//------------------------------// // Prepare Unto Death, And Follow Me // Story: The Collective History of Asgard as Salvaged from All-Father Erik the Mad’s Burning of Archives by Luna Odinmaden // by Phoenix Avalon //------------------------------// The Death of Faust Borrmaden: As Faust Bormaden lay in her bed, ill with wear of age and time, she called her sons and daughters about her to give them any words of wisdom left in her. --Note from Luna Odinmaden: These are compiled and written of in the tome simply called “The Wisdom of Faust” if the reader wishes to know them.-- When she had finished, she implored her children with all the feeling of a mother’s heart: “My children, when I declare which of you will ascend to bear my title of All upon my death, I pray for the comfort of my soul which will look upon you from behind the veil of the heavens, do not quarrel with one another or bear any resentment to the one chosen. You all must know the love I bear for each of you in my heart, for a mother must love all her children equally, and I count the value of each of you as beyond measure. So do not take my decision as a slight against the rest who were passed over for the task, but that as your mother and by the wisdom given to me by the Maker of all things, that I know the different gifts given to my children and that your purposes all lay in varied paths. So bless and pray for the brother or sister who has been chosen and remember your mother lovingly and forgive her weak soul for whatever mistakes or injuries I might have made in my rearing of you. For besides your wondrous father, there were no creatures on the earth I treasured more than you.” All her children assured her that they would and Faust smiled, saying she would take some sleep and then tell them which would be All when she awakened. So they left her side, each retiring to their own room. *** The funeral was bound to be a strange and uncomfortable fare. It was technically for Grandpapa and his wife, but there was only the body of the queen present. Two weeks of search had failed to recover a sign of Grandpapa but given his age and his state when he disappeared it was a sort of silent agreement throughout the kingdom that he had surely perished. It was decided that for the stability of the kingdom Papa would take the throne as All-Father Odin, the first of the name and fifteenth All since Mother Faust to rule over a united Asgard. Papa thought it best to first lay his parents to rest before claiming the throne and so had spent three days locked in the council chambers with all the priests, councilors, and lords of the land throwing together a properly splendid funeral for a fallen king and queen. It all felt strikingly familiar to the historical accounts in the tome Luna was salvaging. Sudden deaths of royalty, a hasty ascension, a rushed funeral...it was all rather primitive and intriguing. Or at least that was the least distressing way to perceive the happenings around her. It was an better balm to project the images of those long separated from her by time and death onto these events. Better, at least, than ingesting the bitter draught of a mad grandfather running loose, a grandmother perished from grief, and a child uncle's own quick illness and sudden passing as the precursor to all this. Luna was brought out of her thoughts by a playful nudge from Celestia. “You look lovely, Lulu,” Celestia said, nodding to Luna’s mourning dress. “Dark colors become you very nicely.” The two sisters were standing in one of the castle’s long hallways, leaning against the wall listlessly. Mama had sent the both of them and Sunset ahead to wait for Papa to come out from his dressing, which would take some time, since Cadence had been acting uncharacteristically difficult, refusing to allow Mama to put her mourning dress on. Sunset naturally was standing away from them, in the middle of the hall. Every few minutes she would pace a few steps back and forth, stamping her hooves so they rang down the hall and huffing impatiently. “You look better,” Luna told Celestia, nodding at her mourning dress. All the daughters were wearing matching black dresses with no trimmings, accessories or makeup. Luna thought her dark coat blended too much with the cloth so it looked like she was fading into her clothes. Celestia sighed dramatically and looked down at her skirt desolately. “Black does not flatter my coat as it does yours. It makes me look piebald.” Luna suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. Celestia could have worn a sack and still be the loveliest creature at the party, even now in their matching dresses Luna felt like she was cast in wilting shadows against her sister’s buoyant shimmering. It wasn’t that Luna was jealous of Celestia, not entirely at least. She didn’t envy Celestia’s flirty, flighty manners or her petulance, she