A Coursing Passage (A Life of Magic Book 3) (22 page)

Gorcy noticed and grinned, "Let me state the oath and then you both will acknowledge that you agree to be bound by it." He pulled out a paper with small print written on it. He held it up and started to read, "As an outsider, not being raised in our ways and not of our family, when wishing to join with us you must take an oath. This oath binds you to us, makes you one of us. But it also binds us to you, makes you one of our family. As such there are expectations. By taking this oath you agree to be bound by it until such a time you are removed from the family, either by death or disownment." He paused and looked troubled. He shook his head and continued, "This is the oath.

You do swear to join with us of your own will.

You do swear to value the values we value.

You do swear to protect each member of the family.

You do swear to lend aid in times of need to the family.

You do swear to never knowingly cause harm to one of the family.

You do swear to respect the road and those that travel upon it.

You do swear to hold the ways of the family.

You do swear to always seek out the best for the family.

You do swear that you commit to this of your own free will. "

He looked at Raven and then myself. "Do you both understand this oath and what it requires of you?"

Raven nodded, "I do understand and agree to be bound by this oath."

Gorcy turned to me, "And you Ott?"

I hesitated, weighing each aspect. None seemed to violate anything I might hold dear. I nodded and stated, "I do understand and also agree to be bound by this oath."

Gorcy smiled, "Hesitation is good. It means you are taking it seriously. Now, before I pronounce you both bound by your oath. The repercussions of a violation of your oath." He took a deep breath, "If you violate your oath and a tribunal finds you guilty of such a violation then the following shall fall upon your shoulders. All your worldly possessions will become forfeit. Your wagon, tent, and pots shall be given to the family in compensation for your betrayal. Your trade goods, tools, and equipment will be taken in reprisement for your actions. You will be escorted away from the family with a week worth of food, whatever valuables you might be able to carry, and a traitor's brand placed upon your hand. Never will you talk to one of the family nor seek aid from the family." His voice dried up and he shook his head. He coughed, clearing his throat. "Do you understand the consequences of any possible violation of your oath?" He looked disturbed.

Raven looked at me, haunted slightly by the full measure of what Gorcy had stated. She nodded, "I understand."

I nodded also, "I understand."

Gorcy nodded slowly, "With full acknowledgment of the repercussions of a violation of your oath, do you so agree to be bound by this oath?"

Raven grinned slightly, humor creeping into her expression. "I do so agree."

I grinned in response to Raven's grin, "I do so agree!" I stated strongly.

Gorcy nodded and waved Tulip forward. "Madam Tulip. These two have spoken their desire to join with the family and agreed to be bound by the outsider's oath. Do you accept them into the vine of your family and the responsibility of training them in the ways of the family?"

Tulip stood tall and proclaimed, "I do so agree and do so whole heartily." People cheered at her spirit.

Gorcy turned to the crowd, "So do I find that all are willing and so they shall be in grafted into the family. Ott and Raven shall be considered as babes new to the family. Transgressions shall be dealt with gently and with a mind to teach. Tulip agrees to be their vine and shall travel with them a year and a day so that they may learn the ways of our family. She will guide them and provide instruction in all things." He gently grabbed Raven and I by the arm and pulled us forward to the edge of the wagon. "I present to you our newest members of the family. Born to us through willingness and joining with us for all their lives. Welcome our new brother and sister!"

The noise made by the crowd was deafening. It seemed to swell and wash over us like a flood. Everyone's face was excited and I could see tears on some faces.

Gorcy pulled us back from the edge of the wagon, "Now that you are family, we need to get you two married!" He turned to Tulip. "Do you approve of this marriage? Shall it be a good match?"

Tulip stepped forward, "I judge both of these as willing to be married and that it will be a good match. As their vine I give my blessing and ask that they be married this day." She stepped back.

Gorcy smiled and pulled out a small box. "Your vine approves and there are no objections." He pulled out two small metal rings, simple rings with no decorations or gems. "Another oath shall be given, both to one another and to the family. Listen and repeat please." He handed a ring to me and the other to Raven. "Raven, you shall be first. Do you enter into this union with Ott whole heartily? Do you do so of your own will with no threats, promises, or bribes?"

Raven grinned, "I do."

Gorcy grinned broadly, "Good. Now do you promise to honor your union all of your life? Do you promise to share the load of living with Ott? Do you agree to be his helper in all things?"

Raven smiled gently, "I do." She stated this softer.

Gorcy nodded, "One last part. Do you swear that you shall be faithful to Ott? That you shall share his life? Do you swear to hold him in your highest regards?"

Raven nodded, "I do so swear."

Gorcy motioned her to lift the ring, "Please place this ring on Ott's hand to show your commitment and promise. This ring shall allow all of the family to bear witness to your oath of marriage."

Raven softly grasped my hand and slid the ring onto my finger. It came to rest like it had always belonged there. She smiled as she released my hand.

Gorcy turned to me, "Your turn Ott. Do you enter into this union with Raven whole heartily? Do you do so of your own will with no threats, promises, or bribes?"

I smiled, "I do."

Gorcy continued, "Do you promise to honor your union all of your life? Do you promise to share the load of living with Raven? Do you agree to be her helper in all things?"

My grin grew at Raven's twitching, "I do."

Gorcy smiled, "Do you swear that you shall be faithful to Raven? That you shall share her life? Do you swear to hold her in your highest regards?"

By this time I was grinning from ear to ear, "I do so swear."

"Place your ring upon Raven's hand to show your commitment and promise. This ring shall allow all of the family to bear witness to your oath of marriage."

I gently took Raven's hand and slid the ring down upon her finger. As it slid into place I could see she was crying, tears of joy trickled down her cheeks. A soft whisper escaped her lips, "Now we are one." I smiled and squeezed her hand gently.

