The memorial service is held at sunset, two days after Adonis' death.  The location is an easy walk from the Castle, in an area not far from Corwin's cenotaph and the proposed tombs for Eric and Deirdre. It's overgrown and rocky, but there is a freshly-cleared area in the center.  Someone has smoothed the ground there, and the rocks from it have been set outside it.
            Julian waits in the cleared area, dressed in his white armor and a black armband signifying his mourning state. Jovian is with him, in his Calusan flying leathers, wearing a similar armband.

Robin's Ranger gear is clean, pressed and in order, as is black armband that adorns her sleeve.  Her blonde hair is actually combed and glistening as it ruffles in the faint mountain breeze.  Her tanned face is smudge free and not a loose thread, snag or stain can be seen on the girl.  An entirely unnatural appearance to those who know her.  While Robin's mien is not the forbidding frost of the earlier war memorial service, there is something in her green eyes that is... far, far away.  Despite being out of doors, Robin is as shut down as she has ever been.

Canareth is visible in the distance up the mountains, ready to spring to the defense of the mourners if need be.

A pair of rangers stand some way down the mountain, spears crossed as if to bar entry. They ensure that only family members and those with them join the memorial; no passers-by are welcome.

A few minutes after Julian, Jovian, and Robin arrive with the rangers, Benedict comes up the hill to join them. He is dressed in brown, with a black mourning armband, and carrying his scythe-like blade. Lilly is with him.

If not for the sword at her hip, and the bright ruby ring on her hand, Lilly might be mistaken for someone else. At that moment, she seems more of a girl, unsure and emotional, then the woman most know her to be. Her gaze meets only the ground and she speaks with no one. Occasionally a hand wipes at a piece of unseen dust that has apparently settled one her simple black dress, piped with red and adorned with golden buttons. Long dark locks of hair spread down her back and across her shoulders framing her face and perhaps hampering her vision. She does not brush them aside however. For now she simply goes on trying to hide within her own skin.

The Rangers let them pass and they come up to greet the Juliani and offer brief condolences.

Lilly and Benedict.  Good.  Robin nods her thanks to them politely, her eyes focusing a little on the two strangers.  Strangers she can deal with.

Not long after that, Cambina arrives. She is already wearing black, but she seems particularly sober today and has a black armband on atop her long-sleeved blouse.

Robin respects Cambina's sobriety.  She doesn't feel that skippy herself  today.

And following that, Brennan and Ambrose arrive.  Brennan is dressed in his typical reds and blacks, modulated by mourning-- the reds are dark and very flat.  He also wears the black armband of mourning, and the only other adornment he has is the blood red ring of the Order on the appropriate finger.  It must be a trick of the light that puts the look of silver at his temples as they arrive.
            Brennan stops with Ambrose after they're admitted for long enough for
people to notice who he's brought with him, long enough to meet the gaze of anyone who might stare.  And, much as he might like to greet Cambina first, he puts a light hand on Ambrose's shoulder and indicates that they should go pay their respects to Julian and his surviving children.  Protocol and common decency demand it.
            When Brennan arrives, he pays his respects to Julian, Robin, and Jovian, in turn, and then introduces his brother.
        "Prince Julian, please accept my sorrow for your loss.  Robin.  Jovian."  For Julian and Robin, Brennan depends on their body language to determine if he offers a handclasp, an embrace, or nothing at all. 

Julian arches his eyebrows but accepts the introduction and Ambrose's quiet condolences, offered to both Julian and his children. Jovian starts to say something, but Julian lays a quiet hand on his son's arm and Jovian lets it go.

Robin's eyes focus from wherever on Brennan when he moves into her field of vision.  The corner of her mouth ticks gently, something like a smile, but it's obvious that the Ranger is not up for hand-games today.
        "Brennan.  Thank you for coming."  Even her voice is subdued, though nonetheless sincere.

But he knows Jovian well enough that a handclasp, and another hand on his elbow is the minimum.  Depending on his demeanor, it might turn into an embrace.  "We will remember him with honor."
        "Please let me present my brother, Ambrose, here at King Random's request."

