The Last Wizard of Eneri Clare (26 page)

As the sun’s rays first appeared over the pink-golden horizon, Nyree began to strum her harp, deep-toned and rich, and to sing the traditional opening chants appropriate to a joining. Her ethereal voice made the familiar tunes sound like heavenly music:

The journey of a lifetime is your
own.

The roads you travel you must choose a
lone,

Until the day your soul’s desire is known; you want to shar
e it.

And all at once you’re reaching out a
hand,

And turning down a path you hadn’t pla
nned,

But when the winter comes, you know you’ll stand, together bea
r it.

Walk with me through dark and l
ight,

My desire and my del
ight.

In your eyes my heart takes fl
ight;

I’m safe, I’m
home.

Be my teacher and my fr
iend,

Now in youth, and at the
end…

From this day our dreams we blend, under the dome…of he
aven.

As Nyree’s enchanting voice wound around bush and tree and into the ethers, Stewart, and Mark’s sister Nelrose took their places on opposite sides of the fountain. Mark was next to proceed, slowly, ceremonially, down the western cobblestone walk, flanked by his beaming parents. They were simple but sweet-looking folk who were immensely proud of Mark’s accomplishments, and now delighted in his chosen bride. Joining their family to the illustrious Rey line might be a daunting prospect for these humble folk, were it not for their deep belief in their son. Mark cut quite a figure in his emerald silk jacket, his brown curls falling to his shoulders and soft brown eyes shining in anticipation. His mother, more than a full head shorter than her boy, held his hand with both of hers, and seemed perpetually on the verge of weeping. They entered the space and approached the groom’s assigned position in front of the fountain, Mom giving him a final squeeze and Dad, a manly handshake, and then both backed off to join Nelrose on the sidelines. When Nyree began the third verse of her song, it was time for the bride to make her entrance. Jorelial Rey and Tvrdik escorted her along the eastern walkway, one on each side. Delphine was radiant in a simple silk shift of pale spring green, ornamented and belted only with fresh flowers plaited into ropes. Her wavy auburn tresses framed her lovely face and cascaded down her back, crowned with a delicate circlet of fragrant flowers. Her intense green eyes were only for Mark as she made the most of this long, slow walk that would take her out of her childhood and into a new life of shared adventures.

At her right shoulder was Tvrdik, tall and handsome in his long cobalt jacket, his hair like white gold. On the left, representing the energy of the goddess bringing her sister forward, Jorelial Rey had broken her own tradition and worn a gown. It was a rich shade of deep red, accented with black lace at bodice and sleeves, form-fitting until the full, floor-length skirt billowed out beneath the hips and swirled around her ankles. She had gathered her long, dark hair in two braids, hanging in front of her shoulders, and a single substantial ruby hung upon her forehead from a ribbon pinned into her hair. This was an unusual look for the Lady Regent, but an extremely flattering one which showed off her feminine side.

Tvrdik was glowing with the joyful gravity of the moment, and with the great honor that had been bestowed upon him by Delphine. He stood very straight, and tried to play his part in a manner worthy of her confidence in him. He could not help musing, however, seeing these two sisters side by side, on how very different they were in almost every aspect: Jorelial slight and dark, an aura of strength, but also nervous energy about her, and a hint of something private, held in reserve. Delphine, on the other hand, was soft and shapely, even in the bloom of first youth, fair and graceful, quintessentially feminine, and utterly open in her expression, her eyes, her heart. Both of them exhibited the keen intelligence they had obviously inherited from their father – you could see it in the eyes, and on the brow. And he already knew that both of them had good hearts, even if they were revealed in different ways. As they approached the fountain where they would deliver Delphine to her groom, Tvrdik caught a glimpse of the way she and Mark were gazing at one another, oblivious to almost everything except their feelings for each other. He felt a rush of joy for these two who so obviously belonged together, but also an unwelcome pang of envy, wondering if the same happiness would ever materialize for him.

