When she reached the group, Captain Larol rested a hand on Kraddock's shoulder. "Captain...such a loss so early in your command...such an ill omen..." She nodded to Gareth. "Hail cousin....it is good your vital duties have allowed you to attend, I do hope there are not gates or supply rooms left unguarded....'
Larol glanced at Addie and looked relived. "Oh, yes please...wine...the Dorwinian please, chilled but not cold. There's a dear.”
Addie stared, and Nethrida looked down. “And here we go….”
Addiela lowered her gaze to show her state of mourning and offered a polite curtsey to Larol. "It is nice to finally make your acquaintance, Captain; I can only feel humbled in the presence of a woman so accomplished as yourself. Your brother was a great man and aided me and so, I shall return the favor in aiding you on your misinformation. Captain Kraddock had not yet received his promotion when Caine's life was snuffed out so soon.. and therefore, it does not speak of his command in such a way as you have indicated- I would hate for you to be embarrassed by such words. As for us, we are here to pay our respects, Captain. Thank you for gracing us with your presence in such a time, I can only imagine how hard this is on you."
It seemed as if the area suddenly went silent.
Nethrida closed her eyes and though she didn’t visibly cringe, in her mind she very much was doing so. She pursed her lips for a moment but remained quiet, before bowing her head "Indeed. My deepest condolences for your loss, My Lady" Though her voice was somewhat tense.
Xanderian could feel the sudden anger growing in Captain Larol at Addie;s impertinence, so she stepped somewhat to the side of Calidis, making herself more visible, and bowed slightly to Larol.
Kraddock smirked slightly and bowed a bit to Addie, thanking her for her support, but for his part he did not seem to take Larol’s comments terribly seriously. Larol raised both eyebrows in shock at Addie, as if amazed this bit of fluff could even speak and was about to respond when her eye fell on Xanderian, and her expression grew more guarded.
Larol smiled. "Xanderian Warchild....hail to the Monk of Osgilliath and Herald of the Host. I had almost forgotten you had survived Randarial as well. You grace us with your presence here today...tell me, will you be mourning my twilight brother in honor of ALL the dead men you have seduced or have you mourned each individually?'
Kraddock growled. "Ladies, let’s keep it civil....shall we?'
Addiela kept her head bowed and her gaze on the ground, saying nothing more for the moment as Larol’s ire was now focused elsewhere. Nethrida also opted to keep her mouth shut, knowing little of the animosity between Larol and Xan beyond the fact she knew that Randarial had been a battle, a battle that had not gone well for the West. Therefore she thought it wiser to keep quiet, though she did subtly reach out and took Ryn's hand. This made Carneryn relax just a tad, but only a tad thanks to the growing hostilities.
Calidis went somewhat still as her black gaze became a bottomless well. Quietly, so that her voice does not carry to the rest of the guests, she spoke to Larol. "Is it customary here that others be mourned alongside the recently deceased. If so then, later, I should like to hear of any deceased Men you mourn for, Captain." She glanced at the woman as impassively as possible and gave her an elegant curtsey before turning her attention immediately away from her, indicating that if Larol had aught to say of that, it would indeed have to be saved for later.
Xanderian smiled gently and nodded to Calidis, then looked back to Larol. "Indeed...I have mourned for each in their time, and individually. While I must imagine you mourn for yours en masse, in bulk, categorized by date, else however would you find the time. I wouldn’t imagine however that you would include your Twilight brother amongst your fallen lovers, I have more respect for his memory then to think that....
Larol went pale beneath her make up one hand dropping to her sword and was about to speak when the other woman who arrived with her, the one in grey and crimson robes, put her hand on her shoulder. The woman in grey looked drawn and under stress. "In Elendil's name, Lala....shut up already. Father is coming....'
Another blast of trumpets, a full fanfare and an older man stepped out of the pavillion, dressed in the gold and blue armor of the Tide of Destiny, his hair and beard now grey but his eye still sharp and imperial. On each arm he escorted a woman, one his own age but the other younger.'
Kraddock whispered to the group. "Arne, Margrave Palaniel, his wife Iora the Margravine and his bonded mistress, Onorie Septimal.'
Addiela seemed to be confused at such an arrangement, and one that was shown so openly; however, she tried to mask her curiosity and glanced around for social cues on what she should be doing at that moment.