thought they made her seem younger than Cadence sometimes and were unbecoming to a princess. Even Mama had complained to Papa that as long as he overlooked them Celestia would soon be an irredeemable hussy when she came of age. But Luna did wish she could make ponies folk around her as effortlessly Celestia did, have them wait on her every whim and hang on her most careless word. Fillies and colts, mares and stallions, servants and courtiers, all fell at her sister’s hooves, charmed out of their sense and self by her brilliance. “What are you thinking?” Celestia said, leaning her chin affectionately on Luna’s shoulder. “Me? Nothing.” “That’s wise. It’s better than thinking on...other things.” Grandpapa’s eyes flashed in Luna’s mind and she felt suddenly cold. “What do you think is the matter with Cadence?” she said, hoping to distract herself. Celestia shook her head. “It’s strange, she did the same thing at Little Uncle’s funeral.” “I don’t remember that.” That had been such a terrible day, the worst of her entire life. Papa’s little brother, who the princess's called Little Uncle Vasilios, had been born long after all the physicians said Grandmama could never bear another foal, especially after Papa's own birth which had been so long and arduous she had nearly died. But then miracle of miracles, Grandmama had born a healthy and strong colt who they named after Grandpapa's beloved mother, Vasilisa the Lovely. Since he was two years younger than Cadence, he was treated less like an heir to the throne and consequently was spoiled sweet, even Grandpapa's wild nature cooled around Vasilios. If Cadence radiated love, Vasilios had emitted pure joy, nopony ever left his presence without a smile. He had drowned in the river that ran through the castle’s main garden. He was only five years old. Grandmama, who had been the one to lift his body up from the riverbed, had been hysterical, running up and down the halls howling so loudly that every corner of the castle heard her. Grandpapa trailed behind her, trying in vain to reason or comfort her in any way, so Papa once again had been appointed to overseeing the funeral arrangements. The whole household had stumbled about in a stunned haze, no pony seemed to know where they should be or what they should be doing, Luna recalled Papa having to order every servant at least twice of their duties. Celestia’s voice brought Luna out of her thoughts once again: “I never thought I would have to wear this dress again. Not so soon at least." Luna nodded somberly. “My dress still feels warm from Little Uncle's funeral,” she said. “They should have made us new dresses,” Sunset’s voice, sudden and sharp, caused both Luna and Celestia to flinch. “I was only speaking figuratively. It was such a short time ago, is all I meant,” Luna said. “It doesn’t matter how short a time ago it was. The subjects shouldn’t see us in the same dress again. Papa should punish the tailors.” Luna thought of the grey colt Sombra and that he might work with the tailors, and she imagined him having to encounter her father’s displeasure. “That’s so unjust of you!" she said hotly. "It isn’t their fault the situation gave no time for preparation.” “It is their purpose to be prepared for any situation! What else do they have to do with their time?” “More than you!" Celestia snapped and Luna nodded furiously, adding: "You spend all your time commanding others to do the labor for you, what would you know of work?" “And I suppose you are the specimen of a drudge!" Sunset shoved her face into Luna's. "You don’t even take part in any of your own proper royal duties. If Papa knew how many times you’ve stolen out of royal dinners and festivals it is you who he would be punishing!" Sunset's lips suddenly shifted from a scowl to a smile. "And if he knew how poor your marks our with our tutors he'd probably disown you." "You are one to talk, if the tutors ever complained to Papa about any of us it would be how you abuse them like slaves!" Celestia exclaimed. "And you charm and wheedle your way out of all discipline so they don't reprimand you!" Sunset shouted. "You are the disrespectful one, not I! Father hates disrespect above all!" "He hates cruelty more, so you'll be the first in his line of fire!" "Tia, ignore her, she speaks nonsense," Luna said, realizing the situation was spiraling out of control. "No! You think you can get away with anything but not with me, Sunset!" "I am the heir to the kingdom now!" Sunset declared, drawing herself up stiffly. "I can do what I want to who I want because this kingdom will belong to me and therefore all who inhabit it owe me allegiance! You will be my servants one day and follow my commands!" Celestia's face turned red with outrage. "I am a daughter of Faust too, I am as worthy and equal as you in all things, and I shall never be in servitude to you!" "How will you be