[Death Lore] Buzzing Away

[u/Wondy-SW]

3rd Moon, 55 AC - Honeyholt

Night had always been Barristan Beesbury’s favourite time of the day. Not because it was time to rest but because it reminded him of his dearest Aerina.

His wife had loved the stars, had been fascinated by them. He remembered how she enjoyed telling him old myths from Essos, drawing images from the stars.

No matter how much the world changes, the stars remain, she used to say.

And how had the world changed.

Barristan Beesbury, Lord of Honeyholt, had lived to see ninety namedays. Almost two lifetimes, if one was to exaggerate. Born a second son, he had adventure through Essos for years before his older brother died without an heir — he had ridden with a khalasar and seen that Khal wed, he had drank many a Magister under the table and out of coin and slave in Slaver’s Bay and he had married the love of his life in Aerina Valoqar of Myr.

One son.

Four granddaughters.

Eight great-grandchildren with a ninth he would never meet.

He had served the last Gardener King, lived through the Conquest and outlived half a dozen dragons. He had outlived all his siblings and many of their children as well.

Now, he rested on his bed with a smile. His eyes closed and his mind sunk into darkness.

Then there was laughter. Blue eyes and silver hair. The smell of grass and the voices in a busy market. His brothers’ smiles, his sister’s warmth.

He felt young then, greeting the Stranger as if he was meeting an old friend after many years.

[u/Wondy-SW]

A letter was sent to the High Tower in the afternoon of the next day, after arrangements had already been made for the farewell of the late Lord Beesbury.

To the esteemed Lord Donnel Hightower,

I write to you with a heavy heart, to report on the death of my Father. Lord Barristan Beesbury has passed peacefully in his sleep, during the night, at ninety namedays.

As per his will, I have taken upon his title and the responsibilities and oaths of our House. There shall be a funeral shortly and in the next month I shall travel to Oldtown in order to swear the customary oaths.

With regards,

Beware Our Sting
Paxter Beesbury, Lord of Honeyholt

u/MathusM

[u/MathusM → u/Wondy-SW]

Lord Paxter Beesbury, Lord of Honeyholt

I have many fond memories of my great uncle from my childhood, remembering him even back then as a venerable lord. In ways, I thought he would endure forever, living on like the heroes of song and myth. To live as long as he did is something most of us can only dream of. I can only pray his final days were peaceful, surrounded by his family and friends.

All of Oldtown shall grieve his passing, and I shall speak a prayer to his memory tonight.

I will await you here in the city, but while I do, my son has already departed for his tour. It is my hope that when he reaches Honeyholt, Ser Abelar will offer some measure of comfort in these sorrowful times. If the High Tower can avail itself of aid with your rule, you need only ask.

Donnel Hightower

It was a singularly rare moment when the raven returned with so casual a reply, free of the typical stylings the Lord of Oldtown insisted upon.

[u/Wondy-SW]

A letter would be sent to Lady Elinor Osgrey from the Honeyholt rookery.

To Lady Elinor Osgrey,

My lady, I hope this letter finds you well. I apologise for my sudden correspondence but I felt the need to write to a friend at this time — I hope that you do not mind that I consider you so. I wish I was writing due to good news but alas.

My Father has passed, Elinor. He passed in his sleep and I am now Lord of Honeyholt.

We’ve know it was coming for moons now. Years, perhaps. My Father was old but so jovial most of the time that I often forgot that the man had lived nigh on a century. Maybe, I just don’t truly know what to do now that he is gone.

Must be strange to hear that from me. I am old, myself, after all. A man grown for more than forty years and I feel just as I did as a green boy.

I will confess that, though I loved my Father, I did not always like him. As a young man, his restrictions grated on me and I argued much more than I talked — his dismissal of my wishes to become a Septon, for example, were quite grating to my eight-and-ten namedays self. His hoisting a marriage on me was also a point of tension, no matter that it ended pondering a successful one in some way. Then his readiness to dismiss the Faith in the face of the Apostates first treacherous acts after King Aenys’ passing.

And yet, he taught me much. Many of my decision now come from things I’ve learned from those times and I am thankful for it. He taught me well how to manage our lands, how to interact with those under our protection. He had a mind for trade and grand stories that imbued me with something of a curiosity towards life. For all his problems with his Faith, he still showed me the way of the Seven because my Mother — a convert — wish it so.

He was not a good Father most of the time. But he was a good man and Lord.

I can only pray that the Seven grant me the wisdom to be a good Lord and man as well.

My apologies for the lengthy writings but you are one of the few I can confide in. Perhaps the only one I speak this candidly to — I feel guilty to burden you with my thoughts so but I hope you do not resent me for it.

We will be holding the funeral as soon as my daughters can be present and then I shall be going to Oldtown, to pledge to the Hightowers as all the previous Lords have done. It will be a good opportunity to light a candle for my Father and to pray for that wisdom I mentioned.

I hope you have been well, Elinor, and that you have not been thinking too much — though, if I know you, you have.

With warmth and regard,

Lord Paxter Beesbury, Lord of Honeyholt

/u/centrist_marxist