1 Grayson House Guards, Peaches, a lovely white war filly with a peach saddle, Deliverance, an albino falcon, Stormy, a silvery gray hunting hound, Rascal, a hyper terrier, Rosalie, a lady in waiting, Rysen arrive, following Reese.

Ian is on the deck somewhere a little bit out of the way, in a place where he can see most of what's going on without getting in the way of any of it. He hangs onto a railing to help keep his balance and watches the scene, alert, but otherwise calm. His cane is nowhere to be seen, and at his hip instead hangs a diamondplate sword. He looks, in other words, less like a mourner, and more like a guard. It's a fair bet that's the role he's given himself this evening.

4 Redoubt Buccaneers arrives, following Eamon.

Harlex arrives in all black -- because that's what he wears. Though he has come on ceremony with his swords peacebound as they rest on his left hip. The dark-clad mercenary steps onto the deck as permitted. He looks about, as if for something he doesn't find, although when he spies Ian he gives a deep nod of his head. Carrying on to find a place to stand in the interim.

There's very little denoting rank on the body of Lord Eamon Darkwater, and the reclusive Minister of War for the house might not even be recognizable as such - were it not for the guards flanking him and the signet ring he bears on his finger as he arrives, dressed otherwise in simple black silks, with a heavy coat on to handle the wind from the ocean.

Victus wears a somber expression on his face. Granted, he usually is. But today there's reason for it beyond 'that's just his face'. With his wife on his arm, the Prince cuts a slow path through the wharf. His guards remaining close by his side, hands upon hilts with shields strapped to their backs. His feline companion trails in his wake, remaining beneath his coattails as while the Prince and Princess-consort of Maelstrom arrive.

Aethan is also on the deck, and though his expression is as stoic as it usually is, he doesn't seem to be stationed as a guard like his brother, but a little closer to Octavia and the rest of those gathered here for the Marquis' passing. His hands are in his pockets, and he glances to those that arrive but doesn't say anything for the moment.

Making his way slowly up the deck of the ship is an elder godsworn, the Seraph of Port Stormbreak, who approaches the bow and the once-and-current regent. His words are low, for Octavia's ears only, but his tone is filled with kindness and the wisdom of age. She nods and turns back from the bow to face those who have boarded the ship, silently wiping at her eyes with a handkerchief. One wizened hand reaches out to squeeze the ruler's shoulder before the Seraph turns to address those gathered.

"Beloved of the Gods, thank you for coming. We have gathered to mourn the passing and celebrate the life, however brief, of the Marquis Ford, the Great Liberator of Stormward March. There is no doubt that he has been a polarizing figure here in Arx, but among his people he was beloved and will be sorely missed. Let us thank the Lady Death for the time she gave us with him, and may she protect him and guide him on his next journey. Let us pray that the Sentinel brings justice to those who slew him, and that Lagoma brings comfort to those who loved him."

Wrapped in the darkest of blacks, Carita's ethereal appearance is a somber one on deck, her smiles faint in greeting should anyone glance in her direction. She remains at Eamon's side for the moment as she listens to the Seraph begin.

Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting, Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting, 2 Grayson House Guards, Clark, an exasperated guard arrive, following Sabella.

Looking positively rushed, Rowynna arrives, her cheeks a bit flushed as if she had been running. She takes a moment to regain composure, attempting to stay apart from any gathered there. Her face takes a more sombre tone, head tilted slightly as she listens to the Seraph speaks.

Elise slips in quietly and makes her way through the crowd.

They a slow path because Alarissa isn't moving fast herself. But they move, and alrissa dips her head in respect to those of the Kennex family. No animals in her wake save for the aorementioned cat.

Harlex has found a surface which to lean against, arms folded, back resting. But he does lower his head with the reverence due to the words of the Seraph.

Reese arrives at the memorial service while in the company of Rysen. Her expression is somber and the girl is quiet for now.

Desiree looks around with a serious expression. She finds a place to watch. She looks down as she listens to the Seraph.

Ian stands sentry on the deck of the ship, a little out of the way, and nods to those who greet him as they arrive. Even when people bow their heads, Ian remains watchful. When Elise comes to stand with him, he angles his head towards her.

All joy and happiness have flown from Rysen's face as he arrives at the memorial beside Reese. He listens attentively to the Seraph as she speaks.