able to defy me, then, without Papa do defend you, preening prancing filly?" Sunset crooned mockingly. Luna shut her eyes and heard the magical shriek of her sister's clashing. She felt the hairs of her coat stand on end at the lightning like sizzling from their dueling magical forces. Mama will have a fit if she sees their hair torn up again. Luna opened her eyes--Celestia and Sunset were indeed trying to yank at each others hair--and said: "Stop this before you undo all of Mama's work! Tia, you'll tear your dress!" They either didn't hear or did not listen because their fight only increased in ferocity. "Stop this right now! We will have to go out any moment!" Luna raised her voice so it echoed through the hall. One of Sunset's flailing hooves caught right above Celestia eye. Celestia was sent stumbling back and squealing in pain. At the sound of her sister in pain, Luna felt her heart contract painfully as if the very sensation had channeled its way from Celestia to her own body. She instinctively leapt forward, placing herself directly in front of Sunset. "What is wrong with you?" She shouted, throwing her face into her sister's. "What do you think you're doing?" Luna felt like she was burning up from outrage, that unbearable sense of injustice, was like there was an inferno in the center of her chest and it made it hard to breath around and stung her eyes. But she felt even that must pale in comparison to Sunset, whose whole body was blazing like a solar flare, so ferociously Luna could barely look her in the face. Like the fire in the castle and Grandpapa's eyes... It thought made her afraid. But she still didn't move. "Celestia was right," she said, surprising herself at how firm her voice was. "You cannot treat us like this. We are your sisters, Sunset, we are your flesh and blood. How can you behave as if we are your slaves? How can you do these things to us?" "Get out of my way!" Sunset snarled and tried to reach around Luna to charge at Celestia again, who was leaning against the hall pressing her hoof to the scratch above her eye. Luna shoved her back, using a simple magical surge to add to her push. But Sunset must have been already off balance, because rather than stepping back she went reeling back into the opposite wall with a terrible thudding sound. "WHAT IS THIS?" All three fillies spun around, Luna feeling her leap heart in her mouth. Papa stood in the hall, resplendent in sheer silver cloth that offset his dark blue coat marked with white specks like constellations, his inky mane wreathing his head like a stormhead. His normally black eyepatch was replaced by one embroidered with a galaxy on it. And his single pale eye was searing. "Have you lost your tongue?" Papa's voice was like the blast of an organ and it rang in Luna's ears. Suddenly Luna realized he was speaking to her. "Are you deaf or do you simply have no respect, Luna Odinmaden?" Papa thundered and in two massive strides he was towering over Luna. Luna felt herself shrinking like an insect. "I-" "We are here to honor the memory of your grandparents and mourn their tragic departure. Have you no love for them in your heart to command your baser impulses? Is whatever conflict you have with your sister greater than the regard for your ancestors? Will we have to present your elder sister like this before the public, torn and smashed by your hoof?" "Papa--" Celestia squeaked from her corner but the glare Papa gave silenced her. He turned back on Luna. His eye was so blistering with fury it made Luna think of brimstones and that made her think of once again of Grandpapa’s eyes... Maker, let the ground open and swallow me. Let me disappear, make me invisible. "Odin, what is it?" Every pony turned to see Mama standing in the hallway with Cadence at her side. "I came from my dressing to find Luna casting Sunset aside,” Papa said, motioning tersely at Luna. “Now Sunset is unpresentable. You must speak with this child, because I cannot look upon her." Papa then strode past Luna, shaking his massive head in frustration. Mama’s eyes narrowed as she looked from Luna to Sunset and then Celestia. She looked suspicious, but said nothing and instead nodded for the three fillies to come over to her. She first magically healed Celestia’s little cut and then proceeded to magically close all the small rips in hers and Sunset’s dresses before finally correcting their coiffures. While Mama was adjusting Celestia’s mane, Celestia tried to whisper, “Mama, it was Sunset who--” “Hush, darling,” Mama shushed her. But when she turned to Luna, who did not require any repairs, she leaned over and spoke in her ear, “I will speak with Sunset later, best beloved.” Luna suddenly realized she had tears in her eyes and she quickly rubbed them away, nodding at her mother. “Come now Frigga, are they presentable or will I have to lead my heirs out looking