“The meeting between ignorance and knowledge, between brutality and culture… It begins in the dignity with which we treat our dead”

-Field Priest Verkan.

  The village began to come back to life minutes after the Trial ended, and people carried on their duties with a semblance of normality as the guests prepared to leave. The Lords from the five other clans and their mounted escort steadily left the town heading south toward their own domains; there was simply no reason to stay any longer after the new Lord of Clan Irfis was chosen.

  Nina sat on the wooden fence by herself again, watching them depart; Verkan went to speak with the Elders and Nero, the new clan Lord, concerning several affairs of diverse importance, including the findings of this morning, among other things. She opted to remain on the sidelines this time when offered the chance to go with him. Talking with strangers wasn’t something she was used to, preferring to escape into her books if she could. Even though it was something she would need to do sooner or later as part of her duties, she tried to push it back to the latter part of the scale as much as she could. She knew it was a childish and selfish decision but she barely understood the highland people, if at all.

  She was still trying to digest what transpired in the trial anyway. It was the first time she saw someone die, and it disturbed the hell out of her. The cool, windy morning air along the dark grey cloudy sky of the otherwise ordinary morning suddenly felt oddly appropriate. Although she didn’t even know those who died their deaths still hit her hard. She understood they were warriors and that fighting was their duty, but perhaps they didn’t have to die.

  No wonder why Nana was so upset! Well, maybe it was for the best, they would be a thorn in the new Lord’s side; so it was for the sake of the Clan and for the greater good, right? But Knights would never do that! she rationalized. But her thoughts were interrupted by the sounds of steps approaching; she turned expecting to see her mentor Verkan.

-“Sitting on your own again” her friend Verkan commented.

-“Sorry Verkan” she replied disheartened.

-“Are you alright?” he asked, he was quick to notice her grief, caring deeply for her wellbeing.

-“I'll be fine, I'm just... need a minute” Nina replied.

-“First time, isn’t it? That you witness someone die,” the old man asked again.

  Nina closed her eyes nodding affirmatively and shedding a single tear; Verkan then took a step closer and put a hand over her shoulder to which she responded by placing her own hand over his. He utterly hated seeing her like this and tried his best to encourage his friend the best he could.

-“It hits hard the first time, it's only natural to be upset, but you get used to it with the years”

-“Dying... it’s only natural, some die of old age, others by some illness… and others by the sword. These people don't see death as something horrible but as a fact of life. For them, it's how you live that's important. Those warriors had an honorable death” he explained.

-“If you say so” the girl replied still sad.

  It was usually at times like this when Verkan shared most of his wisdom, and she always took his lectures with a good heart. She saw him as a fatherly figure; he could be obnoxious at times, going too far with that apparently unending repertoire of jokes of his, a far cry from her stupidly serious family. But he always meant well, and by this point, he had spent more time with her than her actual father ever had.

-“Cheer up! I have some news that will get you in a better mood” Verkan changed the subject.

-“What is it?” Nina asked turning towards him, still feeling down but with a spark of curiosity.

-“The Lord has requested your presence” he replied smiling.

-“ME?! Why me?!” she replied noticeably startled, her eyes widened in shock with a frightened expression, her face turning dead white.

-“Relax! He is not going to hurt you, you know!” Verkan replied, trying his hardest not to laugh.

-“Then why has the Lord request…?” she was about to ask when the sudden realization hit her, making her feel both awfully enraged and embarrassed in the same amount.

-“HE REALIZES I'M A PRIESTESS, RIGHT?!” Nina furiously lashed out, blushing wildly and flustered by her very thoughts.

-“I’ve heard the Lord is still a bachelor” Verkan replied sporting the straightest face he could make before bursting out in laughs.

-“VERKAN!” she yelled back, visibly infuriated.

-“I’m just joking! You’re so much fun to pick on!” he replied swiftly composing himself back to a more formal condition.

-“Seriously though, probably is just curiosity! You may have left a good impression last night” Verkan commented.

