Today’s event has been strictly kept to the people of Bardot and the residents living here. The staircases leading up the Greenstone Mountain to the Palisades are still boarded off, but a select few people such Alanna, Barnes, Sutton and Tripler have been allowed back down. All of them were staying in the castle anyways, they just happened to be stuck on top of the mountain when the events of that night unfolded. Cal, Holis, Mana and Sera also chose to stay in the castle for the remainder of the lockdown, the four of them taking up guest rooms on the third floor even though they had residences in the Palisades to go home to.
The tradition of Death’s Bonfire takes place from the sun’s noon apex until the midnight moons’ apex, celebrating when all three celestialsare at their peak in the day and night. It’s a full day event filled with a ceremonial lighting of the bonfire that continues steadfast throughout the day, with the flames carrying into the entire night.
Undying fire is never used for the event. Instead, troves of wood are carted in throughout the day so that the bonfire can be maintained until midnight. People who attend share a late lunch and late dinner, while barrels upon barrels of ale and whiskey,or whatever drink of choice depending on the land you’re in,are stationed under large and sweeping deep grey tents and canopies. It’s an event of love and remembrance of the person passed, and can be as small or as large of an event as desired. Today’s Bonfire will be grand, with no expense saved for the former King of Disce.
Keane departed my room earlier to change, as the color black was forbidden at Death’s Bonfire. No reminder of sorrow was to take place at the event and all participants were expected to forgo the color and save it for the days of mourning that would follow. Deep shades of grey, the color representing the Ancient Hirovale, or any deep shades not on the verge of black, were expected.
Keane made me promise before he left that I wouldn’t go seeking out the Ancient. He was serious in his request and reminded me sternly that we both had an interest in dealing with Hirovale together. It took me a while to agree and I hated how he reiterated that no amount or use of my daggers would likely kill the Ancient. Internally, I still wanted to give it a try.
Cal, Alanna and I made our way to the Bonfire together. I promptly apologized to the two for my earlier outburst, not fully explaining myself and not knowing if I even could, but both had nodded their heads in acceptance anyways. Alanna told me that it was she who wrote to Desmond after my departure, prompting him to find me so quickly when I was yelling at the Discerni soldiers. I couldn’t tell if I was upset by her action or just didn’t care, but I did keep the knowledge in the back of my mind for future reference…. her and the Master Informer were close.
The three of us walk out of the massive entry doors of Castle Bardot and into the small welcoming village. All of Bardot’s patrons are closing up their shops and taverns for the event, the lot of their doors fashioned with a single white rose through their handles as a sign of respect. We continue down the Great Road and pass through the Queen’s rose gardens with hundreds of people by our sides. The Bonfire, it looks, will take place right off the side of the road in a field of grass that rests between the gardens and the Bell Grove.
The grey canopies and tents are already set up when we arrive, just as hundreds of long tables and benches are scattered around the massively built unlit fire. Thousands of white roses cover those tables in droves, and the intricately placed lanterns that sit in between wait patiently to bottle the moonslight once darkness hits. There’s hundreds of people already gathered around the bonfire and tables, some of them openly laughing and chatting while others keep quiet, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Large banners of the Court of Knowledge are hung from high posts in respect of the King’schosen Court, their green flags waving with the spring breeze that passes throughout the land.
Cal waves to Holis, Mana and Sera, spotting the three Discerni who are already seated at one of the tables. Sera is wearing a simple but nice grey satin dress, while Holis and Mana both sport a formal grey tunic.
“No Stormfall?” Holis greets me in question, looking at my empty shoulder and then up to the clear blue sky around us.
I shake my head as our group takes a seat around the long table. “He’s with the Prince.”
Holis nods with a frown, his eyes catching his twin’s from across the table as the two of them look at eachother in silent conversation. I sigh, knowing that I’ll have to give the Bird of Ash an apology as well, and realize again that I always seem to take my anger out on him when it should be directed at Hirovale.
Barnes arrives shortly after with Sutton, Tripler, Lord Daniel, and two of the three human Warrior soldiers. Everyone is simple in their attire and wearing different shades of grey, but when I look at Lord Daniel, I notice he’s in a deep shade of green.
I catch his glance and flick my gaze to his shirt with a grin. Lord Daniel’s eyes crinkle as he smiles in acknowledgement, giving me a small nod when he notices the same deep green that I’m wearing. While we love and respect our King on this day, our reservations towards the Ancient are still prominent. Grey will not be our color.
“Everyone’s alright then?” Sutton asks, her sharp brown eyes looking at me in assessment as her long brown hair flows with the wind, “we were all worried when you didn’t show up in the Palisades.”
“I was on the way,” I nod solemnly, “made it to the border of the Western Palisades before hearing the news and rushing back down the staircase.”
Sutton nods, her gaze darting over my face but not prompting further.
“You two are all right? They let you down okay?”
“Yes,” Tripler gives me a small nod, then grins, “the four of us had to stay in Cal’s residence that night, though. We all got piss poor drunk, as did the rest of the Palisades once the news made its way up the mountain.”
I smile at the thought of Alanna, Barnes, Tripler and his sister all drinking their night away with Cal.
“But I was still a good host,” Cal chuckles.
“The best,” Tripler grins to the big man, “we won a lot of money on you that night.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Cal beams as Lord Daniel approaches me. He extends his hand out just as I lift my own, already ready for his greeting.
“Alexis,” he says softly, brushing his lips against the top of my hand.
“It’s good to see you, Lord Daniel.”
“You as well,” he smiles.
“No Storm?” he asks, dropping my hand and also looking around for the Bird of Ash.
I stiffen and shake my head, “he’s chosen to present himself with the Prince today.”
Lord Daniel’s hand falls to his beard in thought, his gaze holding mine for a few moments before he gives a small nod. He silently walks past me to greet the rest of the table as I let out a breath, moving to greet Barnes and the two soldiers.
“Where’s Bryson?”
