Chapter 3 Gifts.

A thick dark mist and brilliant leaping vermillion flames spun and twirled in a mirrored dance of adamantine and magic. The same sword dance that was done during Sera’s birthday was once more on full display, though this time in front of friends and loved ones instead of nameless nobles.

Once the newlyweds’ first sword dance was over, the bride’s uncle strode towards them. With a flick of his wrist a pure black sword made of reality magic enshrouded in shadows materialized in his hand. His curved conjured blade hung casually at his side as he approached with purposeful strides. A few of those present readied themselves to fight him but the bride and groom just turned to meet him casually.

“Did you feel left out?” Isaac asked Fen L’Vore with a raised eyebrow.

“It has been ages but it is custom that the older generation guides the younger, one last time.” Fen told him with a slight upturn of his chin.

His wife, Jala L’Vore, arrived a moment later and grabbed her niece’s hands. “Come. Let us twirl and whirl. You drug me out of my studies so you must now indulge me.” She spun away from her niece and flicked her hand. A rapier of reality magic appeared in her hand trailing behind it black wisps of shadows.

Lenna laughed and stepped away from her husband to engage with her aunt in a dance of blades. “Very well, auntie, try to keep up.” She prodded and the pair began.

“You only did this so Jala had an excuse, didn’t you?” Isaac questioned Fen rhetorically.

“I’ve been locked away for too long and my skills have been gathering dust. I’ll need to be in good form when we finally leave this place.” Fen countered and slashed towards Isaac. Fen’s opening move showed Isaac that he was not engaging in a dance with the dark mage but rather a spar masked as one.

“Oh?” Isaac questioned. “I figured Jala would be here for at least another century.”

“All the more reason to shake the dust off when I have the chance.” Fen countered and slashed.

“Speaking of dust, is the shield our wedding present by chance?” Isaac wondered.

“No.” Fen replied as he quickly realized that Isaac was not being pressured by him in the slightest. All of the dark mage’s training with his paladin mate, combined with a very minor boost from his available mana regeneration rate, meant that Isaac was not only keeping pace with Fen but forcibly maintaining the status quo. “Who knows when that will be ready.” Fen confessed. “She is still waiting on the leaf.”

“Then what are you giving us?” Isaac questioned with a grin. It was customary but not required to give the newlyweds a gift but that didn’t keep Isaac from pressuring Fen just because he could.

“A promise.” Fen replied with a frown.

“Oh?” Isaac said and continued to hold the apparent casualness of their spar at a casual level to prevent anyone from getting worried about their clashing silent blades.

“Jala will create the security array for your… farm… and I will maintain availability in the event of an emergency for your household until you return, but not a moment longer.” Fen explained.

Isaac was taken by surprise to such an extent that he almost missed the parry of Fen’s next attack and had to harden shadows against his shoulder to keep the elf’s sword from cutting his sleeve. “That, that is much more than I was expecting. Thank you.” Isaac genuinely thanked him. Fen L’Vore was a grandmaster shadow sorcerer and not one to be underestimated. There were few mortals capable of going head to head with him and those that could should’ve had no reason to do so.

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Fen nodded. “I think the dust has been shaken off.” He spoke and took a step back to disengage. “Now that business is over with, where is the duke’s fine wine you have no doubt been given?”

Isaac laughed and gestured towards one of the walls. “There are a few chilled bottles for the guests, but,” He gestured towards his and Lenna’s table. “There is a bottle of the really good stuff that has just been opened.”

“Perfect.” Fen said and started towards Isaac and Lenna’s table.

“But Fen,” Isaac called after him and the sorcerer stopped to give him a raised eyebrow. “only one glass for you and one for Jala. I want at least half of it to take home.” Fen smirked and nodded before he continued on his way. If there was one thing that Fen could get behind, it was taking everything and anything that was offered or desired.

“I am afraid that I cannot keep up with such intensity.” Sera spoke as she approached Isaac. “Perhaps a simple ballroom dance?”

Isaac nodded deeply to her and noticed that Lenna was doing the same to Izen. Jala had trailed after her mate towards the expensive wine on the newlyweds’ table. “I think that can be arranged, though, you will have to forgive me if I step on your toes.” He told her with a smirk. “I’m still not very good at them.” Isaac said and tossed the hilt of his magic sword into his inventory.

“Oh pish.” Sera said and waved him off as she stepped up to begin dancing with him. Sera waited until they were well into the dance, and they were both comfortable enough for a distraction, to begin the topic of her arrival. “The real wedding gift from Izen and I to you is not just the wedding itself but one last thing.” She told him.

