Cove looked across the grass, flowers, and small steaming lake. Rounded peaks, a volcanic cone weathered by untold ages, encircled the tall meadow. Three moons, lined up in a neat row from horizon to straight overhead, reflected from the lake's placid surface and provided mystical light to the valley. This was a night for sacred rites and magic.

The five young former priests of Gisaluna swam from the half-submerged cavern leading to Essie's grotto, pulled on their ragged cut-off shorts, and joined the other teenagers and young adults playing a game with slings and slingshots along the beach. Only Essie and Gath showed any actual competence with the archaic weapons, exploding little bags of sand at various ranges with uncanny accuracy.

"It is time," Cove said. He took Keeva's hand and walked across the border into Milch und Honig, toward the center of their group.

"It would have been nice to have ceremonial outfits for everyone," whispered Kee.

"I am surprised you did not make more."

"I made enough for our girls, but they gave them to Peyton and Kendra. I don't have the material to make more."

"Can they share?"

"Gods," snickered Keeva, "Did Missha teach you anything about sewing? Not everything is made from Etherstretch; you can't just stuff anyone into anything. I've used every scrap in my bag to increase the bust size on the ceremonial outfits for Wendy's girls, and they are still straining the seams. Hanna's breasts would fit, but her torso is ten centimeters longer than Lyra's; she'd get the wedgie from hell if she tried to squeeze into that outfit, and Dax would have to hold his breath or risk shredding the hems. Everyone has picked an outfit to sacrifice." Her head shook as her eyes rested on their daughters. A touch of hope lifted Keeva's voice as she asked, "Are you sure the liners for the armor you made won't be damaged?"

Cove removed his left gauntlet, focused on his wrist, and motioned to Kee. He sent a trickle of power along with his desire into the liner. A slit formed, opened into a triangle and closed without leaving a scar. "The girls have been practicing all day."

"Is it safe?"

"Why?"

"You're going to be pressing Azure and Elystria into their skin while they're covered in an outfit made from the gods know what and full of magic energy."

"We talked about this; our daughters will not explode." Cove tickled Keeva's ribs and laughed as he said, "I'm sure they would be more than happy to go—”

"No! Our daughters will not use this ritual as an excuse to flaunt their pretty bits."

Cove held his hands up in surrender. "Okay. You realize they will be wearing more than anyone but you and me." He put an arm around Kee as she frowned and looked over his head, surveying the group. Yesterday, he had reshaped her luminaegis bodysuit. Now, like every top she owned, it left her shoulders and sternum bare. The change was a reluctant concession; she didn't have an alternative after hundreds of burns, scores of torched tops, and more embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions than Cove had fingers and toes. Azure was fireproof. Also, recrafting her outfit allowed him to upgrade his original creation.

“What you made for our daughters is only respectable with the plates attached. The liner is disgusting.”

From one perspective, Cove was correct; the armor liner covered every millimeter of their daughters' skin from their neck down. Unfortunately, it mimicked their physical features with striking detail. Lyra, Bree, and Penny were happy to trounce around in the liners or less. Everyone had grown accustomed to, if not comfortable with, their exhibitionistic tendencies, but Mommy Keeva wouldn't have it. After an eternity of vigorous discussion, he had negotiated a compromise. The whole family, plus Essie, would wear their full armor before and after the Rites, and Lyra, Bree, and Penny would wear just the liners during the ceremonies. Cove’s head still ached.

Sera and Dax were the one exception to the hodge-podge of worn-out clothing. They wore hand-tooled black leather boots, shorts, and tabards. Essie had modified her armor plates to mimic the design. Cove’s attention wandered back to his niece. How in the world did she change the color? Azure crystals are a shade of blue - it’s in the name - but hers is almost black. Is it the same technique she used to darken her skin from cream to caramel? Can she teach the rest of us, or is it a Duskfire Brotherhood secret?

Kee nudged his ear and whispered, “Butterflies?”

Cove chuckled and kissed her shoulder.