When the seraph begins to speak, Aethan turns that way, and his hands come out of his pockets to rest at his sides instead, his head dipping just a bit as he listens to the words.

Arms crossed, Eamon's expression is a focused, difficult one to read as he listens to the old Seraph's words. A glance to Carita, perhaps checking on her, but otherwise, complete focus.

As the wizened seraph finishes and moves to take a seat on a bench, Octavia takes a few steps forward into the group, clearing her throat. "I am not really the best hostess on my best days," she admits with a crack in her voice. "My place is behind a bench, not on a stage. Niklas will have better words, and more of them." With another pause to clear her throat, she continues, "It never gets easier to bury a sibling, no matter how many times you do. Ford was a lot of things - brash, stubborn, arrogant at times, but his heart was always in the right place, and he didn't give a flec what people thought if he thought he was doing the right thing."
"He believed that ending thralldom as he did was the right thing, and he would have supported the High Lord's decision to end it entirely. Since he isn't here to do so, I will, and I ask that if anyone wishes to give anything in his memory, that you use it to buy thrall debts and free them." Looking over towards her surviving brothers, she asks, "Nik?"

Harlex tongues his tooth, glancing aside off the ship to the horizon. He scratches his jaw slowly, looking back at the mourners.

Victus is quiet as the procession begins, standing aside Alarissa on deck with his arms folded against his left side. Where his dagger would rest. His eyes move across those gathered, the Lords and Ladies of Darkwater and Kennex first, and then the rest. Taking in the mood, the atmosphere.

It appears that something about Octavia's words struck a deep cord with Rowynna, as a pained expression crosses her visage. She shakes her head softly, eyes closed. The lady takes a deep breath, opening her eyes, which now shined, perhaps, more than before. Her gaze trails across those gathered.

2 Whitehawk Guards arrives, following Evonleigh.

Elizabetta, a disapproving lady-in-waiting have been dismissed.

Lily, an aloof lady-in-waiting have been dismissed.

2 Grayson House Guards have been dismissed.

Clark, an exasperated guard have been dismissed.

Niklas, who has definitely been here the entire time, gets to his feet and walks up to take the stage from his sister. Contrary to the usual, Niklas has no smiles right now, looking somewhere between dour and grim. "I don't think anyone would be surprised to hear that my brother and I had a complicated relationship. I did not always agree with the things he did or the way he was, and often when I did agree I didn't always agree with the reasons, but he will always have my respect for the way he took over after Denholm's death and in the wake of Donmarte's short-lived revolution, the way he saw our sister Admiral Renatta Kennex avenged, and the dedication he showed to manumission. Though the times after liberation were tense, Kennex weathered the storm as one might expect from the denizens of Stormward. I cannot say that I much liked Ford. We were not friends there toward the end. I barely knew him as a child, and knowing him now... well, death wipes a lot of slates clean, I think. In the end he supported who I was when many Islander families may not have. If it were not for him I may not be the playwright I am now, I may not be married to my beautiful wife, so for these things I will always thank him."

Niklas looks down for a moment, then straightens his jacket and when he looks up his face has gone hard, mouth tight, eyes angry. "To those who did this thing, who killed the Marquis among the people he freed, I wonder if you realize what you have done. I wonder if it occurs to you that you have taken away so many of the flaws at the edge of this man and made him a symbol to many. It's no matter, though. You believe that you have gotten away with something. You believe you have made a point. Or perhaps you simply believe you were doing a job. And now life goes on, one Islander fewer. But understand this. There is none more chatty than a sellsword in his cups. No braggart more boastful than a butcher. You are not anonymous. You will be found. And you best hope it is one of my martial cousins who does it, a stern-faced pirate-killer with a sword. Because I am a creative, and I will..." He pauses, swallowing something down, then, "I will destroy you from the inside out. When you are presented to the sea that will be the start of things. Just the beginning. I will then defame you in song and in pages, I will malign you in word and in action. Your parents will disown you, your spouses will abandon you, your friends will forsake you and your children will change their names. You will be remembered as the vicious, brutal cowards you are. And to see this done, I announce here that I am offering a bounty of one million silver to the person who brings forth evidence that leads to the apprehension and end of those who held the sword and those who held their strings."

