Dreams of Steel - Part 7

When I first uploaded this I wasn't done editing it, but now I think I've caught all of my main mistakes.  Enjoy!

--------------------

That night the Furies of heaven unleashed a storm, as if to contribute their spectral homage to Hairón’s funeral services.  At the foot of the tower, under the downpour, the honor guard held vigil over the casket.  Covered by a glass top, the leader of the Horde embraced the old steel sword with which he had gained the seven ranks of mastery in his youth.  Above him and the burning torches that lit him was hung a canvas awning.  The water, stubborn, formed pockets in it, and from time to time somebody would hit the canopy with the tip of their spear to empty it.  Under the flashes of lightning, the soldiers passed before their dead commander, bowed their heads as a sign of respect, and turned to withdraw without really knowing what to do.

The taverns of Mígranz did not close until dawn, and wine, mead and beer competed with the rain.  There was pain, worry about the future, and also curiosity, and all of that excited the thirst of the men.  The deeds of the past were remembered:  those who had been closer to Hairón or had shared guard duty with him recalled nights spent outdoors, or even some wound, proud to become the focus of attention for a few seconds.  They also made predictions about the future and calculated if Zemal would return to their hands.  For it was the general opinion that, without the weapon forged by the god Tarimán, the future of the Horde would not be clearly seen.  "Togul Barok, the Prince of Áinar" whispered many, fearful that this formidable and somewhat legendary character would snatch from them that which they so badly needed to maintain their prestige.

After the three days of funeral services and games in honor of the deceased, Hairón’s body was cremated on a pyre fed by branches of oak and ash and grapevines.  The still smoldering bones were kept in a white urn, and that was interred in a mound south of Mígranz, outside the walls, so that the impurity of death would not pass on to the living, and so that his spirit, if it insisted on remaining in this world, would not bother more than sheep and shepherds.