Tradegy and Sorrow

"My dearest friend Fogwalker,
I know what I have said in the past but I am broken and distraught and despite what I may have felt in the past all I feel now is that I need the presence of someone I can trust and confide in. I need a friend.
Johannes is dead. I knew that he was in danger due to my actions but I thought he would be laid to rest like my mother, like my father, like so many I have known but he is truly dead, and I know he suffers now eternal, denied his rest. Please Fog, I cannot bear the weight of this and fear I am soon to join the spirits in rest. The world is too darkly beautiful to forget in the eternal rest of my ancestors. I urgently await a letter of response, and if one is forthcoming, if you are willing to give us another chance, as friends, as companions in utter darkness then I will send the carriage to collect you, just for the day.
Yours,
Wilhelm von Vald"

Tears stain the letter and the normally excellent handwriting is shaky. Fog makes haste to respond with their own letter.

“Dear Wilhelm,
We have all said things in the past we might come to regret, to wish we had said differently or not at all. I could not hold it against you, as I am also guilty of this on many occasions.
I fact I was ecstatic to see the arrival of your letter, but now I have great concern. Please hold on, do not give up or give in. As you say, this world is too full of intrigue and wonder to leave it behind quite yet.
I am certain there is something that can be done for your brother, to return him to his ancestral rest. There is a strange power behind the adventuring community here, I have heard of many quite miraculous feats being achieved. Perhaps this could be another one.
Let us meet and talk it through together, or at least let me be there to support you in these times. Anything I can do to help.

Your companion in darkness,
Fogwalker”


A few days after sending the recent letter, Fog receives another. Intricate and delicately written on it is simple. Midnight, cemetery.

Fog heads to the Daring Heights cemetery as indicated, a place of much previous interaction between them and Wilhelm, to be met by mist and ravens. The atmosphere is thick as the moon crawls through the sky when suddenly a whinnying of horses as the black carriage, pulled by its spectral steeds, lands in front of him.

After getting in, the carriage rises in the air and the lonely journey to the von Vald castle is longer than normal, an eerie sense of sadness hanging in the carriage like an unwanted guest. But eventually it lands and when Fog exists they can see they are not where they have ever landed before. They are on a simple path, in one direction the hill on which the castle resides but in the other... they can't quite tell, the path winds into the depths of the woods.

There's a small moment of uncertainty, but then Fog assumes that if Wilhelm wanted to meet at the castle, the dark carriage he is now familiar with would have stopped closer to there.
So they start following the winding path into the woods, eyes attentive to their surroundings even as they nervously fidget with the glass ring on their finger.

As they continue they come across an open area with a small lake in the centre. Around the lake are small twisted rose bushes, black roses growing from them. The lake itself looks murky, almost tainted. Suddenly he sees a figure sitting beside the lake. Wilhelm, except for the first time he's seen them, their crown of purple roses has been removed and drifts across the lake’s surface.

Fog quietly pads through the open space on bare feet, not wanting to disturb the strange stillness. But he knows he'll have to speak eventually. Once close enough to Wilhelm and the lake, the tall blue firbolg lowers himself down to sit next to them. He eyes the flower crown drifting on the water for a moment before softly saying, "I want to say I'm glad to see you, just perhaps under better circumstances. Wilhelm, what happened?"

Wilhelm jumps a little as if surprised.

“Fog. I… he’s.”

Suddenly they break into tears. After a while they calm down and look into the lake.

“It’s all my fault, it’s all my fault. I never planned it to be like this, I never wanted him to actually die with her”

As Fog watches where Wilhelm is looking they can see two figures in the murky darkness of the water, sunken to the bottom. It's hard to make them out but one seems to be Johannes, although without the armour he was always in; and another figure, perhaps a woman

It's a puzzling sight for Fog, who's still learning the burial rights of these lands. Is it even a rite, and that's part of the problem? But eventually he turns from the murky depths and looks back to Wilhelm with a slight frown. "Now, I'm sure it's not all your fault. Especially as you're so upset by it. But before you say anymore, do you need a hug?"

