Me and my siblings are wearing pure white outfits.

I'm being extra careful not to get any stain or filth on my garb to look my best for the ceremony. The adults are wearing mixed dark and white outfits while the few elderly present are clad in full black clothes. Grandma is wearing a black veil covering her face.

Three days have now passed since her loss but she is still crying underneath her veil.

There is a small crowd at our local temple: some of my grandparents neighbours, a few of ours, the bulk of the attending are hunters and people who worked with grandpa. There also are a few old veterans that served with him in the army and even an official of the shieldom, wearing a blue cape above his mourning outfit.

After a short eulogy by a priest of Otik we burned down a few of my grandfather's possessions before dropping the ashes down Otik's well.

His corpse couldn't be reclaimed. His group of hunters were outside the city during the monstrous tide and they got caught in a skirmish with the rear guard of the monsters. The hunters were quickly overrun, outnumbered. Only one hunter and his apprentice managed to escape the slaughter, the both of them are present at the funerals.

When soldiers got wind of the attack and went on site there was only blood, some body parts and a bit of gear left behind but no retrievable corpses.

Jocalie is crying besides me and Barasti is holding back some tears of his own.

It's not my first time burying a grandparent. I did it twice on Earth. But it doesn't make it any easier, this grandpa was a nice guy. Always caring for us, wanting to teach us and proud of his grand kids. I wish I had more time to spend with him, at least to get to know the story behind his scar or learn a bit more about archery and hunting.

As the priest of Otik voices a last prayer for the soul of my corpse-less kin to find eternal respite, we start to make our way out of the temple, faces full of grim.

People start queuing to present their condolences at the widow. Some even brought some gifts or memento. The official hands a purse to grandma: the price of blood. Grandpa's death is pinned down on the failures of the blade in charge of the southern region that allowed the monstrous threat to grow unchecked. Thus compensation must be paid, not much, never enough but still a symbol.

In this world bodies are usually burned and the ashes either planted under a sapling kept in an urn or dispersed in Otik's well, depending on one's favourite god or death circumstances. In our case it is believed that offering the ashes of the deceased's belongings to Otik is the best way to guide his soul to rest.

After the ceremony there is a light lunch at a nearby Inn. The hunters provided lots of food for the occasion and the official and the army took charge of the drinks. I'm allowed a small glass of what I think is mead for the occasion. Some of his colleagues share anecdotes and hunting stories with dad and Barasti.

There is no other family than us. Grandpa's siblings were long dead. My father has a dead brother and a sister that went to live in the southern republic, whom we got no news for more than five years.

Back at home we all cheer grandma as best as we can. She gifts each of us one of his belongings as a keepsake. My brother gets one of the bows, a nice composite bow made of slightly pink bones and a white wood at its core. My brother's archery skills being the best heritage grand pa imparted him.

My sister Jocalie gets a small bronze bracelet. A gift from one of the military officers intended for grandma but she decided her grand daughter should wear it, as she was the pride of her husband.

As for me I am gifted a blade. Grand ma heard about our encounter with monsters in the cellar and decided that I needed something to defend myself with. This hunting knife belonged to grandpa, it's a 30cm long blade made out of a silvery alloy. This is uncommon, most tools around are made out of bronze or pig iron at best. The knife's handle is made of polished wood and it comes with a leather sheath made to be strapped around a thigh, but my tailor of a grand ma customized it so I could strap it to my arm.

Our lodging accommodations also had to change. Grandma wont be able to keep her house on her own, the rent requested by the blade being too hefty for a single lady. Barasti and I got moved to the attic and grandma and my sister will share our former room.

My brother wont stay long with me. Dad already planned to entrust him to one of his coworker. Barasti is at an age where it isn't unusual to choose a profession so he became an instay apprentice for one of the blacksmith: an old widowed man that could use some help with chores at his place in exchange for providing roof and meals to his apprentice.

My brother will learn a trade and be taken charge of. This is some relief for my dad, with the arrival of grandMa and the incoming baby of my pregnant mother, our need for food is ever growing but our supply got greatly diminished by the loss of our hunter of a grandfather.

This is somewhat worrying me too. Fishing is good but not enough and dangerous too. The river was already dangerous on its own but now I know that even worse may always come unnoticed.

I need to speed up things and find a way to enter the temple.

