Day 21

Viola Stone washed her face in the cold river. She was not use to going so many days without a proper bath. The fact that she could sometimes smell herself made her self-conscience. Smelling Nikki and Shane sometimes made her feel a little better, but not a lot better.

They were only a few hours from the castle but it felt like the journey ahead was a long one.

“Let’s go! Move men, march!” Captain Kumi’s voice called over the camp.

“I will not be doing business with you in the future.” Captain Kumi said to Shane.

“This seems reasonable.” Shane said.

The trip had not been anything like they expected.

As they came to the castle they were welcomed and all of Kumi’s men were taken into the castle and bathed.

“What is going on?” Viola asked.

“Your sister is bonding today. She has insisted on waiting for your return before the ceremony.” A servant told her.

“Who is she bonding with?” Viola asked.

“Ranger.” They answered like it was obvious.

So it was, as Fiona had said. She wants to get married to Ranger and that she was staying with him.

Viola, Shane, and Nikki were hurried to their rooms where the servants tried to bath and dress them. But they all insisted to doing it themselves.

Viola put on the dress laid on her bed. It was beautiful. The light pink dress made of silk, it fitted perfectly.

Fiona knocked on the door.

“Come in.” Viola called.

Fiona came in.

“I am so glad you are here. Tẽra is giving me her wedding. There is a strange tradition to wear a red dress instead of a white one, but I think this red one is pretty and it’s about getting married not all the stuff.”

“It’s nice to see you too. I threw all the people who tried to drown you in the pit. I tied them up and threw them on top of one another. Then I seal the grid over them. It started to rain so I guess they would have experienced a little of what they did to you.” Viola said.

“How? They are so strong!” Fiona said.

“One by one.” Viola replied.

“I feel better.” Fiona grinned, “Thank you.” She hugged Viola.

Viola hugged her back.

“I guess our reunion is over soon. I have started to get used to having a sister. It will be strange not to have one again.” Viola said.

“I had this dress made so that if you agreed you would be wearing the right thing. Will you give me away?” Fiona said.

“What!?!” Viola exclaimed.

“I know you don’t like the whole species thing and alien thing. But you are the only family I will have at my wedding.” Fiona answered.

“You are guilting me.” Viola objected.

“Is it working?” Fiona asked.

“Yes,” Viola said in a weak voice.

“Yay!” Fiona celebrated, “I am so happy! I am getting married!”

The time came and the garden was filled with the invited bonding witnesses and more. Flowers were all down the centre for the bride to walk down. The chairs had gold and red silk ribbons decorating them. There at the centre Ranger stood. He was wearing a white and red outfit. It was not a suit. A long smart pull-over white shirt that was long enough to cover his bum. The long sleeves had an intricate red resign of embroidery on it. Autumn leaves and trees and flowers created the tapestry of art on his sleeves. He was wearing red pants with a white design of the same style going down side of the leg on each side.

Ranger stood under a gold four post frame. It had carving of flowers from the royal gardens. Red silk wrapped around the frame and made a canopy for them to stand under.

Bronze candle sticks with a sash of gold were on a small table. Two candles where lit and the third was waiting to be lit. The table had a dragon on each leg.

Fiona walked in and down the aisle. Her red dress flowed and she looked amazing with her gold tiara and red dress, her hair was down in large loose curls.

The couple stood in the centre, with all the chairs making a circle around them.

“Is there anyone to bless this bonding?” the religious man performing the bonding rights asked.

This was asked it English.

“Who gives this woman away?”

Viola stood up.

“I do.” She answered.

Keimoni was translating everything as this was a non-English-speaking wedding with an English-speaking bride.

Fiona smiled at Viola. Then looked back at Ranger.

“Who blesses this man and his home?” he asked.

The leaders of the Mystic Healer tribe rose and said,

“I do.”

Then the tribal leader put his hand on Ranger’s head. “May you be blessed.” He said.

The couple then with their two separate candles lit the unlit candle in the middle together. They blew out their individual candles.

