Jory nods at Darian's words, lips tightened into a thin line. "Ah, well then, I appreciate the words. But do not doubt that I will play my part as required. That I should have to find my hands painted red from time to time is a natural result of the circumstances in which we find ourselves, no? Truly, Restov may be known for its swordlords, but politics has always been the bloodiest sport in the city." Jory's smirk returns. "And politics, I'm sad to say, is very much what we are about, here in the Stolen Lands..."
"As for Master Orlovsky, I've seen too many of the type in the taverns and sparring circles of Restov to be overly impressed by his dramatics. Young bravos, yearning for the adoration of the crowds...yet not knowing what to do once they seize it."
Jory ponders a moment, eyes alighting on an idea. "If he does prove true to type, he may be more receptive to the attentions of dear Isabel. Perhaps she might have a word, help him understand we cannot all play the staring role at all times in the tasks laid out before us?"
When Josef asks who should go get the wagon, Darian replies ”Sure. That works. Take the Stag Lord’s body up to where we saw that ghost and toss it in on the way,” his tone clearly still frustrated from their earlier talk.
__________
Darian rummages through the Stag Lord’s quarters, looking for any maps he may have made of the area. Once done, he sets to helping out with security of the prisoners and watching over the area around the fort.
He is all smiles again after a few hours.
Lisl leans over and whispers to Isabel.
As they prepare to depart, Jory eyes the moody Orlovsky scion warily. "Well, let us give this Stag Lord the proper send off." He pats his small pony on the rump. "But I'm afraid to say he's riding with you!"
Freya comments, "A proper send off for that bastard would be a shallow grave in the middle of nowhere, but as his body may still serve the purpose of putting Old Man Nettles to rest, I suppose we should be on our way."
Noting that the body is slung across the back of Jory's pony she adds, "We can put him across the back of a horse, surely there's a spare around here, so that you can ride your pony, Jory. We'd likely make better time if we do so. If there isn't a spare to be found we can use my horse for that purpose."
”Much appreciated. I can tell old Fuzzy here already dislikes the smell...”
Several days ride returns you to the familiar river crossing. You stand at teh site where you met the undead Nettles and throw the Stag Lords body into the flowing waters of the Shrike river.
When the body hits the water Nettles rise from the flow and grabs it in one hand, he looks it over and then looks at you. "My thanks." Is all he says. Setting his Ranseur on the bank he and the corpse melt back into the waters.
You feel something cold and oppressive lift from the area as Nettles at last rests peacefully.
Another few days travel returns you to Oleg's, you are greeted with respect and some concern when the guards see that not all the party is with you.
When your news is heard the mood changes to one of celebration. Kesten is grimly pleased to hear that Falgrim Sneeg has finally been captured. Everyone is overjoyed with the news that the Stag lord and his band are no more.
When given the news that there is a wedding to prepare for Svetlana throws her hands in the air and cries out with delight. "So much to do!" She bustles around snapping out orders to anybody nearby. They jump to her commands automatically before blinking in confusion as she orders visiting trappers to gather flowers and green boughs to decorate the trading post. Oleg sighs when orders to prepare a stage for the wedding, though a smile can be seen on his face as he sets off to do as told.
After eating and resting you hitch the horse to your wagon and set off again to close the last traces of the Stag lords band. Arriving after several more days travel.
What are you doing now?
If the several days the others are gone, Darian takes the time to try and get to know the couple of prisoners who pass Lisl’s test of redemption through her truth spell In particular, he asks about what paths in life led them to their service of the Stag Lord.
He forms a routine with the prisoners, letting them tend to their natural functions under his own armed guard one at a time, as well as eating and drinking. It is a long, onerous task, but one he was willing to do to make sure they had a minimal chance of escaping.
It was a relief when the other half of the party returned with the wagon safely. After letting them rest for a day, Darian set to loading up the wagon with their found loot as well as the prisoners. Once everyone was ready, he mounts his own horse and leads the way out of the fort and back to Oleg’s.
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After a loooong wait at the fort Isabel is getting slightly stir crazy by the time the wagon arrives to transport the remaining prisoners. In the mean-time she becomes a veritable fixer-upper, cajoling the bandits (even Akiros!) into helping patch holes in roofs, repair walkways and generally spruce the place up a bit. Her happiness at even minor things is infectious and by the time the wagon returns the old fort looks a bit more presentable.