"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Ambrose."  Robin's eyes do not flicker in any way.  It's entirely possible that the Ranger doesn't recognize Ambrose.  Nor does she react to his name.
            The only thing to be noted is how different her greeting is from the 'Well met' with which she first greeted both Brennan and Aisling.  Of course, the mood is slightly different this day.

A few minutes after Brennan and Ambrose join the group, Merlin arrives and makes his way to Julian and his children to offer condolences. He is dressed in black and wears the black armband.

Brita arrives in full Ranger Brita regalia - the brass metal buttons on her formal red jacket gleaming.  The black armband rides on her right arm but is woven with green ivy.  She approaches the Juliani and bows formally to her Uncle and Cousins.

Robin nibbles one side of her lip unconsciously as Brita approaches.  Most definitely not a stranger.
            Robin returns Brita's bow with a nod.  "I'm glad you are well, Cousin," she murmurs as she fights to maintain her distance and her demeanor.

Brita nods back and says simply "Thank you," allowing Robin to maintain her distance.
            She then moves towards the upward slope of the clearing and stands at military ease awaiting the ceremony.
            Brita stands there and seems somewhat distracted initially - glancing around the clearing but looking at the ground more than the people.  Eventually, her attention drifts to the mourners. She seems somewhat curious, her head cocked to one side as she waits and watches.
            She sees Brennan and Ambrose arrive and a smile of greeting crosses her features before she can control it.  She gives a little wave.

Ambrose catches her eye and nods as Brennan takes him over to meet Julian. A brief smile crosses his face for a moment, erasing the worried expression that he was wearing.
            When the brothers have finished their introductions, Ambrose takes his leave of Brennan and walks over to join Brita at the edge of the clearing.

Solange and Vere arrive shortly after Brita, walking arm in arm.  Vere is wearing an unadorned white robe with a black leather belt inlayed with stylized running stags.  On his head he wears a brown leather band with elaborate knotwork and stylized ravens.

Solange is wearing a long black skirt with boots and a black velvet jacket buttoned up to her throat. She wears no jewelry.

Vere's eyes sweep the clearing as they approach, seeking out Robin first of all, then taking in everyone else who is there, and finally returning to Robin once more.

Somewhere in the remote circling of Robin's mind, a wind whispers.  She cocks her head momentarily and blinks - almost in confusion.  But as there is no one currently in front of her, the girl remains where she is.  In the distance, on the heights, far away.

He leans towards his sister and asks quietly, "Shall we summon Father and Hannah now?"

She nods. "Would you, please?" she asks as she looks around the clearing. Although her outward demeanor is calm, there is a brooding tension at the corners of her mouth that Vere knows is due to their recent conversation concerning Gerard.

"Mother has my trump of Father," Vere replies.  "Give me yours, and I will bring him through."

Once she hands him the trump he holds it up and stares deeply into it, summoning the essence of Gerard.  "We have arrived, Father," he says.  "Come through."  He holds out a hand.

Gerard passes Hannah through and then rolls onto the flat ground that was evidently cleared for his wheelchair himself.

Solange smiles at Hannah and takes her hands in her own. "Hannah, would you join us as we give our condolences to Uncle Julian and his family?"

Vere nods a greeting to Hannah, and quietly falls in behind his father's chair.  He glances over at Robin once more, a slight frown on his face, then he slowly looks around the clearing, not at any of the family members who are gathered, but as though he were seeking signs of someone or something else.

"I'd like that, thank you," Hannah says with a very subdued smile and a small sense of relief.  Hannah is dressed all in black, buttoned up all the way.  Her black hair is tight on her head in a bun.  Obviously where she comes from this is something someone might wear to a funeral, but she's a little unsure here.

Arriving at the site, Celina recognizes Uncle Julian with a slow nod.  Celina nods more briefly to Jovian and the girl at his side, a wife, a sister?

For a moment, Robin's brow furrows slightly.  Then she decides that she *is* seeing what is in front of her eyes.  Another stranger.  Good. 
            Robin returns Celina's nod with one of her own, before circling back once more for the high reaches.

The Seaward cousin stands solemn and still and a bit apart: a black reflection of Rebma's heritage come to honor Adonis.  Celina is wearing light black gown with no jewelry or accessories and no shoes. Her hair is woven and braided to keep it neat. A black veil drapes over her head, shoulders, and falls past her hips to her knees. Her face under the veil is without makeup. In Seaward, honor to the dead is given by emulating part of their departure, which is assumed to be spartan and clean of mortal trappings.
            Celina does not ignore Merlin, but she is pleased to see him and doesn't want that emotion to cloud the ritual. She nods to Merlin when their eyes meet.

