Book One: Chapter Five

  

  As the sun rose above the horizon, the sky brightened to orange, and then yellow, transitioning finally into a light blue. Not a cloud was in sight as the midsummer morning sun warmed the air. Several men in dark blue silk cotehardies marched in a line from the bucolic road skirted in tall grasses and bushes to a well trod path leading towards a manorial plot. At the lead was a man in a floppy flat hat. A small drum was tied around his waist with a thick leather strap and he was hitting it with a pair of drumsticks at a light tempo. Behind him was a man with a recorder playing a lilting tune. Next, came a man with shoulder-length gray hair, Uengeif the Baron of Suchen, his small cerulean eyes peering ahead. The line of men extended for nearly fifteen and behind them were several wagons of supplies pulled by horses. Behind the wagons were about an equal number of ladies in fancy dresses, firstly Daena the Baroness of Suchen, her hair covered in a wimple and a wide brimmed hat. Her sky blue eyes were narrow and her olive skin was wrinkled. The women wore clothes of a cobalt color, many with veils or hats similar to Daena. Then behind the women was a man hitting a steady rhythm on his small drum, another flutist and behind him a man with a fiddle, strumming a happy tune. At the end of the procession was a man with similar visage to the Baron, his son, Odwain sitting atop a white steed. He wore a fine dark blue silk cotehardie with intricate spiral patterns across his chest. His large floppy flat hat had a long peacock feather sticking out from the side. His sky blue eyes were like his mother, and his large nose and broad chin like his father. He held up a short sword with lined and spiral designs interspersed with Fareikziechen (a sun with a simple steepled house in the center) and speirelblum symbols cut through the steel as part of the stylized design. He was smiling as they approached the manorial plot.

Those in the nearby village came out of their houses to watch the procession reach the stone manor. The company of well dressed individuals lined up about 25 feet from the abode, women on one side and men on the other, in rows of five people, leaving about a small gap between the men and women. The music from the drummers, fiddle player, and flutist stopped. Odwain rode his horse to the wagon.

"Prepare the gifts of coin and food," he said authoritatively, as he dismounted his horse and tied it to the wagon.

Two men in the front wagon went inside the storage area. One brought a small chest beneath a canvas cover and set it near the end of the wagon while the other took a large basket with a handle covered in fabric and set it next to the chest. Odwain went past the wagon, his father on one side and his mother on the other. He looked to his father who nodded. Uengeif signaled to the musicians with a raised hand. The drums began and then the flutist, and finally the fiddle. As the music swelled Baroness Daena began singing loudly and the women followed along.

Our son has come to get married, we have come from over yon. 

We will open up our arms, if you open up your home. 

Over the hills and across the river, we have brought you riches.

 Let us unite and join our blood. 

In Fareik we trust in him we shall join our houses.

When they had got to the end, the men began singing the same words. They went back and forth in this way. Their singing was well practiced and pleasing to the ear. 

    After a time, the singing grew a bit more quiet, but they continued, even as the small inset door to the great hall opened. From the door came Viscount Deinmag and Viscountess Farnei. The Viscount wore a red coat with ermine trim over a red cotehardie. The Viscountess wore a red dress with white lace and long puffy sleeves. She also wore a red lace up hood lined with ermine trim. Behind them was a line of five men who came out of the door. They lined up in front of the men of the other family, and began vocalizing a soft wordless music. Then the women came out of the manor and faced the women of the other family in a line and vocalized in much the same way as the men. Viscountess Farnei of Wukla was at the head of the procession. Those peasants of the village watched as the two families sung together, different timing of the same chorus. Their voices were beautifully mixed. The family facing the manor stopped after the women’s verse as the Baron of Uengeif held up his hand. Then the family facing away from the manor finished their chorus, and the Viscount of Wukla held out his hand. 

    Odwain stepped forward between his mother and father. The Viscount and Viscountess stepped up to meet him with solemn faces. The men that were singing finished their chorus, falling silent and the women shortly after. Then Odwain put the intricate short sword into a scabbard on his belt and spoke in a booming voice.

"I am Odwain, son of Uengeif, Baron of Suchen. We have come many leagues from our home to you today as my family had promised at the appointed time. I have brought the gift of coin pledged in exchange to wed the woman that has been promised as my bride."

He turned and waved to the men at the wagon wearing plain gray tunics and leggings. One brought forward the chest and the other the basket. Odwain opened the chest, revealing several hundred golden coins.

“We have also brought a gift of food.” He pulled back the fabric in the basket, revealing a large assortment of dried fruit and nuts.

Viscount Deinmag nodded in appreciation. 

"Do you uphold your family's vow so I may be wed and our houses may be joined?” Odwain asked.

    “I Deinmag, Viscount of Wukla, Welcome you to Volgeinet Manor and accept your gifts,” said the Viscount in a serious manner. “I offer your promised bride so that our families will be forever joined.”

    “Thank you my lord.” 

They closed their eyes and their foreheads touched for several seconds and then they pulled back.

"How was the journey?" Viscount Deinmag asked, suddenly relaxed and convivial, as he set his hand on Odwain’s shoulder.

Odwain’s austere demeanor broke, and he smiled amiably.

They spoke briefly, and then Baron Uengeif touched foreheads with Viscount Deinmag. The Baroness and the Viscountess did the same. Then Deinmag introduced Odwain’s family to a man with a graying beard that wore white linen coif beneath a rather plain brown bourrelet style hat. He was Volto, the bailiff of the manor. Volto pointed off to a clearing where they could rest until they would be formally invited inside. He walked with the travelers to the flat ground. The chest and basket were handed to servants from the manor who took it inside the manor with Viscount Deinmag, his wife, and the bailiff returning to the manor.

The others unpacked the wagons and began to set up a pavilion. The sun was getting high in the sky when the huge tent was finished. The servants that had done most of the work rested beneath the shade as sweat streamed down their brows. Odwain sat at a small table with his father Baron Uengeif, mother Baroness Daena, and young sister Oleinda.