A single small nod from Wilhelm and without hesitation Fog holds out his lanky arms to pull them into a tight hug. "You must be cold out here by the water, I do worry how you un-furry people cope sometimes."

Wilhelm just sniffles

"He's gone Fog, he's gone. I was the one that brought them here, I knew he'd be here, I'd knew he'd be willing to fight them here. I thought it was time for his rest but they killed him Fog, he's just gone"

"Brought who? Is it the other figure I can see in the lake? I'm surprised one person could bring him down quite literally. And Johannes' body remains, perhaps we can also bring his spirit back if he's willing, I do not have the right magic but I know others do."

He sighs deeply, realising how quickly he is speaking compared to normal. "Apologies, I do not mean to bombard you with questions when you are still grieving."

"I, you, he can't. Ok, I'm sorry let me start again, I fear my addled mind is becoming worse..."

They try to shuffle out of the hug a little to better speak to Fog, who backs up to give them more space.

"Some adventuring sorts wanted to defeat Johannes to take his hammer and what with his madness getting so drastic I thought it would be the perfect time for him to finally rest after so long, especially after so much torment at.. her loss."

Fog looks again to the lake with the two figures, now with a better understanding of who else lies there. "But they took it too far, and he died rather than enter the rest you speak of."

They nod sadly

"And now they lie together, denied their eternal rest. Although my brother died long ago before that.."

It's Fog's turn to give a solemn nod. "It's always hard to lose family so soon after the other, I'm sorry."

"Now only me and Kyra remember her"

"Then treasure those memories. I can't deny it won't always hurt, but you will heal."

"She was always so kind to me, it hurt so much when she fell into rest. I know it killed my brother, what was left of him"

"Then perhaps continue that legacy for her, of kindness. So that even if the memory fades, her legacy does not." Fog starts picking at the ground nearby, looking for something amongst the dirt. "In my tribe we pile stones together for those who have died, a physical memory of who once walked amongst us. Eventually no one will be left to know who the stones are for, but there the stones will stay nevertheless. It brings me some comfort to know that there's some small part of my mother that will always remain, even if it's something small, at least it's something."

This time they are almost whispering "But they were never meant to die."

"Never never... Then are you telling me something's changed."

"You know my mother still rests with my father in the crypt, Wolfgang rested for centuries before awakening. Von Valds do not die like that, unless they willingly embrace their death like I have heard Wolfgang did in the field of battle. But their rest, their peace, was broken. They are dead Fog, they were never meant to die like this."

"She was his only friend, he deserved to lie beside her in rest. And she... she was too fragile to die so cruelly"

Fog is at a loss to what to say, unable to reminisce in the same memories as Wilhelm for these people. So he places a hand on their shoulder to give a reassuring squeeze. After several moments of silence, he finally asks, "What can I do to help you and them? They might not be able to reach their final rest, but perhaps there is something."

"I- I don't know. Their souls are lost now, trapped in a hellish nothing, torn from them"
Suddenly they break down again, hunching over and sobbing. Rain begins to fall, soaking the dry earth.

"Amelia why! Why could your lilies not protect you now!"

Letting Wilhelm have their moment of grief, it's good to cry it out sometimes, Fog blinks the rain out of his eyes before he turns to the lake again.

In a hushed whisper he says, "Lilies..." before dipping a hand in the water.

The water is cold, almost instantly freezing Fog’s hand, colder than it really should be. It feels heavy too, thicker than water has any right to be. He hopes there are perhaps some remnants or seeds hiding beneath its depths. Finding nothing initially, Fog tries to stare deeper into the murky water but there’s nothing, just blackened silt and mud. Wilhelm sobs. The rain falls harder.

“Find them Fog, find the lilies. Please. For me”

"I am trying friend, I am. But if they are here they are hiding from me at this moment."

