Standing at the back of the meadow, the vast sea of Avvar before her turned to take in the stolen bride from the Lowlands. Wearing the traditional dress and adorned with feathers about her body and braided hair, she stood tall and proud before her clansmen. Ground gold flecks highlighted her face, making it sparkle in the midday sun, bringing out the brown hue of her eyes. Additionally, the borrowed turquoise jewelry from the Rutherfords gave her attire a hint of prominence. Owayne was a steady presence by her side as he waited for her to take the first step forward.
The dirt path to the altar was dusted with a covering of wildflowers and feathers. She thanked the gods for the practicality of Avvar weddings, for her dress was not restricting, nor did it have a long bulky train she had to pull along. Her dress covered down to her ankles so she was able to wear a comfortable pair of boots. The absence of a structured bodice and heeled shoes was not at all missed. And naturally, no Avvar ensemble was complete with weapons, having her staff and spirit blade strapped to her. There was humor to be found in her bridal attire when compared to that which she would've worn in the Lowlands being all but the exact opposite, yet this suited her better.
The crowd wore their best clothes, but even then, back in Ostwick, they would've been considered casual at best. The only seating was a few rows of benches for the family, advisors, elders, and special guests, had any of the other Thanes showed up. However, they were all still afraid to leave their Holds with Thane Axlan waging war. The rest of the clan stood to either side of the aisle. Around them in baskets and braziers were as many wildflowers as the children of the Hold could pick that morning. Additionally, embrium, lavender, and crystal grace were stuffed in among the flowers, they gave off a majestic aroma that wafted about the clearing in the light breeze.
The Hold's skald, Gulda Gilden-Song, had regaled the crowd in the hour leading up to Evelyn's arrival with hymns and legends. Her soft soprano echoed through the meadow as even the birds sitting in the trees stopped their songs to listen. She recounted the great deeds of all of Evelyn's past lives and how they earned their legend marks. Though she typically performed alone at the Mead Hall, during celebrations, she elicited the help of a few of the Hold's musicians. A fiddler, flutist, and drummer played alongside her lute for the immense crowd, some even dancing already due to the joyous mood.
With everything ready to proceed now that the bride had arrived, all that remained was for her to take that first step down the aisle…
The Phoenix's heart raced and she trembled nervously, gripping her brother tighter. If the wedding day jitters weren't enough, the full attention of the sea of faces around them was enough to make her want to shrink in on herself. Having thought she shook such butterflies having had time to process the fact that she, a mage, was getting married, it seemed her body was set on betraying her. After a few moments, Owayne squeezed back reassuringly, looking over to her, "Take your time." There was a slight tension in his smile at the hundreds filling the meadow and now all turned to watch them.
Having lifted her foot, it awkwardly came down as she startled herself by the movement. Slowly she walked in a trance-like state towards Dhara and Cullen who awaited her at the end of the long aisle. She tried to focus ahead, but the smiles and well-wishes directed at her as she walked were distracting and she found herself nodding to them in thanks. Parents hoisted their children up on their shoulders and waved to her. Unable to disappoint them, she waved back occasionally, setting off a chain reaction through the onlookers wanting the bride's attention. She was unsure if such etiquette was permissible, but seeing as how casual their culture was about everything but religious rituals, she assumed it was fine. In fact, the distraction helped to calm her and act more naturally.
Halfway there, she began ignoring them to fixate on Cullen. He looked exceedingly handsome dressed slightly more formal than usual. Normally, he wore darker tones that made his eyes and light-colored hair stand out, but seeing them in contrast with his white shirt made some of his other features stand out. For one, the bone structure of his face was lightened by the glow of the garment, making them not appear so deeply set. He stood tall and broad, resting his hands on the hilt of his sword. His leonine gaze subtly spoke to her as his eyes took in his bride, so much so, she felt her cheeks heat. A light sheen of sweat made her face dewy in the mild spring temperatures, aided by the flush of her face and the fluttering in her stomach. If he was nervous, he hid it well.