The door to the manor opened wide. A man with a floppy hat and green velvet clothes exited the building and began playing a lute in a slow melody.

“It is time my son," said the Baron. "Tell the servants to eat, we will go inside.”

“Yes father.”

    Odwain with his family (all twenty) queued into two lines of men and women. Odwain stood between his parents at the head of each line. They entered the building and the lutist finished his music, following them inside and closing the door. Inside the great hall of the manor house were three long tables put together in an H shape. A napkin was set in front of each chair setting.

    There at the table was the Viscount Deinmag Viscountess Farnei, the bride, and nearly twenty more of their family. The yellow gown the bride wore was long with two layers, the inner touching the ground with intricate lace and also at the end of long sleeves that expanded wide at the elbows. Around her waist was a thick shiny blue ribbon and she wore a thin silver necklace with a Fareikziechen pendant and bright blue lapiz lazuli gemstones flanking the center. The neckline of the dress was high, right beneath her jawline. A white veil that obscured the bride’s face was affixed to the crown of her head. Those in the bride’s family wore beautiful clothing in similar styles of a scarlet color. They had stood up when Odwain’s family entered, including the priest at the middle of the table. He was dressed in a pale blue robe, a white sash with Deiru writing, and a square hat with a dove-tailed ribbon hanging from the back corner nearly a foot long. He had a round face with a square jaw and cerulean eyes.

Odwain walked with his father on his right and mother on his left. Their family behind them followed, the men behind Baron Uengeif and the women behind Baroness Daena. They walked forward until Odwain reached his betrothed. Then the Baron and Viscount bowed, their foreheads touching slightly. Odwain went right in line with the men of his family, his father the Baron first after him.

They walked around the tables, set in an ‘H’ shape, to the back, Odwain met his bride in the center of the table. They bowed low to each other, but did not touch. Then they turned towards the table.

On the bride's right hand side stood Viscount Deinmag, then the rest of the men in her family. On Odwain's side was his father and the men in his family. The women from Odwain's family filled the other side of the table across from the men. The two mothers, Viscountess Farnei and Baroness Daena sat across from their husbands. In between them sat the priest. When everyone was in their place, they all sat down.

    The smell of cooked meats, stews, vegetables, and all sorts of pleasing odors wafted from the kitchen and diffused through the hall’s tall ceilings. Several servants in gray clothes walked from the kitchen and began placing round gourd cups in front of each individual at the tables starting with the bride and groom, then all the men, and finally the women (starting with the Baronesses). The cups for the bride and groom were trimmed with gold, and on the outside was a painted tableau. It was of a man and woman in dark ink outline, their skin like gold and between them a bright yellow Fareikziechen. 

Before everyone was served, the priest stood with outstretched hands and said a blessing, invoking the name of Fareik, their god. He blessed everyone in attendance and their food before sitting back down. The servants began filling the cups with wine in the same order as how the individuals sat at the tables. As the last cup was being filled, Viscount Deinmag stood, holding his cup high. He began a speech in a stentorian voice, welcoming both the groom and bride’s family. He expressed his happiness in having them finally wed with a raised cup. 

“Heyah!” shouted those in attendance and then they took a sip of the wine. The Viscount then invited the Baron to say a few words. Baron Uengeif stood and held up his cup. His voice was more measured and melodious. It was another thank you speech. This time to the father of the Bride and their family. When he was done he held up his cup and wished the new family many healthy children.

“Heyah!” everyone shouted.

"Bring forth the food!" Viscount Deinmag stood and shouted.

“Heyah!”

It was at that point that the doors to the kitchen opened and platters were brought into the room. The main course was crispy duck seasoned with scallion, and a hearty vegetable soup. Each person at the tables had a hard slab of bread used like a plate to soak in the flavors of their meal. There was conversation and eating which all told took nearly an hour. Odwain and his bride however did not talk to each other. They were mostly silent, only speaking to their parents occasionally. When everyone was finished the servants collected the table of refuse to be tossed to the pigs. 

Viscount Deinmag waved to a servant who went to the man in green velvet and whispered in his ear. The man dabbed his lips with a cloth after he finished chewing. Then he grabbed his lute from the floor and began playing it. His pockmarked round face was characterized by a severe square jaw that was open slightly while he played. He closed his jaundiced eyes to focus on his craft.

A few of the children danced in circles with the music while on a small table two middle aged men pondered carefully before moving carved wooden pieces across a board with a square grid. The rest danced, told stories, or played games for nearly an hour before Viscount Deinmag whispered to the bailiff. Volto stood and awkwardly asked everyone to be quiet to no avail. Finally the Viscount, chiding the bailiff’s uselessness, stood and whistled loudly. Those in attendance immediately were silenced. Volto apologized and then beseeched the priest to begin the Hoetzetairun ceremony.

 The priest stood and started a speech, reminding everyone that marriage is a solemn obligation that joins two people together to create a new family. He set a tome on the table and began reading a parable. It was about a man building a house by himself. His family offered to help and he accepted, but when his wife’s family offered to help he refused. The man was pleased with what he created with his family, but the structure collapsed the first night he slept inside, killing him and his wife. The priest explained that there was an important moral to the story. Support is needed from both families, so if there are any doubts the families should discuss them now. Everyone nodded their head, and they were silent. 

The priest thanked everyone, then he instructed the bride on her duty to the groom if they were to get married. She must honor and obey him at all times. She was to take care of him, his house, bare children, and always be loyal. He told a parable on this topic about a wife who was killed in an accident when she didn’t follow her husband. Then he asked the bride if she understood. She bowed her head solemnly in confirmation. From behind Viscount Deinmag, a servant handed him a bowl with sliced apples. He handed it to the bride who held it out to the priest. The priest accepted the bowl and ate from it. Then he blessed the bride’s family with a short prayer.

