An End To A Mortal Being

[Z3r05t4r 855]

 

"Wake up..."

 

Like a ghost, Godwein wakes from his sleep... feeling as if he floats... in the throne room of Schattenburg.

 

A sudden sting of pain drives through his body... needles from his toes up into his fingertips... and a fire in his chest, searing and tearing apart him...

 

Godwein chokes during breathing and clutches his chest, only to grab chainmail and cloth he usually wears. An attempt to shout fails him, the voice trailing of in a blurt of gurgling and low grunts.

 

"Fight..."

Attempting to rise from the wooden throne, he has carved himself, shaped after the twin cross of Stafyr, he slips and stumbles in front of it, the bronze crown with the embedded emerald rolling away on the floor. Another failed gurgle of voice escapes him, clutching his chest and throat, pain consuming his body.

"Do not give up... fight... for us..."

Godwein's face grimaces, he himself being on one knee and one leg... but then his expression softens again...

 

 

http://youtu.be/a2JeLe828Nw

 

"I can hear it outside."

"Do not give up now... do not... please..."

"Birds... the trees in the wind... heh, the sea."

His eyes show a certain resignation, as he slumps down on both knees. The mushroom tissue on his face can be seen pulsing, white, rapid, fearful.

"Help me... I can not save you alone..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes... we have to..."

"Hm... look at it though... we had a long time to live."

"But..."

"I believe it is time. We had a long time here and experienced so much. Remember?"

"Yes..."

"Hell, our first meeting was not very pleasant though. You almost killed me."

"I... reconsidered... but now..."

"It does not matter. You were a good friend. Time to head on, no?"

His hand losens its grip around his chest, sinking down, along with the rest of his upper body, the head as well.

 

"Good lord... I can remember when I held my first axe. Or finished the first chair. Father was proud."

"..."

"Well, we had dragons, knights, nobles, undead, wars, diseases, enemies, friends, family, love, peace, work and a lot of travelling together."

"Yes..."

"Remember the World Tree in Asulon? It was so tall. Or the gates of Hanseti? How I liked Ildon, or the Cloud Temple. And Arethor, I know that I cut the trees where they built the main plaza. The Emperor himself, when he was still so young."

"You are fond of him... are you.."

 

"I never respected a single man so much. Although now... I can not really tell why."

In a low noise Godwein's body slumps onto the ground, the light behind his eyes fading away slowly. The mushroom tissue on his face slows its pulsing.

"Time gives and time takes. I believe now it is our turn to head on."

 

"I can see... us... from outside..."

"I expected as much."

"Do we really have to...?"

"Otherwise we would not see ourselves. But no fear. We are awaited after all. And there is someone I definitely wish for you to meet. He was my mentor when my father died and his name was Graveth."

"The first..."

"Yes... my grandfather... did I ever tell you that..."

 

 

...

 

Thus the life of one ends and perhaps a new one may begin. The time has picked Godwein Stafyr to go on and leave the mortal world behind. His old companion... an old unnamed mushroom goes with him. Friends they were, bonded by life and blood. Fading as one.

This be the end of Godwein Stafyr. A mere mortal born into the unknown. Living his life as good as he could. Serving in honor and loyalty. To never betray his friends and to be just. But yet, just one mere mortal. Amongst many.

From a simple woodcutter and a lonesome man who has lost his entire family, to a Lord of Oren, on long paths of glory and doom.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rest son. You deserved it.

 

[Scipp3r 451]

Patrick mumbles "Lord High Treasurers. . . they just don't make them like they used to. . ."

[Recklez 45]

Yurielle slowly walks to Godwein's grave, putting a rose leaf at the feet of his grave.

 

"May you rest in peace.. father.."

 

She slowly adjusts her mask, a tiny drop falls from her cheeck on the rose, she slowly turn as her cloak waves threw the air.

