funeral pyre

I walk with my mother to her room to get a dress and then head back to mine to get ready.

She picks out a modest simple white silk gown with long sleeves Like all her dresses it clung to her curves. I looked just like her, except I had my grandmothers cheeks. Chipmunk cheeks my mother called them.

When we get back to my room my mother digs through my closet finding a gown similar to hers but mine hung from my shoulders. Sitting at my vanity my mother brushes my hair humming a nursery rhyme she sung to all of us when we were babies. Silent tears streamed down her face. I pretended not to see them so she could be vulnerable without feeling embarrassed.

Braiding my hair into three long braids she put flowers Marcy had brought over in my hair.

"You look so beautiful" my mother said

"When you compliment me, you actually complement yourself since you know I look just like you." I chuckled a bit trying to make her laugh.

"Ha I guess you're right, but we all know I'm not above complimenting myself."

We both laughed a real laugh. First one in days for both of us.

***

After finishing getting ready Orion and her mother headed to the dining hall to have dinner together before the lighting of the funeral pyre. Dinner was quieter than usual. Sorrow hung in the air above their heads. If a pin dropped you would hear it echo through the whole hall.

Elliot finally breaking the silence.

***

"So Rion you think I have a shot with Sera or did I lose my chance to your pretty boy body guard?"

My mouth hung open and I dropped my fork on the floor the minute he said pretty boy.

"Excuse me?" Shock scribbled over my face

"You thought there might have been a chance before my pretty boy guard?"

The whole of the room filled with laughter.

"I hate to break it to you Elliot but Sera is way to good for you" Alderic said

"For any of us let's be honest." Oleander said.

***

Sera was a few years older than Orion. Elves age fast when they're younger in comparison to how they after their transition. Elves transition at 13 and then 1 year in elven is equivalent to 10 in human years, give or take.

Sera was considered a beauty and had exquisite grace. 3 of her brothers had crushes on her since she became Orions best friend.

***

Dinner was okay. We found a small shred of normalcy for about two hours when it was time to light the pyre.

One by one we went outside to the forest. The pyre was well constructed wood pillar and a top it laid Emmery. The dead always wore a plain simple cotton gown. Flowers of white shrouded his body. We each walked up and blessed his body and soul for rebirth. And each gave one wish for his next life. My father, Alderic, Orleander and Erinn shot and arrow tipped with blue fire at his pillar. My mother, Alistar, Elliot used magic to send a blue fire bolt to his pillar.

I was planning to give him a hell of a send off.

In my hands I willed the energy of the Netherworld to form a single purple flame in my hand. I sent it up. Almost seeming to float the one single flame to meet the top of the pyre. Infighting to life a fire of blue and purple. The flames danced beautifully a top it. No bad smell, infact it was a sweet jasmine that now filled the air. The family watched holding hands for an hour before returning to the palace. The city celebrated and awed by the spectacle that was the blue and purple smoke. They celebrated until the smoke was no more. His body and soul passed through to the tree of life.