The Weakest Kobold In The Dungeon Gets A Level [Book 1 Complete] Chapter 26: Chapter 24: Louder, Echoing… And Numerous

Read chapter 26 of The Weakest Kobold In The Dungeon Gets A Level [Book 1 Complete] by KennyTheAwkwardDonut on NovelPedia.

Chapter 24 Louder, Echoing… And Numerous Pearl’s voice broke through the void of dreamless sleep, like a hand waved through a spider’s web, tearing at the delicate threads in an instant of snapping illusions. “It’s time. Nik, wake up. It’s time for the ceremony.” Peaceful sleep had been a welcome change, one which Nik wanted, desperately, to cling to. A night free of dark sovereigns or nightmares, just empty, deep rest. But it couldn’t last forever. Funerals were always a time of sadness and remembrance. That was something Nik had learned as a child, even if he’d had no memory of ever going to one. If there was any type of ceremony for his uncle, or for the rest of the tribe, he didn’t know what transpired. He tried not to think of it, to push it all aside in order to avoid mourning his loss. I won’t be able to do that today. The clan needs to be allowed to grieve. “I’m awake,” he said as he pushed himself upright. As he came out from the medium-sized tent the clan had given him, Nik had to stop his jaw from dropping. Something new was happening, something he’d never seen before or even thought possible. The mana torches in their cavern were glowing with a deep purple flame, blending with the yellow light of dozens of candles. “My lord,” Kath said as she offered him a lit candle. He took it with a nod to his guard, and then he stepped forward to join the clan. They stood in a semicircle near the wall they’d taken shelter against during the rumble that had stolen Pliegs from them. Ryan and Pearl were along the outside edge of the crowd, quietly observing the ceremony. Ryan ran over, jumped to snag onto Nik’s belt, and climbed up to his shoulder. He realized, with a desperate battle to stay balanced, that Ryan had grown a couple of inches just in the days they had been underground. “Okay, buddy, you can stick with me,” he told the little orange fae-beast. The elder who had been the quickest to accept him and offer him guidance had become the latest reminder of the reality of death. That reminder was still hidden from view beneath his cloak. She’d been placed upon a latticework of gray cloth, but they’d left Nik’s tattered red cloak in place. Good , he thought. It should stay with her; maybe it will help keep her warm where the good find rest. One at a time people spoke. Nik supposed it must have been an expected thing since nobody had questioned it. Some spoke at length, while others were brief, but they all had lovely memories to share, stories of a life well lived. Some of them cried while others laughed at silly events that had happened with Pliegs caught in the aftermath, often trying to teach a valuable lesson from it. Then they all looked at him. The elders first, then his guards and then the younger goblins in turn, like a wave of focus had come crashing in his direction. Thankfully, before Nik had to do any guesswork, Terk said softly, “Pliegs, I believe, deserves the honor of havin’ her burrow lord’s words spoken before we escort her to her final resting place.” Nik stammered before catching himself, “Ye-yes, of course… I’ve only been with all of you for a little while, but I can see what time spent with Pliegs led to. Her clan cared deeply for her, and she cared so much for all of you. From the stories you tell, she always had the right words to say, and she was never afraid to speak them, either. Her last words to me were the two things that she believed a leader needed most. So, here’s to Pliegs, who valued kindness and strength, and never anything less.” A chorus rang out, “To Pliegs.” Next came the first step of the transfer. They were to carry Pliegs forth using the criss-crossed fabric that she’d been laid on. Nik almost flinched when something wrapped around his left hand. Kath’s fingers gently gripped around his palm. She led him to the front of Pliegs’ to stand beside her head. “Hold the handle of the earthweave cloth, right here with your free hand while you keep your candle in the other. You and the others w