When they are done, Ambrose breaks away from his brother and comes to speak with her. "Brita," he says. "How are you? Brennan said that you were injured in the attack on Amber."

"Cousin Ambrose," Brita's smile of welcome is wide, "I am Fine, although...," she brings her hands forward from behind her back and flexes the bare, reddened fingers a little, "it will take Time to Heal completely." She quickly puts her hands behind her back again as she glances briefly Brennan's way. "Of course, I should still have the bandages on, but I have Something to do later that requires my Direct Touch."

"The most important work always does," Ambrose agrees. He glances at his brother, then back at Brita. "I hope I'll be here to see it.  Brennan arranged my safe passage so that I could speak to King Random. I'm hoping that I'll have a chance to stay and meet some of my other relations afterwards."

Brita smiles again. "I hope my Task will not take too Long and that you do not Disappear back to Shadow Uxmali before we can Speak again."

From beyond Ambrose, Brita can see her mother watching her.

"Cousin Ambrose, you remember my Mother, don't you?" and Brita smiles a greeting at her mother as she waves her over. 

"Of course. She's unforgettable, not unlike her daughter," Ambrose replies with another smile at Brita.

Merlin comes to join his sister after she has made her greeting to Robin and Julian.
            "Celina," he says, "I have spoken with our father. He says he will be attending the funeral, so we will see him soon. How are you, and how are things in Xanadu?"

Vibrations seem to fill the space between her brother and she. Almost she hears them and she certainly feels them against her skin even under her clothes. Celina wants to gather him up, some physical surety that might comfort her and yet she certainly feels would perplex him.  She swallows hard and blinks back the yearning.
            Somehow she can so easily imagine this as a funeral for Merlin if the contest had a slightly different source.
            If Dara succeeds there will probably not even be a body.
            Celina shivers.
            She smiles. "Xanadu is bright and clean. It has a fast, fresh current." Her fingers yet want to touch him, so she makes fists to imprison the need. "I am so well, knowing that you are here and hale."
            Then she realizes that she hasn't done the polite thing. "And I certainly will look for our father to honor the ritual with us."
            "How are you, Merlin?"

"I am well," he says, glancing at her clenched hands, then looking back up at her face. "Less productive than I would have hoped, for it seems that Folly is missing, and I have spent some time distracting Martin from his worry about her. I believe he is making one last attempt to contact her before he joins us."

In the moments of their small exchange, Celina is distracted from seeing Paige arrive. Once Celina realizes the widow is here, she doesn't miss the smudges under Paige's eyes. Then Paige introduces the twins. And-- the identify of the woman --Robin!
            Celina studies Robin anew.

As she watches, Gerard's party comes through the line and Vere moves to join Robin among the receivers. Merlin makes a hm noise as he does so, clearly filing the interaction for later thought.

Looking past Merlin, Celina can see Corwin and two companions coming up the hill.

"And father brings company." Celina squints. "Not Bill or Alice." Her voice is steady, but her thoughts are a turbulent kind. War really threatens friendships most through lack of information, Celina realizes. She motions with a hand to Corwin as he nears as invitation even though he will move to Julian first.

Corwin nods briefly to Celina and Merlin as he joins the short line to speak with Julian.

Celina notes Robin's tears and becomes another kind of mirror, weeping herself unnoticed. It isn't relief or tension but rather some sort of balance.

"The gentleman with our father is our cousin Reid. I do not know the woman." Merlin observes the interactions among the group as they move up to speak with Julian.  "The woman appears to be Reid's companion, not our father's."

"Ah," Celina studies Reid. She smiles a bit. --From orphan to overflowing with cousins. -- She sneaks a glance at Merlin and sighs.

Conner arrives with Fiona on his arm. She is dressed in green, with a black armband on her modestly-cut gown. She lets Conner escort her to Julian to offer their condolences.

