The Funeral

A faithful archive and collection of dusty tomes, intermingled with various artefacts, relating the tumultuous history of Normark under its old kings.
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Amund Einhornsson
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2013 6:07 pm

The Funeral

Post by Amund Einhornsson »

A ship was coming in the Konungsheim port, observers noticed the Natopian flag causing the watchman to sound the funeral horn - it was the ship bearing Elijah. The horn was the great Funeral Horn of Gunnmundr, forged to signal his passing as his funeral ship was set to sea ablaze, so many centuries before. The blast from the horn echoed out into the sea, peircing the air like a bloodied sword. A troup of silver-clad shocktroopers and green-uniformed soldiers were already in formation at the dock. A second horn-blast sounded as they docked, with many-medalled soldiers in full-dress uniform ready to act as pall-bearers. The thick, metalic clank of the shocktroopers marching soon filled the air as they began the procession. The Natopians looked on, not knowing what strange, arcane funeral rites were in store.

The Grand Marshal oversaw a parade of literally thousands. In the dead of the Norse night, a long, slowly creeping line of grey and silver-clad soldiers bore torches. The diesel engines of the massive panzers grumbled their way down the street, their guns were raised with blue banners along the length of the barrels stating "Mankind Prevails", others stated "Death to Chaos and Disorder". The only thing to be heard over the deep rumbling of the engines were the loud footsteps of the solders, so many marching at once it was like thunder with each step. All stern-faced, they were like marching statues. The streets and buildings were lit with the haunting glow of the thousands of torches, lighting the stone edifices with a flickering glow, as though the very buildings were ablaze as massive, city-scale funeral pyres.

But there was only one, true pyre which would be put to the flame - the one built by hand by legions of Norse soldiers in the Square. It stood a towering 100 feet in height, banners strewn down it with orchids piled at its base. Grand Marshal Einhornsson had formed a new unit to guard the very spot where it stood, where Elijah's body would be entombed as the Supreme Savior of Humankind. They stood in formation, clad solely in black - the Martyr Tomb Guard. All who were selected for its service were to maintain a constant vigil over the tomb, protecting it from defilers.

As the massive, sprawling march neared the pyre, the 203mm howitzers of the 1st Field Artillery were readied for their salute, four shells five seconds apart. Any more was liable to cause damage to surrounding structures from the concussion. The Grand Marshal himself called ready the guard,

"Keepers of Ayreon's Tomb, do you stand ready to protect the Supreme Savior of Humankind's remains, for so long as it stands?" he stated.

In unison, the men of the guard responded "We stand ready! Death before dishonor! This tomb we shall guard with our flesh, blood, bone and sinew to the last of the last! We now serve as the Supreme Martyr's shield and sword for all eternity!"

"Battery A!" shouted the Grand Marshal, "ILD!"

The first shots rang out through the night air like a thunderstorm, seconds later came another, "ILD!", and then another, and another. All soldiers, though deafened, began to sing Elias Marsj, with all flags in the square being lowered to half mast. The following day, a statue of Elijah was to be unveiled, depicting the young former Prince of Elwynn holding a solemn orchid.

The pyre was then lit, first it smoldered but then the blaze took off with alarming speed, engulfing its entirety in just a few minutes. The fire burned for hours, and it was said that the fire could be seen for countless miles, with all knowing what it represented. The Grand Marshal and the soldiers of the tomb guard raised their swords high into the air, reciting ancient Norse funeral rites never heard beyond the solemn atmosphere of their peoples' funerals. The flickering torches illuminated their polished blades in the fervor of their flame, the black magics of the ancient Norse permeated the city.


Blood and steel
All with honor
High gods in golden Valhalla
To you we commend
This body of the warrior
We burn his body
So that his spirit may rise
To dine and drink in your company
A fate only those of highest honor
Can dream to share
Hail Krom!
Hail blood!
Hail steel!
Hail mankind!

The ring of chains hoisting a pedestal into the air sounded as Amund stepped down from his small podium, it was for an orchid he had picked in a field, far away in the warm flower dales in the south. It stood before the tomb, where whatever ancient powers resided in the realm of the Kings of the Norse still held strong - it would never decay, wilt or become brittle. A wind blew through the streets, Amund knew it was the winds of the coming of the beautiful Valkyrie to take the soul of he who had fallen.
Grand Marshall of Normark

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M. Lucius Praetor
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Joined: Sat Mar 23, 2013 12:17 pm

Re: The Funeral

Post by M. Lucius Praetor »

:salute:
Marcus Lucius Praetor,
Consule de Republica de Tyrenia.

un persona de Giacomo

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Amund Einhornsson
Posts: 36
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2013 6:07 pm

Re: The Funeral

Post by Amund Einhornsson »

Sufficiently frightening theme music for such a procession, not doing my job if I don't scare foreigners shitless.

Grand Marshall of Normark

Royston Merrick

Re: The Funeral

Post by Royston Merrick »

Image
Guardians of the Supreme Martyr, drawn from the ranks of the Babkhan Diaspora,
Cry out in Adulation at the Memory of His Sacrifice

Sisera B.E.

Re: The Funeral

Post by Sisera B.E. »

A guardswomen from Sisera's guard walked though the crowd, she had a camera mounted on her helmet and a bluetooth headset that gave her a live connection to Sisera who was following the funeral live from within her Herckenburgian palace. Sisera had wanted to attend the funeral but her advisers had told her not to because they feared for her safety.

"Ooooh, this is exciting!" Sisera cried out happily as she watched her television screen and saw the Guardians of the Supreme Martyr march by.

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