The walk through the bazaar was far easier than the day before. The crowd was still thick, but not suffocatingly so. With Lightshield and Hemet walking in front of Gregory and Elsa, everyone was quick to move aside.
One of the carriages that had brought them to the event stood just outside the bazaar, waiting for them. Gregory helped Elsa inside first, then Lightshield before Hemet climbed in, and then, finally, Gregory.
As the carriage rolled toward the city, Lightshield chuckled softly. “Are you ready?”
“Yes, sir.”
“I do not think you are,” Lightshield grinned.
“What?” Gregory asked, as it seemed the elder knew something.
“An ancient custom of theirs,” Hemet laughed. “Normally, the day before a wedding is filled with a special party. The guests break porcelain that the bride and groom would have had to clean up afterward. Since there was another event going on, it was skipped for you. The other major pre-wedding event, the bachelor party, was canceled because of the tournament, as well.”
Gregory remembered his last bachelor party with Hao. “Oh, I remember that tradition, but I hadn’t heard of the breaking one.”
“‘Polterabend,’” Hemet said softly. “The one you should concern yourself with is ‘Brautenführung,’ but that will come later.”
Gregory had a sinking sensation in his gut, as it was obvious the older magi were not going to warn him. Elsa giggled, then looked away, trying to look innocent.
“Do you know what they’re planning, Elsa?” Gregory asked.
Elsa looked out the window like she hadn’t heard him.
“Leave it be. It will be fine,” Lightshield said, humor lacing his words. “You did study their customs, did you not?”
“Yes, but I didn’t look at marriage, since I was already married,” Gregory explained.
“Then you’ll just have to do the best you can,” Hemet said. “Oh, and use of aether during the wedding is frowned upon.”
Gregory exhaled slowly. “Hao set this all up… I will just have to trust in my father-in-law to not have done anything I object to.”
The temple was busy when he arrived with the elder; the room was almost completely filled with people. Yukiko stood near the altar, waiting for him. Clover and Ling were beside her, all of them in the same light green dress that Elsa was wearing.
Crossing the room, he was stopped a few times to be greeted. Jessica and Claudia were the last two to do so. Both women wore smiles, congratulating him on his nuptials. He eventually made it to Yukiko and gave her a strained smile.
“Relax, dear one,” Yukiko said softly. “You’ll be fine.”
“It just feels more formal than even our marriage,” Gregory murmured.
“Buldoun is big on formality,” Yukiko smiled softly. “I’m your second here. Trust in me.”
Gregory exhaled, giving her a bright smile. “I do.” He looked past her at Clover and Ling. “Thank you both, too.”
“We’re so excited,” Clover beamed. “I’m not sure if I’d rather have a quick wedding like Jenn or a more involved one like this.”
Ling giggled, taking Clover’s hand for a moment to calm her. “That is years away yet. Today is Mindie’s day.”
“I know,” Clover said, but it was clear she’d calmed down. She looked into Gregory’s eyes. “Sorry, Greg. She’s as excited as any of us would be. Just breathe.”
The mage of the temple came to the altar. “Gregory Pettit, I have heard of your achievements. Well done.”
“Thank you, sir… I’m sorry I didn’t get your name.”
“Vulrik Claus, mage from Asp House.”
“An honor, sir. Thank you for officiating.”
“Hmm, yes. You should face the door. Your bride will be here soon.”
Gregory did as instructed, letting him see the filled room. His family and friends were in attendance, along with the chaperones of the mage houses, and the archmage, who stood beside Claudia.
A minute later, the sound of another carriage got the noise to die off, and everyone turned to face the door. Time seemed to crawl until Mindie came into view. She had on a black dress and a light green veil that matched the others’ dresses. The veil stretched down to her fingertips. Jenn stood beside her, holding her elbow gently.
Elsa came out of the crowd with a basket on one arm. She moved to stand in front of the pair, then, with measured steps, she led the way, gently strewing flower petals before the bride. With the path being made, Jenn led Mindie with the same slow, measured pace that Elsa used. Roshana trailed them, her head held high as she wore a bright smile.
Elsa paused at the altar, then turned to the left, making sure to scatter a slightly better layer of petals. With that done, she stepped aside. Jenn brought Mindie to Gregory, then bowed her head, offering Mindie’s hand to him.
Gregory swallowed as he took Mindie’s hand in his. With Mindie handed off, Jenn went to stand behind her. Roshana filled out the last space on Mindie’s side, putting Elsa between her and Jenn.
The doors shut silently, and everyone turned to face the altar. Vulrik stood behind it proudly, a professional smile on his lips. He let the silence linger for a moment before he bowed his head.