The modified cycling outfits, with hasty cutouts in all the correct, often embarrassing, and occasionally inappropriate places, would have to do. They were out of time. Military patrols had begun passing the cave this morning. The third patrol had found footprints leading to the sheltered ledge above their cave. An hour later, crudely jesting about teenage trists in the mountains, their leader had sent a runner to fetch the Riddere. Cove had reshaped the entrance to the cavern once they were out of sight.

They had to perform the ceremonies and run.

Cove knelt in the meadow, surrounded by purple fireweed flowers, bright blue geraniums, and yellow lilies. He dug his fingers into the soil until they pressed against solid stone. A hint of vertigo swept through him as he drew Elystria from his armor, routed it through his body, and focused his intentions. The plates flashed and began to dim. He gasped as muscles shuddered, and every bone below his waist cried in agony. Each Breath hurt. Birds took flight as the ground began to shake. Ripples marred the smooth surface of the lake, splashing along the shore, and rubble cascaded from the surrounding mountains, casting a haze of dust into the air. Snaps and cracks echoed across the valley.

Kee’s whisper, frantic and worried, hissed in his ear. “What are you doing?”

“I am making something special,” Cove said between labored breaths, “for my daughters.”

“You’re making a mess. Geologists, emergency departments, and mages for a thousand kilometers will come running.”

“Almost done,” said Cove as he heaved, drawing all but the dregs of power from his armor, forcing his creation to the surface.

“Back up, everyone,” said Keeva, “Daddy’s being clever again!”

Emmie asked, “Uncle Cove, are you going to blow up the mountain?”

“I think he’s carving an effigy of himself,” said Bree.

“Dad,” Lyra said as everyone stumbled to their knees, “there’s stuff coming up from the ground.”

Cove didn't look. Every gram of his attention was fixed on bringing forth his creation. Twenty polished obsidian obelisks grew in a circle, glowing brilliant blue lighting the valley as they rose seven meters into the sky. The dirt at the center shattered, shaking as a green-veined block of marble pushed from the mountain's depths.

“My gods,” stuttered Penny, “Daddy, is that a temple?”

“I,” said Cove as he collapsed, “wanted an appropriate place for your Rites.”

“Professor Nocht,” whispered Gath, “are you a god?”

Cove glared at the boy. “I am not—”

“My husband is amazing, and he is the son of a goddess, but I don't think I could take it if people start worshiping him.”

“He needs to learn control and pacing,” said Grettaluna. “Forcing that much power at his level is unwise.”

“I am not a god, and I don’t want to be one.”

“Then stop doing things like this,” Keeva said as she helped Cove sit up.

“I wish,” Cove sighed, rubbing his brow and massaging his eyes.

“What do wish, sweetheart?”

He levered himself to his feet and leaned on Kee for balance as he shuffled to the nearest column. Mater’s perfect reflection glowed on the obsidian surface, the planetoid’s mountains, valleys, and whispy clouds visible on this clear night. “Everything is bland. I wanted to decorate these columns with images of the girls and our quest to rescue them from the Riddere. I didn't have enough power for such delicate work.”

A gentle hand guided him forward to the block of marble. No fancy carving, elaborate decorations, or inlaid gold. It was enchanting in its simplicity.

Cove motioned to Dax and Sera. They approached with Essie between them. Slow steps and shaking hands joined the girl’s bright eyes and a happy smile.

“Essie,” asked Cove, “Are you determined to do this?”

Her eyes darted to the marble altar as she nodded with far more enthusiasm than the situation warranted. She had been off with Gath during the fateful meal. The two friends were the only ones who hadn't eaten the magic rabbit stew, making them the only ones who didn't need the Opening Ceremony. “I am a Hero of Castlianova. I must be strong; to fight evil and help people, I must train all my powers.”

Dax gripped her shoulder, a grin threatening to crack his face, and gave an abbreviated nod. “Acting on behalf of the parents of Essie Nocht, we consent to her accepting the Rite of Opening and request the privilege of administering the ritual.”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Cove knew the answer but had to ask, “Have you taken the Rite?”

