Prologue Chapter 1 Wedding bells
From the deck of their skyship a crew of all ages was frantically squinting down at the streets bellow. Around them were countless other sky vessels all in similar situations, everyone wanted a front row seat to the spectacle below. And what a spectacle it was. Bellow the swarm of ships lay the royal city of Rabinastre, capital city of Dalmasca and the home of the royal family. The view from the air was tremendous, as the sun struck them the city's sandy buildings appeared white and as the cathedrals and palaces were bathed in sunlight they shone like diamonds.
But this was nothing special, Rabanastre splendid though it was looked this way every time the sun shone. What was causing the crowds to swarm to the city like flies was an occasion seen only once every few decades, the marriage of the eldest royal child. Yes it was probably arranged but a good excuse for a celebration, and excuse the people were using for all it was worth.
Down in the streets the people were frantic, the narrow causeways between buildings were a throng of bodies of every race; Hume, Viera, Bangaa, seeq and moogle all of which were trying to get to the main street to see the royal couple. Everywhere salesmen were shouting various empty promises about their merchandise and special "Wedding day offers", and of course dotted throughout the crowd were the telltale urchins who were more interested by the crowd's wallets than the event itself. But most of these distractions went unnoticed for the crowd had something much more interesting to pay attention to.
On the street approaching the palace there was a parade, this was the attraction everyone had been waiting to see. There were at least twenty floats, all in different colours with various performances on. One was a short play depicting the second fall of Nalbina fortress consisting of a man dressed as a castle who simply had to fall down when the soldiers of Dalmasca came along much to the delight of the children. There was a troop of performing moogles playing instruments and dancing, always a popular choice for a show. Many would call moogles a walking entertainment stand. But the float in the middle was the focus of the day. Drawn by no less than eight chocobos in various feathered decoration was drawn a float which was originally yellow and blue, the colours of Nabradia and Dalmasca, but now could easily be mistaken for white. The whole thing was draped in milk roses, making it a hay fever hazard on wheels. It had attracted a small swarms worth of bees and five times as many spectators.
From the top of this float princess Ashelia B'nargin Dalmasca stood dressed in her white gown and a peacock feather veil. At seventeen years of age and already about to be married some would think badly of it, but the marriage of royalty is part of diplomacy, and with the Archadian Empire growing in strength the sooner to forge an alliance with Nabradia the better Standing beside the princess was her groom, Rasler Heios Nabradia. He looked no older than his bride yet looking gallant as any knight in his ceremonial armour waving to the crowd. The two shared a glimpse at one another as they approached the cathedral, as they looked at each other it was clear that despite the political nature of their union, the love was there. Maybe this wasn't such a false marriage after all.
Inside the cathedral of Rabanastre the audience held its breath as the fate of both Dalmasca and Nabradia would change forever. The sermon was finishing and the Priest was saying the final words.
"In the name of the Father and in the presence of these holy relics, I hereby pronounce you man and wife from this time forth. May the blessings of the Gods light your path for all eternity, faram."
In one swift motion Prince Rasler lifted the princess's veil revealing her blond shoulder length hair, her beautiful face and deep blue eyes. He needed no prompting for his next act. As their lips met the cathedral followed closely by the whole city erupted with cheers, the streets were suddenly engulfed in confetti and ribbons, in the cathedral king Raminas of Dalmasca and king Juderion of Nabradia were having their hands shaken by various court nobles. In the centre of all this chaotic celebration were a young prince and princess still in embrace. What a day it had been for both of them, and amongst the jubilation of the city and the disaster in the world, they shared one moment of peace, happiness and love.