At the same time, Rel was playing scenes from their childhood in her head, recalling laughter, tears, moments of closeness and of sharing: holding the babe for the first time, and being followed everywhere by the toddler; nursing her through illness and teaching her things; whispering silly secrets in the dark and giggling until they were weak and gaspingfor air; scolding her, and pushing her away during that brief time when it was so very inconvenient to have a little sister always underfoot; and their closer friendship of late as young women feeling their way into the world. Ten years was a large gap in age between them, but then not so huge, especially as Delphine was always precociously wise. Rel shook her head in disbelief that she was now about to hand her beloved sister over to the man she would be joining her life with forever. It had come so soon, unexpected, and while Rel was happy for her sister’s good fortune, she felt keenly the loss of a relationship that could never really be the same again. Lost in these thoughts, she was almost startled when Tvrdik took her by the hand and led her gently back to stand with Stewart on their side of the circle.

The opening song had come to a close, and Nyree let her harp hang at her back. The famous bard stood facing the excited couple, flanked on both sides by family and friends. In her trained ceremonial voice, uncompromised by age, Nyree began the wedding.

“Friends, we are here together gathered, in the presence of air, water, fire, and earth, at the rising of the sun and the dawn of a new day, under the canopy of blue sky, and firmly standing on the green turf that is our support, to witness the sacred joining of these two precious lives. We are here to partake of their overflowing joy at finding one another, and to witness their commitment to journey together from this day forth. We are here to promise our support to this union, and to these individuals, in good times and in challenging ones, knowing that not even the best matched couple thrives without the nurturing of family and the strength of community. And, we are here to gift them with our sincerest wishes for their continued health, prosperity, safety, happiness, and love throughout their lives together. Mark and Delphine, is it your wish and your intention that you go forward in life joined as one, beginning in this hour?”

Together they responded, “It is.”

Nyree turned to where the guests stood, feeling their energies despite her sightless eyes, “Is there anyone present who objects for any reason to the fulfillment of this sacred union?”

No one spoke.

“Then, let us now freely and with goodwill call forth the gods, goddesses, guardians, guides, nature spirits, and cosmic bodies to lend us their aid in magically knitting together the Path of Destiny for these two, Delphine and Mark…”

The ceremony went forward, with all of its symbolic gestures – rings were exchanged, hands bound together with a silver cord, wine was sipped from the same ancient chalice by both bride and groom, and the remainder poured over their joined hands. When the time came for the couple to profess their love and publicly declare their intentions, everyone was in for a wonderful surprise: Mark and Delphine had written their vows as a song, which they now sang in canon, with their strong, young, exceptional voices. Mark began, with Delphine answering back the same words and melody a fraction after. Later, they reversed the pattern, so as to symbolize equality in their relationship:

Heart of my heart, and soul that sees my
soul,

What here we start, forever be my
goal.

What once was part is now becoming wh
ole
–

You give yourself to me so swe
etly.

From this day forth, you’ll never be a
lone.

I’ll help you carry every heavy s
tone.

This day I pledge to know and to be k
nown…

To love and to be loved, comple
tely.

I’ll teach you faith, and hope, and
joy,

I’ll bring you laughter and sweet
song.

And there is naught on earth that ever could des
troy

The promise made this day that by my side is where you e’er be
long,

Heart of my heart, and soul that sees my
soul.

As the last notes of their duet drifted off into the garden, Mark’s mother was weeping without shame, and there were others in the company who were not far from it. These two young people with their innocent, trusting vision of their future together had lifted and inspired every person present, and had wakened hope in the hearts of those for whom the future held uncertainty and darkness. Tvrdik and Jorelial exchanged a knowing glance – it was absolutely imperative that they succeed in creating a tomorrow that was safe and bright for this couple, and for all others like them. The Drogues of the world must not be allowed to triumph.

