A Country Falls (Greatest Thief 3) - Chapter 39: Chapter 39

The wedding ceremony was planned for later in the month. It served a dual purpose. Jalor and Mayah getting married, as well as Jalor receiving his new title. On top of all the usual noble wedding preparations—inviting guests, planning for parties and banquets, preparing the castle guards—there were still Mayah's other projects. She was constantly busy, approving city reconstruction plans and the banquet menu, or looking into East Draulin's finances while hand-writing wedding invitations to the most important people in the kingdom. Jalor helped where he could, but with no real authority in the city yet, there wasn't much he could do.
Tandrin arrived a few days before the wedding, which was considered late. Most of the guests who could attend had arrived a week before, to partake in parties and celebrations leading up to the wedding. It was mostly younger nobility who made the trip, as their parents or older siblings took care of their cities. Politics was at play in a big way, and whenever I ended up at an event I tried to catch bits and pieces of information that would help me understand.
East Draulin had been one of the richest cities in Zianna, behind only the capital city itself and West Draulin. Its destruction and occupation, not to mention the restorations, had carved a large dent in East Draulin's money. Still, Mayah was the last descendant of a very important mainland family. Some mainland families weren't fond of the Tandrans, and so they weren't fond of Mayah's link to them. Not only were Tannix and Mayah clearly good friends, but Mayah's betrothed had once been Lord West Draulin's guard. I heard all sorts of rumours about plots and schemes that Mayah, Tannix and Tandrin were supposedly hatching.
But not everyone was suspicious. I overheard plenty of positive conversations, as well. Young ladies swooning over the heroic stories they had heard about Jalor, young lords admiring every speech Mayah presented. Many people were just happy to have a reason to celebrate after the long war. The celebrations taking place in the very city that had been attacked seemed fitting. Every noble family seemed to have sent a representative.
Even Queen Esmeranda had come, arriving late one night in relative secrecy. She had left her younger sister, Princess Esmegara, to run Zianna in her absence. The babies were left behind, as well.
When Tannix and Jalor weren't caught up in parties or planning, we all gathered in the barracks around the fire again. Every time, there was a sense that it might be for the last time.
And then, the wedding day was upon us.
The morning of the wedding, Tannix was awake and moving around much earlier than I was. I ignored him for as long as I could, pulling the blankets up and around my ears to muffle the sounds. I had almost drifted back to sleep when I heard the door opening and loud talking.
"Finn," Tannix's voice easily cut through the blankets a moment later. "I know you're awake. Sit up."
I groaned and sat up, but any rude remark I was going to make disappeared when I noticed that Tannix wasn't wearing a tunic. Not for the first time, seeing the Zianesa amulet around his neck sent a fluttery feeling through me.
"If you keep staring at him like that people are bound to notice."
I shot Acen a look, for the first time really noticing that he was in the room. "What do you want?"
Acen shook his head with a chuckle. "I didn't realize you were so grumpy in the morning. I brought your clothes for today."
"My clothes?" That piqued my interest enough that my annoyance vanished. A moment later I was standing beside them at the desk, looking over the bundle of fine, fancy clothes. "Which ones are mine?"
"I'll leave you to it," Acen interrupted, before slipping out of the room.
Tannix started to divide the clothes into two stacks. I picked up each item he put in front of me. I admired the first piece, a dark blue, long-sleeved tunic. The next was a pair of black pants and a leather belt with a beautiful silver buckle. On the floor I noticed a new pair of shiny boots, which were much more presentably than my old, scuffed up pair. And to finish off the look, there was a blue cloak. I picked it up almost reverently. The cloak was a simple enough design—a square of cloth with a hole for my head, which would drape over my shoulders like a shawl. The fabric was by far the softest I had ever felt. It was a rich, deep blue, with silver embroidery decorating the hem and collar.
"Wait," Tannix interrupted before I could start changing. "I've arranged for us to have baths. They should be here any—"
He was interrupted by knocking at the door. Servants carried in a metal tub and buckets of warm water. Tannix went first while I waited in the hallway with Acen so the servants wouldn't expect anything. Then the water was replaced for my turn. We didn't have much time to enjoy the baths, as much as I would have liked to spend hours in the warm water. As quickly as the tub had arrived, servants emptied it out the window and carried it away.
Finally, I got to wear my beautiful new clothes. They fit perfectly and felt wonderful. I was tucking my necklace with its rings underneath the new cloak when I looked up and caught Tannix's gaze. It didn't matter how many times I saw him in his formal clothing, I was never going to get tired of it. He was wearing a white tunic and dark pants, his sword already attached to his belt. His cloak was blue and decorated with embroidery that I suspected was real gold. He was in the process of pinning it at his neck with the cloak pin he had received in Navire when I looked up. His eyes roamed over me. I was about to make a joke about him enjoying the view when he flinched and pulled his hand away from the pin.