-“But I didn't even do anything!” the girl complained.

-“Climbing on top of a table in plain view of hundreds? And yet you ask?” the priest replied.

-“Fine! Just give me a minute” Nina replied still a bit exasperated.

-“Just come and let's get this over with, I’m starving!” he replied.

  The pair walked across the village’s deserted square, heading towards the largest building, Nina slightly accommodated the leather cap on her head before crossing the door. Inside the building were the Elders, sitting in a circle around the new Lord in the middle of the hall. They briefed Nero about the Clan’s most urgent matters when they noticed the pair of priests. Her heart skipped a beat, and her breathing became agitated in the presence of such important people, and most especially, of such a fearsome and intimidating man. She could feel cold sweat forming on her face, and a lump in her throat impeded her from speaking. Then again, she felt her mentor’s gentle hand over her shoulders which helped her calm down a bit.

  Lord Nero saluted in reverence, still stripped from his armor and with his body still covered in blood; he invited them to get closer with a motion of his hand. One of the Elders whispered something in his ear, but the Lord replied only with a gesture of his head, quietly dismissing the Elders outside, he then offered the priests a pair of small chairs motioning only with his hand without speaking a word. Nina took both chairs and handed one to Verkan, they then sat in front of him, sitting after them.

  The trio sat quietly in the middle of the hall, a long and awkward silence took over the room, and Nina couldn’t help but feel immensely uncomfortable. The Lord stared at her squarely in the eyes, just like the night before, and she tried to combat the urge of looking away as much as she could, lest disrespect him. She felt supremely stupid after recalling that it was her who was supposed to speak first.

-“My Lord...” Nina spoke timidly.

-“My Lady, you honor me with your presence” Lord Nero replied with a soft yet firm tone.

-“Congratulations on your victory my Lord, I am glad that you were not hurt” she continued, slowly feeling more relaxed.

-“Why thank you, my Lady, I appreciate your concern” the Lord replied in a formal tone.

-“The way you fought… I have never seen anything like it! You must have to be the greatest warrior I've ever seen”

-“You are good at flattery My Lady, but that would be the legendary Mage Slayer, not me” Lord Nero replied, smiling softly for the compliment.

-“The Mage Slayer?” she asked intrigued.

-“Anyone who saw him fight would be sure he is probably the best warrior in the world. Have you not heard the stories?” he asked, leaning towards her.

-“Just vaguely My Lord, I thought it was just a legend” the girl replied.

-“I saw him with my own eyes, I was about your age when he dueled against the Red Mage in the Plains of Discord” Lord Nero recalled.

-“My family is not very fond of war stories My Lord, and my father never mentioned it” Nina replied.

-“You are the daughter of the Mage Slayer, and yet he never mentioned it?” the Lord asked, leaning closer and smiling broadly in disbelief, dropping the air of formality previously surrounding them.

-“Your father is most certainly a humble man!”

  What?

  Nina was speechless. She turned at Verkan for answers while he could only smile and nod in return. She felt cheated, confused, and intensely hurt. If this was true, how could my family hide something that important from me?! Why did my father never tell me about it?

-“I told the Priest that I'm looking forward to a fruitful relationship with the Church, I hope we can help each other in the times to come” the Lord continued interrupting her thoughts.

-“I would be most pleased to be of help, my Lord” Nina replied, on the verge of tears though she tried her hardest to conceal it.

-“I am most pleased to hear, you are welcome to stay as much as you like” Lord Nero offered, he stood suddenly, taking her by surprise with his towering presence, preparing himself to meet with the Elders again outside the village.

-“We appreciate your hospitality, Lord Nero, but sadly, we must depart shortly” Verkan interrupted. They also had a long trip ahead and they were already out of schedule, though to be fair, their original plan didn’t foresee the Clan Lord’s passing.

