Kroydon and his knights soon came charging into the courtyard and it was obvious that the group had ridden for many leagues without rest. The king still wore his battle armor, which was splattered with mud and streaked with road grime, and his mighty charger was frothing and covered with foam. Stable hands raced out to take the exhausted horses as the likewise tired and sore soldiers staggered to the ground after so many hours in the saddle. Kroydon slid from his mount and landed heavily, but shook away offered assistance as he made his way up the chapel steps.

Theobold stepped forward. "Majesty," he said, bowing his head slightly in deference to the monarch. "Me deepest sympathy for yer great loss."

Kroydon did not even slow his ascent as he passed the priest, but only glared at him with bloodshot eyes as he moved into the chapel with his most trusted knights. Theobold raised an eyebrow at that slight by the king, wondering if he had somehow learned of the confrontation between himself and Valyrae the morning of the prince's death. Well, there was nothing to be done about it now, he decided and mentally shrugged his shoulders as he followed the soldiers into the chapel.

Valyrae's casket rested before the elaborate alter to the One God and Kroydon was kneeling next to it, his arms draped over the hastily carved cover of the casket. His knights stood nearby, heads lowered in mutual sorrow. Theobold gave the king a few moments with his grief before moving down the aisle to stand at the head of the casket.

"Sire," he began, keeping his voice as solemn as possible, "if I can be of any comfort, ye need only to ask."

Kroydon slowly raised his head to the priest and Theobold noted with some shock how much the King had aged since he had last seen him. The lines of worry and loss were etched deeply into his face and his eyes were bloodshot and bleary, clouded with grief, and something else--perhaps hate?

"Priest," Kroydon said, his voice raspy with road dust and tears, "I ask for some time alone with me grief. Leave us." It was an order Theobold could not readily refuse, and though he felt it was but another slap in his face--being told to vacate his own chapel--he did as he was bidden. Dipping his head to Kroydon, who was no longer even aware of his presence, he left the chapel by the rear stairs so the crowd in the courtyard would not be witness to the fact that he had been evicted from his personal sanctuary.

With Theobold gone, Kroydon turned to his most trusted companion. "Garish," he whispered.

The huge knight moved up and took a knee next to his king. "Aye, me lord."

"As soon as possible, ye must take yerself to Bowatsland and fetch back the Princess Irayan," he said, quietly. "With Valyrae now gone, she be the only one I can trust to hold the kingdom together while I continue the border battles."