“I have not and request the ordinance from you and Sera. We also request you Bind us.”

Keeva gasped and stifled a giggle as Cove gaped as he said, “You haven’t been assigned… I… I do not have the legal authority to perform a Binding.”

“Neither did Lady Amelia,” said Sera.

“She is the wife of Threig,” Cove said.

“You are the son of a goddess and the grandson of two others.”

“I am not a god.”

“You are our leader and my brother,” Sera said.

“Anything I do will not be legal.”

Dax locked eyes with Cove as he said, “The ceremony matters, not the laws of Heim.”

Nodding slowly, Cove said, “I remember the song.” He motioned to Roy and Hanna. “They have asked to be Bonded. Will you act as witnesses?”

Roy cocked an eye. “You’re asking two Riddere to watch you break the law?”

“Roy,” said Cove, “if you walked into the nearest police station, what would happen?”

Hanna poked Roy and placed his hand over her baby bump. “We are honored by your request and are delighted to participate.”

Cove pointed at the alter, motioning for Dax to lie down. “Look at Elystria; focus on the moon and nothing else.” He held an apple-sized sphere in his left hand, suspending it over Dax’s chest. With a thought, a millimeter-sized sphere of empowered Azure dripped onto the massive man’s sternum. His right index finger released the sphere’s Elystria as he began to sing.

Hark! Attend, ye faithful, to this solemn verse,

As Elystria's grace upon thee, I rehearse.

Let thy spirit, buoyed by love and trust,

Be of goodly cheer; in thee, we place our trust.

As a friend and loyal comrade, I bestow this boon,

With kindness and reverence, beneath the sacred moon.

With love familial and heart unstained by sin,

May thee employ this gift to kindnesses begin.

Be prudent, then, in thy use of Elystria's grace,

Let not abundance lead thee to a wasteful chase.

Be courteous, too, to those who share thy sphere,

Obey the laws and covenants; hold them dear.

Treat this world as kin, with affection pure and true,

For in its bosom, we find kinship anew.

Thus chant we now, in solemn harmony,

Embracing Elystria's gift, with hearts set free.

Sera sang with Cove as she massaged a crystal of Azure into Dax’s feet. The Azure vibrated in time with their hymn. It melted like butter when pressed and flowed into his skin. Together, they anointed the skin above each of his major draoi glands.

Half an hour later, Dax stood and helped Essie onto the altar. His voice rumbled in a solemn vibrato and harmonized with Sera’s smooth alto as they sang, moving in a smooth dance as they performed the Rite of Opening for Essie.

Cove had performed but never stood outside the ceremony. He followed their hands and fingers, drinking in the song and scents, noting Essie’s every twitch, gasp, and shudder. The young woman smiled in open wonder while asking streams of questions that made Dax smirk and Sera blush. Fifteen minutes later, Essie stood on the block of marble and leaped at Dax. She wrapped her arms around his neck and embraced him like a friend long thought dead, and Dax returned the hug, pressed a chaste father’s kiss on her cheeks, then held her at arm’s length and spun, buzzing like an ancient airplane. Everyone clapped and cheered as Essie laughed and giggled like a little girl playing with her daddy.

“Unto you,” said Dax, “is given the blessings of the Duskfire Brotherhood. You are my daughter, my blood, and granted the rank, rights, and responsibilities of a Princess, the granddaughter of The King!” With each spin, Essie’s body darkened, and after ten rounds, the young woman’s skin and hair matched the midnight tone of her new father; only her light blue eyes remained to remember her birth mother.

Cove marveled. Was that a viral genetic transfer? Those are only legal with the recipient’s consent. Is that why it might not work on Jacob?

“Butterflies, my love,” whispered Keeva.

Cove smiled, motioning to move things along. A few minutes later, the fun settled, and the ceremonies continued.