He uses Speech of Beast and Leaf to call out to any plants present, to try and tell them it's safe to come out of hiding. Nothing.

"They're not here Fog, not any more, they're adrift. I can't find them..."

Fog's makeup is fully streaming in the rain now, streaks of black down his cheeks. "Then let's leave this place, and think of where they could be. And then I can help you find them."

Suddenly there is an echoing whinny and the carriage stands behind the both of them. Wilhelm says nothing as they stand shakily and sways into the carriage, but Fog is quick to offer an arm of support which they take almost without realising.
The carriage rolls through the darkness, strangely not ever lifting off the ground like it usually does. The carriage ride is quiet and short, eventually the sound of a dirt road fading to cobblestones. The carriage stops, the doors slide open, and they are at the base of the tower that Fog first found Wilhelm in. Wilhelm stands up wordlessly and heads into the ground floor room, the elegant chandelier swaying in the strange breeze. Without any signal the piano in the corner begins quietly plinking a sombre melody.
Fog steps into the room after them, hovering a hand over their sternum. A thick black mist of Prestidigitation surrounds them for a second but in the next moment it's gone, along with the water from the rain. Wet fur is never a fun experience.

"Perhaps it's best we find you somewhere to sit, it's been difficult for you and I wouldn't want to add collapsing to that."

They nod soberly and collapse into one of the lavish couches that hasn't seen a dusting in centuries and sigh deeply. Fog hovers, wanting to do more but unsure if it would actually help.

"Okay, you tell me if I'm asking too much at once Wilhelm. But the lilies that are adrift, can you tell me more about them?"

"She was Amelia of the Lilies, a young woman of beauty and kindness. And the princess of some realm or another, centuries ago. It has been too long, I doubt even my sister would remember where..."

"They were hers, she found the lake and she grew them there after she left her home. Such pretty flowers… She came here so long ago now, she should have never come. The land rejected her, the curse rejected her. She was so nice though, so kind....."

"And yet she did, she obviously cared a lot if she stayed. The kindest ones do."

"They were good friends despite so much in their way.."

"I'm sensing a 'but' oncoming."

"Hm?" They seem distracted, almost as if they have no memory of the conversation so far.

Fog tries to gently prompt them. "Amelia and her lilies?"

"Kind Amelia.."

Now it's Fogs turn to sigh. "I think I am asking too much of you at this moment. My desperation to help is not what you need right now. Come, let's get you resting in your bed while I try to find some hot tea to brew."

"No no I cannot sleep, I cannot let myself rest."

"Why not?"

"I cannot let myself go to my rest, I cannot leave Kyra as the last of our line..."

"Apologies for alarming you, I did not mean rest in that way. I'll just find the tea, then perhaps we can relax."

Fog leaves the tower and Wilhelm behind and heads to the great hall, likely there will be a kitchen there right? The hall is eerily quiet and dead, but eventually he finds a door to what must be the kitchen. It is barren, dust piling on empty shelves, then there is a deliberate cough from behind him. Fog carefully turns to the source and as he turns he sees two figures behind him, one is Kyra von Vald in a carefully tailored black dress, the other is a strange looking knight with a black ribbon pinned to their breastplate.

Kyra speaks up, clearly the one who coughed. "Fogwalker right? What do you want with Wilhelm, they are clearly fragile right now"

"Oh um hello Kyra, yes I am Fogwalker. Apologies if I've stepped somewhere I shouldn't but I was just looking for tea. As you say, Wilhelm is not in a good state and I find a hot beverage a good steadier. I don't want anything with them, I just want to help them. When a friend asks for help when things are dire, I don't just abandon them you see."

“Friend? They have no friends”

Fog's brow furrows deeply at that. "Well they have one now."

“You’ll be forgotten in a few weeks, Wilhelm cannot make friends. It only hurts them. Now, leave my youngest sibling alone at this time of great sadness for our family”

"Yes, and I am sorry for your loss. Perhaps they will forget me, but they haven't yet and so I will support them as best I can. If you really want me gone at this moment then I understand, everyone grieves in their own way, but I will at least say goodbye. It will be rude to just vanish on them with no explanation."