“You are now one flame, live like it.”

He wrapped the sash around their hands and recited.

“You are now bound together. No beginning or end, till death are you bound. May your light shine brighter together!”

Ranger then took his cloak and put it over Fiona’s shoulders.

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“You are now bound together forever.” The leader said.

They then walked holding hands into the hall prepared for them.

Everyone began to sing as they walked. As the couple passed a row of chairs that row joined into the singing.

They sang,

“May your quiver be fill and your sprouts be strong. May you prosper and be fruitful with many cycles to come. May your hair stay full and your legs be strong and your hand never be idle till your day has come. Let the sun shine on you and good health be yours. May sickness never trouble your doors. May your future be clear with lots to see, may you be happy with your beloved dear.”

The song repeated until everyone had sung the full song through.

The hall was prepared with tables and chairs for everyone. Ranger and Fiona took a seat. Then one by one people came and presented them with gifts.

Even though it was a strange wedding in Viola’s eyes, it had a certain simple elegance to it that she found quant and nice.

Viola paid her wishes to the couple.

“I hope you are happy and your life is everything you hope it will be.” Viola said to Fiona.

She turned around and there was Kaneeda and Dakota.

“Guess things could get worse.” She told herself.

“What are you doing here?” Dakota asked.

“I could ask the same of you, but I think I already know why you are here.” Viola said looking passed them at Ginger sitting with Tẽra.

“I see they found you and your treasure.” Viola added.

Dakota looked at Ginger.

“Did you tell Princess Libelle where to find us?” she asked.

“No, I told the queen where to find you.” Viola replied.

Kaneeda had agreed to not kill the queen nor try to, nor hit, scare, or any other threatening thing. So, she was let out and it was in time for the bonding ceremony.

“Are you friends with the queen?” Dakota asked in shock.

“I am. It’s a new thing.” Viola answered.

Kaneeda glared at her.

“Don’t start anything, first of all, there are many happy people here and you will ruin the day before you are even drunk.” Viola said.

“Then maybe do start something, that way you can be locked up and I can enjoy myself.” Viola shrugged.

“You make no sense.” Dakota said, “Why would you tell the queen where we were? How did you even become friends with such a person?”

“You invaded my mind and almost killed me. I don’t want to chat. I don’t like either of you. I was hoping that Ginger would come and then I could take Te… the queen home with me. I would love to have this little nightmare, be over.” Viola replied.

Viola turned and there was Ranger. He had overheard some of what they had said.

“It’s their fun gift to me.” Viola defended.

“I have known for a while. I didn’t know that you knew Kaneeda.”

“It was a miserable experience.” Viola answered.

“I can imagine. Kaneeda has a way of making friends like no other I have met.” He shared.

“I am right here.” Kaneeda snarled.

“Unfortunately.” Viola responded.

“Our queen is very forgiving. Kaneeda took a swing at her. Zazo was there and our queen is safe.” Ranger told Viola.

“I want my knife back.” Kaneeda said.

“So, you can put it in my back again?” Ranger asked.

“This wouldn’t happen to be the knife I helped pull out of your back, would it?” Viola asked.

“Yes, that would be the one.” Ranger answered.

“So, she likes you as much as she likes me!” Viola laughed in dismay, “Making friends everywhere she goes.”

Viola shook her head and walked away.

Dakota came after her.

“Kaneeda likes Ranger, that’s why he is alive. We know where he lives, we could easily overpower him. She lets him live in her forest and puts up a brave face for everyone else. Leaders have to do that.” Dakota said.

Viola glared at her.

“Tell Ranger this. I don’t need to hear it. You both tried to kill me.” Viola replied.

“You were bad for us. I was right. But you saved me and now you have helped change everything. One of us is going to be queen. This is big.” Dakota said.

Viola shook her head. “That’s not an apology.”

“What!” Dakota was confused “I am not apologising. I am saying thank you.” Dakota said.

“That was a terrible thank you.” Viola responded annoyed.

Dakota shook her head and walked away.