Gorcy grasped us and pulled us together. "I want to present to you two lives joined together, a commitment that only shall end with death. Husband and wife, Otter Willow Lightfoot and Raven D'Cloud Lightfoot. These two have been joined as one, let no person tear them apart!" Everyone cheered, even louder than before. We held onto one another and I could hear Raven crying gently. I leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek, feeling the saltiness of her tears. Gorcy laughed, "Perhaps a more passionate kiss is called for on your wedding day?" The crowd cheered with enthusiasm. Raven smiled shyly and leaned towards me. I grinned and kissed her gently on the lips, sinking into the feeling of her against me. She pressed back gently at first and then with more force. We stayed that way for a few moments until Tulip commented.

"You might want to breath sometime soon." She laughed.

We separated, breathless and laughing. "Sorry." I stated this gently. Raven's hand was intertwined with mine.

Gorcy moved us to the end of the wagon, "Now, this has been a great moment. Let us make it even greater! Amelia! Roger! It is your turn!" He called this out across the crowd.

Amelia approached the wagon, led by Ruth. Roger approached, led by his parents. They all climbed onto the wagon, causing it to become quite crowded.

Gorcy brought Amelia and Roger together in the center of the wagon. "These two come forward to join in marriage. What say all of you?"

The crowd cheered and hollered. Gorcy smiled and turned to their parents. "Do you all agree on this marriage? Is it a good match?"

Roger's dad stepped forward, "We agree to this marriage and feel that they are suited to one another. It is a good match." He stepped back, seemingly glad to have his part over.

Ruth stepped forward, "I agree to this marriage and think they are a good match. They will make each other happy." She smiled and stepped back slowly.

Gorcy nodded, "With the approval of your parents I so declare that you have a good match and we can wed you today." He pulled out another small box. "Do you both agree to be bound by a wedding vow, to be one's only love and life partner?"

Both answered with a firm, "Yes."

Gorcy grinned, "Then by exchanging rings you provide a witness to this vow and all of these here stand as witnesses." He handed a ring to Amelia and then Roger. Amelia slipped her ring over Roger's hand and then he did the same with her. "By this token shall all know you two are committed and avowed to one another." He stepped forward, gently guiding them to the edge of the wagon. "I present to you, Roger and Amelia. Joined in marriage and bound by their vow!"

The crowd cheered, some even called out comments. These were obviously family and close friends. Amelia blushed at some of the comments.

"Give your new wife a kiss, Roger." Gorcy suggested.

Roger wrapped his arms around Amelia and dipped her low. He kissed her soundly as she kissed him back whole heartily. They stayed that way a moment before Roger stood them back up.

Gorcy raised his hands, "We have had a momentous day. Two lives joined to our family, those same lives joined together, and two of our children joined together in marriage. How shall we celebrate?" His call was answered by many voices crying out. "To the party!" He called out over everyone. He herded all of us off the wagon and towards a line of tables. There were two main tables set beside each other. One had four chairs, Gorcy motioned Raven, Stain, Tulip and myself to this table. Roger, Amelia, Ruth, and Roger's parents sat at the other. Gorcy made sure everyone was seated. "Food has been provided and gifts will be exchanged. Everyone enjoy themselves!" He stepped away and grabbed a tumbler to drink. He downed it in one long drink, obviously soothing a sore throat from all the speaking today.

People started to line up and they were all carrying something. Some things were large, others were tiny. But all were given with love and tenderness. Soon a pile formed behind both tables, a mass of gifts that showed that this new family truly wanted to welcome us and celebrate our new lives. This went on for a long period of time until the very last person handed us a gift, spoke a blessing, and walked away to eat. People were sitting at tables, leaning against wagons, some even had blankets tossed out on the ground. Sounds of laughter, conversations, and even singing rang through the camp.

"Well, that was fun." Stain commented as he took small bites of different foods. "Congratulations you two." He stood up, "I need to give my gift to Roger and Amelia." He walked over to their table and handed a small package to them. He talked to them for a few minutes and then returned. "My present for you two awaits you at the wagon. My blessing is this, May you live a long, full life together. Always love one another. Cherish those moments, good or bad, that you share." He sat back down and took a drink.

Tulip stood up, "I also need to present a gift to my granddaughter and newest grandson." She walked over to their table and pulled out a roll of paper. She handed it to them and grinned as they unrolled it. Their expressions showed their surprise. Amelia hugged Tulip's neck and kissed her on the cheek. Ruth grinned and leaned back, she obviously knew what Tulip was about. Tulip came back and sat down.

"What did you give them?" Raven asked.

Tulip smiled, "I gave them the greatest thing I possessed. It is a full list of all the spells I have ever come into contact. I will share them with them later, but the paper outlines how many spells and what families. It is a vast treasure."

Stain smiled, "Perhaps I could persuade you to share a small portion of your treasure with me at some point?"

Tulip grinned broadly, "Perhaps. We can talk later, you and I."

We sat a long time, talking and enjoying each others company. People came up and offered more tokens and advice. Some caused us to blush. Finally the sun was high in the sky. "Time to wrap it up. We have many things left to do today." Stain stood up. "We are getting help moving all of your gifts to our campsite so that we may pack them away before dark." As he stated this a line of youths walked up and each filled a bag with gifts and headed towards our campsite. We followed them and found our campsite changed. The only tent still standing was Stain's. Both mine and Raven's were packed away. Each youth carefully emptied their bag until the pile of gifts was sitting beside the wagon. "I think I will allow you two to finish this loading. Let it be the first thing you two do together as husband and wife." Stain chuckled and took Tulip's arm in his and escorted her away from the camp.