The Tombs Of The Families

The Tombs Of The Families is the sixth chapter of Tales of Sheol'gotha:  Shadow of the Abaddon.

Synopsis
Palus follows Valon's body as the funeral procession leaves Reitan and heads south to the crypts. Promised somewhere safe, he follows the body down, but as he inspects the carvings within the tomb he realizes where they are and quickly attempts to leave, however Lord Iraxi emerges and informs Palus that he intends on setting fire to Valon as compensation for what happened. Palus is volatile, however Maire steps forward and soothes the situation by attempting to placate the lord.

He admits that he will trade the prince's safety for an agreement that resources will be rendered unto him, however Imma hears of this and, enraged by his threats to Valon, assaults him, mauling him to death. She emerges along with Palus and Valon's body, causing upset to the crowds outside awaiting news. Eimer approaches and Maire suggests they resolve the problems plaguing Reitan before they return, as they will have an abaddon with them then. She looks to Palus, but he doesn't correct her.

Valon's Burial
Valon is placed on a stone block, covered in cloth. One of the cloths is stitched with the words:

'Beneath this shroud is preserved Valon Tehen Ahin Eurynome, seventh amongst his siblings and mighty hand of Nazrin. Born of the Lady’s grace beneath the rising midnight star, he will be buried in the place he calls home and remembered for always as royalty of Nazrin.'

A priest reads from the book of Tenebris, reciting verses specially selected based on Valon, his lineage, and his death:

"From this place the body will return to the earth,

Flesh granted to He who molds and shapes,

Life-giving sustenance to He who watches and waits,

And the spirit shall rise until it passses through skies, beyond the veil of darkness.

There, where dark becomes light and death does not enter,

He will wander the Walk and meet all those who have come before.

He will know those who will come after.

He will be embraced by the darkness and all shadowy places,

Immortalized in the unseen, faceless among the faceless.

He will traverse all of time in the years that have been and will be,

From the birth of creation until the jaws of the end envelop all.

The Lady will wait for him in the halls of his ancestors,

Flanked on all sides by warriors in white, with silver-tipped spears and sightless eyes.

She will draw him into the fold where he shall live for evermore with them,

Defending existence against the end, with edge of sword and uttered word,

Repaying death with life in service of his people,

And we remember him in prayer and celebrate his life,

Until such time we join at his side."

Behind them are two priests, one reading from the Gargairthe and the other from the Tome of Flesh.