Shane came over to Dakota.

“What happened to your leg?” he asked.

Dakota eyed the man.

“Dinner fought back.” She answered.

“I can put some medicine on it. Help it heal faster.” He offered.

“Are you serious?” Dakota asked.

“Yes, it won’t take long, nor will it leave any stains on your dress.” Shane assured.

“I could snap you in half.” She glared at him.

Shane looked her up and down.

“I believe you could. Fortunately, me for I didn’t ask to arm wrestle.” He replied.

“What is arm wrestle?” Dakota asked.

“It’s a thing guys do to see who is stronger. Some girls also do it. I can show you.” He offered.

Shane put his elbow on the table with his hand up.

“Now you do the same.”

Dakota did.

“Now take my hand.” He said.

Dakota eyed him as if planning how to break him in half.

“Come on. Take my hand.” He persisted.

Reluctantly she did.

“Now we see who can push the other person’s hand to the table without lifting the elbow, or using the other hand to help out.” He said.

He pushed a little, creating resistance. Then she flattened his hand to the table.

She smiled.

“I like arm wrestle.” She said.

“Arm wrestling.” Shane corrected.

“Other arm.” She said.

Shane arm wrestled her again with the other arm. She won again. This did not surprise him. She was pure muscle. Not protein shake, fitness model muscle, but a strong capable, gymnastics kind of muscle. That used swords and bows and climbed ropes every day.

‘I am joining a gym when I get back home.’ He thought.

Dakota kept wanting to arm wrestle. It was like her new favourite game. Every time she won, she grinned and wanted to try again with the other arm.

“So, may I put medicine on your leg?” Shane asked.

“No, it’s a scratch. Shanti will heal me when I get home.” She answered.

“How can Shanti heal you?” he asked.

“She is like Ranger, a Mystic Healer.” Dakota answered.

“Then why do you have scares?” Shane asked.

Dakota looked confused.

Shane pointed to Rachael. That girl lost all her skin, was branded as a slave and now she looks perfect. Not a scare anywhere. Mystic healers can heal scares.” Shane said.

“Shanti is tired. She can’t heal everyone, every day and take away the scares. She needs to save energy.”

“Why not asked Ranger for help, he has been willing to heal others, even when it almost killed him.” Shane mentioned.

Dakota looked at Ranger, who was sitting happily with his new mate.

“He is a man. Men do not help us. They use us.” Dakota replied.

“Are you a slave?” Shane asked.

“No, I killed my masters.” Dakota answered.

“I am sure that was hard for you and a very brave thing you did. But now that you are free why not enjoy being free?” Shane suggested.

“I do enjoy my freedom. I help others be free as well.” Dakota defended.

“If you want someone to look at your leg, there is Irania, she is a mystic healer and she will help you if you want.” Shane suggested.

* * *

Ginger came to the couple.

“May you be happy.” She presented them with a gift.

It was a wooden horse. Hand carved.

“Thank you.” Fiona said.

She recognised that carving the horse took a lot of effort, and this gift was probably special to the new queen.

Viola went over to Tẽra now that she was alone.

“Don’t you feel like you are in a den or vipers?” Viola asked “One wrong step and it’s over.”

“I do. I really do. Everyone here wants me dead. Some have already tried. Yet somehow, I am here, alive and still going. I think I will not complain anymore about my life back home.” Tẽra answered.

“I have never heard you complain.” Viola said.

“It was more a discontentment in my heart. I wanted to be allowed to choose for myself. Where I go, when I go, who I go with. Now I will be the duchess I was supposed to be.”

“I have the crystal. It was in the city of gold. Kerri was right.” Viola said.

“Then we have them all, we can leave. Tomorrow I will crown Ginger queen and we can be on our way.” Tẽra was delighted.

Tẽra told her about the other crystals and James’ betrothed.

James presented a gift to Fiona and Ranger.

“This is a yarrow plant to keep in your home. It’s good for helping to stop bleeding.” James said.

