This mass funeral was a big event, and one that was performed with extreme solemnity. Trumpets blew out military theme tunes and the soldiers, standing at attention at Central Square, saluted the deceased by firing blank rounds every one minute. They held out their swords, in salute, as the pyres were lit. Ranjit’s was the last pyre to be lit. The ceremony was accompanied by four special funeral hymns. The hymns were in Sanskrit, English, Aramaic, and Latin. Four hundred choir singers accompanied the lead singer. A plaque had been prepared to place on the ground where the pyres were. The epitaph read, “This is to acknowledge the deaths of those who fought in the first battle of the War of Vengeance. May their lives and their valiance always remain in our hearts, and may we never forget their deep sacrifice.”
From a bird’s eye view, it was quite a spectacle. At home, TV viewers could see the great fires and the dense crowds gathered around them. These sacrifices would never go in vain, they knew. The funeral created a sense of purpose and pride.
John stood with Alex on his right, and the other delegates, and Nick on his left. The Rebels stood next to Nick. They intently observed the fire that would carry their fellow general’s soul into the Unknown. Nick held his hands over his heart, saying a mental prayer for the soul. Bloody tears about to burst could be seen in his eyes.
Alex saw this and felt the sudden pain and loss. His heart struck with the understanding that they stood at the dawn of a new age. He felt guilt for a number of things, including murdering his own cousin. He was sorry that so many had had to die for his sake. His heart ached to know what would happen next. He searched inside for some solace, as his eyes looked into Angel’s, who stood on the other side, tears streaming down her face. Finding no hope in himself, or in her, he looked up to God, and prayed. He didn’t pray for himself, but for those who had died for him and for those who had yet to do so.
The guilt subsided when John touched his shoulder. With one touch, he knew so many things. Times ahead would be tough, they would be overwhelming. Life was different now. His mind cried out for this sudden loss of normality, this sudden shift of reality. A new age had begun.
But that touch; it comforted him. He knew he was not alone.
The journey continues as Alex unravels
the secrets of his heritage and ultimate destiny in...
Look for it in all major bookstores from December 3rd 2010!
Red Serpent: The Falsifier Page 25