Conner is dressed in black with accents of his usual greens though a flat shade without shine.  There is a bundle of cloth held close to his body with his right arm and he escorts his mother on the left.  Instead of a grin, he wears a look of somber reflection.  He couldn't help but paraphrase a quote in his mind, 'To lose Adonis once could be considered unfortunate; to lose him twice smacks of carelessness,' Conner sighs.  Robin forgave him once was he was powerless to save her brother.  Perhaps she will do so again.
        "Uncle.  Cousin."  Conner nods to each.  "I am so sorry."  Conner says no more.  There is nothing else really to say.  Then he takes the cloth out from under his arm and presents it to them.
        It was a tradition from the Navy.  A burial at sea left no memorial, no gravestone to visit and weep over.  Whenever possible the flag from that day was taken down from the mast and presented to the widow.  The flag Conner now offers had hung from the castle that day.  It is folded with care and precision into a tight triangle on which could be seen the Unicorn's head on a field of green.

"Conner..." Robin blinks a little, "Thank you."
            There should be more, but from the heights, it's hard to remember.  So Robin settles for a grateful glance and a nod.

Julian accepts the flag. "Thank you, Captain." He tucks it under his own arm, where it remains while he and his children receive all the remaining condolences. He also accepts a brief whispered word from his favorite sister before she leads her son away toward Brita and Ambrose.

Fiona murmurs something to Conner, who is escorting her away from Julian and turns to move toward Brita and Ambrose.

When she is close enough, Brita gives her a big hug, although not using her hands prevents her from lifting the short sorceress off the ground.

Fiona returns the hug with enthusiasm. "Brita. How are your hands?" She holds out her own, expecting her daughter to do the same so she can inspect the burned appendages. As she does so, she adds, "And Ambrose. How pleasant to see you--even if it is on such a sad occasion."

Ambrose smiles at Fiona. "Always a pleasure to see you, aunt. Even, as you say, on such a sad occasion."

Brita does indeed hold out her hands, "I've been using some Aloe on them, Mother.  And Cousin Brennan did a good job of seeing to them initially.  They will be fine."

"Of course they will," Fiona says, examining the damage. "Just be careful with them until they are."

Conner cannot suppress the doctor in him from taking a quick look at Brita's hands.  Conner is satisfied with what he sees and turns to Ambrose in greeting.

"Yours is an unexpected face this day, Cousin."  Conner greets him.  "It is good of you to pay your respects."

"King Random permitted me to attend. I'm to speak with him afterwards," Ambrose explains. "Brennan told me about the death, but I didn't know our cousin, or hear the details of his passing. I'm not familiar with the Amber rituals to mark a passing, either. Do you know what's going to happen?"

Brita also listens with half an ear although her attention has been drawn to the King and Queen approaching the Juliani.

"There are so few passings among our Family that there is no one ritual applied."  Conner replies.  "In this case, we follow the ritual that Julian's rangers observe.  Stories and memories are shared of the deceased and the story ends with the placing of a stone upon the growing cairn.  Those with no story simply place a stone in silence."

"That would be me, then," Ambrose says.
 
Fiona smiles agreeably and says, "You will not be alone. Many of Adonis' cousins never met him."

Paige walks sedately toward the gathering relatives, fussing quietly over the twins that accompany her and Bleys up the hill. She's dressed in green so dark that it might be black, a simple dress girdled with a black leather sword belt. Her hair has been cut to shoulder length, well over half of the red locks gone. On her pale arm is a black armband, at her waist hangs a short blade. She wears a veil that along with makeup almost hides the dark circles under her eyes.

Bleys is in subdued dark reds and oranges with the black armband of mourning. The twins have donned white tunics that come to mid-calf.  Bleys probably had something to do with that, from the slightly displeased look he has on his face.

She steers the children toward their other grandfather but seems at a  loss for words other than to introduce them. "Leif, Brooke, this is your Grandfather Julian, your Aunt Robin and Uncle Jovian."

Julian takes a moment to examine the children as he greets them by name and expresses the wish that he will come to know them better soon.  Jovian also takes a keen interest in the twins; he seems to have a better idea of how to address them than his father.

Bleys also offers his condolences to the group, offering Julian and Jovian a clasp but choosing not to intrude on Robin's grief.

