Chapter 19 Wedding

What an incompetent buffoon. It’s a basic stabbing maneuver that they let us practice on stand-ins many times. At least #17 had the good sense not to twist the horn but instead yanked it straight back out. Look, he’s caught the correct spot the second time. Right there on My Prince’s left shoulder. — Prince Eater #34

The first time Padraig had officiated had been at as small of a wedding as it was possible to have. The bride and groom rode on the same horse to get to SnakeIn specifically to marry and remained in their riding apparel for the ceremony. They were exhausted from the journey but refused to stay even a single day to rest. Three Watchers agreed to be witnesses and Padraig had been happy to do his part in helping thwart the Most Revered’s attempts to keep the loving couple apart.

Padraig MacGavin, Commander of the SnakeIn Armed Watch, resplendent in full dress uniform rather than his everyday camouflage uniform, stood in front of the pub fireplace, expertly hiding his nervousness and any trace of residual anger from the argument with Annie in the kitchen. This was only the second time that he had officiated at a wedding and although his training allowed him to conceal his emotions, he admitted to himself that he was afraid he’d make a muck of the entire thing.

As Jon had requested, the original plan was for Padraig and three witnesses to meet in the attic room. Word spread quickly to guests of the inn, patrons of the pub, members of the Armed Watch, and throughout the neighborhood so the ceremony had to be moved to the larger accommodations on the first floor where Rory and Craig had rearranged the tables and chairs for the crowd.

Alec brought Jon down the four flights of stairs and settled him on one of the high pub stools for the ceremony. Alec stood next to him, holding his hand. Tom Jarek stood next to Jon as his witness. Craig Doherty stood next to Alec as his. Healer Callahan stood next to Padraig as the officiant’s witness. Kenzie, Rory, and Callan stood a few meters away from Jon, all beaming happily, although Kenzie latched onto Annie’s arm tightly as if she were trying to keep the scowling woman where she could keep an eye on her. The rest of the pub was filled to capacity with people who wanted to be part of their happiness.

Padraig had been there when they had arrived at the city gate and knew their actual names, but as he had pointed out to Annie a few minutes before, this was SnakeIn. He cleared his throat and began, “We gather together this morning to celebrate the joining of Jon and Alec Holdingfree in wedlock.”

The crowd applauded.

“Before we can celebrate, however, it is my solemn duty to determine that these gentlemen understand the commitment they are making and that they are making it willingly without coercion, force, or undo persuasion.”

The crowd applauded again. Padraig cleared his throat and stood up straighter, relieved that he was making his way through without any serious mistakes. “Alec Holdingfree, Jon Holdingfree, do you swear in front of these witnesses and all those assembled here, that you espouse each other knowingly, willingly, and for the rest of your lives?”

“I do.”

“I do.”

“Alec Holdingfree, Jon Holdingfree, do you understand and agree that all of your earthly possessions, including any and all money, any and all property, and any and all inheritances, are now equally owned by your spouse?”

When Jon and Alec agreed, Padraig went on, “The City of SnakeIn realizes that each couple eventually finds their own way within their marriage and that from time to time, marriages require that each spouse maintain separate residences, or follow independent paths. We stipulate with great emphasis that you may not divorce or completely abandon the other spouse for any reason whatsoever, not sickness, not infidelity, not differing philosophies; and that regardless of any wrongdoing that may potentially occur, each spouse must do his utmost to maintain the other’s life and wellbeing. Alec and Jon Holdingfree, do you recognize and agree to this directive?”

At their affirmative, Padraig continued, “The City of SnakeIn further stipulates that no spouse may abuse the other spouse, or any current or future progeny of the marriage, physically, psychologically, emotionally, or in any other manner, under penalty of criminal prosecution. Alec and Jon Holdingfree, do you agree to abide by this directive?”

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When they agreed, Padraig instructed, “Please turn and face the crowd.”

Rory and Callen hurried forward to assist Alec, Tom, and their father in safely turning Jon’s chair and then scurried back to stand beside their mother. Padraig grinned with satisfaction and his voice boomed across the room, “Friends, witnesses, and celebrants, I formally, officially, and with great pleasure hereby declare Jon and Alec Holdingfree to be duly and fully married.”