Sitting snuggled up next to her fiance one night Isabel muses. "It would be nice to live here one day, we could turn it into a real home, its well defended on the hill and if we could just get rid of the zombies we'd have loads of place to build for our friends!"
Leaning over she kisses Darian deeply before pushing him down to the ground, her hands wandering south as she looms over him. "Whatever happens next will be an adventure my love, and I can't wait to meet it with you!"
Once they had concluded their romantic interlude, Darian stood up and looked out from the fort into the night sky as the stars and moon danced on the surface of the lake. He had bothered with only his pants, letting the night air cool and dry the sweat off the skin of his upper body as he caught his breath and settled his heartbeat. As he calmed, he found himself deep in thought.
This is a good spot to settle. Defensible. Good access to resources. Would make a nice place for a holdfast or city, in time. If we had enough resources and time. I hope these reform projects we’ve undertaken don’t fall back to their baser instincts. I hope I can keep her safe. I hope...I hope.
He turns and leans back against the palisade wall, looking down at his betrothed before kneeling then lowing down beside her again. He slides a hand across her stomach and looks her in the eyes. ”What if...should Restov try and send us elsewhere, we tell them to sod off and we just try and build us a life here? Together, we can do anything. The others may go along with whatever task Restov asks of us, but you and I could stay here. Granted, I’d love it if they chose to stay and settle here with us, like you said their is plenty of room. But they may have other goals in mind. And if Oleg and Svetlana can do it, so can we.”
We'll move it quickly now. You arrive back at the Trading post to a heroes welcome. The past few weeks have seen bandit activity drop to extremely low levels. Now with the Stag lord dead, and the Kobolds now in a treaty with the people of the stolen lands; things are looking hopeful for the first time in a long time.
Svetlana rushes out and embraces Isabel with joy, gushing over the preparations for the wedding. Oleg is more restrained, but still takes the time to shake hands and thank each of you individually for what you've achieved.
Kesten Garess also thanks you, a grimly satisfied smile on his face as he kooks at the captured Falgrim Sneeg.
Svetlana has ordered in supplies for a feast, wanting to make the wedding a day of celebration for the people of the area. Fire pits have been dug to roast freshly caught venison and boar. Fine wine and other alcohol has also been ordered. Many of the local trappers and hunters are bringing in catches, wild fruits and vegetables for the upcoming day.
The first thing Darian does upon his return to Oleg’s, after the congratulations are over, is hand over the prisoners to Kesten. ”Lord Garess. These men, if I recall, all have outstanding warrants in Restov. I would have dispensed justice myself otherwise.”
He then turns to Akiros and Topper, showing them the other bandits who have turned over new lives here at Olegs. ”Gentlemen, here is the proof we are men of our word. These were all former thugs under the employ of your former master...you may even recognize some of them. They’ve went through the same test as you, and have so far proven honest in their desire to lead a civilized life. If you can do the same, you have these same opportunities available.”
He then approaches Oleg, a somewhat goofy smile on his face. ”Well. It would seem I have a wedding to prepare for!” he says to the man with a firm handshake. ”Any Chance you could help me with a proper set of clothes for the occasion? I don’t really think I should be getting married in clothes caked in mud and blood!”
While he is at it, he handles the sale of their found wares at the Stag Lord’s fort before going back out with the others. He breathes a sigh of relief and relaxes a great deal. For the first time in weeks, they have no task to rush toward, no threat to be wary of, no wilderness to explore. He moved over to the palisade wall and made his way to one of the towers and spent a few minutes looking out over the land around the fort, then turned and watched the others celebrate and prepare, smiling all the while.
Darian.
Topper red is simple, a street poet from Pitax who fled the city when an affair went sour. He joined up with the bandits under a romanticized view of banditry. Something he quickly lost once reality sunk in. He was happy to surrender to the party and has no crimes to his names.
Akiros is another matter, you got little out of him. He's from much further south than the others. In fact you recognize his accent as being from Taldor. He's clearly had training in some knightly order but refuses to speak of it. He shows a reluctance to be around any of the parties women. In fact any attempts to charm or flirt with him make him angry.
One thing you picked up from the other bandits was that they feared Akiros, he fights savagely without concern for his own life, but outside combat didn't join in any of the bandits usual pass-times or socialize?
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Isabel returns Svetlana's embrace with one of her own, equally delighted. She soon gathers Svetlana, Lisl and Freya to pick over dress options before finally selecting a white dress with an embroidered bodice and long sleeves, gathered at the waist to show off her slender figure.