Not quite done, Niklas wipes at his mouth with the back of his hand, momentarily pensive. "Finally, to those big men with big ideas sharing big words. Well... there are things a prince of Grayson cannot say. My wife's cold shoulder is scarier than your bluster. But, still. You have lost. It does not matter what you have to say about what Ford did, about the danger his liberated pose. The tide of history is turning against you and the days of your little ideas are limited. So say what you must while people can still hear, because every day you fade just a little more from the world and from history."

For a long moment, Niklas stands on the stage looking a little lost. Then, he holds up his hand, "The winds of change are always at our back."

Rysen's eyes burn in the dying light, as he listens to Niklas speak with such passion. When the prince ceases to speak, Rysen bows head, muttering something a prayer into the winds, and makes his way back to the beach.

Sabella gives Niklas a very faint smile and when he seems lost there at the end she waits a moment before leaning forward to take his hand and give it a tiny squeeze.

As Niklas speaks, Aethan looks up again, listening to the words. The corner of his mouth twitches at the mention of those responsible for the death, though that's the only moment of any sort of emotion he shows during it. He does nod once, however, at the last words.

Octavia listens quietly to Niklas and dabs at her eyes again, murmuring their house words in response to him. "The winds of change are ever at our backs." After a glance over towards Connie and Cecilia, both of whom shake their heads, the eldest Kennex asks, "Is there anyone else who'd like to say something in memorium?"

Carita's blue-eyed attention is caught by the Prince as he speaks, absorbing his words, her jaw tightening a moment as she nods along with him. When he finishes she dips her head again, attention on the folded hands in front of her.

Harlex remains back with his arms folded lightly, attention on the Prince and a slow nod given. He has his oft gloomy and grim face. Agreeable to any dreary situation.

Flurry, the Snowy Owl chick leaves, following Elise.

Rowynna looks quite sorrowful as Niklas utters his words. Another deep breath takes her as listens, nodding slowly as he finds himself lost in his words. She waits a moment, eyes still gazing about the crowd. Perhaps it is the solemness of the day, or some other matter that has the lady looking so grim. Either way, this grimness she takes with herself, as she leaves the mourning to the rest of folks gathered.

Silently listening, Evonleigh too stands with her head bowed, there to show her solidarity to House Kennex, having lent her diplomatic charms to a few of their endeavors of late. When Niklas grows angry, she looks up, gray-blue eyes solemn as she watches him speak -- the first time she's seen him truly angry, and then for a moment without words -- another first. She looks down again, respectful, somber, and quiet.

Puma, The Stonewood Forest Cat arrives, following Gailin.

1 Redoubt Buccaneers, Damien Pierce - A Charming Assistant, 1 Redreef Warden, 1 Thrax Guards, Gailin arrive, following Mikani.

Victus' reaction is muted. An adjust of his gloves, tightening them across his wrists. Though his attention is certainly directed and placed just where it needs to be, upon the pair of Niklas and Octavia. Both of which he dips his head to in solidarity.

Mikani listens to the memorial quietly from the back. Mika stands holding her hands as she just watches silently. Mika didn't feel it was her place to share words she just came to say goodbye.

Octavia pauses for the deafening silence, and then nods once, inspecting the deck planks for a moment and observing, "I'm still bad at this part, Nik. Thank you all for coming. You're welcome to stay and drink, or take vodka and drink it at home."

Gailin stands with and beside Mikani his head bowed in respect. His arms behind his back clasped in military fashion silently saying goodbye.

1 Grayson House Guards have been dismissed.

Peaches, a lovely white war filly with a peach saddle have been dismissed.

Deliverance, an albino falcon have been dismissed.

Stormy, a silvery gray hunting hound have been dismissed.

Rascal, a hyper terrier have been dismissed.

Rosalie, a lady in waiting have been dismissed.

Micana, 1 Saik Guard, Golden, an Oakhaven bloodhound, Gunther, a Rottweiler arrive, following Lucita.

Sabella gets Filopi Black - Kennex Brand Black Pepper Vodka from Intricate model of a Kennex ship.

2 House Wyrmguard Guards leaves, following Desiree.

Mikani gets Filopi Black - Kennex Brand Black Pepper Vodka from Intricate model of a Kennex ship.

Niklas squeezes Sabella's hand, then pushes himself to his feet and goes to check out the Kennex vodka. When he sees Gailin he stops and nods off toward the sea. "You can feel free to jump in after him, friend." Then salutes with his drink and heads over to talk to his cousins.