Nyree chanted final blessings, and pronounced the bride and groom eternally joined under the eye of heaven. Stewart’s tail batted the air. “At this time,” the bard continued, “it is customary for family and friends to come forward and present gifts of love to the happy couple if it is so desired.”

Mark’s parents exchanged a look, and stepped forward, his father pulling some sort of folded paper from a leather wallet he wore at his side. When he spoke, one noted the rich baritone of his voice which Mark had inherited, “We are not wealthy folk, son, but we do well enough. Land is our most valuable asset, and land is our gift to you and your bride. We know you will not pass your life with sheep and goats as we have, but we believe in your dream, son, and therefore we present the deed to the lower pasture, twenty acres, on which to build a home and your school, together with your beautiful Delphine. It will take time, we know, and we will help all we can. It is there for you when you want it.” He walked forward and handed the paper to Delphine. Mark, clearly surprised by this generous gesture, was speechless. He hugged his parents, each in turn, and Delphine followed to thank them warmly. Nelrose, pretty in her mauve dress, next stepped up with a bundle she had earlier laid aside in the bushes, “It is a warm quilt for your bed, stuffed with clean new wool. Each panel has pictures of things special to you both: a harp, flowers, the mountains, and a green dragon….I– I made it myself. I’ve been working on it all year, hoping a wedding would come.”

Delphine let Mark accept the package, and took both of the girl’s hands in her own, “What a beautiful and thoughtful gift, dear Nelrose. We will treasure it always. Please know you will always be welcome wherever we are at any time. I have been blessed in my life with one amazing sister – older, to help and guide me. Now I am gifted with another, younger, and I hope I may be as good a friend to you as Rel has always been to me.” Nelrose turned the same color as her gown, while Mark kissed her tenderly on the forehead and thanked her, admiring her handiwork.

Stewart stepped up next, “What I bring ye is trust – a gift not lightly bestowed. For humans of heart and integrity, such as yerselves, I do not hesitate to reveal my true nature. And what is more, I pledge the watchful eyes, the assistance, and the protection of all the talkin’ beasts in the realm. We shall be near ye to assure yer well-being when ye least expect it. Call on us when ye are in need. So it has been agreed, and so swear I.”

It was Mark’s turn to respond in awe, “A rare and generous gift indeed, sir, and one we will do all in our power to deserve. Trust us never to betray your secret into the wrong hands, or abuse the confidence you have placed in us. Call on us as well, if we can ever be of service to you or your friends, and please relay our deepest gratitude.”

“Hmmmm.” thought Jorelial, “the boy does have a gift for poetry.” And then she realized it was her turn to present a gift. Smiling, she approached Delphine, “My dearest sister, our father left both of us well provided for, and in any case, you know that whatever I have is yours. While I live, you will never want for anything you need, and I will help you with anything you desire to the best of my ability. That was always a given. So, I thought and thought on something more – well –
personal
to give you, from my heart, on this special day. And it came to me that maybe with all the chaos around the Council Meeting and the Coronation, and planning the wedding so hastily, that maybe you haven’t had a chance to work out a wedding trip. You know, a retreat? Some time
alone
together, away from the goings on at Theriole? Well, Tashroth and I have a favorite place that we go whenever I want to escape, to relax and regenerate. It’s a crater lake in the mountains surrounded by soft sand and forest. It’s beautiful and pristine, and safe and comfortable this time of year. And there’s not a chance anyone will show up to bother you as I’m pretty sure you can only get there by dragonback. So, tonight, after the festivities have wound down, and you can both get away from your formal obligations, Tashroth has consented to take you both there and help you set up camp. I’ve packed a small tent and food, and anything else I thought you might need – he can carry it all along with you. The ride itself is part of our gift, Tashroth’s and mine. It’s so wonderful to be wheeling around the sky on his back. Anyway, he’ll leave you alone and check in on you every so often just to make sure all is well, and in case you need anything. When you want to come home, you just signal him, alright?”