[Major Dom 1297]

Cerene discovers the old man's body on the floor, a truly pitiful sight. After a small choking noise, she breaks down sobbing on the corpse, cleaning her best friend's face with her tears and drying it with her hair. She would never be the same. No one would ever be the same. Ever.

[AmK 322]

Farley stands over Godwein's grave he dug himself. Tears run down his face as looks down at the man who was the closest he ever had to a loving father. With one last look at his body he shovels the dirt back onto the grave and heads back down to Schattenburg, his head hung low, sobbing silently.

 

"Rest in peace, Godwein."

[Kralek 519]

After attending the funeral, despair hangs over Dredor. Unable to control himself, as he walks back to the keep, tears pour down his eyes, not paying attention to anyone or anything in his way. Dredor finally makes it to his quarters  he proceeds to slump down into his seat, eyes blaringly red.

"I shall always be your Hauptmann, my Lord" he murmurs to himself as tears fall down his face.

[Kralek 519]

((sorry about the double post.))

[Jared Frisner 1]

Lord Godwein, I never knew you well and I wish I had. I will take the one cocoa bean that you gave me and make cookies. Cookies that will hold your love and kindness, for you gave me that one bean for free.

[Bashar al-Assad 120]

Royal Chaplain Edward, before getting out of his house for his small stroll around Salvus, he always checked his mail. After opening the small letter signed by the Stafyr family, he couldn't help but let a frown appear upon his face from the news.

 

"Godwein was a good man, may he rest in peace. Also I can't help from feeling disappointed at the deaths and resignations that have been going on in the past year."

[Emenzi 1069]

Edmund and Alistier slowely walks up to the grave, they have not seen it before nor has anyone told them the grim news.

From Edmund's lips only one word can be heard, the name on the tombstone. "Godwein".

Alistier falls to his knees crying and Edmund puts his hand on his shoulder, his eyes show no emotions, no grief nor joy, his eyes are empty. He does not cry nor does he talk he just stands there holding his hand on the shoulder of Alister.

Alistier looks up at Edmund sobbing.

 

"Why.. Why Godwein? He was not sick or injured the last time I saw him."

 

"I guess the creator called.. It was his time, now stand Alistier. There is a time for grief but it is not now."

 

Edmund goes to pull Alistier back on his feet and he looks at the young man.

 

"Godwein will always be with us, remember that Alistier. Whenever you doubt know that he watches over us."

 

They take a long last look at the grave before walking back into the Shadowcastle.

The tolling of the bells can be heard from the church tower in Fieldchurch as Edmund sits down on the throne sighing quietly as he does.

[LedZep98 198]

The news is brought to Adam as he readies for his departure, but he only sees fitting that he pay his respects. He departs for Shadowcastle with haste, along with his son and successor, Codrik. 

 

The pair stand above Godwein's grave, in the fog of the late dusk.

 

"Godwein.... He was a good man, loyal man. In fact, I doubt there was a man so loyal in the Empire."

"So I've heard, father."

"He'd be a man to look to, you know. An example."

"I know, father."

 

The pair stand in silence for a moment before Codrik turns away, heading back to leave Adam to his dues. Adam takes a knee by the grave, saying a quick prayer before turning to depart with his son.

[dandan1350 479]

 

 

The sound of thundering hooves was swept away by the cries of the vast winds, a storm was hitting, how appropriate... Several horses thundered past the town, stopping as they reached the base of the cliff. One by one they slipped from their horses and began their treacherous climb.

 

A hollowed wind sounds among the many valleys of the mountains, mixed within the drop of rain fall as the heavens cried. Darkness loomed over the town of Schattenburg, only a few torches down below in the small town clinging to their last embers. No sounds of sobbing or cries of despair met the grizzled man's elven ears, his face of a normal grudging look was filled with despair and sadness. Never had Dralex felt so alone before, the news of Godwein his friend through the ages, the one who guided him from his angered ways passing was news that Dralex could not truly comprehend. He slowly made his way across the valley as the winds battled against him, sending his soaking hair from the storm of rain down onto his face. No eye-patch rested there, no pipe within his mouth, no weapons drawn or within sight. He simply walked onwards towards the final resting place of Godwein. As he crossed the treacherous terrain within such weather. The flaps of his black trench coat flying behind him, several other silhouettes of darkly dressed men followed shortly behind. Each one maintaining the silence that fell from Dralex, they all walked onwards with their heads bowed in respect.