like drafthorses?” Papa demanded, stamping his hoof down, which made a sound like stone cracking. Luna half expected fire to come spitting out from the force of it. “They’re ready,” Mama replied calmly. “Well, then line up!” Papa barked at the fillies, and all four instinctively took their practiced place: Sunset and Celestia stood shoulder directly behind Papa and Luna and Cadence did the the same behind them. Papa’s flinty eyes inspected each of them, snapping commands at each daughter: “Sunset, throw your shoulders back. Celestia keep your eyes straight ahead. Luna lift up your head. Cadence--” Here his voice softened, even Papa could not be severe to her, “--stop fidgeting, child.” “Aren’t they beautiful, my love?” Mama said. She had walked up to her place beside Papa and her voice had a pointed air. Papa exhaled deeply. “We needed at least another week," he said pensively. "I should have pushed for another week.” “You know you couldn’t wait any longer, it’s been too long as it is,” Mama said and now her voice had a comforting tone. Papa shook his head again and turned his back on them, still murmuring about how they had needed more time. Now there was nothing to do but wait for the servants to signal. Papa and Mama whispered between themselves and Sunset and Celestia were close enough to lean in to hear them, while pretending they were looking somewhere else. That left Luna with time and silence to stew over her humiliation. Why is it that Sunset and Celestia can do what they wish and never be caught or corrected but I cannot escape with even a little mistake? But this wasn’t even a mistake, I was doing nothing wrong! He never sees how Sunset lords herself over us and Mama cannot stop her anymore, am I suppose to let Tia take all the abuse? It’s not fair how he favors her, what has Sunset done except be the firstborn? Tia is as good in magic and studies as her and is as pretty as her, and she is loved better by all. Even Sunset knows this! But because he indulges her she believes she can do what she pleases and now that’s she’s the heir what will we do, she will be unbearable-- Luna suddenly caught the sound of a sniffle and glanced to her right. Cadence was rubbing her nose with her hoof and Luna could see her cheeks were damp. “Cadence, what is it?” she whispered, shooting a glance at her parents but they were too involved in their conversation to hear. Cadence shook her head, her purple, pink and vanilla curls swaying back and forth, but Luna catch sight of a large tear rolling down her nose. “You mustn’t cry, Papa won’t be pleased,” Luna said. At the mention of Papa’s displeasure, Cadence bit down on her lower lip but Luna could see it was still shivering and her eyes were now glazed with tears. Luna thought of telling Celestia who had a way of making anyone smile at any time but was too worried of drawing her parent’s attention, so she leaned down herself and put her wing over Cadence’s shoulder. “Shhh, don’t be sad. It’ll be over soon,” she said gently, using her wing to rub Cadence’s back the way she had seen Mama do whenever any of the fillies were upset. “Grandmama…” Cadence squeaked, her voice squeezed by tears into a whisper. “Don’t be sad for Grandmama, she is with the Maker now. Remember the High Seer spoke to you about it, now she will be in the sun’s light forever surrounded by green fields and diamond waters, and all our fathers and mothers are there to commune with her. She is happy, do you not wish her to be happy?” “Yes. B-but I--” “What?” Cadence’s eyes darted about as if she expected something to swoop in and bite her. She pressed herself close to Luna and breathed, “I saw it.” Luna did not understand what she meant but something in her sister’s voice made a shiver go down her spine. “Saw what?” she said, despite not truly wanting to know. At that very moment three servants entered the hall, one walking directly to Papa and conversing with him in a lower voice. The other two came and began dispensing garlands to each filly. This was Papa’s idea, in most funeral processions the heirs carried nothing but he had thought each should be individually noted for the public and the best way to do so would to give each a piece of the traditional funeral wreath. Sunset was given a garland of fennel, Celestia columbines, Luna rue, and Cadence daisies--Papa would get rosemary and Mama pansies. There was supposed to be violets as well, as Cadence had pointed out in a rehearsal two days ago. Papa, who had been overseeing the affair in his short manner, had told her in a strangely hoarse tone, “There are no violets to be found. They all withered when your Grandmama died.” Cadence, being young, accepted this. None of the other fillies knew what to make of it, except that when they had all gone to the garden to look there were indeed no violets to be found. I suppose it’s just as