Next he turned to the groom and said that his responsibility was to provide and protect his new family. He told a long story of a husband who did not and how Akain’ah cursed his family with a difficult and sorrowful life. The priest asked the groom if he understood. He bowed his head in confirmation. His father Baron Uengeif held a gourd cup filled with dessert wine which he handed to his son. Odwain gave it to the priest, who slowly drunk it all down before passing it back. Then the priest blessed the groom’s family and completed Hoetzetairun with one last prayer to Fareik.

Those in attendance raised their glasses and drank in celebration and the minstrel took up his lute again. This time only the bride’s family danced, both men and women, but not together. On each side of the room they lined up and performed their well practiced folk dance. The children stuck to the sidelines dancing in circles. After about half an hour the dancing waned and those in attendance took to lounging again. Viscount Deinmag went to the kitchens to check on the next course. Soon after, he asked everyone to sit at the table and the next meal was served. There was fish with green herbs and pork with vegetable stew.

After the meal the families lounged briefly and the bride’s family took to ceremonial dancing in well practiced rhythms in the same style as they had done before the meal, but slower, being very full from their supper.

After the dance, a dessert of apples, nuts, and honey was served. Then the servants started cleaning up and the groom’s family dispersed. The sun was low in the sky as they left the manor to retire in the pavillion they had raised. The bride's family filled the hall with straw beds, so the servants were forced to sleep outside.

Odwain, although tired from the day before, woke early in the morning. He spoke with his parents about the events of the day. They took their time to dress in formal clothing and he practiced a dance with his mother  (several feet apart). As the sun was rising nearly halfway to its zenith, the minstrel in green clothes began strumming his lute. The groom's family lined up in front of the manor and shortly after the Viscount, Viscountess, and the bride came out wearing clothing in a different pattern. The Viscount wore a salmon colored cotehardie with white swirling patterns and his wife wore a yellow dress and hood with a red rimmed collar. The bride wore a green dress and a veil with flowing skirts and long sleeves. They entered the manor and ate wild pheasant on a bed of greens with a leek and potato soup. After the meal, the families each told stories about the wedded. Some were a bit embarrassing, others heartfelt. Through the stories those in attendance came to know the bride and groom a bit better. 

After the stories there was more music, but this time the groom's family danced. It was traditional and slow to the strumming of the lutist. After dancing Odwain's family began singing. The men would begin and then the women of his family would sing the same verse in a round.

The Viscount looked at the bailiff expectantly. Volto stood and thanked the groom’s family for the entertainment and announced that supper was to begin soon. The servants brought the tables back to the center of the hall, then everyone sat for another meal. They dined on a pork meatball and vegetable soup that was served with sliced bread. The soup was seasoned with many herbs, and the bread was very hard. Most put their bread in the soup and ate it when the texture became soft.

After dinner, the Volto announced that Reingensermun was to commence. Two wooden basins were brought into the hall, one in each corner opposite the kitchen. The servants began taking pots of warm water from the kitchen to fill them. A wooden standing curtain divider was placed at each corner to block the washing basin from view. The groom’s family stood outside the curtain divider and faced towards the other family which did the same for the bride. The groom was behind the curtain and his family in front. A couple servants helped strip off his clothing. The priest stood with a tome held up, reading a passage aloud. The strong odor of welkweed and urine caused Odwain to recoil as the servants rubbed the herbal mix over his body. After he was coated with the pasty substance, the priest said a brief prayer. Odwain bowed and the priest asked him to bathe. Then the priest walked to the other corner to perform the same blessing to the bride.

There was a curtain hung up on a pole at the top of the tub that draped the wooden basin like a tent for privacy, leaving only his head visible. Baron Uengeif, with his wife and daughter, circled the basin in which Odwain sat eight times. Then the Baron invited the rest of his family to do so. Afterwards, the servants washed the groom, while everyone else went back to the couches and tables, to talk and drink wine. The same ritual was performed with the bride.

After they were finished being washed and put into clean white clothes, the bride still with a veil, the Baron, Viscount and wedded wished each other goodnight and they prepared for the evening activities before sleep.

***

    In the pavillion many slept as the sun rose to the horizon on the third day of the wedding celebration. There was a corner in which hung thin fabric sheets from the ceiling, creating a sort of room with a slit making a door, held together by rope in a loose bow. Inside the room was a large pile of straw covered in thick blankets for bedding. Odwain lay restless in the center, on his left and the right side of the bed was empty. He held up a silver necklace around his neck looking at it closely.

"Odway!" said a chubby young man with Azure eyes as he entered the bed chamber. His black hair was cut parallel to the crown of his head at length just above his ears. Odwain's countenance changed to a resigned smile.

“Happy up your face Odway, it’s your wedding day and I’m here to cheer you up.”

“Offal,” Odwain said, burying his head in his hands. 

"What's wrong?"

"Just realizing my life is over, Dainac."

"No, it begins now. At least that's what grandfather says."

"You sound like my father. Probably every father."

"Eh, what do they know," Dainac said. 

"You’re not helping."

"Sorry," he laughed.

The opening that made the door separated and two more young men wearing cobalt blue cotehardies walked through. One had a reedy figure with cerulean blue eyes, and hair that fell below his ears with bangs framing his face. The other had a more average build with dark blue eyes that nearly matched the color of his clothing.

"Don't worry, your boys are here now," said the skinnier of the two.

"Cousin!" Odwain said with a jovial tone, hugging him.

"Odee!”

“I hate that nickname, Gerhine.”

“Cheer up, cousin. Your time is finally up. You'll finally be a proper man tonight."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"You have your chance to make a child tonight," Gerhine chuckled.

"Fareik," Odwain said, shaking his head.

"I'm just joking with you. You look nervous. You’re alright aren’t you? What’s wrong?”

