The procession left the Guardhouse and began to move north through the city. Errollan and Ludvic held the front poles of the palanquin that was bearing Azbaar's body, General de Lamina and Mandigal carried the back poles. The city's finest blacksmiths had worked tirelessly to repair the armour that Azbaar now wore. They carried him through the city streets, towards the Tomb of the Moon.
The entire city had turned up to pay their respects to the man who had protected their nation for over fifty years. Thibalt and Estallion marched behind the palanquin, next to the Guard Captains of the eastern cities. Amongst the crowd, not a smile was seen, not a laugh heard. Today Precedin and the East mourned the death of the oldest of the Maloreichar.
A cold wind swept through the city from the lake, a chilling reminder of Dargon's approach. The news of Azbaar's death had spread quickly throughout Precedin and then across Feldom, and on this day many cities held a ceremony to honour his life.
The Tomb of the Moon was as ancient as the Guardhouse of Oril and contained the bodies of many of the General's and Maloreichar of Feldom's past. The procession stopped at the front gate to the tomb where the guards waited. Four ceremonially dressed soldiers took the palanquin and moved it into the tomb where it would remain untouched until the end of time.
In one final act to pay their respect, the three remaining Honour Guard knelt down in front of the tomb and said a silent prayer to Skiye.
Errollan stood and called out, "In darkness we will all rest." He then turned away from the tomb, his head held low.
The crowd slowly began to leave, all saying their own silent prayers.
Errollan walked up to Thibalt and Estallion. "Thank you for your bravery. Without you we may have all perished. I thank you."
They both nodded and Errollan walked away with Ludvic and Mandigal. Estallion and Thibalt remained to watch the stone doors of the Tomb close. Estallion turned and said, "I have a horrible feeling that these doors will not remain sealed for long."
CHAPTER NINE
QUEEN TRIEL
Dawn of the Valiant (The Valerious Chronicles: Book One) Page 46
