Pharaoh's First Love

82

She hoped she would just wake up and find Helm home. Like he promised. Because he never missed this one day...

Helping her into her dress and placing the golden necklace around her he was tempted to place his hands upon her, but her aura suggested she was hurt and in mourning. As beautiful as he thought she was there was more to his attraction to her than purely bodily desire and so after her hair was fixed he simply wrapped his arms and hugged her from behind, pressing his lips softly to her neck.

"It's okay to cry. No one will think you are weak. Come dear, you don't need to speak if you don't want to and if it becomes too much I will take you to a quiet area away from others." He said, knowing it would be typical many would come up and offer their condolences. Unwrapping from her he took her hand, entwining his fingers with her and leading her on out from his bedroom and living area as they would make their way towards the funeral pyre which was elegantly set up outside as eventually it would be set aflame. Many nobles gathered, from both those in the political field as well as military personnel that came to pay their respects.

Many would approach and leave flowers or other trinkets of offerings beside the large pile of wood where Helm's body was calmly laying.

The group of men stood to the side. Each holding a single white feather that was very similar in shape to that of a raven's. When it was their turn they walked together setting the feathers accordingly. Each one would lay across Helm's body from his forehead to his toes. These beautiful while feathers as lovely as the very pale skin and snow white hair that Helm had.

Still these men said nothing to no one. But they eyed Shelyn when she arrived.

Her brother's armor and weapon neatly displayed on a slab. A bundle of letters beside it. And a urn, her father, placed in front. Her eyes filled with tears seeing this. Being forced to face this.

"Where's....my father?" She asked in a worried tone. Shaking. She wasn't aware of how bad her father's state had been. And the doctor had insisted upon him being burned until ash was left. Since he was beyond recognizable already and would of only decayed horribly by this time.

Calion squeezed her hand to provide a little comfort as he walked up the Helm's body, everyone stepping a bit to give them privacy. "Your father was unfortunately in too poor of a condition to be on display, it was decided he would be cremated beforehand although all the same this procession is for both Helm and him." Calion said, gesturing to the finely made urn which was glazed in white and painted in blue designs.

Calion then recited his thanks to helm in a low voice. Thanking him for his service, for his bravery in fighting for the people of these lands, and then going on to further thank him for taking care of Shelyn and telling the man that he may rest in peace and that Calion will see to it that she is now under the protective wing of the pharaoh. With that he added his own feather to the pile before looking at Shelyn. "I can give you a moment alone if you like?" He said, not knowing if she'd prefer him not to overhear.

Shelyn grit her teeth. She heard Calion's thanks and promise but this only flooded and fuel the anger that started boiling.

Tears began to fall in globs of water. Staining parts of her dress if they made it down her chin. This was becoming too difficult to bare.

"Ho...w could you do this? You were supposed to be home days ago.." she started in a low tone. And right now she didn't care if Calion heard her. "You broke your promise! You swore you'd come back like you always do! That you wouldn't make me spend today alone!" Her anger forced her into a full sob at this point. Fueled by anger and sorrow she leaned upon Helm. Grabbing his hand, behaving as if he was sleeping and determined to play this cruel joke upon her.