Distance eyes discover Paige in front of them and Robin's hand lifts slightly before dropping back to her side.
            Then the Ranger's gaze drifts to her niece and nephew.  A far away green glimmers there briefly and she cocks her head a little.  "Hello.  Brooke.  Leif."
            Bleys does not exist.

The children are fascinated by their paternal relatives, and would linger, but there is obviously a line forming behind them, so Julian reluctantly lets them go on. As Bleys and Paige shepherd the children away, Gerard rolls over with his children and Hannah in tow and offers his condolences to the group.

Hannah offers Julian a supportive smile and lets Gerard introduce her.  She offers her sympathies to Julian, Jovian and Robin, before moving off to the side to stand alone.

A nod is given to the stranger that accompanies Robin's other family, but she can't muster more than that.

Solange has already offered her condolences. She nods somberly at Julian and his family and moves on.

Robin's mind sweeps in for a closer pass as her uncle speaks and her sister nods.  "Thank you... both.  For everything." she murmurs quietly.

Vere has fallen back as they approached Julian and his children, and he waits until after Gerard and Solange have passed before moving forward.  He nods silently to Jovian and Julian, responding briefly if they speak but otherwise remaining silent.
            Then he pauses to gaze into Robin's eyes.  "No words," he whispers.  "We do not need words."
            And he lets his father and sister continue without him, stepping forward and turning, standing beside and just slightly behind Robin.  This is his place, and this is where he will stay for the memorial.

As Robin lifts from Gerard and Solange, her hovering gaze is drawn to Vere's like the waterfall to the sea.  The girl's breath leaves her entirely and her throat is choked with all the things that she is incapable of saying.
            As He speaks, Robin's eyes squeeze shut and tears begin to leak silently from the corner of her eyes.  The sound of His movements, the feel of His warmth behind her!  As she leans back against Vere, Robin is finally and fully there.  Tears of grief and exultation mix on her cheeks as sorrow and joy mix in her expression.
            When Robin's eyes open once again, she can see all of the clearing, all of her family, all of the world, with calm acceptance in the place of austere withdrawal.

As Gerard wheels himself away, the funeral party can see Corwin coming up the hill with Reid, who has an unfamiliar woman in mourning garb on his arm.

As they approach Reid pulls Papillon a bit closer to his side, both reassuring her that she isn't expected to interact much and at the same time letting the others know that she's under his protection from social attack.
        At the head of the receiving queue, he makes the appropriate consoling words and gestures to the grieving parties. Meanwhile, in the back of his mind, he can't help but thinking about one of his favorite paintings by a fellow art student in Clervaux...    "Immolation Emulation", in which a subject is being licked with flames while standing before a similarly burning building... an image that may have been inspired by the great fire of Clervaux. So Reid is outwardly sympathetic, but inwardly disappointed that he missed such an artistic inspiration as the burning of family might have provided. He'll want to get description from Brita later...
            After their obligatory condolences, he moves them to the side, not necessarily seeking anyone out, but making eye contact and nodding at those who acknowledge his presence.

Corwin lets Reid and Papillon precede him in the line. He offers brief but clearly sincere condolences to his brother and their family.

With Vere at her back, the urge to bristle and hiss is *far* far less and manageable in this oh-so-public forum. Robin finds that she can accept Corwin's condolences even if she may never be able to accept his self.

When Julian and his children turn their attention to Lucas, Corwin makes his way over to Merlin and Celina.

Celina studies her father and all things of his actions here. It is past time she understand more about the elements that really make up her origins. There is so little time remaining.

Corwin comes over and greets his son with a warm clasp. His turn toward Celina is slightly--not hesitant, but it's clear he's waiting for her to initiate whatever physical contact there will be between them.

Celina's first reaction is a nod. She greatly approves of Corwin's restraint.

"Celina," he says, sounding slightly relieved. "Merlin told me you were out of Amber when the attack happened,  but I'm pleased to see you that you're well for myself."

Celina blinks at the undertones in Corwin's voice and stifles her prepared greeting. Surprised at the sudden feeling in her blood for his, she reaches and raises his hand and bends enough to kiss it. She says nothing else.

Corwin's hand is comfortable in hers, and he does not easily relinquish Celina once she has him.