A movement in the brush behind him caught her eye, and she realized it to be one of their guards for the duration of the ceremony. Despite the happy occasion, patrols and scouts stalked through the tree line making sure there were no interruptions as they were gathered outside the Hold walls. Kitsa was even on hand, resting comfortably off to the side of the altar with her front paws crossed. Her ears twitched in all directions picking up the patrols behind her. Having been privy to the security plans, she felt as safe as possible between guard rotations, Kitsa's presence, and the fact that all their guests were armed. It would take a small army to get through everything Cullen laid out.
Reaching the small stage that rose a few feet off the ground, she and Owayne stopped at the foot of it. Turning to face each other, the Trevelyans exchanged a peck on the cheeks before he placed her over to Cullen. Her hands were sweaty having worked herself up, but feeling his thumb rub circles on the one he held gave her nerves comfort. With their backs to their people, they faced the Augur ready to begin together.
Dhara was dressed slightly less spectacularly than usual. She wore a plain dress similar to that of Evelyn's in maroon. Hers was belted, however, and her lion skin hooded her face. The wild copper waves of her hair poked out from under the pelt, hanging loosely about. Her face was painted all white with black lines and shapes almost looking as if her face was the skull of the deceased lioness hanging from her head and shoulders. She unknowingly conjured the visage of The Lady of the Skies from their visit to her lake yesterday, though she wore more color. Taking what seemed to be a steadying breath, the new Augur began the ceremony by casting an amplification spell so that the large gathering could hear them.
"Let us witness today, the knotting of the two clansmen before us: Thane Cullen Stanton Rutherford and The Phoenix, Evelyn Althea Trevelyan. Both come before you to take a binding oath of marriage in the name of the Skymother, for it is She who has influenced the deft fingers of the Phoenix in the tying of the knots and who will guide our Thane's hands as he unties the sacred rope."
As Dhara spoke a bit about the events leading up to this day, Evelyn couldn't help but reminisce. From that fateful morning meeting the three Thanes at the river to her issued challenge, it had been a rough number of months. She was hunted by Templars, kidnapped, marked by a god, confronted her rapist, and escaped from having been captured to become a broodmare. Not to mention it had also been a difficult few days recently. Two demons and one assassination attempt later, they were still standing, though the loss of Dusan had been a heavy price to pay. She had to give Dhara credit for stepping in without so much of a complaint, knowing that she was now officiating this historic event.
A gentle squeeze of her moist hand brought her out of her thoughts. Cullen was looking at her out of the corner of his eyes, no doubt checking on how she was doing. Signaling back, he let go of her hand afterward as it was time for the unknotting of the rope. As the Augur gave them their directions, the two gave one final look to each other before turning to perform their tasks. Rylen and Cassandra brought the rope forth to Cullen who knelt and placed it on his thighs. Evelyn faced their people to recite a traditional wedding hymn that speaks of the cycles of life. It describes how circles are found everywhere from the naturally occurring, like the cycles of life, death, and the moons, to manmade objects like wedding rings. Cullen could start as soon as she began, having readied his hands. A fierce determination drew his brow closer together as his eyes calculated his first move.
The thought of his eagerness to try and untie as many as possible made her heart race. She then asked herself how many knots she was hoping he'd get through. The thought had crossed her mind and despite her feelings, decided it was best to remain practical over the matter. One was not enough, for if she truly was to have his child, she wanted his support through the child's first few months of life. In no way did she believe Cullen would part from his child, however, having lost two. What were her rights as a mother? Her head began to hurt as scenarios played out through her mind. What if he grew tired of her and she was forced to leave Redhold, where would she go? Who would their child live with? Would they stay with him being the heir to the Thaneship regardless of their gender? Could she accept the potential that he could remarry again and another woman would raise her child? Could she come to terms with him and another woman?
