The group detoured from their route to stop at Gourry's home, an adequately-sized homestead not far from the nearby town. They informed his family of the events surrounding his death, and asked for their fallen friend's sword.
Gourry had told Lina once about a custom his family had. Usually, the tradition goes that a swordsman is lain in his final resting place with his sword in his hands. However, in the case of the Gabriev family, the eldest son of the house possessed the Hikari no Ken, and the sword passed from son to son each generation. Burial of the legendary blade was not an option. Therefore, the family had set up their own custom. Each swordsman or swordswoman was buried with his or her first sword, saved in the family armoury before he or she left home. Apparently, Gourry hadn't told his family about the loss of the Hikari no Ken, because his father asked for it back. An argument ensued, ending with the retrieval of Gourry's first sword and of his sister, Leian. She joined them on their journey and represented the Gabrievs at the funeral.
The city of Seyruun was draped in colours of mourning as the funeral procession passed through the streets. Three days had gone by since Gourry's death. The group travelled to Seyruun with their comrade in a coffin made of the finest materials Amelia could find. Prince Philionel prepared a state funeral for the swordsman, the ceremony held as soon as they arrived in the white magic capital. The former Swordsman of Light was buried in the Tomb of the Heroes later that evening with his first sword in his hands, according to his family's tradition.
After the burial, Lina, Zelgadis, and Sylphiel met in a small room in the palace.
"So, where do we go from here?" Zel sighed.
Lina ran a tired hand through her hair. "Well, no doubt we're gonna have Mazoku up to our ears. I guess we'll just drift around and face whatever comes after us."
"Do you think they want all of us?"
"Probably not, Sylph. You should be okay, and Amelia too as long as she stays inside Seyruun. I doubt she could hold her own if she left the safety the city walls provide without us. Zel and I, on the other hand, are more than likely going to have Mazoku crawling down our throats trying to kill us. We can hope that they think that since Xelloss failed, others will if they try, but that's a big wish."
"I don't think we should tell Amelia about that."
"Huh?" Lina blinked.
"Xelloss. I'm pretty sure she already thinks he's bad enough as it is with what little we know about him. Hearing that he just tried to kill all of us isn't going to help that, and I don't trust that justice kick of hers," the shaman shook his head. "She'd probably send out a battalion of troops to hunt him down or something. Then Seyruun would be in trouble."
"Mmm..." The shrine maiden stood. "I think I'll see Leian back to her parents, then head home myself. If either of you need help, you know where to find me?" They nodded their agreement, then watched as Sylphiel Nels Raada left.
"Wanna go cure hunting, Zel?"
"..."
"Zel?"
"..."
BONK!
"ITAAIII!!!!"
"That was stupid."
"Well, at least it brought you back to reality. Did you hear my question?"
He sighed yet again. "Nothing better to do, I guess."
"Oh, wait, you asked about it at the temple, right?"
"Yeah."
"And?"
"I've got about a year before I find it."
"Ah. Is this in some remote location where it'll take from now until then to reach it?"
"Not really."
"Hmm...Guess a cure quest wouldn't make sense right now then, ne?"
"Yeah."
Lina slumped in her chair.
"We could go raid some bandit camps." Zel suggested, shocking himself that he even brought it up.
"Yeah, maybe. Hey, I know!" she stood and grabbed the chimera's arm, pulling him up as well. "C'mon, we're gonna go enjoy ourselves!" she announced, then ran out of the room with him dragging behind.
Yep, she's in denial about this, he decided. Then a look of confusion crossed Zel's face. Hey, how strong is Lina that she can drag ME????