 

Dralex slowly made his way across the valley’s, reaching his final place of rest. A small embankment rested between him and his old friend. A simple hill stood between the realisation that he had truly passed. He sighed a heavy sigh, bowing his head as he clenched his fists. The several other Blackcoats followed up behind him without a word, hood’s sitting other their heads, shadows hiding the sorrow of their faces. Dralex wore no hood, he cared not for what anyone thought, he’d simply come here to mourn and face the truth. And face the truth he would. He pushed off the dirt, breaking into a stride up the hill, memories flashed through his mind of Godwein’s friendly smile, the one he’d always dawn no matter the circumstance. He shaked his head, clearing his mind.

 

“No, no... It can’t be true..”

 

He mutters increasing his speed before finally reaching the mountain’s flat peak. There he saw it, there his mind was crushed, there his emotions flooded through his system. No sorrow, no pain, no anger was shown. But his mind was clouded with them. He slowed down, reaching the grave, he cared not for those who stood beside him. He simply stopped and stared down on it. Slowly the four Blackcoats followed up behind him, standing in a straight line, shoulder to shoulder. Their hands behind their backs as they bowed their head in respect.

 

Dralex remained speechless for a while as the air continued to howl at him fiercly, sending his coat and hair streaming to the side. The rain joined the wind as it rained down upon him. A crack of thunder sounded behind him, he didn’t jump or freeze. He just continued to stare, before it finally happened. A single tear trailed from his eye, flying from his cheek as it was swept up with the rain. Before finally more tears followed, himself beginning to shake as he slowly fell to his knee’s, silently sobbing for Godwein’s loss. Never had death hit him so hard. Dralex stayed in his knelt position, more memories of Godwein flashing before his eyes as sadness overwhelmed his other emotions. Glimpses of Godwein’s ever so friendly smile hit him again, the smile that was never judging, so innocent, calm and clean... Godwein’s deep chuckle as he sat upon the beach, the two of them talking about who would pass first. Before finally his last goodbye, one that was so miniscule... So pointless.... “Goodbye, my friend...” The voice trailed off as he left his memories, bringing himself back into the real world.

 

“No!”

 

He cried, slamming a fist down onto the dirt before Godwein’s grave.

 

“You don’t get to die!” He yelled again, his cries of pain swept away by the winds. “Not now you old bastard, you don’t get to die before me, you don’t deserve to die!”

 

He cried for a final time. Ending his pointless ranting as more tears swept over him. He closed his eyes, slipping a hand into his coat and pulling out a single black petaled rose. He layed it down upon the grave, pulling himself up onto shaking knee’s.

 

“I’m sorry...”

 

Dralex whispered as he turned back to the edge of the hill, looking down upon the town.

 

“I’m sorry I was never there, Godwein... No matter what you thought of me... You would always be my... ‘Close acquaintance...’.”

 

He paused, looking up into the skies. Silently screaming within his head.

“Why him!? Why not me, you fucker!?”

 

He sighed a heavy sigh once more, before bowing his head. He’d stood for a while, staying silent as the wind swept at him, the rain following. He mourned... He would always... Mourn...

 

“Forever may you rest Godwein, you will be missed.”

 

“You have passed to a better place, a time for you to rest...”

 

“And in the end I hope, although my chance be slim... I may greet you once again and see that innocent smile of yours...”

 

“Forever will you be remembered, forever loved, forever lost...”

 

“You were a true saint within these lands... But your time has passed...”

 

“Goodbye, old friend, may we meet again...”

