Keiya's body was embalmed beautifully, then clad with the most sumptuous and exuberant dress I had ever beheld in all of Kedrone. Sparing not the least expense - graced in its maxed profusion.
Draped in a long silvery and blue linen, then adorned in the most lavish jewelry of gold, emerald, ruby and diamonds.

Upon the thin long boat, made of true acacia, was the corpse duly nested.

The irony of death!

    Masters and lords of Houses that had pledged fealty to Karmadin and his cause, had come to witness the laying to rest of his beloved daughter.

    At lake Karaceth were we gathered. A host of army stationed at each point of the parameters, was for our due safety. Factions upon factions of military class were arranged in honor of the sleeping princess.

    Each member of Karmadins household was dressed in white. In front of the whole crowd was Karmadin stood. Following closely by his side I stood as well, clad in white jerkin. Directly behind were his three sons: Prince Brone, Prince Jeron and Commander Girod. And in order of power and relationship followed the suit.

    By the rear, the choral group were staged, beginning their beautiful verses. Their airy voices bringing the solemness, yet defining the pain and sorrow sheltered in our heart.

The elegy was crafted by Kedrones finest poets, to refine our pains and solidify the memories we all shared of the sleeping princess.

The plaintive poem persisted a while. Like a child, I found the tears slipping down unrestrainingly. I felt the dirge stab through me, deeper than the fleeing taunting words of Dakor, ".....I told you, you would never have her. "

    The requiem, aching with revolving turbulence, I mentally prayed for an end to this torment. Each line of the coronach, reminding me of the moments I shared with Keiya: the adventures, the laughter, the sadness, the play, the romance and kisses; her beautiful tear; her smile, her sadness, her lips.

All this elegy was doing was reminding me of the moments and decisions. I stared my wrong turns with lament and knew I had played a part in Keiya's eternal sleep.

    I was hinted with the mystery Keiya rode with, from the very moment I set eye on her. In the shadows of her beauty, the darkness lurked. I felt the strangeness in coming to Kedrone; but my twisted heart had been imprisoned by her charms.

Where was my might before her allures. I could try all I could but I was a bounded prisoner to her love. And now, in it all, the darkness I sensed several months ago had alas come to fruition. And its pain, and grieve as a red heated steel upon bare flesh.

    But the threnody was doing more than I imagined. Even the mighty Karmadin had been conquered to sob by the whispering words.
Death indeed was the true enemy!

"Life and death; determiners of one' existence,"
   With a resounding, yet melancholy tone, the Royal Orator broke in. His drive had halted the dirge, or perhaps put it to tiny whispers.

"Keiya's life had come as a gift to us all." He continued
  "A jewel not even the wealthiest of Kings and merchants could afford. A luxury that incited mighty men unto the Dread Game in the unending night. Treasure! True treasure kingdoms had even fought to keep. The same that had impelled the Broken Siege and the Battle of Goor. It was such a treasure to lay our lives for.
Aye, mother fate thought it differently. Or perhaps we mortals were too ignorant to think the gods as well didn't crave this same treasure. And who are we to fight with the gods.
O, bless us with water, and still our heart like the gentle stream. Calm the rage and turbulence, and fill the void this death has left us. Guide your jewel through the Seven Sea's of Dom and to your bosom.
   That her days may never end."

With this words, the Orator ended his verse.

With an end to his beautiful speech, the Orator drew back, while another order pursued closely.
 
Upon the order, Ten Pyners drew forth. Pyners were a beautiful class of archers. An office passed from generation to generation. Ancient history holds their ancestor; Pyner del' emb as the first man to begin the office.
 
They would shoot only on rear events as this. It was believed the fire in their flying sticks guarded one's soul through the hordes of the unknown realm, down through the Seas of Dom.

True or not, the men were highly reverenced figures in Kedrone.
  
With a swagger and poise that affirmed their tale, the ten men uniformly dressed in blue and silver tapestry drew forward.
By the order of the most senior, they nocked the rear of the lighted arrow, to fit upon bow string. Keiya's body which was now flowing away upon the thin long boat, was the sure aim.

"Fire! " Alas, the call came and in sequence, broke their shot.
Such beautiful fire.

I had at that moment in fact understood why their tales spread so vast. They were indeed magnificent archers.
   
Each if their arrows sinking into Keiya's boat, it impelled the build of fire. In a moment, the whole boat was set ablaze.

Before each of our eyes, Keiya's body burnt away. The cruel fire eating slowly her entirety. The sinking boat was a true affirmer of the fires cruelty.

"Sleep my dear!" I breathed, almost as a whisper.

My Kieya was gone, and gone for good!
   
In her descent down to the depths of the waters, the elegy resumed with its solemn power - twice stronger than ever.
   
Before the bitter threnody I was nothing, save a weeping man.
  
Let the pain take shelter. Let the guilt be nested. Let my lamentations lie in warmth. Let my grieve take abode...and let them all birth my rage, refine my fury, coat my anger and define my vengeance.

O beautiful song of demise! Before it I settled my mind, as my head did my vengeance scheming.