I tried praying at Shinpilo's shrine, offering to share my knowledges but either the god doesn't care about my mundane science or my prayer didn't got heard without an offering. I asked to talk to a priest of Shinpilo but was laughed at. These are either scholars or spies, not people easily met by a 4 years old commoner.

During what's left of Spring and early summer I redoubled efforts at work. Not that it earned me much more.

Peterell was hurt and couldn't use his arm for a month, stranding us either ashore or in the 15m zone. With his arm crippled he didn't dare go in more dangerous waters deeming the risk not worth it for either of us. I trust his judgement. Our fishing became scarcer and so did my salary although we still brought enough fish for me to provide my home with some.

I had to burn some of my savings to make an offering at Yoli's nearest of kin: her son. A boy who just turned 16. He is a laughing lad who loves swearing and singing. I'm amazed at how positive he can stay after his loss. His name's Kukku, he took back the food stall. His cooking is still lacking compared to his mother's, but he is getting better by the day and is diligent.

The stall got overrun by the tide so every little help was welcomed. Most of his compensation came from the officials for blood money but Peterell also made a substantial gift, as thank for his daughter and adding mine, Gel's (I helped her round up a decent offering) and Balout's thanks. It helped the boy rebuild a functional stall.

* * * * *

The faulty blade got judged a month after the attack.

Blade Kosho was the culprit, his trial was announced all around the city by city criers and was open for all inhabitants of the city to attend to. I took a day off work to go there, Peterell was still convalescent so it didn't hinder much our work.

Trial was presided by both the “pope”, called the pantheon's head but I find “pope” to be more fit, and the shield lord of the Kingdom and city: lord Kirinavati.

Our Lord is a fierce looking 40 something years old. Lavishly dressed in crimson silk and gold embroideries with matching golden pauldrons. His crest is a circle with three waves inside and two horns growing out of it.

The blade was interrogated in presence of a Jalea's blessed one. Those are scary beings: because of their unyielding faith in justice and untainted honesty, Jalea grants them the power to tell truth from lies. There are only a couple of them in the city but they make the perfect judges, detectives and heads of security. They could also be used for counter spying, diplomacy and trade but such activities are looked down upon by Jaleites.

I hope I never have to face one: who knows what they would be able to find out about me and my former life?

The interrogator was an old woman clad in white armour and wearing the silver on black circle of Jalea's moon sigil: she who casts light in the night.

The trial took place on the great Temple's plaza. There was a small wooden stage hastily built for the occasion. The pope and lord were the judges while the Jalea's blessed one was the prosecutor. Finally there was a jury made out of other blades. Free citizens and commoners were just allowed to witness the trial.

The plaza was crowded like never. I went with Mel and Gel and we managed to slip through the legs of the adults to find some place not too far where we could see part of the stage. Many of the spectators were wearing a black and white piece of cloth on them or simply a strip of fabric tied around an arm, meaning they had lost someone in the battle and were coming to ask for justice.

The voices of all present on stage were magically enhanced or they were using chi to make themselves heard from all.

The pope was the one to open the trial: “Lord Kosho, you are in front of the gods and us believers to decide your fate and make known to the world how you took part in last month monstrous tide.”

The lord Shield followed with a voice as deep as the mines of the city: “The damages were great: 62 soldiers died, 351 civilians lost their lives and the southern merchants dock got wiped out.” He stopped while the crowd was buzzing with comments on the toll. “You will have to answer in front of the gods. In the name of Jalea, do you swear to say the truth?”

“Yes, I swear on Jalea to tell all I know,” Answers blade Kosho with a undeserved calmness. I couldn't help but notice his choice of words: granting him some room for what was truly his responsibility. The blade is a 50 years old looking man with salt and pepper hair. Still more pepper than salt though but his long moustache is already fully white. He is dressed luxuriantly in a bright yellow robe adorned with citrine jewels all over: on his dress, rings and collar. I can't clearly see his crest: a white beard on blue background, an eagle or a cormorant ?

“Were you aware of the spread of monsters in your territory?” directly asked the pope, cutting to the chase.

“Not to the extent of a tide your highness.” Foxily answers the blade.

Both judges turned toward the prosecutor who waved her hand meaning something on the like of : there is both truth and lie in his answer. She looked positively infuriated by the man's attempt to conceal the truth in a mix of lie. To her this was blasphemy.

She took on the lead: “Did you receive any report of increase in monster activity in recent months?”

The blade accused the blow, the question is harder to evade. “There had been some worrying news indeed.” He carefully stated.