well, Luna thought. The garlands would be an uneven number if there were any. Papa finished speaking with the servant who he sent off with a nod. He then motioned the other servants forward and they bestowed him and Mama with their garlands and also with two extra traditional objects, an unlit torch and a string of prayer pearls blessed by the Holy Seer. Luna wiped Cadence’s eyes with the edges of her wing feathers and whispered as she straightened, “Hold your garland close to your face, then no pony will see your tears.” Cadence sniffed but levitated her garland as told and Luna straightened. Mama turned to look at the fillies and said gently, "Now don't be anxious, just keep your eyes on your father and I and follow us and all will be well." Just as she finished speaking the sound of metal grinding metal echoed down the hall, reminding Luna of the growl of a dragon. Immediately Papa and Mama began walking forward and the princesses followed, their hooves making a clatter that contrasted sharply with the cool demeanor the royals emulated. It was some ways down the hall to the massive double doors--eighteen feet tall and two feet thick cut from ironwood and coated with gold. On both doors on each side was carved a relief of All-Mother Faust, each in profile facing one another so the horns overlapped like an extra dose of symbolic barrier. It was called the Sentinel Entrance and it lead to the literal end of Asgardian ground, from there one could walk down the Rainbow Bridge (Luna preferred that name to it's other title, Bifrost) to it's Observatory, where the Sentinel in days of old used to stand and command the passage between the worlds. There had been no one to oversee it since the youth of great-grandfather Lief the Righteous. As the royals finally approached it the doors were magically parted. Luna could hear the noise of the crowd ahead, subjects waiting to catch a glimpse of the royal family passing by. She could see the royal guards standing in the doorway step back to allow them through. Luna braced herself, fixing her eyes on her parents ahead and trying to focus on the sound of her hooves hitting the floor. They passed under the arch of the doorway and Luna felt as if she were walking out of a protection spell. As the guards instantly arrayed themselves before, behind and to each side of them, a flood of sounds and strange smells struck Luna, the feel of eyes pressing and running over her. She felt like one of Mama's pin cushions, all the whispers she caught in her ears and the eyes she felt on her were like needles pricking through her, splitting her hair from her flesh and her flesh from the bone. It was like each layer of herself was being peeled back and laid out to be inspected and dissected by strangers. She felt her muscles tighten and she felt she had to force her pace and expression to remain even. Can they see how my steps are stiffer? Can they see how my brow is furrowed? Can they hear how my heart-- Luna bit her lip, forcing her mind to focus. She thought of what Papa would tell her: Stay strong for the family. For our honor and that of our ancestors. She chanced a glance at Cadence and could see her eyes darting around anxiously. At Vasilios's funeral Cadence had cried so much Mama had been required to cast a sedating spell and carry her on her back, so this was in her mind the first funeral procession she had ever walked. Luna levitated her garland closer to her face to hide her mouth and used her magic to funnel her voice directly in Cadence's ear. "Keep your eyes on Mama and Papa. Listen to the sound of your hoofsteps. Don't pay heed to anything else." Easier said than done. I'm barely managing myself. Cadence glanced at her and gave a timid nod. Luna kept her eye on her until she felt Cadence was at least looking a bit steadier and then returned to focusing on her own appearance. Because she didn't allow herself to look around or listen to anything, she wasn't sure how long the walk was to the start of the Rainbow Bridge. There, flanked by four white censer swinging servants of the Holy Seer, was Grandmama. She was laid out on a bed of silk pillowed with lily blossoms, her body from head to hoof wrapped in matching cloth. Luna could smell the spices that she had been wrapped in to preserve her body, and somehow the contrast of the pleasant smell with their unpleasant purpose made her feel suddenly sick. She realized there was far too much sweetness in the air, perfumes, blossoms and the incense from the censers, as if it was all designed to distract from the purpose of this day. Her grandmother was dead and so was her grandfather and their little son, why was everything arrayed like a wedding or a feast day, all beauty and life-filled, when it was nothing but the opposite? Why do we honor death this way? It has stolen from us and we answer with a declaration of his