The armoured figure puts their hands on the pommels of their sword. Their voice is heavily muffled by the heavy helmet but seems firm. "The Lady gave a request"

Kyra sighs. "Calm Sunscrier."

She steps towards Fog. "Listen, I know you may think otherwise but I care about Wilhelm and the more they speak to you the more confusion they'll suffer from. I'll answer any questions I can on the condition you say your goodbyes with them speedily"

"Oh Sunscrier is your name? Nice to meet you."

The armoured figure shifts unhappily

Fog turns back to Kyra to address her now. "I don't think otherwise Kyra, but either way yes I have realised questions are not the way to go with them at the moment. I will meet your conditions."

They pause briefly, considering. "They seem focused on Amelia and her lilies. I wonder if recovering some might ease their current state, what are your thoughts on that?"

"My thoughts are none of your business, Amelia is... was. Amelia is none of your concern"

"Okay, but it seems all the lilies have gone from the lake and Wilhelm asked me to find the ones that had gone adrift. It's why I am asking, I am not trying to pry into anyone's business. I truly am concerned and just trying to help."

Kyra seems tired, far more tired than she ever lets on, and waves her hand dismissively at Sunscrier who almost audibly huffs and leaves.

"Come with me please Fogwalker, it seems I'm going to have to have this conversation at some point."

Fog watches as Sunscrier walks off. "Okay..."

Kyra turns and heads into the great hall, many of the tables still covered with dust cloths that don't seem to have moved in centuries. She sits on the great chair under a golden dragon's head and sweeps a firm hand over the room.

"What do you see Fogwalker?"

"A very large room, very untouched."

"Do you see guests? Servants? Family? Friends?"

"No, it is very quiet in here."

She sighs. "Johannes is dead, Wilhelm will not stay awake for very long. I am what is left of the von Valds. Please leave me what's left of my family, don't take Wilhelm from me"

Fog genuinely looks quite distraught at the mention of Wilhelm's demise. "Is that unavoidable? I thought..."

"Please Fog, they only have so much time left, I want to spend it with them.."

"I understand. I'm not taking them from you, I wouldn't dare deny either of you the last moments with family. I know that pain and do not wish to inflict it."

"Thank you, for being honest with me. I will say my goodbyes and leave swiftly as promised."

She nods. "I have one last thing to ask"

"Sure. What is it?"

"Find a way to bring us back. The von Valds cannot die like this. Find. A. Way."

"Now go, say your goodbyes, Maria won't bother you"

Fog holds her gaze for a moment before saying "I promise. We promise."

"Thank you again, and goodbye."

He nods his head slowly and turns to leave for Wilhelm's tower. They have not moved since Fog left.

He gently touches their shoulder, to make them know they're there. "Couldn't find the tea sadly, but I think it's best I get on my way and let you recover."

There’s a small start from Wilhelm "Hm? What?"

"It's okay, it's just Fogwalker. Goodbye friend, I'll see you again soon okay?"

"Oh, oh yes of course, Fogwalker. Leaving so soon?"

"Yes sadly, though I think I've overstayed my welcome even so. But like I said, I'll be back soon."

"Oh yes of course of course… Do give my love to Kyra and Johannes when you see them on the way out"

"Of course." He leans in for a goodbye hug, Wilhelm is frailer even than they look but they return the hug carefully. Eventually Fog gets up and turns to leave, maintaining a calm and happy face the entire time, but as soon as he leaves the tower that drops. Despair evident.

The carriage swoops into view and across the yard Fog can see Maria Sunscrier watching. He gives a quick wave in their direction and then steps into the carriage. Once inside he very quietly whispers to the ring on his finger, voice a bit wobbly, "We promise."

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Just a light hearted lil' night trip with the von Valds and willemf