Studying the funeral place and purpose, well aware of Corwin's mood, she stands silent and attentive to the ritual, but the deeper currents roll dark and icy.
            --as I cannot keep her safe--
            --see that you are well--
            --a danger to both herself and Rebma--
            --go and return--
            Celina pays close attention to the ritual. It is for a man she never met, but it is also for all of them. She feels a comfort in this moment that has not been present before. There is a strong idea in her that Adonis' legend has not ended if it inspires the blooming of her own destiny. If she takes up the lesson in memory of him--Adonis will be a fertile genesis.
            He is dead, but she is listening very hard. She believes that the words spoken here are going to point the way to tomorrow.

Lucas arrives, moving with an almost stately slowness, perhaps because Solace is on his arm and cannot hurry.  Lucas is dressed in black, the formal court mourning one might wear at the Court of Louis XVI (although it is to be hoped that Solace's hair follows the later, simpler fashions of that time - she would probably find black ostrich feathers or a forest in mourning arranged in her hair rather a trial).  He departs from convention in the brooch that fastens his cloak - it is a rich green.
            He waits quietly in line with his relatives to offer his condolences (and
those of his mother) to Julian and his family, offers them with all due sincerity and moves on, moving to Paige and her children, to whom he also offers condolences, to the twins on their loss of a father and to Paige... the condolences carry the undertone that he condoles with her on the task she is faced with as much as the loss of her children's father.  The conventional offer of assistance seems sincerely made ("if there is anything I can do to help ... " expressed with infinite delicacy).
            Then he sees Ambrose, standing with Brennan.  Involuntarily his hand lifts
slightly and is then forced down to his side.  He is wearing black gloves, but it is not difficult to imagine his knuckles are white beneath the leather.  He does not look at the group again, but his eyes are flinty hard as he moves back to take his place with Solace.

Paige kisses Solace on both cheeks. "You're looking better," she says, seemingly pleased by that.

Lucas glances at his wife, and then at Paige.  He seems a little less than convinced.

Looking to Lucas she asks, "Are the children in Xanadu yet?" Her left hand has settled comfortably on the jade hilt at her waist. "I hope to make plans to move most of the household, soon."

"No," says Lucas, who has given the faintest of nods at the sight of the blade Paige bears.  "The children are still in Amber.  They won't be going to Xanadu yet - at least, not until things there are more settled.  They'll be joining my Mother.  As for your own removal, the ship is still at your disposal, cos, if you prefer the sea voyage."  His eyebrows lift slightly.
            "Long days out of sight of land.  You might find it ... relaxing."
            He nods to Brooke and Leif.  "I grieve for your loss.  My own father died when I was much your ... age.  I was fortunate in having had the chance to know him for longer.  But his loss was a heavy one."

The two children look at him gravely.  Leif looks him in the eyes, briefly.  "We did not know him.  And grandmother told us he was to die soon, anyway. His sister was dead already."
            "He died and was reborn every season, and the person he was was only a part of the Godhood that is," Brooke adds.  "But thank you for your concerns."

Bleys has gone off to talk to Benedict.

"Your stoicism does you credit," says Lucas.  "And I am glad your Grandmother has proved such a fount of excellent instruction.  It is to be hoped that my own children will benefit from the wisdom of their own grandmothers similarly."
            He moves slightly to one side so Solace might speak to the children, while he raises a slightly quizzical eyebrow towards Paige.
            "On terms of great intimacy, are they?  But how delightful for you."

Paige's gaze is always on the children and on the skies.  "Unfortunately I have no idea how intimate. They recite Arcadia's history and their place in it by rote since the possession," she explains. Her left hand is idly tracing the knotwork on the dao's guard. "I can't protect them and I fear I can't keep them from their father's legacy, not even long enough to know that they'll avoid his fate."

"At this rate of aging, I'd be more worried about progeria than any paternal legacy," says Lucas drily.  "As for protecting them ... do you think they might be growing in order to protect you?  At all events - I realize this has been a busy two days - but have you or your father given them much in the way of training yet?  Or started to prepare them for the Pattern?  One hesitates, of course ... I'm not sure I'll ever be entirely comfortable with the thought of Hope or Phillippe walking it.  But then I profoundly hope never to attract enemies against my blood of the magnitude of the twins' grandmother.
            "Although, it must be said, Lady Vesper smarting under some supposed social slight is formidable in her own right ... "
            He speaks lightly, but Paige might understand the gravity of the mood that
lies behind what he says.