victory. Since the bridge was narrow, two guards went first casting magical walls on either side to act as barriers should anyone slip or trip over the edge into space. Then Papa and Mama went, Sunset and Celestia next, and finally Luna and Cadence followed by the rest of the guards. The Holy Seer's servants levitated Grandmama's flowered cradle and began guiding it down the Bridge, towards the Observatory. Now that they had left the crowd behind Luna felt her breath come easier. She looked at Cadence and saw her staring down at her hooves, which with each impact on the bridge caused bursts of color to shoot through it's surface. Luna felt a slight tug at the edges of her lips, she remembered she had the same reaction when she had first walked the Bridge. The Bridge was not very long so they were at the Observatory quicker than Luna would have liked. The Holy Seer was standing within next to the raised platform where the Observatory's ignition stood. The Sentinel's sword was inserted within--only the Sentinel or the All could power it. Grandmama was levitated before the Holy Seer, a tall light blue stallion clothed in purple and red, signifying the blending of holiness and passion. The royal family filed in a line before him, Papa at the far left and Cadence at the far right, and the guards stood behind. The Holy Seer's servants stood at the head and hooves of Grandmama. The Holy Seer lifted his hoof and spoke in a sonorous voice the funeral blessing Luna remembered him speaking over little uncle Vasilios: "Blessed be the Maker, the Speaker, the Voice and the Word that manifest and sustain our beings." In unison, all present responded: "Blessed be He evermore." The Holy Seer continued: "As it is His authority to bestow so it is His to deprive, all His works are perfect and good and loving." All present: "May He be blessed evermore." "May our eyes not be lifted up in arrogance, our hearts burned by wrath or our souls overcome by sorrow, let us fall into the all encompassing embrace of the Maker in this tribulation. If we fail this, may His mercy fall upon us like the rain upon the barren earth." All present: "May He be merciful." "Incline your ear to us and hear our prayer, and unfurl the steps and pull aside the veil for Hildr and Erik, those who You weaved in marriage and threaded together in death, and guide them into the Golden Hall to feast in Your presence. May they be found by those who loved them and their blessed ancestors to rejoice evermore past the falling of the firmament, the uprooting of the World Tree, the drossing of the unclean. We commend their souls into your healing wings." All present: "Into your wings we commend them." The Holy Seer took an aspergillum out of his voluminous robes and shook it over the length of Grandmama's body, sprinkling the blessed water, wine and oil over her. When this was done he lifted his face in unison with his servants and they began to sing in low tones in the Holy Speak, which Luna did not know since only the Holy Seer and his servants were allowed to learn it so it would not be abused or defiled by wicked tongues. Luna did like this part, she recalled it was the only pleasant moment in uncle Vasilios's funeral. It sounded rather like a lullabye but more...divine, like it's melody was a loom that set the fabric of reality from the blades of grass to the veins in her heart. She was certain the Maker could hear it over any other sound in the universe. Suddenly, Luna felt a warm dampness on her leg. She flinched and looked down to see Cadence nudging her. Cadence nodded towards their left, down the line. Luna stole a glance and did a double take. Celestia, Sunset and Mama were all looking in the same direction and at the same figure: Papa. Luna stared and couldn't look away but did not process what she was seeing until Cadence whispered in her ear: "Papa is crying." Luna watched the tears, one after the other, rolling down Papa's cheeks and the dampness spread like a stain over his coat. She could hear the sobs coming out strangled and choked from his throat. But she couldn't unite the concepts--tears and Papa--into a comprehensible thought in her mind. She couldn't even attach an emotion to it except that of confusion. Mama then leaned close to him, laying her wing over his back and pressing her lips to his ear. Luna saw her jaw moving but could not catch her words. "What is she saying?" Celestia said to Sunset in a loud whisper. Sunset shook her head, allowing Luna to catch the stunned expression in her eyes. "I cannot hear." Cadence began to sniffle again. Celestia glanced at her. "Don't be upset, precious," she said, using Mama's pet name for Cadence. "He'll be well in a moment, see how Mama is comforting him." Rather than calming her, Celestia's words set Cadence to weeping, dropping her garland and covering her face with her wings. Luna and Celestia