"Did you just prick yourself?"
"I wasn't thinking." Tannix stared at his finger as if he could force it to heal by sheer willpower. "I was enjoying the view."
Laughing, I hopped onto the desk, caught his hand, and tugged him closer. We were nearly eye to eye. "Let me do that," I said, taking the pin from his hand. I poked it through the fabric and hooked it into the clasp. "Are you nervous about today? Is it your speech?"
His hands were on my waist, and he shrugged. "Not so much for the speech, but yes."
"Why? You've been to weddings before, haven't you?" I adjusted the collar of his tunic and made sure the leather cord of his amulet was well hidden.
"Of course, but this one is oddly personal. My knight marrying the woman I was supposed to marry."
"I'm really glad there was a way to break off your marriage agreement without hurting her."
"Right, thank the Goddess," Tannix said. "I couldn't handle both East and West Draulin."
My hands froze just as I was fixing the way his cloak was hanging over his shoulders. "Is that it?"
He smiled crookedly. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You're a really bad liar."
"I love you," Tannix said, instead of acknowledging my taunt. He moved closer and kissed me briefly. "I need to go talk to Tandrin and Jalor. Let's go."
I kissed him again before sliding off of the desk.
Having never been to a Teltish wedding before, I had no idea what to expect. It was set up in a large church. It looked a lot like the cathedral in West Draulin. Similar tapestries and paintings decorated the walls, colourful glass windows let in equally colourful light, and the back wall was dominated by a painting of their Goddess. The room had been decorated even further for the wedding. The benches were adorned with silky pale green cloth and fragrant white flowers. In one corner I caught sight of the blessing candle display, with was mostly made up of red candles for love and health.
The knights and I were standing on the stairs leading up to the dais, to represent Jalor. Across from us, high ranking men from East Draulin's guard stood. While we waited for the ceremony to start, I kept sneaking glances at our men. They were all impeccably dressed in ceremonial armour that managed to match as well as suit their personal styles.
The benches were full of visiting lords and ladies, family, other important guests, and plenty of people from East Draulin. I was pleased to see that quite a few of the people chosen from the city were Native Zians. One section of the benches had been set aside for a sizable group of Navirians that Queen Navire had sent in her stead, as she was still busy in Deorun. The guest who surprised me most was dressed in blue, and I had to stare at her for a moment before I was sure of who she was.
Music started and the huge doors at the end of the church creaked open. Everyone stood up to watch the procession. It was Tandrin and Queen Esmeranda, her arm looped through his as they walked side by side. Tandrin was dressed just as he had been at Valkiros' coronation—a gold cloak over a blue tunic, dark pants and an elaborate sword at his hip. Beside him, the Queen almost looked like the huge painting of the Teltish Goddess. Her dress was a pale yellow, embroidered with white and gold flowers. Her thin, elegant crown sat on blond hair that draped elegantly over her shoulders. Together they walked the length of the church and up the steps, where they turned to face the audience.
It occurred to me, as the crowd started to clap, that this was their first big public appearance since the war. Maybe even their first ever.
"Welcome, one and all!" Tandrin's voice carried through the room and the applause faded out. The music continued, but quietly. "Thank you for the warm greeting. But let us not waste any time on us."
Queen Esmeranda smiled. "We are not the guests of honour tonight. You did not make this long trip just to see us."
"No," Tandrin continued. "You came for the beautiful and brilliant Lady East Draulin!"
The music picked up again as Mayah entered. She walked arm in arm with Tannix, and even though I always thought Tannix looked handsome, Mayah easily overshadowed him. Her long dress was white and green, and trailed along the floor behind her. Her hair curled around her head, elaborately braided with green ribbons. She sparkled with earrings, rings and bracelets, and a large emerald necklace. She radiated happiness and excitement. Seeing her whisper in Tannix's ear made it very easy to imagine that this was their wedding. They looked so perfect for each other. Rich and important and beautiful.
As they walked past the first bench, Tannix paused. Tairia, the young woman in blue, stretched to take his hand for a second before he continued walking with Mayah. Then they were passing me on the steps, and Tannix flashed me a quick smile.
At the top of the dais, Tannix left Mayah standing next to Tandrin and the Queen. He stepped off to the left to take up his position at the end of the line the knights and I were making up the stairs. They all looked down the aisle as Jalor walked through the doors. I was used to seeing Jalor dressed in training clothes or armour, so the fancy outfit was an odd change. He wore pristine white clothing and a fancy sword on his belt. The velvety green cape that hung over his left shoulder was clasped together on his right shoulder with his Navire cloak pin. The only thing that looked like Jalor's normal attire was the leather guard on his forearm, and the green ribbon tied around his wrist.
