Who: Eden & Amos What/Where: Grenoble. When: Backdated around here. Rating: PG. Status: Complete.
A few had died, but in this sort of population a few was a lot. Everyone had to pitch in when it came to a village this isolated. Eden had even offered her own services to the people around. She helped them with this or that, even though they insisted she didn’t have to. The ranger didn’t have much skill in anything other than fighting, but they were grateful that she at least tried.
They were a wild and independent people in a different way than she encountered in Emillion. She had respect for them, surviving alone against all odds. They were exposed to so many dangers, but they’d carved their piece of dirt and turned it into a respectable home.
That’s why she’d put out the message.
There was a wary look in a few eyes, but a grateful look in others when she told them she’d called a clergyman from the city to come officiate some rites. She felt they deserved that much for their loss. For now, she looked out over the horizon for the airship to come into view.
It was not long before a shadow fell upon the grass, growing steadily in size as the airship made its landing. Amos gave hurried words of prayer and thanks to the crew before disembarking. His approaching figure may as well have been a scarecrow, thin-framed and loose-robbed as he strode across the grass. On his heels towered a holy knight, although this particular gardist had softer features than might be expected of a Blade.
“Sir Dire,” the priest greeted. His voice was as quiet and unmoved as ever. “It is a pleasure to see you, even under these circumstances.” He raised a hand to his company. “Might I introduce Sir Filip Auvray?”
"Eden's fine, Kaplan," she said quickly to try and cut the formalities. They were out in the woods and she respected his position and appreciated his presence so much. "Sir Auvray," she said with a salute. While she was a ranger, he was a Holy Blade. She felt there was some sort of difference considering that he was most definitely of a more exclusive order. "You may call me Eden as well, if you wish," she said with a smile before her expression melted into something much more serious.
"Kaplan, they say that the people have just been dropping. They got sick and just...died. It took them quickly." There wasn't even a chapel, but some people had opened their home for them if they wished to stay for dinner or perhaps the night. "Forgive me for going right into it, but they originally lost one two weeks ago and then another one recently. They were waiting for you to bury him."
“Then we shall begin immediately, Eden.”
The pair of Blades began to walk with the Ranger further into the village. “Have the bodies been prepared for the ceremony? If so, we may hold a service as soon as the families are prepared,” Amos continued, green eyes meeting Eden’s. His voice carried on lightly, as though all the village’s troubles would be vanquished now that Faram had sent His representatives.
“Moreover, I trust those in close proximity to the deceased have been quarantined, yes? I will need to speak with whomever has been handling them post haste.”
"They have prepped him to the best of their abilities. I will have the village informed that the ceremony can happen as soon as they are able. They blocked the original family from meeting with everyone else, but it didn't stop anyone else from contracting it," she said as she led them toward where the body was being kept. It was a cool storage shelter.
"He is being kept here." They didn't want to leave him out in the sun to fester and rot. "The person in charge would be the village elder. I can take you to him," she said as she started toward the slightly bigger house a few buildings down.
As soon as they reached it, she turned to speak to one of the people standing outside. They nodded and took off the direction the visitors had just come. “The families are being informed of your arrival,” she said as she gave the door a knock. “Elder. The priest is here!” she called out.
When the door finally opened, there stood a woman with graying hair at her temples. She looked at all three of them and stepped back to allow them entry. “I’ll put tea on the fire,” she said leaving them to enter as they pleased.
The elder sat at the table in the middle of the open area. He stood as soon as he saw them. “St. Ajora smile on you, Father,” he said in a rush to take the man’s hand and shake it. “We could use some of Faram’s words and his grace in these hard times. Please. Sit,” he said gesturing to the chair at the table, closest to the fire.
Amos returned the blessing and sat. He met Eden’s eyes as he did so, and, for once, a troubled gleam shone through the inimitable calm. Still, as the elder began to speak, the priest prayed the situation was not so dire as it thus far seemed to be.