Chapter 77

Year 163 – Winter – Septimus Mensis – 4th day

Avem, town of House Kalator, land of the Vale

The day of the wedding had arrived, but a strong winter storm had hit the town that morning. The candles were being lit around the large room. The door still had scars from the battle that had happened earlier this fall. Tens of soldiers, lieutenants, and generals were assisting at the ceremony as well as the members of the Silver Lining. The temple door opened, letting a cold stream of air crawl its way between the many men, stinging their skin like winter bees.

Varok – “Close the damn door!”

Atilos – “Well, I had to open it, so I could pass.”

Amund – “And I thought you wouldn’t come.”

Atilos – “A winter storm isn’t enough to let me miss a royal wedding.”

Ludger – “It was enough to keep most away.”

Atilos – “Yet I’m surprised you agreed to host the ceremony. It must be quite the insult for a priest of Aya to marry a fraud who usurped an angel’s name.”

Ludger – “Egmond told me he’d let the witch hold the ceremony if I was not the one doing so.”

Atilos – “How in Aya have we let our king fall so low?”

Amund – “She defeated the preacher of Ira Arcum for us. He wasn’t a small fry. Our men respect her, and she could help us even more in the future. Just because something is suspicious doesn’t mean it is inherently evil.”

Atilos – “I like your optimism, Amund, but it was their witch who landed the final blow. Not her.”

Amund – “I saw her fight against him. She protected hundreds of our men doing so.”

Ludger – “Still, a storm beginning during a wedding is a bad omen.”

Trygve – “Well, it’s winter, so it’s doomed to happen eventually.”

Amund – “Oh, look, there’s Egmond.”

Egmond – “I see many have come.”

Atilos – “Many more have stayed in their homes.”

Egmond – “Can’t blame them with the storm outside.”

Ludger – “You can still avoid this, Egmond.”

Egmond – “In 10 years from now, you’ll see how strong my heirs will be, and you’ll regret saying those words.”

Ludger – “I hope so.”

Amund – “I think it’s a good idea. I’ve never liked strangers, but after that wedding, they won’t be strangers anymore.”

Atilos – “She won’t be one, at best. They’ll stay strangers for us.”

Varok – “I agree with Atilos.”

Egmond – “Ludger, it’s time. Let’s start the ceremony.”

Atilos – “Where is the bride?”

Ludger – “In the room over there, with the witch.”

Atilos – “What better than a witch to turn a fraud into a bewitching beauty.”

Egmond – “Keep your sarcasm to yourself, will you?”

Atilos – “My apologies, my king.”

In a nearby room, Lanaya was preparing herself.

Lanaya – “I’m not sure I want to do this . . .”

Nelis – “What? Why now?”

Lanaya – “I don’t know . . . It’s just . . . What if it turns out to be a failure? What if I never achieve my goal? It will have all been for nothing.”

Nelis – “Listen, if you want to leave now, I’ll follow you, but you need to understand what will happen. Egmond will not take it well, and two-thirds of his officers are waiting for a reason to take you down. So, we would have to run away in the snow, and in the event we succeed, we’ll most likely die either from cold or hunger.”

Lanaya – “I know . . . It will probably pass.”

Nelis – “If you don’t like the result, we can always leave later. Aya has already banished you, so it’s not like breaking a wedding would make your case worse.”

Lanaya broke into a laugh and wiped her tears.

Lanaya – “You’re right. I should be optimistic.”

Nelis – “One day, you’ll change the world for a better place, and in a thousand years, the world will still know your name. It’s just the beginning!”

Lanaya – “You’re right. I’m the strongest. The giant-slayer they say! Even though you’re the one who killed him . . .”

Nelis – “You fought him, and you survived. Besides, the more titles you get, the easier it is for me to hide behind your shadow. Having the support of the people is a good thing.”

Lanaya’s eyes were filled with tears, but a resolute sight was emanating from them.

Lanaya – “I’ll make it work! I always do!”

Nelis – “You’re the most beautiful angel I’ve ever seen.”

Lanaya – “You’ve only seen one.”

Nelis – “I’ve seen two!”

Lanaya chuckled and shook her head.

Lanaya – “I guess I shouldn’t make them wait then!”

Nelis – “We’re with you, don’t forget that.”

Lanaya wiped her tears and walked toward the door. Nelis then opened it to let her pass. Seeing Lanaya, the crowd was dazed.

Fragile like a blooming flower, yet proud like a lion. Her skin was pure like the crescent moon and soft like a swan’s feather. Her long silver hair had been arranged in a waterfall braid. Her dress was as white as her skin and seemed to be a part of it. At every step, the bottom layers of her dress were revealing her ankles to the silent crowd. She walked across the room and reached Egmond.

Egmond – “If that’s not an angel, then I don’t know what is.”

Ludger looked at Egmond, angry.

Egmond – “We are waiting, Ludger.”

Ludger – “Egmond Der Stolze, son of Sigmund Der Stolze and lawful king of the Kalator, have you chosen willingly and without any coercion to be here?”

Egmond – “I have.”

Ludger – “Lanaya, the nameless . . .”

Egmond – “The giant-slayer. She deserves it.”

Ludger looked at him with an irritated sight.

Ludger – “Lanaya, the giant-slayer, leader of the Silver Lining, have you chosen willingly and without any coercion to be here?”

