Chapter 129

On the night the Kingdom of Nordmar held its most important celebration, the Fire Clan was mourning all those that had lost their lives the previous night. The dead were placed on pyres in the courtyard. The biggest one was in the middle, the Arch-Mage Semias on top of it. His hair and beard had been combed and braided, and he had been dressed in a new robe.

Those who had come to pay their final respects to the dead had put on grey clothes, ash in their hair, and painted their faces white—as was the custom in Nordmar. Ayla did the same. She and Rhobart had a few hours of sleep before the Mages set the pyres on fire.

Rhobart, Ayla, the Paladins, and Milton stood next to the new Arch-Mage—a woman called Syndra. The Arch-Mage Semias had appointed her as his successor months ago. Rhobart held a torch in his right hand, and the new Arch-Mage Syndra lit it.

“Tonight, we should have laughed and celebrated O’neltxero, but instead, we have gathered here to mourn our dead,” Rhobart said, loo