That done she looks to Lisl. "You don't think it's too much do you? I know this is going to be a simple affair, but do you need anything? Robes or vestments? Freya, Svetlana, will you both stand with me for the ceremony?"
As the team regroups after their successes, Lisl busies herself about Oleg's with handling various sermons and giving advice (when asked). She also seems to spend a lot of time washing dishes.
The approach of the wedding causes excitement, as it's likely the biggest celebration that Oleg's place has seen in years. For her part, Lisl seems cool-headed about the business, but she also has an eye toward the whole encampment and how it can be transformed into a celebratory atmosphere.
Once the dress arrives, Lisl is only too happy to be part of the small group of ladies involved in the fashion display.
"Hmm. This is a very elegant dress, though the design seems relatively simple. The biggest hurdle will be - who's going to carry your train? If I'm presiding over the ceremony, there's only Svetlana or Freya or... I suppose one of the gentlemen could, though that's unusual," says Lisl.
"Because of the gold trim you might want your bouquet to be yellow flowers to go with it? Yellow daisies, or poppies, perhaps?"
"Don't worry about my garb, though. I have my book and my vestments. Let's get you sorted so that you can be the beautiful bride that you've been waiting to be!"
Seeing Isabel talking things over with the women regarding the ceremony, a thought strikes Darian like a maul to the face.
Groomsmen.
He makes his way back down to Oleg, stopping by where Josef and Jory are on the way. ”Jory, Josef. It would appear that I am going to be in need of a pair of groomsmen for the ceremony. Would you gentlemen do me the honor? I’ll see what Oleg has in stock for attire, but I may have to order you guys some clothes for the occasion!”
Freya at first seems to bristle at Isabel's request, before taking a deep breath and responding quietly and softly. "I...I'm not so sure I believe in marriage as a concept or even love for that matter, but it would seem that you and Darian have found such a thing. That being said, if it is still something you wish, I will stand with you."
As Darian asks for the gentlemen to fill in as groomsmen, Josef looks embarrassed. "I get why you would ask Jory, but I'm the new guy. Wouldn't Oleg, or the Captain of your guard serve better? He's every bit as noble, and been supporting you longer and far more effectively."
-----
During the trip for the wagon:
"Riding with me or riding on Darian's horse, either way works, as long as we get rid of him."
---
"Okay. What's the deal with the guy in the water? That seems pretty wrong, doesn't it?"
---
"How long have you been working with the two of them? Darian and Isabel, I mean. You seem pretty comfortable backing them up."
Darian sighs, ”Do you want the truth?” he asks Josef.
"I don't want you asking because you feel obligated. There are people here you know better and have known for longer. This should be about celebrating with the people you care about and that you know care about you. There seem to be plenty here to choose from."
Upon return to Oleg's, Jory busies himself as usual with the disposition of looted stored in the wagons, amidst the tumult of preparations for the wedding.
--------
"If you didn't offer, I'm afraid I would have to have insisted! Of course I will stand with you, my friend." He offers a comradely slap on the back.
"Will need something more festive than these rags, of course, you are right. And a speech! Always a speech, for weddings, yes?"
Jory begins pacing with evident nervous energy that more befits the bride. "And music! Time enough for order up a troupe from Restov? I could recommend a few reputable taverns players....well, mostly reputable. No, too long to arrange. Wonder if any of this lot can hold a tune?" he says, looking about. He wanders off, muttering about taking a inventory of the Trading Post's drums and stringed instruments.
------
"Oh, not so long. Never met them before we took on the charter. Nor Freya and Lisl. But I think we've found each others' strengths in the time since we set off from Restov. Darian...is an easy man to follow. And Isabel, well...she's the mortar that holds us together, in a way. Quite lovely mortar, of course." He glances at his riding companion. "It's not easy being the outsider, I understand. Been one my whole life in Restov, on account of my stature. But here, the only thing we care about....can afford to care about, is what you can do. You've got a clean slate here, same as all of us. So write your own story."
Jory pats his own dueling blade, and turns his gaze back on the passing countryside. "Anyway, I imagine that blade is not just for show, and I'd know, though I am of course an amateur. An aldori sword, used with ill intent, is a sight to behold."