"Phoenix, you may begin when you are ready." Dhara's honeyed voice broke her from the spiraling void of her thoughts.
Glancing over to the Thane momentarily, she struggled for control of her face as his eyes dulled slightly sensing something was wrong. Setting her jaw with a deep inhale, her face brightened as she turned once more to the clan. Having practiced the hymn for some time now, its lyrics came to her easily, and she was now thankful for being so distracted.
Before she even finished the first word, Cullen was already pulling a piece of the rope with a long tug. Though she was forbidden to look at his progress, she knew from seeing him out of the corner of her eyes that he had already gotten one. Thinking back to yesterday and his comment about her horrendous tying of his boot, she began to wonder if they would be bound together for life. From what she gathered, even though a bride tied upwards to about fifty knots, the average number a man would untangle was somewhere around five. Of course, there were many variables to this number, like that of the skill of the woman at knots and the fine motor skills of the man, among other more spiritual factors. Evelyn was certainly no knot expert, only knowing one or two actual knots. If Cullen could recognize the difference between them, then he was bound to make short work of them.
There was one other mitigating factor, and that was of The Lady of the Skies' intervention recently. In her heightened state with her bonds during her cleansing a few days ago, she felt Her guiding her hands as she tied each knot. Then yesterday coming face to face with the goddess to receive Her blessing made Evelyn believe there was a divine plan at work here after all.
At this point, their audience was holding back cheers as the mage sang. She almost felt as if she was at the Grand Tourney in Markham watching the spectators ride the hills and valleys of emotions of the match, especially when they had coin behind one of the fighters. In the front of the crowd, she saw Rosalie biting her lower lip, jumping excitedly now and then wanting to offer her brother encouragement. Mia stood nobly looking on while Bran appeared as relaxed as ever. Evelyn's friends and brother waited with bated breath craning their necks trying to determine how many he got as her hymn came to an end.
At its conclusion, the Augur commanded the Thane to stop. Dropping the rope immediately, he let go of a breath he seemed to have been holding. Cullen stood handing the timeworn rope back to her to count. As they took their places again beside one another, she studied his face for any clues as to how he did. Her quick examination showed that while he didn't seem upset, neither did he appear particularly happy. Dhara carefully counted the remaining knots, having done a count beforehand. The anticipation within her grew as her nervousness made her fidget. Her finger sought his, grasping blindly at his side. Upon finding it, their fingers intertwined gently.
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Holding her head high with a radiant grin, the Augur had finished her count. "By the will of the gods, the Thane has untied three knots! Let it be known, that I, by the authority bestowed upon me by the Spirits of this Hold and our beloved Thane, that the Lion and the Phoenix will be bound by the marital oath for three years. At the end of that time, you may choose to renew your oath or recant it." Dhara paused thoughtfully before she moved on to the oath. It gave Evelyn a moment to process the outcome of the unknotting.
Three was a nice number, not dreadfully long if they could no longer tolerate each other, and enough time to perform their marital duties and lest we forget fulfill the prophecy. It suddenly dawned on her why Cullen had been rather stoic regarding his performance. Perhaps, he was thinking the same dark thoughts as she had if they were to dissolve their union after their time was up. If they took a child out of the equation it became a simple matter, but three years was a long time for something not to happen along with the foretold child the prophecy spoke of.
"My Thane, did you prepare the paint?" Cullen nodded to the Avvish officiant.
Holding out his hand, Bran came forth holding a bowl of what looked like black ink. Avvar did not show their bond by ring, but tattoos. The paint was prepared by the men and enchanted by the mages. The last part of the spell was recited once the knotting was completed, binding the ink to them for the contractual years. The understated symbol of their bond was refreshing, having only ever known women who tried to outdo their friends on who had the grandest ring. It had always sat disgustingly with her, the flippant show of wealth and status, when it was not the holy purpose of marriage – though to the nobility she supposed that purpose had been warped. Holding out her hand to him, they held hands awaiting the Augur's next instruction.
