"Have you heard the news, Merriyah?" the fishmonger asked the young 
house-servant.

"No, Boric, I have not", Merriyah Asricsaan von Fitzlyri said excitedly 
and bent closer to the fishmonger with a smile, "what is it?"

"Lord Kingsbane has died.  He caught a fever in Saltrim, and quickly 
became very ill.  Apparently he died a few days ago."

"Osric Basiluddin?!?", Merriyah almost shouted, her facing going white 
with shock at the news, her quivering voice turning almost into a wail.  
"Oh Ansaan, how could that be?  How could he die?  My grandfather fought 
for him in the Revolution, and my brother once met him in the Guard.  
They all spoke well of him, of his strength, courage and intelligence.  
What will Kaeir do now?"

"Young lady, all men die, even great ones.  Lord Osric van Basiluddin 
lived a full and proper life, did great and noble things, and died a 
believer.  For all of this he assuredly has a place in the Afterlife.  
Kaeir will survive without him, I think, because of what he has already 
given us", the old fishmonger said in a sagelike manner.

"Yes, I suppose you're right, Ansaan", muttered Merriyah, "but where 
will he be buried?"

"I heard Merriyah, that they are bringing his body back to Port Kaeir, 
but that his body might be buried elsewhere.  I am not sure.  All I have 
heard so far is that his body is now being transported back here from 
Saltrim via New Tirmaeir.  My friends in the City Guard told me that 
there'd be a big ceremony next week for Lord Kingsbane in Republican 
Square".

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