”I’m asking you because I see a whole lot of myself in you, not to sound cliche. I know I’m not that much older than you, but when I was your age I was just as rebellious as you, albeit in different ways. And from what I’ve learned of you the past couple of weeks, it seems you drive your family just as nuts with it as I did,” he says with a chuckle. ”At any rate, my point is, I think the two of us could be friends. Good friends. Kesten is so focused on his task that he won’t open up to anyone, and Oleg, yeah, he’s a good man, but I get the feeling that he believes he owes us for saving his home and livelihood, and he’d likely feel obligated. You, on the other hand, are a good man making your way on your own merits, not your family name. Just as I am. And we have been doing so for the past few weeks side by side, and there’s no one here I’d want up there with me more than you and Jory. So what do ya say, can we put our differences behind us and go forward as friends?” he says as he offers Josef his hand to shake.
Josef watches Darian as he speaks, flushing as he goes on. "Uhhh . . .. As long as it isn't about feeling obligated, yeah, sure, I can help with this." His voice gets much quieter as he tries to continue under his breath "I think." He seems confused and embarrassed, weakly returning the handshake before he starts to move away.
-----
Earlier, w/ Jory
Josef looks off into the distance as Jory talks about the power of one of these blades. "Intent is not the key. Skill, or the lack of skill, is what matters. Either can destroy, can end a life in as little as a heartbeat." As he says this, Josef's hand brushes not his sword, but the scabbard holding the sword at his waist. He looks back to Jory as he moves his hand to the hilt sticking over his shoulder. "This was my first real sword. It has killed once. I still haven't named it." He moves his hand down to the pommel at this waist. "This was my great Uncle's sword. He called it Flight. I truly have no idea how many lives Flight has claimed. I don't know if I want to know."
Darian takes the hand shake as at least a step in the right direction. When Josef starts to move away, Darian adds ”Well hey! Don’t run off! We need to get you measured up for your attire!” he says with a smile before motioning for Josef and Jory towards Oleg’s.
Josef actually deflates as he turns back and heads to Oleg's. "How long do you think it will be until the ceremony? And what should we be thinking about as wedding gifts? I have a thought . . .."
Darian grins. ”A gift isn’t necessary, but if you feel the need, surprise me!”
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Freya at first seems to bristle at Isabel's request, before taking a deep breath and responding quietly and softly. "I...I'm not so sure I believe in marriage as a concept or even love for that matter, but it would seem that you and Darian have found such a thing. That being said, if it is still something you wish, I will stand with you."
"I'm sorry Freya." Isabel responds, looking genuinely remorseful. "I never stopped to consider other people's feelings about this. If you would be willing to stand with me it would mean a lot, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable at all!"
"The flowers are a wonderful idea Lisl! I don't think we need to worry about the train though, I made sure it was very short - we're not getting married in the Cathedral of Shelyn or anything like that!"
The morning of the wedding Isabel is a wreck, alternatively smiling maniacally and panicking about the most bizarre of details. Fully dressed, with her hair falling in loose curls down her back and a small bunch of bright yellow flowers in hand, as well as strewn through her golden locks she waits inside, Svetlana and Freya(?) with her. "I can't actually believe I'm doing this..." She whispers, just before the door opens.
Darian is up before dawn, and puts on his clothes and armor before exiting his tent and stretching his back. He has allowed Isabel the privacy of the guest house for her preparations. He fastened his sword belt around his waist and makes his way to the westward wall. He nods and smiles to one of Kesten’s men as he walks along the palisade, finding a nice spot to watch the terrain as the sun rises behind him.
He stands there quietly for some time, just staring off to the westward horizon in silence. Once the post begins bustling with more people waking up, he looks one last time westward before returning to the courtyard.
"I'm sorry Freya." Isabel responds, looking genuinely remorseful. "I never stopped to consider other people's feelings about this. If you would be willing to stand with me it would mean a lot, but I don't want you to be uncomfortable at all!"
"There is nothing to be sorry for at all, Isabel. It is nothing you have done. I will stand with you, but I wanted you to understand why I will not likely be as boisterous about the proceedings as Svetlana appears to be."
The morning of the wedding Isabel is a wreck, alternatively smiling maniacally and panicking about the most bizarre of details. Fully dressed, with her hair falling in loose curls down her back and a small bunch of bright yellow flowers in hand, as well as strewn through her golden locks she waits inside, Svetlana and Freya(?) with her. "I can't actually believe I'm doing this..." She whispers, just before the door opens.
Freya says, obviously joking and with a smirk, "Still time to turn back, I suppose."