“We begin with a prayer to Aether. The two before you, Aether, hope to join their lives together. They do so in your eyes, since both hold your flame inside them. Look upon this pair and bless them.”
Done, he raised his head to look over the room again, letting silence again fill the space.
“Ladies, gentlemen, and children, we gather here today to witness Gregory Pettit and Mindie Laka join their lives together. This is the end of their paths apart, and the beginning of a new path together.” He paused and looked toward Gregory. “Do you have anything to say to the one you will join with?”
Gregory was glad Yukiko had warned him about this part of the wedding, at least. “Mindie, thank you. You’ve been there for me time and again when I’ve known hardship and pain. Your joy will help us find a bright path together. I’ll do my best to love you, guard you, and treasure you. Thank you for giving me your heart.”
Vulrik was a little surprised at how heartfelt the vow had felt, but he pressed on. Looking at Mindie, he asked, “Do you have anything to say to the one you will join with?”
Mindie swallowed before she cleared her throat. “Gregory, thank you. I don’t think I can express how much today means to me. I never understood what I felt until I knew I could have the hope of today. All those feelings I tried to suppress and ignore made perfect sense then. I’ll do my best for our family. Our hearts will be as safe and healthy as I can make them. My love for you grows by the day, and I find that love has no bounds.”
Vulrik was shocked at her vow. He’d been informed that Gregory had two wives already, so he’d thought this whole thing was a sham. But their vows had been so earnest, he found himself having to reconsider. “Very well. Gregory Pettit, do you have the ring?”
Gregory exhaled slowly as the ring Lightshield had given him came readily to mind. He willed a ring like Jenn’s to his hand, and an identical ring appeared on his palm. “I do.”
“Mindie Laka, extend your right hand. If you desire this union, allow him to place the ring upon your finger.”
Mindie’s hand came up, the veil parting enough that Gregory could see her trembling slightly. Taking her hand gently in his, Gregory slid the band onto her finger.
“The ceremony is complete. You now walk your path together,” Vulrik said. “Gregory, you may show the audience your love for your new wife.”
Mindie reached up, pulling her veil back so it flowed down the back of her head. Her bright, smiling face was radiant to him, even with her tears of happiness. Gregory stepped forward, gently cupping her cheek as he kissed her.
The room cheered loudly as their lips lingered for a moment.
When Gregory stepped back, he took her hand in his and led her toward the exit. When they left the temple, they had to pause, as a large log was barring the way to the carriage. Yukiko was beside him in an instant, holding a two-person saw in her hands.
“To show your ability to walk together, you need to remove the first obstacle in your way,” Yukiko smiled.
Gregory accepted the saw. “We shall overcome this.”
Gregory slipped to the other side of the log and, together, the two of them quickly found their rhythm. It took a few minutes, but soon, the log was cut, and Gregory took Mindie’s hand again. He led her to the carriage so they could go on to the reception hall.
They cuddled on the seat, sharing small kisses as they were taken to their destination. They arrived before the others and were led inside by the staff. The tables were already laden with food and drink, waiting for the party.
Seated at the head table, they were joined by Jenn, Yukiko, Roshana, Clover, and Ling. Elsa sat down with Yukiko and Jenn’s families, and the clans and houses each sat at their own tables. A single table held Laozi and Aliminus, the pair looking relaxed.
The food was fantastic, and everyone seemed to have a good time. Eventually, the meal came to an end, and Yukiko leaned over to whisper to Gregory, “Dear one, the first dance is between you and Mindie. The second dance will be me and you. The third is you and Jenn. Jenn and I will be dancing with Mindie during those times, as well. This will show our love for each other.”
“Okay. Won’t that cause some commotion with the Buldoun side of things?”
“It might, but we should be who we are, too.”
“I trust you, Yuki,” Gregory murmured. Glancing at Mindie, he saw her listening to Jenn, nodding to what was being whispered to her. “Mindie, are you ready for the first dance?”
“Yes, dear one,” Mindie said.
The band on the far side of the room let the song they’d been playing end. All eyes turned to the pair as they went to the middle of the room. Gregory took her hand in his, resting his hand on her hip. Meeting her eyes, he smiled softly and waited for the music. Mindie moved with him— she wasn’t smooth, but she did fine. When it ended, they rested against each other for a moment.
“You did well. Jenn will dance with you next,” Gregory murmured.
“And Yuki for you,” Mindie smiled as they stepped back, turning to their wives who’d already come onto the dance floor.