Cove and Keeva alternated with Dax and Sera, performing the Rite of Opening for every team member. Cove and Kee blessed the women, and Dax and Sera consecrated the men. Roy and Hanna performed Gath’s Opening Rite.

A delicate connection stitched Cove and Keeva’s souls and minds to each woman. They were one, more than a team; they were a family, bound together like the colorful fabrics of one of Keeva’s intricate dresses. Everyone had a place, but Cove couldn’t quite puzzle Wendy’s place in the family dress. She was everywhere, not one of the pretty silk outer panels, but the cotton liner concealing Kee’s pretty bits from prying eyes. The dress analogy was flawed. He would have to come up with a better one later. Right now, something far more significant than his musings needed his attention.

Everyone gathered inside the ring of obelisks facing the altar. Dax and Sera stood side by side, gazing into each other’s eyes, oblivious to Cove’s waving hands.

Cove sighed and laid his palm on the altar. The valley shook.

Dax chuckled as he said, “Bride, our glorious leader wants our attention.”

“You are the ones who asked to be Bonded. The sun is rising. The Riddere will be here any moment. If we do this, it needs to happen now.”

“Then you must begin,” said Dax. He motioned Essie to his side as his eyes returned to Sera.

Cove smiled as he said, “Lyra, did you finish your wedding song?”

“Wait,” Sera said, “when did you have time to write a song? How long have you been working on it?”

Lyra chuckled, a twinkle in her eyes. “The way you two have been mooning at each other, it was only a matter of time.”

“I do not moon,” stated Dax.

“Just sing,” said Cove.

Lyra hummed, setting the mood and tempo.

Cove stood in front of the altar, a simple length of rope in his hands. “I don’t have Binding bracelets for you, so I must make do.” He set the ancient titanium frame from Essie’s cave on the altar. “Essie, may I use your… whatever this thing is, to make bracelets for your new parents?”

The young woman nodded with a crooked smile as she asked, “Can you make some for Gath and me?”

“There is only enough metal for two,” said Cove. “I will keep an eye out for more.”

“Okay…”

A brief round of soft laughter came from their friends.

Cove’s fingers caressed the relic, and the metal flowed into a pair of twenty-millimeter bracelets. Gold streamed into words etched into the titanium. He smiled and placed the bonding bands on their wrists. Essie bounced on her heels as she handed him a length of cord. Deliberately and reverently, he wrapped the rope around Dax and Sera, binding their right forearms. With each loop, he spoke the traditional words of Binding:

Under the Law,

And before the Gods,

Your lives are one,

Until the end of your days,

Their progeny become her children,

The family’s honor he keeps,

Fortunes combined,

For your remaining life,

Bound you are.

Everyone bowed, and Lyra began to sing. With each phrase, a rainbow of light flowed in ribbons from Lyra's fingers, first enfolding the new husband and wife, then flowing out and drawing Essie between her new parents.

Commence as companions on a quest,

Together in this life, you're blessed.

Permit the course of nature's hand,

Let love and friendship grow, expand.

Like saplings three in one bright grove,

In time, your roots and boughs shall prove

How intertwined your lives will be,

A steadfast bond for all to see.

Water friendships with kindness, care,

With laughter, joy, and love to share.

Let not a bitter word take seed,

Nor envy’s shadow sows its need.

Discover what each heart requires,

To kindle love and light your fires.

Share soil, sunlight, shadow's rest,

Together, find what suits you best.

Labor in unity each day,

So none shall want or go astray.

Forgive the frailties you may find,

And keep your bonds both strong and kind.

Thus shall your kinship ever grow,

A testament to the love you show.

In unity, your hearts shall sing,

Together, face what life may bring.

Cove's rope, the traditional symbol of Binding, paled beside Lyra's magic ribbons. The last strain of the hymn drifted across the valley as the magic melted into the new family's skin. The sun broke the horizon.

Gun bolts clacked as soldiers and Riddere crested the Heim side of the meadow's rim. "Halt in the Name of the King," commanded CWO2 Nina Ceallach. "You are under arrest!"