Lucas knew how she hated funerals, even memorials such as these. They had spoken of it during the Sundering and even before then. The empathic parts of her were hurting and she couldn't mask it from the children, let alone family that knew her. "It's not their grandmother I fear at the moment, it's their great-grandmother," Paige admits. "Hopefully they'll be more receptive to understanding their relations after today." The tone is hopeful and despairing.

Lucas looks around the somber crowd gathered on the hillside.
            "Well," he says thoughtfully, "they'll certainly know a dam' sight more of
them.
            "Have any of our stronger-armed cousinage pledged themselves to the twins' protection yet?  I mean, I'll do what I can, but I fear that their design style and mine will probably clash.  There's clearly going to go overboard for green and though I won't deny it has its place, sometimes it can be terribly last year."

The closest thing Lucas has seen to a smile on Paige today curls the corners of her lips, but it's gone as quickly as it appeared. "No, no particular vows to serve," she answers.

"I suspect that their paternal grandfather is going to have his hands full.  Their aunt and uncle, perhaps?  And I would imagine, given their father's ... ah ... devotions, there are a good few babes in the woodwork still to emerge."

Paige nods toward the three youngsters with Couth. "You need not imagine," she answers. "Robin and Jovian? I think her dislike for me and my father tempers her passion for protecting her nephew and niece.  =He= will probably decide to take it upon himself, my feelings on the matter being nothing more than an adle-brained mother's fancy." The sarcasm in her tone is evident. "To be honest, I don't trust him, not when he's already a dragon in his head. How much easier will it be for another to find purchase there?"
            Paige takes note of the King's approach, and looks back to her children.

And Lucas looked to Solace to make sure she was not over-taxed.

While Lucas is offering condolences to Paige, Martin arrives with Llewella on his arm. He scans the group briefly and scowls at something he sees, or more likely, doesn't see, as he escorts his aunt up to Julian and his family.
            Llewella is dressed in Amberish garb; like her nephew, she wears the dark armband of mourning, black against the green of her long gown. She offers her condolences to Julian and the family, seeming slightly surprised to see Vere among them. Martin, by contrast, seems mildly less unhappy with Vere's presence there than he is with the general tenor of the universe, and the clasp he offers Vere and Robin along with his condolences is particularly warm.

A glimmer of surprise runs through Robin's eyes but, perhaps that's not such a bad thing.  She returns Martin's hand clasp firmly. 

Behind them, Couth comes up the hill with three youngsters in tow:  Sage, Tatter, and Breeze. Breeze is moving slowly, with Tatter and Sage supporting him. They all have the black armband on. Each of them tells the group how terribly sorry they are for their loss. Julian takes a long time examining the three of them, and Robin can sense a flicker of power as he does so.
            The youths are all in awe of the Warden and Robin, and confused by Vere's presence.  Couth, who seems to have a better idea of which way the wind is blowing, just expresses his condolence to the newcomer as if he were another Ranger before shepherding the youths away.

Vere nods to them gravely, without speaking.

There's no mistaking the warmth, relief and worry in Robin's eyes as she greets the Rangers.  An actual smile leaks to her lips and almost a twinkle within the tears for Couth's understanding.
            Robin pays particular attention to her father's talent.  Time to start learning just what it is that he does to protect them all.

Robin believes that Julian is simply sensing any power in them; he doesn't have time for more, even with the comparatively long time he takes to reply to them.

Caine hurries up the hill, ahead of what looks like the last party: Random, Vialle, and Garrett. He is dressed in a naval officer's uniform, with accents in green and a black armband.  After offering his condolences to the family, including a particularly warm clasp for Julian and an approving glance at the flag under his brother's arm, he moves on to allow the King and Queen their turn.

Robin is polite with Caine but those near her can sense her recoiling slightly from the Prince.

