where?” he asks. Meltzer gives him a description and Ulal walks back into the base.