Deciding to act on his idea, some hours after Darian forces him through a fitting, Josef seeks out the so recently arrived carpenter.
"I know the direction has been to expand and improve the walls, but I think there's another project we should get ready to start, which will interrupt those efforts. One we need to keep secret for a while, but that we can prepare for while pretending to be doing wall work. After the wedding, we should build Darian and Isabel a home. We can set it outside of the wall, for now, but put it in the area you were going to expand the fortification into anyway. What do you think? What do you need?"
------------
Another letter:
Lord Poul Orlovsky,
The local bandit lord proved far easier to kill than expected. Using subterfuge instead of a direct assault had a great deal to do with the difference in difficulty. As a result, the happy couple will be wed as soon as some custom outfits can be ordered, sewn, and delivered.
The people at the small outpost here really seem to like the two of them, so a display of support for their nuptials is very likely to gain local favor for the family. But, the decision is, of course, yours.
I look forward to continuing to annoy you with not just my survival, but by thriving and growing here in the wilderness you exiled me to.
Josef
Isabel. Your Great-aunt is a canny old woman and while she sends you her warmest regards has sent you nothing in the way of craftsmen or tradesmen. What she does send is the news she's heard regarding plans to expand to the south, or to back a new settlement of the area from Restov. She wishes more information from you on the matter before resources and people can be risked?
Jory. You receive a number of positive responses from the people you wrote to in Restov. Many are curious as the the possibilities that may be opening up in the stolen lands. If you can give them a definite answer as to the chance of employment there are some ready to move south.
As the wedding preparations take place you receive some rather startling news. Along with this proclamation from Restov comes many wagons. Wagons with craftsmen and tradesmen along with the resources to begin building your new land.
With the arrival of such a massive caravan of people to Oleg’s, Darian is quite confused, especially given that today is the day of his wedding to Isabel.
Are these all...guests? Surely not...
He makes his way down from the palisade wall and over to the lead wagon to greet them. When they hand him the official charter from Restov, Darian’s heart sinks a bit and his stomach tightens. He breaks the seal and reads over it, his eyes going wide and jaw a bit slack.
He looks to Oleg, also confused, ”O-Oleg...would you mind to gather the others? Svetlana and Kesten as well. We...we need to talk.”
He waits for everyone to gather at the tables between the guest house and Oleg’s home, the charter still in hand. Once together, he lays the charter on the table for the others to see. ”Restov has sent us a new charter. They...they want us to settle these lands. And they have named all of us as the leadership of the kingdom it becomes.”
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Isabel, standing next to her soon-to-be husband, is in the best place to read the charter and absorbs the meaning behind the elaborate calligraphy in an eye-blink. "So much for running away on living on our own in the wilderness..." She says with a smile, "It appears we have more work to do!"
She flits off, returning with her maps of the Greenbelt, and spreads them out next to the new charter. "So, where to begin? I think we should consider the Stag Lord's Fort. If we can dig up the hillside to remove the zombie threat then it would be a fine place for a city. I actually..." she pauses, seeming slightly embarassed "drew up a few plans, just in case we decided to live there one day." She extracts a few small sheets and shows them to Darian. The simple charcoal sketches show a couple of people and a small house, wall and a couple of outbuildings - nothing detailed, but Isabel has clearly put some time and love into the drawings.
"Right - we should think about what we are all going to do, what our strengths are and how we can best lend them to running a new kingdom. I'll take stock of what Restov have sent... this is so exciting!"
Given the huge bombshell that has been dropped even Isabel seems to have forgotten the wedding, albeit temporarily.
Darian leans over the map. ”I agree. The area there, once cleansed, has access to resources, water, and is defensible. But, we are getting ahead of ourselves a bit. There are a lot of decisions to make, and we will need to sit down and discuss those with clear heads,,” Darian says as he slips a hand along the small of Isabel’s back, ”and we have other pressing matters to attend to as well,” he adds with a smile.
He steps into the bench seat beside her, saying ”But let us all sit and discuss this a moment. We need to discuss these things together, openly, so that we can all be in agreement with the decisions. Kesten, Oleg, Svetlana. You all are as much a part of this as we. Without your support here, we could not have done our jobs, and as such you have all earned your inclusion in this as well, if you’d like to be a part of it? I don’t think anyone here would disagree with that?”
As he speaks, his hand waywardly makes its way to Isabel’s knee beneath the table, seemingly of its own accord.
