A Passing
And so Ardeghon walked on as he often did these days, no need to look behind him for any danger, and neither was there any in front of him, in his near future. Absently gazing at the clear night sky he began counting all the brightly-lit stars; something he had done many times during his evening walks. Though where he'd often find the same number of lights in the sky, the number was off this time, and it bothered him. Sighing at the mismatch of numbers he lowered his head with closed eyes, the sound of his footsteps no longer present as he comes to a stop.
Upon opening his eyes he'd stare down at the grave of Hardoleth of Beggar's Alley, Captain of the Bloody Dawn. "Is it you messing up the number of stars in the sky? It would be much like you, bothering someone even after you died." Ardeghon chuckled softly, though then his expression turns soft, no smile adorning his features. "That's right... You're dead. You were only a year older than me, causing me to wonder how long I have left." He smiled faintly at that notion, pondering over it briefly before continuing. "I've known you, Hardoleth, for quite some time. I remember how we did not get along at first, which I take most blame for. But we were still acquainted, and when you formed the Company, I joined you, but perhaps for the wrong reason." Thinking back on Oldiss for a while and knowing he only joined because she asked him to, a slight guilt washes over him. "I disagreed with you on many things, but due to us being nearly the same age, and both of us being able to see all these young people in the Dawn, I suppose we were able to understand each other. I will not say we knew each other well, for seeing what's inside someone's guts is a near-impossible feat. I did admire you, for your determination, sense of justice, wits, and how cunning you were. You were never a king, but were everything a king should be, and now you rest here. Your son's in good hands. Neyaa's, that is. I will do all I can for your child, but not just for Branston. For Taala aswell, and all your other bastards if I should ever meet them. We will meet again, you stubborn ox. But for now, where you go... is a place I cannot follow. But I am sure you are perfectly fine with that!"
Smiling brightly he kneels down in front of the grave, taking a single gold coin from one of his pouches, then rummaging through his satchel to find a plain tankard, placing both items in front of the grave. "Gold for your love of coin, and a tankard to hold your drink. Oh, and lastly..." Ardeghon digs into one of his pockets, removing a piece of folded parchment, unfolding it and placing one of the corners beneath the tankard to make sure it doesn't slip away. He stands up and stretches his arms, turning and pacing off the same away he arrived, singing to himself the lyrics that coincidentally are the same as the writing on the parchment.
I'm no man of honour
Myself is my true king
But somewhere deep within me
The bells of conscience ring
