It was an unseasonably cool day in Stormwind. The residents of the grand city, along with its numerous adventurers, all seemed to gravitate towards the warm fireplaces of Stormwind's many inns rather than remaining outdoors in the crisp air. However, not everyone sought a roof over their heads on this day.
In the expansive graveyard behind Stormwind City's Cathedral of Light, a single daffodil was placed at the base of a weathered gravestone... just as one had been placed at numerous others. The latest daffodil was placed, gently placed onto the earth by a heavy iron gauntlet. Silence followed for a moment before the deliverer of the flower raised to his feet, full suit of regal armor quietly creaking and grinding in protest.
"Rest in peace, my dear friend."
Marshal Emmerick Blackthorne's tired eyes lingered on the flower before flicking to the words on the headstone. The fifty nine year old soldier's face twisted into a melancholic yet reflective frown as he let out a short sigh.
"You're early today, Marshal."
The soothing voice came from behind the man. The veteran knight turned to the source of the voice to meet the eyes of a young priestess who often frequented the cemetary grounds herself. She was familiar with his routine of delivering daffodils to each and every headstone of those who fell during the First and Second Wars. Despite her familiarity with this process of his, Emmerick had never gotten to know the name of the young priestess.
"Yes, the air does not feel right this morning. I suspect that a storm is on the way, so I decided to pay my respects early today." His gentle yet gravelly voice was ordinarily solemn on his trips to the cemetary, but his belief that ill weather was on the way only seemed to further endow his voice with penance.
The priestess looked down the rows of headstones, mentally counting the daffodils as her eyes skimmed over the landscape. Each flower signifying eternal life brought that much more of a faint smile to her face before she glanced back to Emmerick. "I'm sure they're happy to see you that little bit earlier in the day, hm? It's good to see you out here when everyone else is indoors huddling around hot pots of soup."
Emmerick's nod was barely visible as he looked down at the last flower resting carefully in his gauntlet, a white rose. "I served with these men and women to defend Stormwind. I was but a mere boy at the time, as were many of them, but we stood together as something far greater than just youngsters with staves and swords. It's difficult to put into words, m'lady but... we truly were brothers and sisters. We were family, and you never forget your family."
The priestess offered a reassuring smile as she watched Emmerick move on towards the final grave as he spoke once more in a quieter tone. "Nor those who you hold close to your heart."
Emmerick's heavy gauntlet placed the delicate flower down on the ground, nestled over a bed of old roses underneath. The priestess bit her lip as she saw them, thinking back to a day when she attempted to discard of the old decaying flowers in the graveyard. Emmerick had abruptly stopped her from disturbing the roses at this particular headstone, claiming that he didn't care how unsightly the priestess thought they were. He didn't want anything to ever be taken away from the one who rested underneath the grave. The priestess knew what this particular grave meant to the old soldier, prompting her to bow her head to him and step away. "I'll leave you be, Marshal. Light be with you."
No response came, as Emmerick was lost in thought. With the priestess quietly moving on, Emmerick kneeled before the grave. Leaning in, he placed a gentle kiss to the top of the headstone before inclining his head and resting forehead against the top of the stone. His eyes slowly closed as he recalled her face, her smile. It had been a little over forty years, but he would never forget. His eyes opened, a low sigh escaping him as he leaned back and looked down the aisle of graves, the bright yellow flowers bringing colour to the rows of gray stone.
Emmerick would never forget.