He climbed up the steps slowly, smiling at each of us as he stepped past. He lingered longer in front of Acen, and the two exchanged a meaningful nod. Then he was in front of Tannix. The room was completely silent as he dropped to one knee in front of Tannix and whispered something too quiet for anyone to hear. Tannix lay a hand on his shoulder and whispered something in return. When Jalor stood, he took his place opposite Mayah on the dais.
Between them, Tandrin raised his hands, and seamlessly everyone in the audience sat down. "We are here to witness the union of Lady East Draulin and Sir Lord Jalor from Vasel. However, before we can continue, there is a statement that needs to be made. Lord Jalor is leaving behind one noble duty in exchange for another." He gestured at Tannix. "Lord West Draulin."
Tannix took a scroll from Acen's hand and stepped forward to dramatically unfurl it. It was all for show, I'd watched him practice the speech more times than I could count. "I, Lord West Draulin, give Sir Lord Jalor from Vasel, of the West Draulin Guard, leave with honours due to injuries received in service. Although he is leaving my guard, he will always retain his knighthood, having earned his title at the age of twenty-one. I give Lord Jalor my full permission to marry Lady Mayah East Draulin, and become Lord East Draulin under her authority. Lord Jalor has served me faithfully for ten years, and while letting him go is difficult, I can think of no man more worthy of this honour. I look forward to continuing to work closely with him and Lady Mayah as rulers of West Draulin's sister city. Sir Lord Jalor moves forward with my blessing, with the blessing of the knights who call him brother, and with the blessing of our Goddess." Tannix stepped back and handed the scroll to Acen.
Queen Esmeranda started to speak. She wasn't as loud as Tandrin or Tannix, but her voice still managed to carry. "Lady Mayah, your title was never properly given to you. We recognize that you have been leading East Draulin since it was reclaimed, but I would still like to say the proper words."
Mayah nodded.
"Lady Mayah of East Draulin," the queen said. "On this day, I officially bestow on you the title of Lady East Draulin, inherited from your mother upon her death. Do you understand your title and the duties in entails?"
"I do," Mayah said.
"Then I am pleased to name you Lady Mayah East Draulin." Queen Esmeranda smiled. "I would give you your ring, but you've rightfully been wearing it for months. Please step forward with Lord Jalor."
Mayah and Jalor came together in front of Tandrin and the queen. Tandrin took over the ceremony again. "Lady Mayah East Draulin, do you choose Sir Lord Jalor from Vasel to be your husband for now and forevermore, to spend this life with, until the Goddess welcomes you to her Realm?"
Mayah took Jalor's hand in both of hers. "Yes," she said. "For now and forevermore."
"Sir Lord Jalor from Vasel, do you choose Lady Mayah East Draulin to be your lady, for now and forevermore, to spend this life with, until the Goddess welcomes you to her Realm?"
Jalor nodded firmly. "Yes. For now and forevermore."
Tandrin was grinning. "On this day, I offer you the title of Lord East Draulin, under the authority of Lady East Draulin. Do you accept his new title and the duties it entails?"
Another firm nod. "I do."
"Then I name you Lord Jalor East Draulin. Exchange your rings."
A young girl, probably a relative, climbed the steps to hand Mayah two rings. Mayah slipped the simple gold one onto Jalor's ring finger. It was the wrong hand, but that didn't seem to matter. "Jalor, I love you," Mayah said. "You're a hero to the kingdom, but before they knew you as the man who saved Lord West Draulin, I knew you as the knight who helped rescue me from Deorun. You are brave and honourable beyond measure. I know I'll always be safe with you by my side." Then she took the second ring, the Lord East Draulin ring, and placed it on his index finger. "You will make an excellent Lord East Draulin."
Jalor pulled his hand from her grasp and whistled, raising his arm. There was a moment of confusion and a few yelps of surprise from the back of the church. Fiar was flying across the crowd, so low they could have raised their hands and touched him. He gracefully landed on Jalor's arm and ruffled his wings. Tannix stepped forward again to help, coaxing Fiar to step onto a leather guard he had subtly put on. One the bird had shifted over, Tannix untied a pouch from his foot, and poured the ring into Jalor's hand.
Mayah, smiling, held up her left hand so Jalor could gently push the ring onto her finger. "Mayah, I'm alive because of you. When I lost my arm, it was your token of love that saved my life. A token I swear to wear for the rest of my life, along with my wedding ring. You're loving and passionate and kind. I only hope I can be the Lord East Draulin you deserve. I love you."
The crowd started to clap again, only stopping when Tandrin raised his arms again to signal for silence. "I name you Lady and Lord. Lady Mayah, you may kiss your husband."
Mayah stood on the tips of her toes, but before she could kiss him, Jalor had wrapped his arm around her and lifted her off of her feet. Laughing, Mayah slid her arms around his shoulders and kissed him.
The audience erupted into applause, and this time, Tandrin didn't try to silence them.