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Isabel grasps Darian's hand under the table and squeezes gently.
"Ludi, Katrina, Topper and Ivan might have skills they can offer as well. We've got lots of people out here now who can help us."
She looks around the table again. "On a more contentious point, do we want to talk to Akiros about being involved? He's given no trouble, in fact he's been actively helpful up till now, if a bit surly. I'd like to give him another chance if he's willing. Do people think that's a good idea?"
Darian looks thoughtful. ”If he can be trusted, then he deserves as much of a chance at redemption as the other four. But I, for one, would like to know why he turned to joining the Stag Lord in the first place. Topper did it thinking it was some romantic life from a tale, he was quite open and forthcoming with that. And making him a part of our group granted these rights under the charter? I don’t know if he has redeemed himself that much yet. Maybe in time.”
>>> "So, where to begin? I think we should consider the Stag Lord's Fort. If we can dig up the hillside to remove the zombie threat then it would be a fine place for a city.
"I was just mentioning to Lisl the benefits of the fort's location. But yes, the undead creatures...." Jory turns to Lisl. "Do you know of some religious or magical means to pacify them, or otherwise remove the ill humors haunting the location?"
>>>On a more contentious point, do we want to talk to Akiros about being involved?
"We are all aware that we have certain skills in discovering the truths or lies in the statements of those we question. If the man is to have some place in this newest endeavor, I suggest we ply him with all due effort to discover whether he can be trusted."
Jory shakes his head, still in some disbelief in what the Brevoy authorities have authorized. "A kingdom, truly? Out of this collection of miscreants?" His smiles and tone reveal that he says this with great warmth.
Darian nods in agreement with Jory’s comment on Akiros, and chuckles at his remark on their qualifications. He gives him a playful kick this the shin under the table.
”And how are we going to figure that out? The leadership of this ‘Kingdom?’ The idea of naming someone a king or queen out of thin air...it literally has never crossed my mind.”
The young man stares at the document for a while after everyone has already started discussing details. Then he starts laughing. He falls off the bench and onto the ground, but he just keeps laughing. When he eventually gets the point that he's having trouble breathing, the laughter slows and he climbs back up onto the bench, working to catch his breath but never QUITE ending the laughter.
"Don't you get it? Don't you see? They sent me out here to vanish, to die. Instead, we're being offered everything they've ever wanted for themselves. The troublemaker they would rather never see again gets what they want!"
After he calms down a bit, and catches up on some of what's been discussed, he shrugs. "So much for my wedding present idea. I think it's been way overshadowed! You're not going to need a home here if we're setting up at the Stag Lord's Fort, anyway."
---
"As far as who we can trust and who we can't, I don't know that it matters that much right now. We don't have enough people to pick and choose from that we can really afford to simply ignore anyone. Gonna have to trust them and watch them at the same time."
Darian simply smiles at Josef’s outburst, continuing his discussion with the others as Josef getsbitmoutnofmhis system. Darian even chuckles a bit as well at Josef’s laughter, but let’s the man have his moment.
After Josef makes his proclamation, Darian replies ”Indeed, you, all of us, are being an unprecedented opportunity here.”
He stands and goes to retrieve a bottle of spirits that had been set aside for the wedding and some glasses before returning. He pours everyone a drink and hands them out. He raises his glass and holds it out over the center of the table, toasting ”To miscreants, troublemakers, and unprecedented opportunities!”
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"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," says Lisl. "We have a settlement. Perhaps in time it might become a nation - a small one, but still. I don't think it's necessarily appropriate to consider anyone a king or queen just yet. Lord and lady, perhaps. Duke, in time. King, if the nation survives the test of decades and has a clear line of succession."
"As for the undead... over the course of a few days it should be easy for me to stride through the graves, destroy them with Abadar's holy power, then consecrate the ground so as to end that particular curse," she says in response to Jory's questions.
"As for Akiros... I want to have one more chat with him. There's too much that we don't know about him. He clearly doesn't want to be a bandit, but that doesn't necessarily mean that we understand him well enough to relate to him. In order to be able to trust him, we need to be sure that we know what we are asking of him... and what he is willing and able to do for us," says Lisl.
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The arrival of so many people turns the wedding from a simple affair among friends to a massive community event.