 

((Wai, Godwein... Wai...?))

[hex37 737]

((The legacy of the mushroom will live on.))

[pendant20 5]

Alexis looks down to the ground of her humble home as the news of Lord Godwein's death reaches her. Though she had never met him personally, she'd heard of the great man and still respected him. Alexis silently prays for him to be in a better, peaceful place then lifts her head and finishes her daily taskts solemnly and distracted.

[Samoblivion 532]

 

Leana smiled widely as she read the letter from the Clerical Order. A meeting... Her search was finally over. Seven years of vigilance, false leads and dissapointment had led her to this. This search had ruled her life for so long... It had come between her and her beloved Edmond, extending their engagement for over two years while she scoured the world for signs of the elusive order. And now, her search was at an end.

 

She had to tell someone. Her husband would be an obvious choice, but she needed to tell someone now. Leana had to tell Godwein, of course. He'd suggested the Clerics all those years ago when he'd prompted her to find something in life, something more than marriage. He'd been there throughout the search, offering her a sympathetic ear for her frustrations and providing advice in his typical cryptic fashion.

 

Leana smiled and moved to her front door. Someone knocked as she approached. Frowning at the hour of the calling, she opened the door to find her brother Farley there. She smiled slightly before noticing his drawn and pained expression.

 

"Farley? What's wrong? Has something happened."

 

Farley sighed and gestured for her to follow. Concerned, Leana followed him to the narrow walkway that led down to the castle proper. He pauses, looking down into the courtyard. Frowning, Leana followed his gaze. Stafyr House Guards in various states of dress lined the way, swords held in a salute with their heads bowed. Slowly but surely, four guards came forth from the keep holding something bound in the green and yellow flag of House Stafyr. Leana's heart stilled, the passage of time slowing with it. She sees her older brother Edmund stagger out of the keep after the guards. Farley let out a strained breath beside his sister, closing his eyes. Frightened, Leana called down to Edmund.

 

"Edmund...? What... Who is..?"

 

Edmund raised his head to his siblings. Even from the walkway, Leana could see the tears in her brothers eyes. For the first time she sees what he is holding in his right hand; a bronze circlet inlaid with an emerald. Godwein's Crown.

 

Leana did not hear herself cry, but she realised that she must have as she fell to her knees.

 

No...

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The Following Morning...

 

Leana stayed where she stood as the priest finished the funeral ceremony. Others stayed as well; Edmund, Farley, Alistier... Somehow Leana felt that others were there with them. Alesira, Godwein's beloved wife lost on the isle of Elysium; Emmanuel, the silent guardian of the House lost and found and lost again; and Graveth, Godwein's beloved son and a man Leana considered to be a third brother. One by one, the mourners left the grave. In the end, only a handful were left. Farley was the first to leave, leading his daughter Yana back towards the castle; Edmund started to follow soon after with his wife Angelika, but not before touching Leana's shoulder warmly.

 

As they started to leave, Leana's began to hum an old song. Before long it turned to a full blooded lament, an old song of long lost Revicheg:

 

 

((Translated from DA Elvish to German/Revichegian))

 

 

Ältester, Ihre Zeit ist gekommen

Jetzt bin ich mit Trauer erfüllt

Müden Augen müssen ruhen

Herz ist grau und langsam

In wachen, Schlaf ist Freiheit

 

Wir singen, frohlocken

Wir erzählen die Geschichten

Wir lachen und weinen

Wir lieben einen mehr Tag

 

Wir singen, frohlocken

Wir erzählen die Geschichten

Wir lachen und weinen

Wir lieben einen mehr Tag

 

 

By the end of the song, Leana's throat is dry. She turns to see her brother standing before her, their eyes filled with tears. The siblings share a long embrace before walking back to their home.

 

~~~~~~~

 

From a treetop near the town, a hooded elf listened to the song. After a while of waiting he stealed into the night.

 

"Van'ayla, Godwein. Your stones outlived you after all..."