The crowd cheered, whistled, stomped, and applauded. Kenzie dropped her hands from Annie’s arm, clapped enthusiastically, and then hurried behind the bar to pour ale for the crowd. Annie glanced after her aunt, scanned Jon and Alec closely, and then shifted her eyes to two muscular men on the opposite side of the room. When she canted her head, the two men parted, and each strolled the perimeter of the room in opposite directions.

Rory stepped forward a second time, this time toting a portable desk, a set of inked quill pens, and the marriage certificate. He held them out to Jon, and then to Alec for signatures. Commander Padraig MacGavin added his own, and then each of the witnesses signed. As he handled the documentation, Kenzie, Callen, and two of the pub’s regular patrons, circled the crowd with mugs of ale for everyone.

“A toast,” Craig Docherty called out and lifted a mug. “To the new Holdingfree Family.”

Mugs were raised and clinked, happy voices called out “to the Holdingfrees” and Alec snuggled one arm around Jon. A mug was placed into Jon’s trembling left hand, so Alec turned to help him sip the brew. As he did so, Annie stepped up to them, and said, “Congratulations. Best wishes to both of you.”

“Thank you, Annie,” Alec responded.

Tom Jarek smiled and moved to Annie’s side. He squeezed one of her hands and said, “See, I told you it would be fine.”

“One, two, three, one, two, three,” a musician in the corner of the pub counted out, and the trio struck up a slow waltz.

Alec turned to Jon and said, “I believe this is my dance.”

“I can’t even walk, how can I possibly dance?” Jon responded with embarrassment.

Quick soldier’s reflexes had Tom grabbing their two mugs as Alec swooped Jon from the high pub stool, spun around several times, and declared, “This is how.”

Holding Jon tenderly, Alec waltzed across the center of the floor. The crowd parted to make room, and halfway through the tune, several others joined them on the dance floor. At the end of the room, Alec stumbled slightly when he noticed that the delivery man who’d helped Rory was standing just inside the door. The man tipped his head and casually saluted the couple. As Jon’s eyes widened in recognition, the delivery man shook his head almost imperceivably, and then Jon grinned and buried his head in Alec’s shoulder as if embarrassed. Alec returned Jon to the high pub stool where Jon continued to cover his face and pretended to faint dramatically while the crowd laughed.

Annie moved closer to Alec, poked him lightly in the ribs, and said, “Do you have any of those fancy dance steps left for me?”

Alec looked at her in surprise, then leaned his face next to Jon’s, and asked, “Do you mind?”

Jon put his arms around Alec and whispered, “I don’t mind, no. Alec, you know I love you, but I’m exhausted.”

“I’ll take you back upstairs right now,” Alec said smiling. Jon bobbed his head slightly and Alec said, “I’m sorry, Annie. But I’ve used up my allotment of dancing this evening.”

Alec lifted Jon in his arms again, negotiated his way between the dancers and a chorus of well-wishers, but paused and turned so that Jon faced the crowd and could wave to everyone. The two muscular men followed but were stopped partway by the delivery man. Witnessing the confrontation, Jon whispered, “Let’s go home.”

Alec responded with a smile and then transported the love of his life up the stairs.

The two men stepped backward, turned, and left the pub.

Tom touched Annie’s arm and suggested, “I’ve got plenty of moves left in me.”

Annie glanced beyond his shoulder at where the two men were disappearing through the door, and then she allowed Tom to lead her into the next dance.

In the farthest corner of the pub, a diminutive youth with olive-colored skin and black hair stood with his back pressed against the wall. His dark eyes darted everywhere, watching everyone, and his sharp mind took notes: the large man by the door didn’t want others to know that he was the Grays Commander; the two men Jon’s sister Annie had hired to kidnap him from his own wedding had failed; the Commander of the Armed Watch was far more nervous officiating than he let on; the curvaceous woman at the bar enjoyed being unfaithful to her husband. So far Prince Gunnar’s disguise had worked successfully to prevent anyone from recognizing him, and the lady at the bar tempted him, but once Alec started up the stairs there was nothing else of interest to him, so Gunnar moved smoothly along the perimeter of the pub and out the front door.

©2022 Vera S. Scott