Creeping vines and garlands are twisted up the pillars of Oleg's fort, where the settlers have begun to arrive - partly because it's closer, and partly because the Stag Lord's fort is still a ruin and a wreck that is simply not suitable for a ceremony of this kind. Brilliant golden flowers surmount the palisade, and pennons fly from the towers and from the tents of Kesten's guard. The guardsman have even been freshly scrubbed (probably as an order) and are wearing clean tabards, standing at attention with their pole arms.
The outdoor tables in Oleg's courtyard have been moved to either side to make a lane in between two of the buildings, and twisted branches have been turned into an archway, also awash with blossoms of all sorts. From the top of the arch hangs a yellow ribbon, which is weighted with a heavy key.
Laborers, travelers, and locals alike sit at the tables to either side, where Svetlana (doubtless with some help and a late night) has prepared a feast's worth of pheasant, quail, venison, and pork; stew, soup, black rye bread, wheat bread, bleached wheat flour biscuits, savory gravy; fish cakes, eel pie, savory pie, berry pie; and even a small (but fierce) wedding cake made from local honey crystallized and blended with white puff pastry and studded with fresh strawberries.
Flower petals likewise adorn the path from the edge of the courtyard to the archway and the cleared space. Lisl waits just beyond the arch, garbed in long yellow vestments with gold trim and black shoes and leggings beneath. She holds a thick book, bound with a lock.
Darian waits under the arch in his best outfit, while the procession commences - bridegrooms and bridesmaids, then the ring-bearer, and finally Isabel, resplendent in her embroidered and trimmed gown with its dashing bright colors complemented by the flowers and the golden tones of Abadar's symbol decorating the arch.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Lisl says easily as the procession completes. "We have come together today as a community to bear witness to the union of this fine couple as lord and lady."
"To some, marriage is a contract," she continues, "but a wedding is no contract but rather a covenant - a link, a binding, between two people who have chosen to be partners and confidantes for all of their days. Fitted together like lock and key, they share each others' stories, memories, and secrets. This event solemnizes and affirms that connection so that the whole community can share in this joyous occasion."
She raises her book and says, "It is the creed of Abadar that a marriage is a legal business, with both parties consenting to a contract that is kept by the church in the Vault, and legally bound to uphold the terms of that agreement." She lowers the book slightly and taps it with her other hand. "But in a bit of legalese of my own, I think I will note that neither of our participants today are members of the church of Abadar, so those rules don't apply. Thus there's no reason to do this 'by the book,' and we can dispense with a lot of the formalities and get on to Svetlana's excellent cooking."
She waits for the chuckles to die down and says, "Now it gives me great pleasure to perform the greatest task for which I have been ordained, to undertake the affirmation of the bonds of matrimony for a couple who come together out of love, affection, mutual admiration, and best of all, no coercion whatsoever."
Letting that one get a few chuckles as well, she continues, "The couple standing before you have stayed together through hard times and good, on the road and in unlikely homes, despite anger and opposition. Throughout this their connection has flourished and their resolve has been tested but never broken. They have come before us today to seal that commitment, to show their troth, and to make clear to everyone how their feelings for each other have brought them to this connection of souls."
"Darian, please speak of your connection now."
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Darian turns to face Isabel. ”My Lady. Ours has been a courtship filled with hardship and tribulation. It has spanned the breadth of Avistan. And through it all, my affection for you has never wavered. And it never shall. I swear to you, before all the Gods, that I shall be there for you, in good times and bad, in this world or the Boneyard. There isn’t a force in all the planes that can hope to sunder the love for you I have in my heart.”
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Isabel is beaming fit to burst, and although Darian can see tears glistening at the corners of her eyes it is readily apparent to him (and to everyone at the wedding) that these are tears of joy, not sadness.
"Darian. The second best day of my life was when you walked into my studio in Kintargo, looking for dance lessons. We've shared so much since then and some of the times in between have been the hardest of my life. But throughout those times, you've been there. You've been my rock, my guide and my true friend."
She pauses for a moment and locks eyes with Darian, allowing him to feel her joy in this moment, in being here with him. "The best day of my life was when you asked me to marry you. I said yes then and I'll say it again every day for next thousand years to stand by your side. I love you Darian Aulamaxa, I love you with all my heart."
The usually staid and icy priestess is all smiles as the pair make their brief speeches and affirmations. Then she continues the formality and says, "Darian Aulamaxa, do you then promise that you shall cherish and protect, love and support, this woman - Isabel Rhelian, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, in the holy state of matrimony, so long as you both shall live?"
”Most assuredly so, yes,” Darian says with a broad smile.