As the assemblage, including Kraddock and Garath seemed to be dropping to one knee, toe company followed suit. The crowd went silent and expectant.
The Margrave slowly swept his gaze over the crowd as Larol and the woman in grey both moved to his side wordlessly. This was clearly a man used to exercising authority and he knew how to control the moment...the silence lasted just long enough and then his voice echoed without being pushed, deep and warm and firm. "Citizens and warriors of Gondor, it gives me great pleasure to see you all here, as myself and Septimal Caine's birth mother, Onorie Septimal, along with his beloved his Twilight sisters, the Captains Larol and Lianna, consign his remains to the sky. He died as he lived, serving Gondor, with pride.'
Another long pause as the crowd rose to it’s feet again. Larol leaned close to the woman who had been introduced as Onorie and gestured slightly towards the group. She paused, whispered more and in response to Larol's word, Onorie’s griefstricken eyes grow hot with anger. Larol tried to shake her head and explain something further, but the damage had been done.
Breaking the silence, Onorie’s voice rose as she stepped away from the Margrave, raising one hand to point at Nethrida. "Before my son can burn he must see justice done...there...THERE stands the Guardwoman who sought to tend her own family's shame and abandoned the good Knight to DIE!'
Addiela's eyes narrowed and she quickly snapped her head up from its bowed position to look at the woman that was screaming such accusations. She took in a deep breath to calm herself and looked down to the opalescent-gemmed ring that Calidis had made to help her keep her abilities in check and she closed her eyes. Thought she wanted to speak out, she knew that Neth was capable of speaking for herself.
Nethrida tensed up for a moment, before carefully raising her gaze from floor to look up towards Onorie. She was unable to say anything for a moment before finally finding her voice. "I... I was... Carrying out my duty to protect... G...gondor" She stammered, lowering her gaze once more. "I... Believed I saw a town aflame... And had to act..." before her voice trailed off again.
Carneryn scowled over at the woman, "We were told by the knight himself that he could handle it... Save your hate for his killer."
Xanderian stayed silent, simply resting a hand on Nethrida's shoulder and stared at Larol. Across her back, Heartbreaker started to hum softly.
Calidis winced a bit at the reaction and stood to properly curtsey to Onorie, all eyes suddenly upon her do her striking appearnece and because she was one of the few elves present. "Firstly, may I offer my condolences for your loss, for what it is worth coming from one such as I. Secondly, as I understand it, his death is considered as having happened in the line of duty. It is a disservice then to say that one as brave and valiant as he could simply be left to die. Please, do not diminish his heroism and brave last stand against evil. And do not fault my companion for it. She acted as a good soldier and also a good daughter and sibling would in the face of the possible destruction of not only a township of Gondor but of her family as well. There is no dishonor in that."
The crowd murmured in support of Cal’s words but Onorie gestured dismissively at the elf. "The views of Outsiders are not needed here. I am told that this same Guardswoman had been pardoned for a charge of desertion and negligence...PARDONED, with no punishment! And she was allowed to fail again and more blood was spilled, the blood of my ONLY SON...I demand JUSTICE...I demand a TRIAL COURT MARTIAL!'
From the sound of the woman's voice it was clear she was half mad with grief, rapidly growing hysterical. The Margrave looked troubled, while beside her Larol looked smug but somewhat taken aback by the woman’s vehemence. Her sister on the other side was staring daggers at Larol.
Addiela pressed her lips together, then bit her bottom lip; she was struggling with holding her tongue to the point that she was nearly making her lip bleed. Besire her Nethrida kept her head down and spoke with a highly subdued tone. "The lady speaks the truth. And if a trial is what is what is needed I shall submit to any inquiries and legal action that is required"
Carneryn shot an angry look at Neth then back to the older woman "Grieve for your son... Do not blame others when they made the right decision. Nethrida has suffered enough and you just discredit your own son's words." she said with a serious look and a shine to her right eye, the runes on her fingers and hand starting to glow faintly.
Calidis immediately noticed the runes on Ryn's fingers and moved to stand almost in front of her, passing one hand over Ryn's fingers and whispering something under her breath. Ryn might heard - or thought she heard - the sound of soft spring rain in her head for a moment as Calidis temporarily amplified the power of the newly repaired ring she wore.