Lanaya – “I have.”

Ludger – “The two of you now stand at the door of your life dearest threshold. The vows you shall pronounce will not only be heard by those sitting in this room, but by the gods themselves. Egmond, repeat after me. I, Egmond . . .”

Egmond – “I, Egmond.”

Ludger – “Pledge on the name of my ancestors . . .”

Egmond – “Pledge on the name of my ancestors.”

Ludger – “That I shall honour my spouse . . .”

Egmond – “That I shall honour my spouse.”

Ludger – “As a husband so that she can feel proud . . .”

Egmond – “As a husband so that she can feel proud.”

Ludger – “As a warrior so that she can feel safe . . .”

Egmond – “As a warrior so that she can feel safe.”

Ludger – “And as a leader to guide her through the mist and tempest of life . . .”

Egmond – “And as a leader to guide her through the mist and tempest of life.”

Ludger – “Until my last breath . . .”

Egmond – “Until my last breath.”

Ludger – “And in the life beyond.”

Egmond – “And in the life beyond.”

Ludger – “Lanaya, repeat after me. I, Lanaya . . .”

Lanaya – “I, Lanaya.”

Ludger – “Pledge on the name of my ancestors . . .”

Lanaya – “Pledge on the name of my ancestors.”

Ludger – “That I shall honour my husband . . .”

Lanaya – “That I shall honour my husband.”

Ludger – “As a spouse to ensure his legacy . . .”

Lanaya – “As a spouse to ensure his legacy.”

Ludger – “As a host to ensure his need . . .”

Lanaya – “As a host to ensure his need.”

Ludger – “And as an adviser to ensure his prosperity.”

Lanaya – “And as an adviser to ensure his prosperity.”

Ludger – “Lanaya, under Zelja, goddess of love, will you stand behind Egmond until your last breath?”

Lanaya – “Under Zelja, I vow to stay faithful to Egmond as I stand beside him until my last breath.”

Ludger – “I said behind, not beside.”

Lanaya – “I’ve heard you well.”

Ludger – “You cannot–”

Egmond – “Ludger! Keep going.”

Ludger – “Egmond Der Stolze, son of Sigmund Der Stolze, rightful heir of the Kalator and king of the North, under Aya, goddess of light, will you take Lanaya under your care until your last breath.”

Egmond – “Under Aya, goddess of light, I shall honour the one who proudly carries the name of your sixth angel by making her my queen.”

Ludger’s eyes were filled with anger as he asked the audience.

Ludger – “Does anyone have reasons to stop this wedding?”

Egmond stared at his general and Lanaya swept her watch around until she found Nelis, but none answered the call.

Ludger – “Does anyone have reasons to stop this wedding?”

Egmond – “They’ve heard you; you can keep going.”

Ludger – “Under Aya and Zelja, I hereby and solemnly name you husband and wife. Egmond, you can now kiss the bride.”

Lanaya smiled at him as he drew himself closer. Grabbing her from beneath her shoulder, he kissed her. His breath smelled like one of his back teeth was partly rotten, yet she kissed him with vigour, faking her enjoyment.

A few scattered claps emanated from the small crowd. Amund raised his fist high above his head.

Amund – “For the king!”

A few soldiers then followed his call, but the mood was quite dull for a royal wedding.

As they finished their kiss, Egmond looked at her in the eyes.

Egmond – “How do you feel, Mrs Der Stolze?”

Lanaya – “Good.”

Egmond – “Just good?”

Lanaya – “You still have to keep your part of the bargain.”

Egmond – “I will, don’t worry.”

Egmond looked at the crowd.

Egmond – “We would normally host a party, but considering the storm outside, it would be preferable if everyone went back to their homes to make sure they have enough wood to keep themselves warm. Lieutenant Varok, I’m counting on you to walk to each house and make sure they are fine.”

Varok – “It shall be done.”

He then looked at Nelis.

Egmond – “Nelis, I name you leader of the Silver Lining and general of the House Kalator. From now and onward, you shall be the sorcerer of the red hawk. Within the next few days, we’ll find you a proper workshop, and if you need anything, Ludger will provide you with it.”

Nelis – “I am honoured, my king.”

Nelis then looked at Lanaya to make sure she was fine. She was confident and nodded at him.

Egmond – “Now, I have one more announcement, and while I know many will dislike it, I do believe it will be a good choice. From her prowess in the battle of the Frey’s castle and the battle of Avem, as well as her determination to carry the will of the red hawk, I proclaim Lanaya Der Stolze as warlord of House Kalator.”

Trygve – “What?”

Ludger – “She isn’t a leader!”

Varok – “You want us to leave our lives in her hands?”

Egmond – “You’ve seen her fight. Has she not proven herself able during the battle of Avem?”

Atilos – “What about you?”

Egmond – “I cannot lead on multiple fronts at once. Amund will stay by her side as an adviser. If anyone dares to disrespect her authority, he’ll be sent to the dungeons. My decision is final. You may dismiss.”

As the many generals left the temple, Ludger looked at Egmond with sorrow.

Ludger – “I truly hope that I am wrong.”

Egmond – “I know.”

As the temple emptied itself, Egmond looked at Lanaya.

Egmond – “I have projects for us, if you would follow me.”

As he stepped ahead of her, her smile vanished for a dejected yet determined sight.