“Sera.” Isaac said admonishingly. “You are starting to make even me feel bad. How do you think poor Lenna feels?”

Sera shook her head. “That is why we are only telling you.” She replied with a wry grin. “I have a letter of introduction from us for anyone you meet on your travels. It should grant you a fair amount of comfort and authority on your journey depending on where you go.”

“Won’t that hurt some of the goodwill and reputation you’ve built up over the years?” Isaac wondered. “We would be using your name to receive hospitality.”

Sera shook her head. “Not a meaningful amount of it. Everyone knows that Arbencrofts and Sasstons are known to go adventuring in their youths so they are all expecting Lucius sooner or later.” She explained. “A few more mouths to feed and bedsheets to change will not mean anything to those worth showing the letter to.” She explained. “Just do not do anything that would reflect poorly on us, please?”

Isaac chuckled. “I will do my best to not bite the hand that fed me.” He replied. “What are Izen and Lenna talking about?” He asked abruptly.

“Oh, this and that.” Sera replied with a wry grin. “Oh look, the song is done, make sure to spend time with all of your guests.” She finished with a graceful bow and a twirl towards her husband. The duke and duchess moved away to let others spend time and dance with the newlyweds as Celeste, Stan, and a very bashful looking Leo approached.

“This is my son, Leo.” Celeste introduced him. “I know he usually hides away in the kitchen but this time his Pop and I managed to drag him out into the open.”

Leo was a short man whose crimson hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail. His gray eyes looked exactly like Stan’s but he was a full foot taller and nearly as wide. He looked like a relatively short and stocky human man with an amazing beard and too pale eyes. He could have been anywhere from twenty to thirty with his still youthful but worn countenance. “Hello.” Leo told them with a deep but soft voice and a nod. “Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” Isaac told him with a smile.

“That’s ‘bout all yer gonna get outta the lad.” Stan explained. “In the territories of my kin, the tradition’s a bit different. Usually it’s only the folk of the fresh pair that gives somethin’ to them.” He began. “But you’ve avenged my son which means you’re family too.” Isaac and Lenna’s eyes widened slightly in surprise at where the old smith’s conversation was going. “So, what I’m tryin’ ta say is, there is a bar of adamantine with your name on it in my shop. It’ll be there for ya when you come back or you can take it with you on your travels, either’s fine.”

“Thank you, Stan.” Lenna told the old dwarven smith. “I will ensure that it is put to good use, if not by us then by our future generation, whenever they come.”

Stan nodded once in finality as if now the gift’s transition of ownership was now set in stone. “Good.” Stan spoke and then stood there awkwardly for a moment.

“I think what the old man was trying to say was, ‘Congratulations on your wedding and we wish you the best for the rest of your days.’” Celeste summarized. “As my gift to you,” Celeste began and reached into a Bottomless Bag that was hanging at her hip. She heaved with some noticeable effort before she pulled out a bag stuffed with coins. “travel funds.” She told them.

“Celeste, we don’t need-” Isaac began.

“Take them or it’ll be seen as an insult.” Celeste cut him off.

Isaac grabbed the bag and caught sight of a silvery coin on the top before he dropped it into his Inventory. He knew that Celeste wouldn’t make a show of giving them a bag of actual silver coins which meant that they all had to be platinum ones. “Thank you.” He and Lenna told her at the same time.

“Now we’ll get out of the way so the rest can shower you with gifts.” Celeste told the pair and ushered her son and father-in-law away.

After Celeste and her family came the Tanners and then the Silverstrands. The Tanners gave them a tome of creatures that have the best crafting materials and the Silverstrands promised a full wardrobe for both of them upon their return. After the families came the solitary creatures such as Thomas and Harry Lovecraft. Those wished them well and gave them a pure mana potion and fertility tincture in kind. Harry winked hard at the pair while handing them the small bottle, much to Lenna’s embarrassment. Sir Michael gave them a map of the country that would always show where they were and Captain Tim gave them a bottle of wine from his personal stash. Next came Alexander and Clayton who had worked together to create ‘A Tome of Introductory to True Magic Theory’ which was packed full of all of the fundamental knowledge they had, including information on the colors of mana. Finally, came the three from the Adventurers’ Guild and after them would come the duke-to-be and the three from Outpost Charles. With all the nobles, mages, and common folk out of the way, it was time for the adventurers to throw decorum to the wind and do what they did best, be themselves.