Xanderian still remaind silent, seeing no need to add her own questionable defense especially as she had not been there. She simply leaned close to Neth’s ear and whispered 'I love you...this was not your fault and justice will be understood soon enough...the woman simply seeks a remedy for her pain.'
As the crowd grew uneasy, Gareth Steelheart, Captain of the Hounds of Anorian swept his cloak back with a dramatic swoosh, immediately commanding the attention of the masses. "The bonded consort of my Uncle speaks from loss not sense...I myself witnessed this Guardswoman be pardoned by decree of the Crown Princess Lothiriel, Blood Royal Enthroned. No one here, not even my honored uncle the Margrave has the right, the power or even the liberty to question the decree of the Throne. Whatever the truth was, she is now rendered innocent by Royal Privilege.'
Kraddock nodded and raised his voice. "As the Captain of the Hounds states, the past is immaterial. I witnessed the Guardswoman conduct herself in Linhir. We would have had a riot and blood in the streets if not for her wise and firm counsel to the public. As for what befell my Executor, he would have been the first to state that a woman would be his death someday and that it would likely be his own damn fault. He truly died not by the hand of any agent or failing…but due to the fact his heart was good and he sought nothing but the safety of Gondor, even at the cost of his own. As for a trial, Nethrida is not subject to Civil law nor to Martial law...only Company law. Only her Captain can render high, middle or low justice upon her.'
Addiela locked eyes with Larol and gave her a sickeningly sweet smile as she nodded her head in agreement with the men's words. She then mouthed to the woman, "How embarrassing for you." and then feigned a cringe.
As the moment passed, Addie immediately regretted it. She felt childish and petty, considering the circumstances. However, if she imagined Septimal Caine alive and with them that day, he would likely have laughed heartily at it...so there was that.
Nethrida cast a brief glance to both Company Captains, before bowing her head back down and remained silent, her posture slouching a little bit while Ryn grew calmer, soothed both by Calidis and the captains speaking though the glow didn’t recede.
Calidis kept her hand upon Ryn's and continued to channel soothing energy into her ring as a precaution. With much of her concentration there, she couldn’t spare much for anything else save for watching the words exchanged and sparing a glance for Xanderian, expression ever so slightly giving away her unease.
Xanderian glanced between the four Captains, Gateth, Kraddock, Larol and Lianna...still remaining quiet without taking her hand off of Neth.
Onorie stepped further from the Margrave her voice rising to the point many were growing uncomfortable with her display. “She is no knight! She is a common guardswoman..a disposible sword of the Stewardship....there is no Company justice for her...she must be tried by court martial and hung for her negligence!'
Kraddock barked, slamming one fist against his breastplate. "Company justice I said and Company justice I MEANT...Kneel, Nethrida.'
Nethrida blinked and looked at Kraddock with a confused look but quickly fell down to one knee and bows her head once more, now tense like a coiled up spring.
Kraddock drew his sword, resting it across the back of Nethrida's neck. "Do you swear to live for no other goal than the safety of Gondor and the return of the King?'
Nethrida kept her head bowed down but her response came as sharp as it had ever been "Yes, Captain. Until the day I die, or am slain by the enemy."
Kraddock nodded. "Then rise, Sir Nethrida, Knight Bachelor of Elendil's Vanguard...and as your Captain I decree you NOT GUILTY of all charges stemming from the death in the field of Sir Septimal Caine.'
Nethrida drew shallow and sharp breaths, hardly believing what had just happened as the crowd cheered. She rose up and was visibly trembling from the shock, though she attempted to stand upright and at attention.
Kraddock sheathed his sword with a crack, pausing to salute the Margrave before continuing. "And with all proper deference for her noble station and great deeds, Captain Larol of the Tide of Destiny, Countess of Brannor, may kiss my enormous scarred ass.'
Sudden silence rang out, until it was broken by the hiss of someone being unable to keep from laughing any longer...as Gareth Steelheart covered his mouth with his hand'
The margrave looked at his eldest daughter, placing a hand on her golden shoulder. “And that…I believe….concludes that….now we have more important things at hand.”
Larol nodded, looking away from Kraddock to gaze at the waiting pyre of Septimal Caine. “Yes father…we do.”