"I actually feel much better, now that you’ve arrived."

"Am I nothing to you?" said the other.

"I’m glad you’re here too, Meinwaet,” Odwain said. He hugged the man briefly. “It’s just Gerhine and I have known each other since we were small."

"Mmm, yes I know."

"No hard feelings?" Gerhine said, extending a hand to Meinwaet.

"Not at all. We're here for Odee. Let's have a good time," he said in a friendly tone. They shook hands.

"Heyah!" Gerhine said loudly.

"It's just been so much pomp and ceremony. It's difficult not to be so nervous for tonight," Odwain confessed.

"It's been so long since I’ve seen you all," Odwain said. 

"Far too long," Meinwaet replied.

"Well let's get started," Gerhine said with a massive grin. 

“Yes, and to that end-” Dainac opened up the heavy looking satchel hanging from his shoulder and removed a wine skin with a smear of white paint on the surface.

"Already?" Odwain said incredulously. "Is that's from your family's vineyard?"

"Aye," Dainac replied. “A resplendent white wine."

“White? Ugh," Odwain said with revulsion.

"Offal, I had forgotten. You don't prefer white wines do you?"

"I loathe them," he replied.

“Remember that time you got drunk on Sumsundie? Wasn’t that white wine?”

“No it was red,” Odwain smiled.

“Are you sure? Isn’t that why you hate them so much?”

“No, I've never liked white wine,” Odwain said. “Is that all you have Dainac?”

"I'm sorry, but-” Dainac frowned and handed container to Gerhine. His expression changed to a smile as he pulled out another wine skin from his bag, this one with a mark of red paint.

“Rotvien?” Odwain asked dubiously.

"Aye."

"Very good indeed!” Meinwaet said with a smile.

“Where are the cups, cousin?” Gerhine chuckled. “We should get the Hotzetfaer started.”

“I’ll call for some.” Odwain said enthusiastically.

The young men exchanged tales from their past, reliving their good times together as they drank wine. Odwain opened up a chest and held up a cotehardie. It was blue with spiral patterns sewn into the thick stripes of the front of the garment. The skinny young man Gerhine began singing and the others, except for the groom, joined in as they sprinkled a perfume of aromatic roses and faint herbs onto his braies.

Brush your hair and wash your face

That’s what all the mother’s say

That’s what all the mother’s say.

Brush your hair and wash your face.

Then today, then today,

you will be a groom today.

A groom today, a groom today,

you will be a groom today.

And tomorrow your bride will say,

and tomorrow your bride will say.

Brush your hair and wash your face.

Brush your hair and wash your face.

You will be a man today.

So today is your wedding day.

Meinwaet held out Odwain's cup of wine for him to drink and then filled it again when he had finished.

"Not too much, I don't want to stumble into the Temple."

"Aye," Mainwaet chuckled.

"Just enough to calm the nerves," Dainac said, drinking a sip of white wine.

"Thank you again for the libations friend," Odwain said graciously.

"Bye all means," he replied humbly. 

Gerhine held out the cotehardie and Odwain slipped his arms into the coat. Next he put on his trousers and shoes.

"My lord Odwain," said someone from outside.

"Yes?"

"Your mother, Lady Daena said to bring you hotzetbret."

"Perfect," Dainac said cheerfully.

"By all means bring it in."

A servant brought forth a wooden platter upon which was set a flaky oval shaped bread peppered with small white seeds.

"I'll take that," Dainac said. It was handed over and the servant bowed.

"Do you need anything else m'lord?"

"Nay," Odwain replied.

"I take my leave."

Gerhine grabbed one of the largest pieces on the platter.

"Groom first you greedy goose," Dainac chortled.

"Oh sorry," Gerhine said, already having swallowed one large bite. "I haven't had anything today."

"How do you stay so skinny," Odwain said. He took a chunk of bread as well.

"Always been this way."

"You certainly don't get it from your parents. They're as fat as Dainac."

"Very funny Meinwaet," Dainac replied bitterly.

"I was jesting with Gerhine, not you," Meinwaet smiled.

Odwain and Gerhine couldn't help but laugh while Dainac silently fumed.

"Ok stop it boys. Remember you're supposed to be helping me get ready. Viscount Deinmag might flog me in the village square if I'm late,” he said apprehensively. “Dainac, let’s move on,” he barked.

Dainac sighed. "So now what-"

"Son," said Baron Uengeif as he entered the small space where they were gathered. "Are you ready?"

"A-aye," Odwain replied.

"You do not look it," he said derisively.

"Well nearly Uncle," Gerhine said, brushing the bread crumbs off of Odwain’s cotehardie.

“Yes father, we will be done shortly.”

"We are to meet in the Temple as the clock reaches nine. You must be done with your Hotzetfaer now.”

     “Very well,” Odwain said. “Meinwae could you get my pattens?” he said, pointing to the wooden platform shoes inside the chest.

***

    Odwain stood outside of the pavilion with his father Uengeif. They were both well dressed in blue cotehardies, Odwain had a long hood that fell down his back and past his waist, into a sharp point. His father wore a floppy hat with a feather. Others from the pavilion, his cousins and uncles, walked towards the temple in clean formal clothing, mostly hues of blue. Baroness Daena met them outside with his sister Oleinda. They were dressed in beautiful gowns. Baroness Daena wore a cobalt-colored dress with puffy shoulders and tied beneath was a wide ribbon embroidered with a spiral pattern. Around her waist was an elegant silver belt made of square panels. The sleeves were long and tied along their length over a white undershirt. Lady Oleinda’s sky-blue dress was a bit more simple with a white flowing sleeve covered in tight cuffs over the wrist and shoulder. Her and her mother’s hair was up and covered in a white wimple and chaperon hood. 