Random has taken longer than Caine to arrive because of the difficulty of escorting a blind woman up the hill. For all that she's obviously worried about stumbling, Vialle seems pleased to be out of doors, enjoying the wind and the sun and the sounds of nature. Random leads her over to Julian and his family and leads her through the little line, cueing her by using names and guiding her gently with one hand. Julian is particularly gentle with her as well.
            The King is dressed simply, in dark orange and muted colors. His only adornment is the Jewel of Judgement. Vialle wears a dark red gown which complements her husband's colors. Both of them have the dark armband of mourning.

"Majesty," Vere replies softly in reply to Vialle's expression of sympathy.

The sight of Vialle enjoying the open air brings a certain lightening to Robin and she is able to respond to the King and Queen with gentle murmurs.

Garrett looks around at all the relatives as he arrives in the clearing, but he reacts to no one but Julian and his family.  After offering them brief words of condolence, he strides wordlessly over to take what he assumes to be his proper place next to Martin and waits silently for the service to start.

Uncharacteristically, Brennan is standing alone and out of the way with his arms folded across his chest when Random climbs up on the rock.  Too much to do and not enough time to do any of it in the midst of or during the rituals, he'd contented himself with locating people that he wanted to talk to.  Lilly, as soon as possible; Jovian, soon after; he scowled, evidently looking for one or more other cousins, and failing to see them in attendance; Corwin; Benedict.

As Vialle and Random pay their respects to Julian, the murmur of chatter dies away in preparation for Random's speech.

Random nods to Julian and climbs up on a rock.  "We are all assembled.  I met Adonis Adonai on the day of Dad's funeral.  It was the day I became King and the day I knighted Adonis on the battlefield.  I never saw him alive again.
            "He did not acknowledge me at the edge of the abyss, he did not attend the coronation, and he did not attend the memorial for Dad and Eric and Deirdre.  But he did something that none of us here can say we've done, even if we would.  The consequences are as yet still unfolding, but now is the time to honor Adonis for who he was and what he did.  I have only one thing to add to his story, an accolade.  No higher accolade exists.
            "He died for the good of Amber."
            Random pauses to see how people react.

Brita straightened as Random began to speak.  She has taken on the stance of a Ranger at attention.  The only thing detracting from the straight line of her back is a slight tilt of her head as she listens to the story and the ones to follow.

Garrett listens in solemn silence.  At Random's last line, his chin rises slightly and he stands even more at attention.  His pride in his homeland is evident.

Lucas stands quietly, his arm around Solace - perhaps for comfort, perhaps to offer her physical support - and listens attentively, his expression one of grave interest.

Reid thinks to himself, "Then he died in vain, for Amber is surely as doomed now as it was when I last left."

Vere has an arm around Robin, offering her both comfort and support.  He listens to Random's speech solemnly, with no change of expression.

This is her King.  And this is the way it's going to be.  And because she understands why he says what he says, Robin keeps her face solemn and nods.
            But through Vere's arm, he can feel the faint shiver that goes through the girl.  Her eyes close briefly as Robin leans into Vere a little more, drawing the strength to stave off another of her black turmoils.

Already facing in that general direction when Random began to speak, Brennan did not shift his posture in any quantifiable way, except for a small swivel of his head and eyes.  Still, the change in focus and attention is unmistakable.  His nod was just as small.

Like Brennan, Celina stands a still sentinel.

Paige's eyes are as dead as they've been all morning, not focusing on the King, nor anything on here in this Shadow. Not even a shadow of Amber, but one that had been Amber. Heavy lids close and her head shakes gently. No matter how noble Random's spartan words were, no matter what anyone decided that he died for, it was Paige's stupidity, her lack of focus, her fault that he had to make such a sacrifice. She had stolen him from these people, from his children, as if she had lit his pyre herself.

The Seaward cousin drinks of this surrounding ocean of family. She marvels at the things alike and tries to learn from the things different. She notes how much she wants to believe in Uncle Random's attitude. --Will he support her if she takes a similar path? By such tiny signs does the great ocean speak of change. The worst of the storm is still to come.--
            Celina looks back at where she has been and realizes she is standing where she needs to be.

Hannah looks over with some concern toward Paige and the twins, just briefly, before turning her full attention back to Random.

Conner is watching more for other peoples reactions than showing one of his own.  He is unmoved and uninspired by Random's words.  Some part of him is satisfied to hear Random speak the words a king should say.  The rest of him is disappointed that it was the King who spoke and not Random.