Ryzar looks towards Hulfe, and his dark eyebrows shoot upwards in amazement. "But...but you are a MAN!", Ryzar exclaims in a shocked and surprised tone -- then quickly shuts his mouth, and places his gloved hand over his lips, as his pale cheeks burn with embarrassment. "Please forgive my friend here, brother Hulfe," Dharak blurts as soon as the word "Man" leaves Ryzar's mouth. "As is obvious from his speech and dress, he is from a distant settlement of our people, and is not used to our ways". "Yes, please forgive me." Ryzar apologises, bobbing his head in supplication, "It's just that, in Estcarp -- where I'm from -- it is Women who hold the positions of Holy Ones and spiritual Leaders. I was simply....surprised, that's all". "I accept your apologies, brother", Hulfe replies softly, "Estcarp is not settlement I know of, but I have known more than one community where all the holy people are women". "As for our fallen brother", Dharak continues, "I regret that I did not know him long enough to learn what the proper rites and rituals are in his community. From what I do know of him, I can state unequivocally that he would be honoured to take his final rest here, among free people and true". "Tell me, what are your ways regarding the honoured dead?". "We do not have a lot of formal rituals", Hulfe replies, "We bury the body in the field of freedom, and commend his spirit to join the One True God, accompanied by the deceased closest friends and family. Everyone present must say a few words saying what the deceased mean to them. After that, there is a celebration in his honour, to which everyone in the village who can attend is invited". * * * * Hank thinks of something else to ask the healer. "I owe my travelling companion a 'round', for carrying Kylar", he says, indicating Roy, "Is there a tavern of some kind, around here? I suppose I'll need to trade something for money, too- unless they take credit..." He grins. Her face also spreads into a grin. "We don't really have a tavern, not like in a city", she says, "Since we're not on a road that leads to anywhere but here, we have few visitors. There is the hall, the stone building you must have noticed when you came in. It's the only place in the village that's not a someone's house. It's our temple, tavern and everything else all rolled into one!". -- Tim Hall Weblog: http://www.kalyr.com/weblog Photos: http://kalyr.fotopic.net/