Baron Uengeif started to march with Odwain, Baroness Daena, and finally Lady Oleinda behind. Assembled in the temple were both families, the groom’s on the right and the bride’s on the left. Odwain and his family walked until they reached the wooden railing that separated the front of the sanctuary from the back. Baroness Daena and Lady Oleinda bowed to Baron Uengeif before taking seats at the pew on the right immediately behind the railing. Odwain continued forward, following his father. He looked forward, his eyes not moving towards either side of the aisle. 

At the front of the temple was a stone dais with many tall pots, each with long thin branches from sun blossom trees that were covered in yellow spiral shaped flowers. At the top of the back wall of the temple, light shone through the sun shaped yellow-stained glass window. In the center of the dais was a wooden lectern draped in a white fabric and emblazoned with a golden Fareikziechen. 

Odwain and his father went to the right side of the lectern and stood at the dais. He noticed the priest sitting silently on a chair at the rear of the dais against the wall. Odwain stood there for what seemed like an eternity, a soft murmur of conversation purveying the room. He looked across the crowd, most in the assembled company complete strangers to him, but kin all the same. His mind was racing to how his life would be forever different today. 

Someone cleared their throat loudly and then it was all quiet. Odwain’s eyes darted to the entrance of the temple. There stood his bride dressed in all white and veiled. Next to her was the imposing silhouette of Viscount Deinmag. Odwain’s mind went blank. The Viscount walked slightly in front of her and she walked behind, with Viscountess Farnei at her side. They walked slowly and paused at the railing for the Viscountess to sit on the left. Then Viscount Deinmag led Odwain’s bride forward by the hand and past the railing. They walked to the left of the lectern and across from Baron Uengeif and himself.  Odwain’s throat felt dry as he looked at his bride. Her white dress was beautiful, sewn with many golden spiral and Fareikziechen patterns across the hems. The sleeves were long and flowing, tied at intervals near the shoulder, elbows and wrist with bright golden ribbons. The veil concealed her face, and a white hood with intricate spiraled embroidery along the hem kept her head in slight shadow.

The priest stood up from his chair on the dais and walked to the lectern. He cleared his throat and held up his hand. He thanked everyone for coming to witness the marriage. Then he began a hour long sermon in which he solemnly relayed the story of the first marriage in Fareikrut and how Fareik had told the first man, Blauz to instruct his wife in obedience. There was a duty of a wife to her husband and a husband to his bride. 

After the sermon, the priest turned to a table behind him on the dais where a long yellow cloth was set. He instructed the fathers to connect the betrothed together with the ribbon. The Baron and Viscount took the long strip of fabric and each tied it so the bride and groom were connected. The priest reminded Odwain and his bride that from this day forth they would be connected in family. He read a passage from a tome on the lectern. It was a parable of a man who owned an orchard. He had an overwhelming abundance of fruit that he offered to Fareik and with it secured his acceptance into the afterlife. The priest asked if the groom’s family had brought an offering to Fareik to bless the marriage.

From the front aisle stood up Gerhine who bowed in front of the priest and handed him a wicker basket of apples. The priest took the basket and bowed low as he set it on a stone table set into the wall below the stained glass window above. Then he returned to the lectern and began to read another parable. This one was about a bakery. At the end of a long day of work, the baker asked his wife to give all the extra bread they didn't sell or eat to the temple as an offering to Fareik. The next day and the day after the Bakery had no customers and the Baker was frustrated. At the end of the third day the baker caught his wife secretly feeding the poor. After beating her, he took the bread and gave it as an offering to Fareik at the temple. The next day he had many customers.

The priest asked the bride's family if they had anything to offer. From the front pew came forward a tall corpulent man (Aldageir) in a yellow cotehardie carrying a basket filled with three small loaves of bread. He bowed and gave the offering to the priest. The priest took the basket and placed it next to the apples on the table. He bowed low to the offerings and gazed towards the window above. The priest returned to the lectern and told another parable this time of how a new family experienced much failure because they had no support from their relatives and neighbors. He asked if the family and community had anything to offer.

Dainac brought forward a glazed amphora and a cup, a burly looking man in peasant clothes came from the pews near the center of the temple with a hotzetbret sweet loaf, and next to him was an old man bringing a wedge of cheese on a small wood plate.

The priest blessed the food and then passed it to the bride. She used a knife to cut the bread and cheese. And then she poured the wine from the amphora. She offered these to Odwain. He consumed them and passed the plate back. She did the same for the priest. After he was done, she did the same for herself, only pulling up the veil enough to reveal her mouth to eat and no further. Odwain stared intently at her pink lips as she swallowed the wine and gently licked her lips before placing the veil back. She cleaned up and passed everything back to the old man who went back to his seat.

The priest explained to all those present that the bride and groom would be exchanging their silver Fareikziechen necklaces for gold as a symbol of their devotion to Fareik and to the sanctity of their union. The priest bowed his head to the Viscount. Viscount Deinmag pulled from his coin purse a beautiful necklace with a 1 inch diameter gold pendant in the Fareikziechen design. On each side of the pendant were small gems, a blue lapiz lazuli and a red carnelian. Deinmag placed the necklace in the bride’s hands. The priest told the bride to place the necklace onto her betrothed’s head and remove the old one. Odwain bent his head forward and knelt down so she could accomplish the task. She then turned back to the priest. 

He asked the groom to now replace the wedding necklace on the bride. Baron Uengeif opened a pouch from his belt and took out a beautiful necklace of a similar style to the one Odwain now wore. He handed it to his son. Odwain looked upon his bride with her head bent forward. He placed the necklace over her head carefully, but got it stuck several times on the bows of her veil. At one point Viscount Deinmag helped get it unstuck and Odwain’s face became completely red in embarrassment. Finally it was placed properly and the silver one removed. 

