Andlátkyn; Vandr Sanses unin Alagaësia

Mourning for a Lost Leader

"Wake, Knurlhiem! You cannot sleep now. We are needed at the gate- they won't start without us."
Eragon blinked himself awake, Nightmare shifting in his mind as he rasped. "What?"
"Ajihad's procession. We must be present for it!"
"No, what did you call me?" Eragon quested, glancing around the room while wondering how he got there. Saphira was draped across her mattress pad on her side, GB's soft snores clattering softly beside her. She rolled over and looked up, bleary-eyed.
"Stonehead!" Orik scoffed. "I called you Stonehead because I've been trying to wake you for almost an hour!"

Nightmare snorted mentally as Eragon heaved himself to a sitting position, struggling to recall the night before. He stood and bumbled over to Saphira. Saphira, how are you? She gave a low rumble, licking her teeth distastefully as GB whuffed, waking up himself.

The skeleblaster yawned hugely, ending in a whine as Saphira responded. Whole... I think. My left wing feels a bit strange; I think it's the one I landed on. And my head is filled with a thousand hot arrows.
"Was anyone hurt when she fell?" Eragon asked worriedly. Orik chuckled loudly. "Only those who dropped off their seats from laughing so hard. A dragon getting drunk and bowing at that! I'm sure lays will be sung about it for decades."

GB huffed in amusement as Saphira shuffled her wings and avoided their collective gaze indignantly. Orik went on. "We would have left you in the banquet hall if it were not for the etalthargen's ability to change places in an instant. Much to the cook's appreciation, too- he feared Saphira and GB would drink more of his best stock than the 9 barrels you already did."
Eragon scoffed at Saphira, GB chortling lazily. And you chatisized me once for drinking! If I consumed four barrels, it would kill me!
That's why you're not a dragon. She responded.

Orik pushed a ball of clothes into Eragon's arms. "Here, put these on. They are more appropriate for a funeral than your own attire. But hurry, we have little time." The human studied the outfit as GB turned his backside to him for privacy as the dwarf left to wait outside the room. It was a loose white shirt with ties on it's cuffs, dark pants, a red vest decorated with gold embroidery and braiding, shiny boots as black as the pants and a cape sporting a studded brooch. Zar'roc was fastened to a lavish belt. Nightmare quietly stewed about the clothes, considering it garish as well as despising the cape, though he never actually complained. It was just wordless thought.

Eragon rinsed his face and hopelessly tried forcing his hair into something presentable. He gave up and allowed Orik to usher him out to the hall and towards Tronjhiem's south gate. GB stayed close to Saphira, stumbling slightly before regaining his footing. The dragon herself was slightly unbalanced in her gait, doing her best to hide the clumsiness.
Can you make it through the whole funeral? Eragon asked her in concern.
GB grumbled as she bit back a grimace. That and Nasuada's appointment, but then I'll need to sleep. A pox on all mead!

The other only groaned good-naturedly at that, a kind smile stretched across his face. He finally added his own opinion.
I'll try to help however I can. I've been hungover more times than I can count; I know how to deal with the migraines.
Eragon paused, considering a question, then deciding against it and facing Orik.
"Where will Ajihad be buried?"
The dwarf shot him a cautious look. "That has been a matter of contention among the clans. When a dwarf dies, we believe he must be sealed in stone or else he will never join his ancestors.... It is complex and I cannot say more to an outsider... but we go to great lengths to assure such a burial. Shame falls on a family or clan if they allow any of their own to lie in a lesser element."

He gestured at the floor. "Under Farthen Dûr exists a chamber that is the home of all knurlan, all dwarves, who have died here. It is there Ajihad will be taken. He cannot be entombed with us, as he is human, but a hallowed alcove has been set aside for him. There the Varden may visit him without disturbing our sacred grottos, and Ajihad will receive the respect he is due."