There was some swearing among the crowd. The lord shield yelped once, his voice booming to every corner of the plaza and everyone settled down at once.

The Jalea's blessed one continued “Did you implement appropriate counter measures to take charge of this matter?”

“Obviously not enough.” dodged the man.

“Answer !” rumbled the shield lord making echo to the disgruntle in the crowd.

“I did not have more available troops to handle the matter.” The blade defended himself.

“Lie !” objected the prosecutor. Her ability to detect lies got triggered. “Did you spend as much effort as needed on this threat?” she continues.

“As much as I could afford.” the blade got sweaty and his yellow outfit gave him an unhealthy complexion.

“Lie !” she hammered again. This time the crowd erupte, insulting the blade. Considering the death toll there must be lots of people who lost a kin, friend, or coworker, present today. They did not take kindly to the man's nonchalance and attempts to evade his responsibilities.

“When did you learn of the apparition of a monstrous leviathan?” asked the pope with a stern tone.

The blade took some time to answer, trying to find some clever roundabout around the question but finding none he had to answer: “Two weeks before the tide.”

Again there was some tumult among the crowd. I could see anger flashing on Mel's and Gel's faces, reflecting my own indignation.

This time the shield lord waited for the tumult to calm on his own, letting us vent our wrath.

The jury of blades now looked at their peer with contempt. A failing blade is a dishonour to them all, casting shame on their caste and slurring their status. There is no doubt that there will be no mercy to expect from them.

“Did you neglect your duty, indulging yourself in luxury instead of being worthy of your title?” Attacked the Jaleite, now really angered with the man. Not only was he lying but he was also trying to cover his deeds.

“No !' exclaimed bladde Kosho. As he was about to add more, he got interrupted “Lie !” Clamoured the prosecutor once more with a vicious smile on her face.

Again: screams, insults and more rotten bunta and duggu's eggs came from the crowd until the shield lord shouted with his supernatural voice to calm things. His low toned bellowing made my bones tremble as if I was in front of the bass speakers at a concert.

“Did you conspire with the monster god in any way?” lord Kirinavati's question brought a huge silence on the stage and crowd. This was a major accusation.

A white faced trembling Kosho answere “No! I may be a failure and unworthy of my rank but I didn't betray the pantheon. Jalea bares me witness !” There is deep fear clearly palpable on him.

Everyone turns toward the Jalea's chosen, she nods “True.”

The judges and jury took a quick recess to debate during which the crowd was actively discussing the outcome. Death being the most common expectation. I could see killing intent in my comrades eyes, Gel's amethysts burning with purple flames and Melodi having an almost feral look in her feline eyes. This send a shiver own my spine.

I too wanted justice, for Yoli, her son, my grandfather and all the citizens wronged by an indolent lord and mourning because of his failures.

The pope was the one to announce the verdict: “Mazus Kosho, you have been judged guilty of failing your duty as a blade. Your negligence being the culprit for hundreds of deaths. As such you are sentenced to death penalty.” Bloodthirsty cheers erupted in the crowd, avid for revenge.

“You are dismissed of your blade's rank and so goes for all your kins. None of your family will inherit any title. Your domain and possessions will fall under the shield lord's supervision to compensate the victims. Charge will incur on him to find a fitting replacement to secure the area and perform as new blade. In the meantime he will be in charge of the security in the area.”

Again some cheers erupted but this time in joy and there were some shouting the shield lord's praises, I could notice that most were city guards probably planted in the crowd to this end.

“Because you aren't guilty of conspiring with the monster god, you wont be branded heretic and your family won't be executed. May Otik accept you in his mercy. The pantheon has watched over this trial and blessed our ruling,” he finished.

A livid Kosho was escorted by city guards inside the grand temple. After some more clamours the crowd started dispersing and the shield lord left the stage, riding majestic on a winged bear. Now that was an animal I would like to examine closer. The beast looks like it weight over a ton yet flies with wings. There is magic there, aerodynamic can't explain that otherwise.

The execution took place 5 days after the trial, in public again.

Kosho, now a simple citizen, was beheaded by priests of Husnd and Nasibor. Both of them using a big poleaxe, swinging it in sync to cleave the man's neck.

The corpse was then burned on a pyre of golden flames lit by an Oreo priestess, for all to see before the ashes were returned to his family. The yellow wearing group looked ashamed and miserable but also relieved, a stain was washed away from their names.

Now they were simple free citizens.