The priest instructed the groom to lift his bride's veil. Odwain grabbed the white fabric and lifted it up and onto her head, revealing a young woman with an olive complexion, a small wide nose, small slightly slanted cobalt colored eyes, and thin peach lips. Her hair was tied up in a large bun on top of her head and covered in a net of thin white ribbons and pearls. It was Sarteina, the cousin of Adalla and Allora. Odwain smiled briefly at the sight of his bride.

The priest asked the couple to hold hands, and press their heads together. He blessed them as they held their foreheads together, and after the brief prayer he announced them as husband and wife. 

From the crowd there were shouts of congratulations. Sarteina's cousins Adalla and Allora, sat next to their mother Viscountess Farnei in the pew, smiling with tears in their eyes. From the dais the priest walked down, the newlyweds following straight down the aisle, with Viscount Deinmag and Baron Uengeif following. Baron Uengeif stopped at the first pew and sat. When the others had exited Viscount Deinmag led the couple to the manor, the priest following. Next, the family of the bride followed, first the men, and then the women with Lady Farnei and the rest of the females from Sarteina’s family, including the identical Meikell twins.

BOOKMARK

Baron Uengeif stood after the last of the women had left. He led the men out of the temple, while his wife Daena led the women. The manor door was open so they entered and sat in order at the assembled table, in the same position as the day before. There were several more people as only the closest family had attended during the previous days. Many of the women entering had carried small trays with home made cakes, especially the bride's family. As they passed a small table they set their cakes down, stacking them on top of each other. There were nearly thirty cakes of different shapes, sizes, and colors, with a layer of several near the bottom to create a base on a short table.  A yellow dove-tailed ribbon beneath a small vase of sunblossoms hung from the edge of the table.

After everyone was seated, Viscount Deinmag stood and welcomed everyone to the Volgeinet Manor. He announced all those in attendance from the brides side of the family and they stood briefly as they were called by name. When he was finished he sat and Baron Uengeif stood and announced his side of the family. When he was finished the Viscount signaled the bailiff Volto to go to the kitchen. The servants brought plates until the center of the long table was lined with food. Lord Uengeif stood up with a cup in his hand.

“We are thankful for the Viscount and Viscountess joining us today to help with the wedding planning and sorry for the failing health of Sarteina’s father Baron Lamar. I imagine that he will be comforted that his legacy will be taken up by my son to care for the manor and his new family. I have no doubt that the manor will prosper under his direction.  Congratulations to Odwain and Sarteina. May she serve him well with many children,” he held his cup high cheerfully in a toast.

“Heyah!” everyone agreed and then they all drank from their wine cups. 

As the Baron sat down Viscount Deinmag stood up.

“I was happy to help with the wedding, and I too offer my condolences to Sarteina for her deceased mother and her father’s failing health.” He paused. “But let us focus on recent events. May Fareik find Odwain and Sarteina a pleasing couple and bless them with prosperity and happiness!” he said with a booming voice. "I trust Odwain will keep his promise and maintain the Barony of Trakenwol after Baron Lamar passes. I will be watching patiently as Viscount and will offer my support. In return I ask for respect and support to the Viscounty. I know you are up to the challenge Odwain," he said sternly. "To the legacy of Trakenwol!"

BOOKMARK

“Trakenwol!” those at the table said, as they toasted and drank. The Viscount sat down. There was a bit of an awkward silence and then-

"T-to my cousin and his beautiful wife,” said Gerhine nervously. He stood with his cup held high. “I-I wish you health, I wish you wealth, I wish you gold in store, I wish you heaven upon earth. What could I wish you more?"

“Heyah!” those at the table cheered. 

"Father Powel, please lead us in a prayer," the Viscount said. The priest raised one hand up heavenward.

“Sustenance do you provide to us this day oh Fareik.  It is by your mercy and light that we are able to dine on these fine victuals that with your grace you have sustained and allowed us to gather. We pray for the renewing of our spent humors and the strength that this food may allow. We desire you in this house and our lives so that you might eat with us and give us joy.  Your light guide us on our path in life and shine the dark from our minds and eyes.”

“Always in our eyes,” those at the table replied.

A whole pig was the main course.  Then there was a plate of large and hard bread rolls, a platter of yams, and a dish of vegetables with a large catfish laid on top.  A troupe of servants brought out bowls of steaming soup.  Chunks of carrot, and cabbage swam in the thin broth.

The bread was used for soaking up the soup before eating it. When all were finished eating they gathered around the fire in the back of the hall, to talk and drink more wine.  The servants removed the leftovers from the table.

“Now for the wedding cakes,” Volto announced, approaching a small and short table with a stack of many small cakes. “C-come here lord Odwain,” he stuttered, “and by all means, bring your new bride.”  The couple approached the red-faced Bailiff, the yellow ribbon around their wrists still binding them together.

“Now hold hands and circle the cakes,” he smiled awkwardly.

The newlyweds clasped their hands, fingers interlocking as they walked around the circular table on which they were set. 

“One!” Volto said when they had circled the table. Those gathered echoed the number and the couple continued walking. They continued two, three, four, five, six, seven, and finally-

“Eight! Heyah!” the celebrants cheered.

"N-now pick one to share," Volto suggested.

"Which one do you like?" Odwain asked his bride softly. She considered the cakes and pointed to one. "Alright," he took it and pulled it out of the pile several fell over and a couple landed on the stone floor. He held it forward so those gathered could examine it. It was a reddish cake with a blue ribbon tied around it. He took a bite and then awkwardly spit out the overly salty cake. 

There was a bit of shock in the crowd. He put the cake down on the table and shook his head when his wife looked to him. He got another cake, this one was oval shaped and slightly brown with a string tied around. He gingerly bit into it. He didn’t get very far though, his mouth opened and it fell out onto the ground. He dropped the rest of it onto the floor with a cough of revulsion. The crowd was again shocked. Odwain looked through the pile with a more discerning eye and found a white cake wrapped in a red bow. He smelled it carefully and smiled cautiously. Then he broke off a piece of it, examining the interior. Seemingly happy with what was inside, he took a bite. 