Procuring a brush inscribed with runes from her skins, Dhara dipped the fine hairs into the paint. As she began painting symbols and lines in her usually Avvar-style artistry, she told them it was time to recite their vows. The Augur quickly completed Cullen’s tattoo. The design was that of the ceremonial paint she had seen him wear when they first met; bold lines with curves of flowing movement. Symbols painted in practiced precision were added, but she didn’t know what they represented; a question for a later time.
The rich baritone of the Thane’s voice bid her to look up, "As I am yours, you are mine." Gazing into his eyes, she found the strength of his resolve. His simple words echoed within her with all of its implications.
When the Augur then began on the blank canvas of her hand, matching the lines and patterns so they connected with Cullen’s, the black ink faded into glowing white. Nodding to Evelyn now, she permitted her to return the gesture, repeating his words, "As I am yours, you are mine." The blinding white glow of their enchanted tattoo reflected in the amber of his eyes, which narrowed on her with a hunger.
Holding the brush between them, she uttered the remainder of the spell in Avvish. Her hand tingled as the light slowly dimmed, as the design turned back to black, then disappeared altogether. "In the presence of the gods and the clan, the oath has been pledged. Your bond markings will burn bright in the presence of your mate or when they consume your thoughts.” Inspecting her hand, she absently flipped it over viewing the mark. Memories of how she came to be standing here before Cullen married to him, and content with it, flashed before her eyes. Losing herself in now pleasant visions, Cullen’s hand began to glow like her firey veins. Dhara stopped her chanting to stare at his hand, “By Hakkon!” The Thane held his hand up before them, as everyone gazed at what should’ve been a soft warm glow mimic a lava flow. “Well, I suppose we shouldn’t be surprised by this,” slyly inclining her head toward Evelyn, “ye light everything else on fire.” The clan laughed along with them, before resuming the ceremony, “May all the blessings of their union be shared among our people. Redhold once again has a Lady to rule beside our great Thane. Let us rejoice so that all our ancestors in the Land of Dreams hear of it!" At the conclusion of her words, the roar of the clan was deafening. The stage in which they stood rumbled beneath their feet and the spectating birds took flight into the heavens. Evelyn couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the way Dhara had worked the crowd. After a minute of the terrible racket, all eyes fell on them again.
Knowing from speaking with the others that this is typically the moment when the newlyweds kissed, Evelyn took a step closing the gap between them. There were some hushed comments of anticipation being making their way about the meadow, but she ignored them. Cullen watched her, attempting to read the situation as his brow furrowed slightly as if asking 'Are you sure?' Feeling her way up his chest to circle his neck, he too placed his hands on her. One cupped her cheek and jaw while the other brought her flush against his warm body. Gravitating closer, it seemed a hush fell over the gathering, for all she heard was his steady breaths. Noses now grazing, she closed her eyes having made her choice.
After everything that they've been through and overcome, the decision was easier than she thought. Something was blooming between them and now they had three years to figure it out, starting with this one kiss...
Just as she felt the brush of his lips and stubble, a warning resounded in her head. The Phoenix's eyes snapped open, pulling Cullen out of the trajectory of an incoming arrow. The shock of the arrow fazed her more than him as he pushed her protectively behind him shouting for his people to take cover. Searching in the direction from where it came from, the all too familiar quake of the earth became more intense as the bulk of the enemy force approached. Acting fast, she and Dhara cast a long flame wall to cover the retreat of the clan's noncombatants.
A sparse volley of arrows sailed over the wall of flames hitting several people before the other mages had time to shield them. Screams and frantic voices rang out as the women, children, and elderly retreated and the warriors came forward. They had no armor, looking like a company of actors rehearsing a play, but they were at least armed to the teeth. Cassandra and Rylen sprang into action organizing the fighters as those of Wolf-Fang Hold halted before the tower wall of magic.
