TIGRIS'S WEDDING
Written: Sept 2000
The groom waits stoically on the stand, off to one side, as the
audience takes their seats. The High Gargoyle Priestess takes the stand,
indicating the ceremony has started. She prepares to speak, settling her wings
around her shoulders. Erik, resplendent in his battle uniform, tries to look
less nervous and more confident.
"In the beginning," began the High Priestess's cant. "There was
Nod.
She gave us all power - the queen of all magic, and the mother of
all gargoyles.
Every year she married the Year King, and had three beautiful
children by them. But thieves came in
the night, and murdered her three babes. In tears she uttered an oath that her
next child would bear a race of protectors to watch over the innocent and slay
those who would do evil. She gave us great strength of body and heart to know
what is right and put it to action. But when the day of her fourth travail
came, she did not give birth to a baby - but an egg. The egg grew for months
before it finally hatched, producing the world's very first gargoyle. Nod named
her Shayla - the protector."
The Gargoyle High Priestess paused her cant for a moment, before
continuing. "Shayla grew, and defended Nod's city, and grew into a woman. Nod
blessed her womanhood that she might bear children, and soon fell in love with
the human Rell. Nod blessed their union, and he too became a gargoyle."
One last time the cant paused, for effect. "Tonight we bless the
union of the Avalon Clan and the Miniclan. Tonight we honor our mother and the
purpose she gave us." With that, quiet reedy flute and recorder music began to
play.
From near the rear of the room, the bride came slowly down the
aisle, dressed in a finely woven combination of battle wear and lace, a
combination of wedding dress and warrior's dress, exposing many parts of her
anatomy in the gargoyle way. Her sword was belted in a quick-draw holster at
her side.
Upon reaching the dais, she and Erik held hands and stood before
the High Priestess. Tigris was presented to the gargoyle High Priestess, with
Tigris's wings spread wide. The High Priestess produced a bowl of magical
liquid, dipped her talons in it, and began to touch it to parts of Tigris's
body. "Tigris, blessed is thy heart which feels the calling to protect. Blessed
by thy mind, which tells the tales of our clan. Blessed be thy breasts, which
nourish life. Blessed be thy womanhood, from which life comes."
Upon finishing with Tigris, the High Priestess sat off to one
side. The lovers turned to one another, settling their wings about their
shoulders. "Bow to me, Tigris Euphrates." Erik addressed. Tigris did so in a
feminine and respectful manner, looking up at Erik with loving eyes. "What is
it you wish of me?"
"I wish to serve you, my lord."
"Are you willing to submit to me?"
"You have proven your mastery of me according to the martial law,
and I am yours." Tigris replied, bowing her head. "I give myself to you,
completely and willingly submitting my body and soul to you."
"Tonight I make this oath of honor to you, Tigris Euphrates, that
as your owner, keeper, and master, I will always be sensitive to your needs,
protect you, guide you, love and keep you so long as you agree to submit to
me." He replies, lifting her head by the chin.
"And it is my oath of honor to you to bear and raise your children
to the best of my ability, to serve you with my entire body and soul, to be
owned by you, kept by you, and mastered by you as long as I am physically,
spiritually, and mentally able." She nodded.
The High Priestess spoke. "Who speaks for our clan?"
"I do!" Announced Lex, stepping forward. "I am Alexa Ruby Atello,
leader of the Miniclan."
"Let it be known in the clan, Alexa Ruby Atello, that after a long
arduous battle, your warrior, Tigris Euphrates, was fairly defeated in single
combat and has been claimed by Erik of the Avalon clan - children of the
slaughtered clan at Wyvern. They are both of noble blood and their honor is
strong. Should anyone wish to challenge Erik's claim to Tigris, they should do
so now."
"I do!" shouts a challenger! The groom turns to the sound, drawing
his sword.
"I answer that challenge, Sirrah! Who hails?" he replies, eyes
aglow. The challenger answers with his name and makes some threats. Erik
replies, "Come and face me!" and the fight begins.
(Swords clash, and they fight.)
Eventually Erik knocks away his challenger's sword, kicks him to
the ground, and holds him at sword point. "You are defeated!" Erik exclaims. He
then sheathes his sword and holds out a paw to the would-be-challenger. "But
not dishonored."
"Are there any other challengers?" asks the High Priestess.
Silence follows. "Then I declare the warrior Tigris Euphrates to be the
property of Erik of Avalon." With that the High Priestess stops speaking, but
remains on the stand. Erik retrieves
something from a large case - a large steel collar with complex interlocking
ends. Tigris lowers her head before him.
"Tigris Euphrates, with this collar I seal both our vows. If at
any time I fail to fulfill my obligations to you, anyone has the right to
challenge me to battle. If I fall the collar will unlock itself. If I am
knowingly wronging you, I can unlock it -but no other. By your acceptance are
you consigned to be my slave. Do you wish to be collared by me?"
"I wish it." She replies without resignation.
Erik slowly and carefully places the device around the penitent
gargoyle woman, and it locks into place with an audible click of the mechanism.
There is a long chain attached to the collar, by which he pulls slightly,
indicating for Tigris to stand. Tigris stands before her lover, the two
unfurling their wings and turning to the audience.
"The bones are cast. May the Goddess of Life bless your vows." The
Gargoyle High Priestess steps down from the stand.
"Behold!" Announces Erik, holding Tigris's chain. "I have
vanquished Tigris Euphrates in fair combat! She is my slave, warrior-friend,
and my lady-wife - the Lady Erik of Avalon." He raises his hand in her
direction.
The audience is given the signal, and they applaud. Tigris nods
respectfully. "my Lord." The audience then begins to pelt them in rice. Erik
escorts his new pet out of the hall by her chain before they both drown in
rice.