“Oh thank Fareik,” he said. “This one is good.” He offered some to his bride and she ate hungrily. 

“How do you like it?” Volto asked.

“Good,” she said softly.

“She likes it!” Odwain yelled.

"Heyah!" replied the crowd.

"Who’s cake is this?" Volto asked. He held up the ribbon that had a small X drawn on the chevron cut end.

It was a few moments and a rather tall chunky woman walked forward.

"Awella?"

"Yes."

"Suteina has chosen your cake.” He reached to the bride's shoulder where she had a golden ribbon and untied it. "Take this for luck," he said in a forced smile, holding out the strip of fabric. She grabbed it and he patted her shoulder. "Thank you for the great tasting wedding cake. Now pick the next."

"Heyah!"

She grabbed a cake on the top and then many other women stood and took cakes to their table and shared it with their husbands and family. It seemed that most of the cakes were quite good, and Odwain was just unlucky with the first few. 

A bearskin rug lay in front of the fire along with several large chairs.  Around the fire were tapestries on the walls, carpets on the floors and upholstered sofas and chairs. After the cakes, everyone relaxed on the chairs near the fire and wide tables, drinking wine. The children and teenages danced in a corner and the adults sat on the sofa and chairs drinking wine. 

The man in green velvet, played a lute while the girls and boys danced in separate circles. The girls including Alora and Adalla held hands together along with their friends in the circle, singing and dancing. They wore identical yellow gowns that were covered in large spiral patterns from the hem up to the waist. Along their long sleeves and on the sides of their midriff the dress was laced tight. Their neck was fully covered with a high collar. They each wore translucent wimples and thin silver circles with gemmed flowers.

They giggled as the song ended.  Another slower song played and the circles broke up.  Some of the boys began to line up in the center area of the hall where the tables had been moved. A few of the girls lined up on the other side. 

A young woman, almost in her twenties walked up to Allora and Adalla with a smile. 

“Oh girls,” she said happily.

“Cousin Suete!” they said together.

“It’s so good to see you healthy. You look so pretty and practically women now in those dresses."

The twins blushed.

"You getting excited for your wedding?"

"Allora's is next month on the 30th," said Adalla.

"That's so soon. Are you scared?"

"A… yes.," Allora said."

"It will be alright. Yours is next year then Allora?"

"I'm Adalla."

"Sorry."

"It's alright, even mother gets us mixed up. Anyway, yes my wedding is next year in Dreilutseimonat."

"What day?"

"The twentieth I think."

"Almost a year exactly then. Are you enjoying your last few days together?" Suetaera asked.

"As much as we can."

"Mother's still kept us locked in our room so we've only had each other's company."

"Right, I remember."

“Come and dance with us twins,” said a tall young man who had approached them with a thin boy close behind.

“We’re busy talking to our cousin,” Adalla replied.

“No, no. It’s alright. We can talk later, you should have fun,” Suetaera said jovially.

“Uh, Ok,” Adalla replied. 

The twins left Suetaera’s side and followed the boy to the center of the manor where everyone was dancing. The one that asked, walked out towards the other dancers and began to dance close with Adalla.  Alora followed the other boy.  They danced close to each other, but did not touch. Adalla smiled as she looked at her sister.  Suete watched from the couches with the other wives, standing behind their sitting husbands.

The dance involved many simple steps, but it was the act of walking forward towards the opposite sex that was the most interesting. Not nearly touching, then holding one’s own hands up like a prayer and spinning around and bowing the reverse way. The boy in front of Allora was looking at her fiercely. And the one in front of Adalla looked a bit shy. They did this Deiru folk dance for several minutes, the adults watching and commentating. 

When the song stopped it was only a few moments before another began. Allora went to leave-

“Dance again with me,” the tall boy said.

“But-” she looked to her sister who was returning to her cousin Suetaera. 

“Please,” he entreated.

“Alright,” she acquiesced.

Some continued to dance and others went back to their parents or to watch from the edge of the dance area while new dancers joined them. The boy that danced with Allora was a little taller than her, wearing a carmine cotehardie. When the song was finished they both walked to the side.

“You look very pretty,” he said.

“Thank you.”

“Are you Allora or Adalla?” the brown-haired boy asked Adalla.

“Allora, do I know you?”

“My name is Eingent. The last time we saw each other was at Seingurt’s wedding five summers ago.”

“I don’t remember,” she admitted.

“Whatever happened to…” he whispered into her ear quietly so no one else could hear. 

“What?” she said softly.

“I remember they used to be big.”

“I-I,” she stuttered, suddenly red-faced. 

Adalla came over to see what was the matter.

“What’s wrong?”

“Adalla,” he said. “I was asking your sister, why…,” he whispered into her ear the question.

“Oh!” she said. Well. Well, o-our mother makes us wear tight clothes,” Adalla said.

“That made them shrink?” he said.

“N-no-”

“Uh- yeah,” Adalla said, putting her hand on her sister’s. “That’s what happened.”

“Oh. That’s terrible,” he said sadly. Then he walked away as another couple boys approached them, lute music continuing around them.

“I’m Holfvang,” said a handsome boy with bright blue eyes.

“I’m Geidrag,” said the tall and skinny boy next to him.

“Hello my name is Adalla.”

“Allora.”

“You are both very beautiful,” Holfvang said. "The most handsome women here."

“Thank you,” they replied.

"The most handsome women in all of Traktenwol," Geidrag countered.

"Thank you."

Would you like to dance?” Holfvang wondered.

“Sure,” Adalla and Allora said with a smile.

