Galen Vesa
Warm wind of ebbing summer brought the scents of soil and rain. The fragrance of changing season. I wonder, how many people notice that alluring aroma of the nights?
“I think I’m going to faint. How can you be so calm right now?”
Our open carriage moved at a calm trot, following a paved road among the cherry blossoms. Well, they sure looked like cherry trees, but I know of no variety that would bloom in the fall. Some petals rained on us.
I reached and pick them out of Vittoria's hair. She did look pale and less bubbly than usual. Perhaps the corset crushing her ribs had something to do with it?
Out of the four seats, her dress occupied two and Altina and I hardly had any place left in the remaining ones.
I swept few pink petals off her shoulder.
“Thank you.”
She held a silver cylinder that housed the elaborate marriage certificate and shone with gentle greenish light after soaking in the waning moonlight.
Nobles out here tended to overengineer the matter. Thou shall not take more than four concubines, or thou shall not seek a child other than of my womb or the one I call worthy. Such and similar rules were common but ones even more fancy were added quite often. Like, you will allow yourself to be claimed every second day aside from any unclean day. I also blessed contracts which stated, you will not eat broccoli and right after, mother in-law is not allowed into our house.
The list could go on.
Aside from all that, the core of the contract discussed a plethora of “what-if” scenarios. Who takes care of who, how to handle succession, who will get that amazing silverware after the grandma is gone, how many wives will you take, how is the seniority between the wives decided, what names should the children have, how many children, or even how long will this union last.
Time based marriages.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
I’ll play your wife for five years, perhaps get you a kid and then we’re back to being strangers. I’m not sure how the local deities cope with the idea, but it works. People came together and parted ways without much of the divorce related drama. You went into the deal knowing well ahead what to expect. And since powerful magic bound all the contracted individuals hardly any marriage contracts were made for forever after. Most swore until death may part them. Those unsure of their choice usually played save and choose anything between two to five years. Some opted to renew the vows every ten years or so.
*How fickle can a human heart be to need such measures. *
Why? I find it convenient. I have seen many otherwise good people ruined by a moment of weak will or a wave of emotions. From what I understand, the spell will keep you from committing adultery or harming your spouse. It will also, within described limits, force you to accept and care for any children of the family.
*Or force you into slavery. Have you not noticed that some of those contracts did away with free will of one of the participants? *
Ah. That too did happen. Often people agree upon a master-slave relationship. Especially when someone of a lesser standing marries up into a richer family. As long as the slave cannot be ordered to commit a crime, the empire has no objections.
Several guards in parade uniforms rode alongside us. They wore the imperial black, a contrast with the emerald green of the guild banners that were attached to our carriage.
We were greeted at the gate by the chief of the prince security detail and escorted in since the guild guards were not allowed into the royal grounds. And…
Erta, what is it with you?
*Blood…*
A wave of magic rushed through my bones as she cast some spell.
*Blood has been spilt here. I can smell it. *
Oy, roomie, what is this all about?
*Someone has died here quite recently. It has been cleaned and cleansed but even now I can tell the place. Not far from here and… our host is aware of that. *
Now that she mentioned it, the knights escorting us did seem rather focused on our surroundings.
Roomie, I am no expert but, all those stumps. That was done or purpose. Somebody went and cleared the sides at least fifty feet deep into the forest. And all those lanterns, they aren’t there for show, are they?
*No my dear dolt. They are not.”
A counter measure against an ambush. Here on the royal grounds.
“Uh. Honestly, how are you doing it?”
Vi whispered, taking in shallow gasps of air. The best her dress allowed.
Should I tell them? What would I tell them? Listen up, a dragon that is stuck inside my head just smelt some blood. Oh, and the knights here are kind of edgy. Perhaps we should turn around? Yeah. Who am I kidding?
I shrug my arms. I’ve been practicing that, now it looked almost real.
“There is no secret to it. I just am.”
Broken beyond giving a damn. Altina pretended not to listen. Her ears scanning the area. Did she know?
Her fur stood up.
“Merciful Shamu… Enough, both of you behave. That is the prince! Do not stare!”