-“I understand, both of you are welcome to return any time you like. I have been Lord for less than an hour and I'm already overwhelmed by problems of all kinds. Lord Burgan left so much undone, please excuse me, I must attend to my duties” Lord Nero replied and walked outside.

  Nina turned to Verkan again and looked him in the eyes. She tried her damn hardest to keep a straight face but it was painfully obvious that she was fighting back tears. She didn’t speak a word but her eyes implored for answers.

-“You understand now why I took you from your family’s domains, don’t you?” Verkan asked leaning closer and smiling at her.

  She didn’t reply, but nodded back, holding her eyes shut, crying down a single tear, forcing an obviously sad smile at him. Verkan then again placed a hand over her shoulder, which made her finally break down in tears. Although she wasn’t used to being touched, Verkan’s gentle hand seemed to have some sort of comforting effect on her.

-“Verkan, why do they lie to me?” she asked between sobs.

-“Your family certainly meant no ill will, but you were living under a rock, your mother and your aunt Edna went through the same. There is a great destiny waiting for you, but you’ll never be able to see it locked in your islands. You are smart, curious, and talented! If you dare, you can achieve great things!” her friend encouraged, unlike other times when he would joyfully tease her, this time, however, he was completely serious.

  Nina immediately felt better after hearing Verkan’s words. The old man always knew what and when to say to make her feel better; he gave her a pat on the back before standing, and walking out of the hall they were currently in. She jumped from her chair with renewed spirits and went after him after wiping her tears, determined to do her utter best and don’t let him down. She walked outside and saw him walking away, he turned to look back at her, making a gesture with his fingers and mouth that she interpreted as “I’ll get something to eat”.

  This left her with the grim task of disposing of the bodies of the fallen wardens. She thought about just waiting for Verkan to do it, but his previous words of encouragement gave her a small confidence boost so she decided to take the initiative. She was trying to make him proud after all. It is just a burial prayer, no big deal girl! Nina timidly approached a group of four warriors sitting under a tree, resting in its shadow. They all stood up in attention in the blink of an eye when they saw her walking toward them, this startled her a bit, she wasn’t used to being treated in such a way but it was evident that they all were highly disciplined warriors that recognized the authority that comes with her position, even if she was just a teenage girl.

  She took a deep breath to calm down and regain her composure, asking them as nicely as she could to help move the warden’s bodies to their final resting place. The leader of the warriors, however, took this as a command and quickly mobilized his men yelling at the top of his lungs, scaring the heck out of her.

  Of course, they are warriors, no knights!

  Nina kept her eyes closed until the warriors marched away, using her sleeve to wipe the small tears in the corner of her eyes. She then watched them pick up the bodies which were wrapped tightly in white sheets with crimson stains of blood from their wounds. Even though she only looked for a brief instant, she saw clearly through the white sheet’s fabric, the beheaded body behind it, and the fallen warrior’s head obviously detached from the body. It was only a glimpse of it but it was enough to make her stomach twist.

  A small crowd gathered around the bodies, with her, the warriors, and a handful of workers that weren’t allowed at the Trial, she counted at least two dozen. They walked in a small procession just a few yards outside the village. Verkan watched among the crowd with a handful full of bread slices, he witnessed the warriors gently lay down the pair of bodies next to each other in a common gravesite that has been prepared before the Trial, next to the gravestone where the ashes of the late Lord Burgan were buried. This way, whoever perished in the Trial would be buried next to him.

“Merciful Father, creator of all,

Please, open your arms and receive these souls,

Forgive all the sins they might have committed in life,

And guide them back to the afterlife,

Where their ancestors wait for them,

And they shall rest on endless fields,

Until the day they are born again.”

“Selah!”

  Nina finished the funerary rituals, allowing the crowd finally leave the gravesite area and continue with their duties. The leader of the warriors stood firmly for one final salute before leaving and that was all. There was no family mourning and no widow’s wail; the wardens gave up everything to dedicate fully to protect their Lord.

  Such was the way of the Clans.