both immediately rush to her, stroking her with their wings and sending waves of soothing magical energy. "Please Cadence please don't cry for my sake," Celestia said tenderly. "I can't stave off tears if you cannot." "You see even Papa is not crying so much even though it is his parents who are passed on. He is being brave and you must be too," Luna said softly. Sunset, who had stood watching Papa and Mama, now turned and stalked over to her sisters, shouldering Luna and Celestia aside. Her horn flared and a series of sandy golden band of magic fell over Cadence's head. Cadences eyes grew suddenly dim and her sobbing faded like it was being snuffed out. A sedation spell. "Now hurry to your places before Papa is himself again," she said in a low voice, glancing worriedly at their parents. "When the Holy Seer calls us forth for the offerings, Luna you must help her to the cradle and lay out the garland. Understood?" Luna nodded and Sunset tugged Celestia back into the line. It was just in a nick of time; Papa had recovered and was straightening himself, blinking the last of the tears from his eyes and the Holy Seer and his servants' voices had faded into silence. The Holy Seer motioned with his hoof and the royal family all stepped forward, Luna bringing Cadence along with her wing. With a nod to each respective member--Papa's rosemary, Mama's pansies and prayer pearls, Sunset's fennel, Celestia's columbines, Luna's rue, and Cadence daisies--all were placed over Grandmama's clothed body. Then Papa held out the unlit torch he held in his magical grip, and the Holy Seer spoke a blessing in the Holy Speak and then lit the torch with his horn. Mama and the princesses stepped back as Papa laid the torch upon Grandmama, the oil and wine soaked into her burial cloth igniting instantly. Then both he and the Holy Seer stepped upon the Observatory platform and the Holy Seer spoke more holy words over Papa, moving his hoof over Papa's head in the motion that indicated divine anointing. When he finished, Papa grasped the Sentinel sword with his magic and there was a heavy clank as the blade fell into place. The walls about them began to whirl, making a terrifying whining noise like the voice of ten thousand windigos that almost caused Luna's heart to burst out of her chest. She instinctively drew Cadence closer to her, though she knew the filly probably did not perceive anything. Recalling the last funeral, she looked up and saw the barrel of the Observatory cannon pointed directly into the heavens. It's magical funnel fell upon Grandmama and began to lift the smoke from the fire into the night sky. The process was slow, after the smoke would come the flames and the ashes of Grandmama and all the offerings. Luna made the innocent mistake of watching the body last time and knew she could not bear seeing Grandmama's body consumed and dissipated by the fire. The flames hid the graphicness but somehow it did not remove the disturbance of watching a creature being burnt out of existence. It made her think of the library she had walked into the night of the fire. How the words on so many pages had been blackened out of reach of memory or restoration. Silenced and unknown forever to the world... She did not want to think of that, so Luna focused her eyes and mind at the sky above. She could see the edge of a constellation--Faust's Heart she recalled it was named. She had seen it many times through her telescope during nighttime lessons with their tutor. The tutor had once told her when she was perhaps Cadence's age that if she kept staring so long in the scope the stars would burn themselves into her eyes. She hadn't seen how this was an evil thing and had then spent hours in private staring at the stars in hope that this would happen. She remembered she had spoken of it once in Grandmama and Grandpapa's presence. Grandmama had laughed, that had made Luna blush but in a pleasant way. But Grandpapa... At that memory the stars suddenly seemed to grow harsher and to flame like Grandpapa's eyes. Stop that, for the love of Faust. You shouldn't think ill of the dead, especially not at the funeral. She tried to think of a pleasant memory of Grandpapa but those were all tied to poor uncle Vasilios and that made her feel worse. She hugged Cadence closer to her, finding comfort in her sister's warmth. She could feel Cadence's faint heartbeat against her own ribs, and it seemed to match the pace of her own. That must have affected her somehow because she did not recall standing through the rest of the ceremony until Celestia nudged her and she realized Grandmama's remains, the bed and all the offerings were gone. Then lead by the Holy Seer they filed out of the Observatory and down the Bridge back to the palace, but she did not end up recalling much of that either for she spent it helping Cadence's dulled senses across it.