The crowd stirred a little as the four of them danced, but it settled down. When the third dance began, more commotion went through the Buldoun natives, but they didn’t cause a scene. After those were done, the rest of the room got up to dance, as well.
Time flowed by for Gregory as he danced with everyone who came to him, including his friends at least twice each. Elsa danced with him once, wearing a bright smile on her lips the entire time. He danced with each of the female mages from Buldoun, complimenting each when their turns ended.
There was another odd part of the celebration where Mindie’s veil was removed, then held aloft by tall male guests for her and Gregory to dance under. When the dance was over, the single women were invited to the floor to try snatching a piece of the veil for themselves. Tradition said that whoever could get the biggest section would be wed next.
Gregory chuckled as his friends all lined up for their turn to take a piece along with a half-dozen other women. When it was done, the women went to compare veil pieces to figure out who had the largest. That was when Claudia finally came forward to collect her own dance with Gregory.
Claudia kept her eyes locked on his the entire time they danced, and Gregory felt a tickle at the back of his mind. Her dark blue eyes held his gaze with warmth and hope. Something about the moment felt familiar to him.
When the dance ended, he was going to ask her a question, but instead, Jenn came up to them. “Greg, I have bad news.”
“What?” Gregory asked, instantly focused on Jenn.
“It seems your new bride has been kidnapped.”
Gregory blinked at her, wondering if it was a bad joke. A quick look around told him that Mindie was missing, as was Yukiko.
Claudia giggled. “Is it already time for the Brautenführung?”
“What does that mean?” Gregory asked.
“‘The kidnapping of the bride,’” Claudia giggled again. “Your second absconded with her. You’ll have to find her and get her back. It’s tradition.”
Gregory exhaled slowly, as he now knew what’d been hinted at earlier. “Okay… How?”
“There was a clue left behind,” Jenn said. “‘This is where our path began.’”
“The temple?” Gregory asked.
“You have to follow the clues,” Claudia said as she stepped back from him. “Go. Find her, rescue her, and then may Aether bless you tonight.”
“Okay,” Gregory said slowly. “The temple first, then.”
As he headed for the exit, the Buldoun natives chuckled when they saw him go, and the empire crowd was asking questions of the people near them. Elsa was close to the door, looking a little guilty.
“Elsa?”
“I can’t tell you, but Yuki said you’d figure it out quickly,” she said softly. “Sorry I didn’t tell you earlier.”
He paused to give her a hug. “It’s fine. It’s part of the wedding. Make sure you go back with Roshana, okay?”
“I will,” Elsa murmured, hugging him back. “Good night.”
“Night,” Gregory said as he stepped outside to find a carriage waiting for him. “I need to get to the temple.”
“Of course, sir,” the driver smiled.
~*~*~
Gregory was chuckling when he finally pulled up outside of Warm Slumber. Yukiko hadn’t made him go far— he went to the temple, the tailor where he’d gotten his suit, and then to Warm Slumber. A couple of Warlin guards grinned at him when he got out of the carriage.
“I’ve been looking for my bride, gentlemen. Have you seen her?”
“We’ve seen a few women,” one of them answered. “What does she look like?”
“A strikingly beautiful woman. Her hair is the color of strawberries that are ripening, and her eyes are stars of blue and red.”
“Hmm… she sounds familiar. She might be inside.”
“Thank you,” Gregory said as the guards opened the doors for him.
Laughter and merriment filled the room. It was packed inside, as most of the wedding party was there, along with other guests. In the far corner, Yukiko stood with her hand on Mindie’s shoulder.
When people realized Gregory had entered, the noise fell.
“You found us,” Yukiko said. “Your bride is a hostage until you pay her ransom.”
“No cost is too high,” Gregory said on reflex. Soft awws came from the crowd.
“It is a small price for one as lovely as she,” Yukiko went on. “You must only distract the people in the room to be able to secret her away.”
Gregory froze for a moment, his brain going fast. He was told not to use aether, but he was tempted to in that moment. Before he did, he noticed the bartender give him a small nod of her head.
“Mrs. Puller,” Gregory said, “I figure most here could use a drink. Pour a round for everyone.” He advanced on the bar and set down a stack of vela. “I’m sure this will cover it.”
Puller grinned as she collected the coins. “It will indeed, Magi. Two rounds for everyone. Come get your drinks.”
Everyone went to the bar, turning their backs to where Mindie was sitting— even Yukiko had gone to the bar. Gregory went to Mindie quickly, taking her hands in his.
Mindie whispered softly as she stood, “Our room is upstairs.”
Gregory nodded and led her upstairs, his heart beating fast. As they vanished from the taproom, everyone cheered and laughed.
