Moss-burdened trees and lush ferns soon gave way to thin copses of trees sprouting along rocky trails. Grey stone erupted out of the earth, wreathed in gravel that crunched and slipped under their feet as the two girls continued along the cold breeze. By the time the ground was split, the stone revealing where the high ground curved away, Arvanna was shivering, clutching her arms as they walked. Korua wished she’d remembered to bring a scarf. The thick, warm cloths she liked to tie her hair in always draped so beautifully over her friend’s dainty shoulders.

The wind had taken them along the lower path, hugging the high ravine walls until they caught sight of a small cave ahead. The saplings growing near the entrance shuddered, a clue that the path the followed came from within. Korua felt the hair on the back of her neck bristle. The half orc looked warily to her blonde companion, trying to scry meaning in the frown on the elven girl’s face.

“It’s nothing for a cave to be windy,” she said, trying to lighten the tension.

It didn’t work.

“Not like that, and listen,” Arvanna replied, hushing her voice as she spoke, as if she worried her small tone was too loud. Korua narrowed her eyes, and stared towards the cave. Her hearing wasn’t so good as her friend’s, but if she stilled her breath she thought she could just barely make out a sweet tone on the gale.

Korua squared her jaw, her teeth grinding together. There was a song there, and it left the hair on her arms raised and her muscles tight. The unsettling sound was pretty, but somehow it sounded like a warning.

“My Uncle’s funeral had music like this,” Arvanna spoke of the Bladesinger who had fallen in the Red Forest back when they were smaller. It didn’t’ help to ease the half-orcs concern. Why would a dirge be playing here? Weren’t they alone?

Together, the girls stepped into the shadow of the rocks and took each other’s hand as they moved deeper into the dark cavern. The wind was more insistent, teasing their hair away from their faces. Arvanna held her arms and shivered, her light clothes seemed to invite the breeze to chill her straight through to the bone. Korua drew closer to her, hoping that an arm around her shoulder would help her friend to be warmer. The even girl gave a grateful smile and together they moved on.

Somehow the darkness never truly enveloped them. As they walk the path seemed to glow just enough to avoid the divots in the stone. Eventually they turned a corner and the music swelled even louder, echoing around them. Ahead, they could see the cavern open up and a small stone temple carved from the wall sitting silently.

“What is that?” Korua asked. It was familiar, an elven style that felt like home. She’d never been to a funeral before, so when Arvanna answered quietly, “a crypt,” she turned her eyes back on it and stared in awe. To be buried here, she thought, would truly be an honor.