From the cover of the trees stepped Axlan, bare-chested and wearing his wolf mantle. His black warrior paint jutted about down off his muscular shoulders. Beside him walked a black-as-night dire wolf, rivaling Kitsa in size. Its hackles were raised and its long thick hair made it look fearsome. Its yellow eyes were almost the same hue as the lioness', but they hungered to do its master's evil bidding. The beasts growled and roared at each other through the fire. Kitsa's muscles and veins stood out preparing to defend her territory from the usurper.
"Sorry I'm late, again, but I ran into some of your men on the way here who were rather rude when I told them I was attending your wedding." A cold shiver ran down her spine knowing all those warriors were probably dead. "May I be the first to offer my congratulations on your wedding! I hope you don't mind I brought some friends to the party. What’s a celebration with a good fight?" The army of a few hundred painted men lined up before them taunted and leered at the warriors of Redhold.
"This ends now, Axlan!" Cullen roared over the noise. "You want a fight, you'll have one, but be warned, the Phoenix has been favored twice now by Hakkon. The God of War will not take kindly to his favored champion being harmed!" She wasn't sure why he was attempting to talk him down when they knew full well Axlan wouldn't rest until Redhold belonged to him. The fact that he brought such a sizable force meant that he had at last run out of patience. Still, she admired her Thane for trying.
Axlan scoffed amused, "I don't want to kill her, just you, Blondie! Then Redhold and your new Lady will be mine! You are all that stands in my way of the conquest of the Basin." Looking at her now, he attempted to persuade her, "Phoenix, I will make you Queen of the Basin! Hakkon would want you to choose the strongest Avvar as your mate. When I kill him, you will see this is the path Lord Wintersbreath has led you to."
At hearing his plan and the threat to her husband, her mana pulsed to life. "There's one problem with that," her voice cut through the din of the warriors, "you harm a hair on his blonde head and I'll burn your bones so badly the gods and ancestors won't recognize you! That goes for any of you!" Her finger pointed down the enemy line and her heightened emotions triggered her wings to fire out to the sides in warning.
Quickly stowing her jewelry and other hindrances in a pocket within her dress, she readied herself for battle. Drawing her boot dagger, she cut slits in her dress to free her legs. A fury and need for blood rose inside her so fast it was almost worrisome. She thought maybe it had something to do with Hakkon again, but it didn't make sense, for the enchantment had worn off days ago. What did, was that she had just become a member of Redhold's clan. More than that, she was now Lady of the Hold and these were her charges. Her fiery spirit was that of a protector, like her husband - the man whose life was just blatantly threatened.
A crippling feeling of dread at the thought of losing him washed over her. The sensation was one she had never felt before in her life. Looking over at him, he was poised for a bloody fight. Having been brought a shield from within the Hold, though still lacking armor, he had the countenance of an apex predator. Between the Lion and Kitsa, she wasn't sure who looked deadlier. "Evelyn, you and Dhara head back to the Hold. You're in charge of its defense."
"The fuck I am! I'm staying with you," she glared at him even suggesting that her talents be wasted behind the walls. Evelyn absently untied her pocket and stuffed it into Dhara’s hands instructing her to get it to Mia or Rosalie.
"I'm not going to argue with you, go! If I fall..."
"Cullen, we promised each other that we had the other's back. When I challenged you, that was a poor example of my abilities because I wasn’t trying to kill you. Even before I came to the Basin the Templars kept me on a tight leash, because of what I’m capable of. You said it yourself that Hakkon favors me and that’s because I'm a weapon." She pleaded with him, "Let me be a weapon."
He studied the resolve that hardened in her eyes, before turning to Dhara, "Augur, I place you in charge of the Hold. Go see to its defense." Nodding quickly the young mage sprinted off towards the walls.
Not wasting another moment, the Thane and his Lady jogged to meet the advisors, Dorian, Bran, and Owayne. With the flame wall down the two sides were formed up for battle. Kitsa impatiently paced in front of their men anxious to be let loose upon their foes. Their very presence on her turf seemed more than the cat could bear. A few volunteers were running weapons and potions from the Hold to the front line in an effort to supply the warriors.