They went to where everyone was dancing and found an empty area near the center. The lute music was slower than the other songs had been, but they still danced in a similar style. Adalla felt a bit embarrassed when she noticed that Holfvang couldn’t keep his eyes off of her. She looked at her sister and the boy she was dancing with. Although they were feet apart, as was their custom, the amount of eye contact was something that made her stomach feel fluttery. And something about Holfvang’s long dark lashes caused her knees to feel weak. She noticed that her dancing was a bit off, being distracted by her feelings, so she tried to focus, looking at his feet instead.

Afterwards they went to the side.

“Everything alright?” he asked her.

“Yes.”

“You wouldn’t look at me,” he said.

“Sorry I was just trying to dance well.”

“You’re a great dancer,” he said. “But I wasn’t paying attention to that. You’re so pretty,” he said.

“Thank you,” she blushed.

“It must be great having a sister that looks just like you,” Geidrag said to Allora.

    “Yeah,” Alora said with a quirky smile.

    “Holfvang could we switch?” he asked.

    “Why?”

    “I wonder if they dance the same?” he said.

“Oh. Do you?” Holfvang asked.

“I don’t know,” Adalla asked.

“Do you mind switching?”

“I don’t mind,” she smiled. “Right Allora?”

“Sure.”

They began dancing again. And although his dancing was much worse, and he wasn’t very handsome, Adalla found herself looking into Geidrag’s small cobalt-colored eyes as they danced. He was quite tall, and over the course of the dance she felt as if her neck was straining just to maintain eye contact. She noticed him staring intensely at her as they danced and although she was used to stares as a twin, the way he looked at her was a bit different. He seemed like he was almost salivating with anticipation of something. After the dance they stepped to the side again.

"You dance very well," Geidrag said graciously.

"Thank you." 

"It's been a long time since I've danced. Sorry I'm not that good."

"It's alright. Just keep practicing and you'll get better."

"As long as you keep dancing with me," he said with a smile.

"Again?"

"Unless you're busy?"

"I… I need to take a break."

"Sure not a problem. Just let me know when you're ready."

"Right…"

"I can't get over how beautiful you are," he said softly, pushing a stray hair behind her ear.

"A-are you the tallest in your family…” Adalla struggled to remember his name.

“Geidrag,” he said.

“Sorry,” she appologized.

“It’s alright. Yes I am,” he said proudly. “I’m taller than my parents and my seven siblings.”

“Are you the oldest?”

“No, I’m the third born. Do you like tall men?” he asked.

"I'm afraid my neck would hurt looking up all the time."

He laughed.

"What?"

"Oh you're serious? Aren't you still growing though?"

"I haven't grown taller since I was fourteen and I'll be sixteen in Weiterbstmonat. How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"No wonder you're so tall."

"My whole body has grown, not just my legs," he said with a wan smile. “I’m sure you’ll love me.”

Holfvang laughed.

“What’s so funny?”

“Surely I’m bigger than you,” he said.

    “You’re so short,” Geidrag replied.

    “I’m bigger where it counts,” Holfvang scoffed, puffing out his chest.

    “She can decide for herself,” Geidrag said.

    “There’s one for each of us,” Holfvang said. “We don’t need to fight.”

    “True.”

    “Let’s go behind-”

“Hey you,” came a voice from behind the three boys.  They turned to see a tall corpulent young man with azure eyes wearing a cotehardie.

    “What?” Heinreach said.

    “Why don't you leave her alone?” he said.

    “Is this thy maid, thy betrothed?” he laughed.  The other boy joined his chuckle.

    “I’m her cousin,” he replied. “Adalla, would you like to dance?” he asked.

    “Y-yes I would,” she stammered.  She grabbed his hand and Adalla held onto Alora as they left the company of the boys.

“Offal,” Geidrag swore as they left.

“Thank you Adalgeir,” Adalla said. “I’m a bit tired of dancing though. Allora and I wanted to talk to Suete.”

“Oh… yes n-no problem,” he said with a hint of disappointment in his voice.

“Thanks,” Adalla said, and she hugged him gently.

“Any time,” he blushed. 

They quickly shuffled back to their Cousin Suetetara and tapped her on the shoulder. She excused herself from her husband and they walked towards a column of the manor.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” Suete asked.

    “Oh the..”

    “Adalgeir…,” Suete said, looking at her brother standing there. 

    “Pardon?”

    “We’re talking about girl stuff,” she said.

    “Oh yes, sorry,” he said and walked off a bit out of earshot.

    The girls talked and Adalgeir watched them, staring at Adalla. Every so often a young man or two would come by to ask them to dance, but Suete would wave them away. And Aldageir’s gaze did not stray from Adalla, until Viscount Deinmag tapped him on the shoulder, asking him to follow.

Viscount Deinmag walked up to Baron Uengeif and whispered into his ear. He nodded solemnly and then they all separated and gathered their wives and the betrothed, all meeting in a hall outside the marital bed chamber. The Viscount took from his coin purse a burnished key and presented it to Odwain who took it graciously, bowing his head low. He took his wife's hand and led her into the chamber. The Viscount closed the door. Aldageir stood outside and bowed as the parents of the betrothed walked away.

*    *    *

Days later when they were back at the manor, Deikun again came to the twins' window wondering where she had been, he was worried she had been married. He requested to hold her hand and Alora did ablige his entreaty. They stared into each other's eyes for a long time, but he clung to the trellis too gingerly, and plummeted to the bushes below when his grip was loosened. He excused himself and then left on his horse. Alora sighed blissfully as he road out into the night.

    “You shouldn’t keep doing this,” Adalla warned.

    “What, why?” Alora said petulantly.

    “You’re getting married in a few months, why are you holding hands with someone else.”

    “I don’t…” she struggled for words.

    “Do you care for him?”

    “I… I think so,” Alora replied.

    Adalla was silent. She turned away on the bed. It took a long time before they fell asleep.

Preface     B1.C01     B1.C02     B1.C03     B1.C04     B1.C05     B1.C06     B1.C07     B1.C08     B1.C09