"Now where have we seen the like of this before?" Kouran wondered to his companions with sarcasm. "Subtler than the carnival, but a mass enchantment nonetheless, I'm sure of it," he muttered as they passed.

After Irena introduced herself, Kouran bowed solemnly.

"My name is Kouran. My friends and I will be honored to help bear the casket." He decided to try for some sign of life from Ireena. "However, we are foreigners to this land. Are there certain local rites, or matters of specific etiquette, to be observed by pallbearers?"