Looking to Cullen for a plan, he kept it simple, "It seems to me we are slightly outnumbered, but we have the advantage of the walls behind us. Rylen, get the archers organized on the walls then give command over to Dhara, I'll need you out here."
"Aye!" Pivoting on his heel, he went to fulfill his orders with all haste.
Cullen was deep in thought, playing out the battle in his head, "I want our warriors to hold the shield wall and even the odds a bit before we break formation."
Before he could go on, Evelyn chimed in, "Before anyone even lifts a sword, you should let Dorian and I have a crack at them. Our combined magic could inflict heavy losses, evening those odds for you." He rubbed his stubble frowning at the fact that she would be exposed to the enemy, "Once our mana is low we'll fall back, you have my word."
He sighed, still unhappy that the Lady of the Hold was to be fighting rather than assuming her traditional role behind the safety of the walls. "Fine, but if their warriors come within striking distance,” he got into her face pointing a finger at her sternum to exhibit his seriousness, “you immediately pull back behind the shield wall and stay there." She nodded happy that he for once took her advice.
"I'll stay by their side," added Owayne who was reading his hidden arsenal concealed in his leathers.
The Thane nodded, but his eyes were turned towards his sworn enemy watching him rile up his men for battle. They made an awful racket banging their weapons on shields and howling, while the lions of Redhold stood their ground as a well-disciplined unit. Cassandra and Bran left to join their units on the flanks, while Cullen commanded the center until Rylen returned.
Stepping up beside him, he twitched at her touch as her hand gently grazed his arm, "You know, I'm fairly certain I could hit Axlan with a fireball from here." She smiled slightly up at him, but he didn't seem to hear her joke. She knew that it would be seen as cowardly and dishonorable to do such a thing, but the temptation was there if just to save their people – and him. Understanding that he was in for the fight of his life, on their knotting day no less, she let go of him so he could be alone with his thoughts.
Before she could step away, he turned on her all but inches from her face, "Promise me that whatever happens, you kill that man if I fail to." His tone was grave and quiet but carried a great weight to them. His honey eyes hardened, "This ends today one way or another, but Axlan cannot be allowed to go on threatening the safety of our people."
Mirroring his intensity, she nodded, "You have my word, he won't leave here alive."
With her words bringing some semblance of peace to his mind, he bid her to follow him to the front where she and Dorian could begin their attack. "I will try to stay near you as much as possible but I don’t want to draw him to you."
She huffed at him, though it lacked the proper attitude, "I can take care of myself, Rutherford. Do what needs to be done. It is I who will try to keep close to you." Hesitating as he went to leave at seeing Rylen returning, she added, "We were worried we'd have the longest marriage in Avvar history, but let's now try to not have the shortest."
A brief smile graced his lips, "Yes, let's try."
With that he pushed back in through the line of their warriors, leaving her with Owayne and Dorian. Pushing all thoughts of the wedding from her mind for the time being, she touched her mana to ready it. The fire surged at her command as heat began to rise around her. This was her first official job as the Hold's Lady, and she be damned if she was going to let one wolf take an inch closer to their home without exacting a price in blood. Her words to her husband had been true, Hakkon knew it too, that she was a magical weapon. One they needed to cleanse their land, but Axlan's words troubled her. Surely, Lord Wintersbreath did not believe that conquest of the Basin was necessary? The idea alone was not enough to earn the God's favor, and in his pursuit of this vision, Axlan would name Cullen as his only obstacle. She couldn’t recall Hakkon ever mentioning her choice of spouse having any impact on the prophecy. And she certainly did not want to be bound in any way to that brute.
Cullen was right, Axlan needed to die this day and end the war, and what better chance than to do it now as exposed as he was... though it was a bad day to wear white.