“Thank you.” Fiona said

Jessica sat with Drake and his family. Drake’s parents were allowed out of their rooms for the ceremony. All the royals who had come to the peace talks had been at the ceremony.

Princess Libelle came over to Shane who was not sitting.

“I know you may not believe this, but we like you. We would like to invite you to join us as a permanent member of the dragon riders’ court.”

Shane was surprised.

“You left my sister with Black Beard. How can you say you like me?” Shane asked.

“Jessica is not your sister.” Libelle corrected.

“No, but she was with me. She has been my kin to protect her. Surely that says something?”

“Shane you are handsome and smart. We have a beautiful daughter. Bond with her and become family stay with us.” Libelle said.

Shane was shocked. He had never gotten the feeling that they liked him. Nor did he think they would think he was worthy of their daughter, Princess Tanith.

“I am honoured by your proposal. I would like to think about it and before that I need to know something. Will you let Jessica bond with Drake?”

“No, Drake is a Skiopia leader and he must bond with one.” Libelle answered.

“But you would have let him bond with the queen?” Shane pointed out.

“You are clever.” Libelle replied.

“Jessica is my sister. As you already know the truth, you know that Jessica having red head is to your advantage. Why do you dislike her?” Shane asked.

“She had no grace. She blunders around like a wind storm. No restraint, pure ciaos. Do you think she would make a good queen?” Libelle asked.

“I believe Drake is a good leader and he would be able to keep Jessica in line. She would restrain herself for him.” Shane answered “Look at them.”

They looked at Jessica, she was sitting next to Drake in a dress. Her hair was done up and neat. She smiled when people addressed her even though she had no idea what they were saying. She sat up straight. Used her cutlery as Drake did. She looked good, like she was a royal. She looked happy, and so did Drake.

“It’s a pretty idea from over here. But as soon as she opens her mouth it’s all over.” Libelle said.

Shane noticed the way she said it.

“Be honest with me, are you against her?” Shane asked.

“Not as much as you believe. She is not my choice for him, but it is not up to me.”

“Would ruling prince Ryu try to have Jessica killed?” Shane asked.

“My boy, please do not create such awful ideas. She is not right for him and that’s all there is to it.” Libelle answered.

“I cannot accept your offer even though it is one of great honour. I have an opportunity to return to my home. I am going home.” Shane answered her.

“I understand. May it go well with you.”

Libelle went to sit with her husband.

Jessica knew that Drake’s parents wanted her out of the way. This she was convinced off. But for some reason she trusted Drake. He had won her over. She was safe with him and even if his parents tried to kill her again, Drake would find her or save her. Not that she believed she needed a man to save her or help her in life. But knowing he would, was nice.

The celebrations progressed, with dancing, and music and the wedding was marvellous. The food was great, the people were happy and it created a friendly environment with no pressure for people to mingle in. They chatted and new friendships between the royal families started to grow.

Tẽra saw this happiness and was happy within herself.

“You are an amazing queen.” Zazo said joining her.

“Thank you. I believe in Ginger. She will do amazing things. She will lead with the help of people like you. Taking this broken world to a new place of healing.” Tẽra smiled.

“When are you going to crown her queen?” Zazo asked.

“Tomorrow.” Tẽra answered.

“You must invite all the royals for the crowning. Tomorrow is too soon.” Zazo said.

“All the royals that matter, are here.” Tẽra answered

“Invite them, send birds tonight and wait a day or two.” Zazo advised.

“Zazo, I want to leave.” Tẽra said.

“End things the right way.” Zazo urged.

“Fine, send messages and invite everyone. But I will wait only two days. I will not wait longer.” Tẽra replied.

Messages were sent to all the important people. The royals, the leader and the rich. Everyone was invited.

Fiona’s wedding was one of bringing everyone who remained together. The royals were constantly surprised by Tẽra’s decisions. A royal wedding for a friend who was bonding outside of her tribe. Making Ginger, queen, locking up the dragon riders in their chambers, honoring the dead, these were a few things that kept them on their toes, not knowing what to expect.