Together they formed a somber ring around the table, rablin, man, woman, child, and reanimated standing close and rubbing shoulders in the spacious parlor. Even Flower was present, perched upon the back of a large azure sofa. She watched the proceedings through half closed eyes, her wing secured inside a miniature handmade sling, stitched specifically for the task it seemed. She completed the room’s look quite nicely Caleb thought. The decor was no doubt purchased and laid out to suit the late John’s personal tastes. A clear oceanic and sailing theme could be seen throughout the design. Crossed cutlasses hung over the mantle, the walls were painted a beautiful aquatic blue, and the drapes resembled the pure white sales of the ships who dared the mighty brine. Bright carpets from foreign lands were laid upon oakwood floors and several paintings of ships and sea were set high on the walls. Dominating the entire space was a large portrait, depicting the likeness of a younger Sara, and whom Caleb could only assume was John Senior and his children. John the younger and Mary could not have been more than ten and five, and Sara held a baby Marrathew in her arms. They looked so happy, their smiles permanently captured through the artist’s skill, it was clear the masterwork painting had been a prized possession for many years. All said the living space seemed a good location to give John and Herrown’s spirits the closure they deserved.

	Still, he was unaccustomed to being surrounded by such finery and Caleb took care where he laid his feet. The gilded carpets looked like they cost more than the average villager in his home of Eagletown made in a year, and surely it was not for walking upon. He skirted the outside edge, as Roger showed him to his place between himself and Jake.

	Sara looked to each one of them, wiping away unshed tears with the back of her hand as she held her candle close to her heart. “I will begin.” 

Squeezing her candle’s wick between two fingers she murmured an incantation, whispering the name of her lost beloved. A small blue flame blossomed from her fingertips, bright but cool to the touch. Drawing her hand away Sara dipped her head and let her loss and worry of two years slip away, accepting that her husband would never return. Head still bowed she made her wish, uttered so quietly Caleb could not make out what personal wish she desired. Her part done Sara extended her candle to Marrathew, who made his wish and passed it to his sister Mary who in turned helped her daughter Skyla with hers. Around the ring the blue flame went, passed from candle to candle until only Caleb and Roger remained. Accepting the flame from Jake, Caleb held the melting wax close, uncertain what to do or say. The others had all been either whispered their wishes or made very personal requests leaving the boy scared he would say anything wrong. He did not know Captain John; his own involvement having been more or less happenstance two years past the good man’s death. Even this ritual was unfamiliar, the few funerals Caleb had participated in at Eagletown were completely different from this.

	Realizing he was holding up the service Caleb bowed his head, whispering a hurried phrase he had heard Elder Eagle say once when they buried an unknown sailor washed upon the tide. “I wish you satisfaction in the journey you leave behind and happiness in the great voyage yet to come. May you find fair winds and following seas Captain John. Farewell.” Giving the ensemble a quick glance to ensure he said nothing untoward he passed the flickering sapphire light to Roger.

	Roger’s own wish was soon given, and a small address spoken. His was the most flowery and well delivered of the lot, and Caleb suspected he had practiced during the long midnight hours. The circle complete Sara gave a nod and as one they dipped the candles joining the flames. Wishes, promises, goodbyes, and eulogy all mingled and burning bright upon the largest wishing candle. Then, once again, the process repeated, except this time with Mary starting by uttering the lighting charm. At Herrown’s name the candle glowed a dull scarlet and Skyla broke down completely. Mary tried to console her daughter to little avail, eventually settling the grieving girl upon the couch and taking up both lit candles herself.

	Beside Caleb, the younger boy was doing his best to keep a brave face throughout. When the red flame reached him, Jake raised his candle until it shone in his brown eyes, his breath catching until an expression of peace came over him. “Daddy…” His said, so softly Caleb almost missed it. “I wish to grow up and make you proud. I will not let you, or ma, or anyone down. And maybe I will see you again someday.” He clutched the final vestige of his father close, as if trying to recall some distant embrace they once shared. He held the tiny flame near to his small face Caleb feared it might go out, or singe his tunic but Jake seemed unfazed by the fire, and the light burned on. At long last he extended his hand, allowing Caleb to continue the ceremony.

	Caleb could say nothing as the fire danced on his candle wick. Even his simple prayer from before felt false and heavy on his tongue compared to what he had just heard. Shoulders slumping, he passed the light on without a word, hoping the others did not think him disrespectful. As the Nieves continued the wishing ceremony Caleb leaned towards to the younger boy. “Do you think you will? See your father again one day I mean?”

	Jake nodded, as if such a thing was a certainty. “Of course, I will. I do not remember what he looks like anymore, its been so long, and I was only six when he left. But I know he will recognize me. Their spirits will watch over us forever, until we join them one day with all our ancestors.”

	“That sounds nice…” Caleb said as they all leaned forward to light the last mourning candle. The twin fixtures twinkled, one a pure turquoise and the other blood red. Family and friends stood in somber silence, tears dropping unabashedly from several eyes until at last John broke the stillness that hung over them like a shroud. He broke away, gesturing for Rainbow to accompany him a small distance from the mourners gathered around the table.

	“You must be Rainbow.” He crouched down to be on level with the small Rablin. Purple and brown eyes locked, both sizing each other up until John offered a hand, which engulfed Rainbow’s own. They shook once and the man rose back to his full height. “I’m glad you found your way here without serious injury. The city is dangerous right now.”

	Rainbow shivered, hugging himself tight as John’s simple words brought back a flood of unpleasant memories. “Noticed that myself. No offense, but the place is crawling with lunatics.”

	John’s lips quirked upwards despite himself. “Aye, true enough. Anyway, I just wanted to comment on your choice of companions. You’ve got quite a loyal friend in Caleb. He was absolutely determined to find you and would not give up. Frankly…” He lowered his voice so only the rablin heard. “I still owe him a blood debt for saving my life, and he was wounded in the process. Not something repaid easily in my experience. You will not come across kids like that too often. Sticking their necks out for someone they just met. Keep him safe for me, so maybe one day I could reimburse him.”

	“I’ll do my best.” Rainbow vowed. He could almost see a part of the elder Captain John in this younger man, and not just from appearance either. The same confident and charismatic air hung around John, emanating from the way he spoke, to his more subtle body language. “Caleb keeps throwing himself into danger for others, which makes it difficult, but he’s been tough enough to survive this far.”

	“Then I imagine we’ll all end up owing him quite a substantial debt. One I am happy to shoulder.”

	The group broke up soon after with John departing first, leaving Kayden with them to return to his own obligations. Marrathew needing to return to his own business begged forgiveness a short time later following in his elder brother’s wake, leaving the house notably less occupied, despite only two people having left. A polite, but somewhat awkward hung over the family and guests for the rest of the morning, Sara being polite but distracted, and Roger looking none to pleased. They kept casting glances towards smaller ears and attempted on more than one occasion to gather away from their younger charges. Sensing the adults wished to converse without them eavesdropping Caleb suggested he and the other children take their simple luncheon outside to dine with Edward, while Rainbow, Sara, Roger, and Mary talked. Bearing trays of sandwiches, peeled Arrocmor fruit, and wooden beakers of green milk the four youths joined their equine companion on the long grass chatting among themselves, even while their elder counterparts conversed indoors…