Chapter 2
The month of April was a flurry of activity for all the residents of the palace. The same day that Dove had told Aly her news, she had called a public gathering and announced what she had previously been keeping secret to everyone who desired to hear; she was getting married. Winnamine and Nuritin – as well as Sarai, who had been written to, as she was in Carthak – were vexed that she hadn't told them before, as she had with Aly. But their anger was drowned in the excitement of everything. Sarai had been planning to come the second she finished reading the letter, and by the third of May she was there, helping with the preparations just like everyone else. Her husband Zaimid and their two children, Mequen and Alanna, would arrive the day of the scheduled marriage.
The Guest Suite had to be prepared for Aikido and his attendants, which were said to be only two. The Guest Suite was thoroughly dusted, scrubbed, organized, and rearranged time and time again by different people. The bed Aikido would sleep in upon his arrival was made and remade countless times by people who imagined his tastes differently in their minds. Sarai made the Suite even grander by adding decorations, like flowers, scents, and cloths draped over the 'dreary boards on the ceiling', as she referred to them. The walls were freshly coated with new paint, a calm and serene greenish-blue, and patterns of lotus flowers and wild animals done over them in a very faint white. By the time everyone was satisfied with the Guest Suite, any outsider would have thought they were preparing for the arrival of the Yamani Emperor himself.
The armory was newly stocked with the Glaives and long staffs that Yamanis preferred. The library was supplied with books on the Yamani culture and the art of fighting, both so they seemed interested, and so that Dove could catch up on her reading about the Yamanis to know more about her future-husband. The cooks were given fresh new Yamani recipes they were to use starting now, so everyone could get used to Yamani cooking, and to prepare the feasts that would be eaten every night that led up to the wedding in honor of the groom. The whole palace was decorated with Yamani-like decorations, provided by Sarai, as a courtesy to the coming guests. Countless Kimonos were made for Dove and her attendants – and more importantly Aly, who was going to return the favor and be Dove's Female Companion at the wedding – to wear during the wedding, as well as during the evenings' feasts that would take place during the time when they were not yet married.
Dove complained as she was pushed and pulled from one dress-fitter to another, and countless elaborate gowns were made for the occasion, and for the time in between and right after. Puncturing her schedule were trips to the dress-fitters, which were bothers as she had to stand for hours on end, having needles jabbed into her accidentally. But when the gowns were finished, the effect was splendid. They ranged from modest gowns of one color and very simple make to elaborate gowns of up to ten different colors, all with different style sleeves and skirts and elaborate patterns sewed into them. Even Dove was speechless when she first saw them, though when she realized she actually had to wear these monstrosities, she panicked. Only a few of them were a simple creamy orange.
Aly and the rest of the people close to Dove who would be participating the most in the ceremonies were also fitted for gowns and suits, though not nearly as much as Dove, and the gowns were not nearly as elaborate or varied. Aly was brisk and curt enough to only have three gowns made. One was a blue-green kimono with patterns of crows sewed into it, another was an emerald-green gown with bell sleeves and a tight upper part, and the last a flowing hazel dress with sleeves that were tight then belled out, and a top that was just as tight then flowed out into a wide skirt. It had matching slippers and headdress, and was the gown she would wear to the wedding as Dove's Female Companion. It wasn't especially comfortable, but she had to put up with it.
And so they were ready for the prince's arrival. It was the thirtieth of April and Aikido would be arriving by boat, accompanied by two Yamani attendants, the next day. Of course, two Copper Isle servants had been chosen to be attendants as well as the Yamanis, but it was understandable that the prince would be closer and rely more on his Yamani attendants, as they had been chosen because they were his closer friends. But the Copper Isle attendants had been chosen by Aly and were – unknown by Dove or anyone else – part of her spy pack. This was purposeful, a way to find out more about Prince Aikido.
Dove and an escort including Taybur, Winna, Nuritin, Sarai, Aly and Nawat stood on the edge of the deck on the first of May, silently awaiting the arrival of the expected sailing ship from the Yamani Islands. Behind them stood an equally quiet crowd made up from Copper Islanders ranging from the richest Nobles to the poorest commoners, all wanting to have a glimpse of the man who would most likely be their King. When the boat was first sighted, it was clearly Yamani because of the elaborate markings on the sails and the wood of the boat. As was Yamani custom, Aikido and the two attendants were below deck, and so the disappointed crowd behind Dove and her escort sighed and shuffled away slowly until only a few hopefuls were left. The ship pulled into the harbor and was admired by all as the most beautiful they had ever seen. Taybur walked forward to be the first to greet the prince, and to inspect the ship for any signs that this was not the ship it was supposed to be. It was, as was clear when Aikido stepped down from the prow.
The youngest Yamani prince was regal. He wore a pale gold kimono that suited him very well. His hair was dark, as was the hair of all Yamanis, and was pulled back into a short ponytail by an elaborate golden pin. His eyes seemed to be gold, though upon closer inspection they were really a unique brown, and his nose was the perfect length, very Kingly. He was tall, but not monstrous, and his expression betrayed nothing, as Yamanis were trained. But all in all, he looked promising. He smiled politely at Taybur and took the offered arm to help him down onto the deck. Dove stepped forward in one of the numerous elaborate gowns. This one was her preferred pale orange, the skirts not wide but natural, the top tight and patterned with doves. She wore her full crown of the Copper Isles, and it jingled pleasantly as she walked forward to greet the Prince.
She curtsied low to him as he bowed to her, Yamani style, and when they both straightened she dazzled him with one of her most promising smiles. For a moment his hard Yamani mask was cracked and he looked at her with something that could be described as lust, but it was gone as fast as it had come. She curtsied once more then offered him her arm, which he clasped, and they advanced toward the palace together. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance," Aikido told the Queen solemnly yet honestly, and she answered likewise. Taybur was in front of them the whole time, Aly, Nawat, Nuritin, Sarai and Winnamine right behind, but far enough to grant them some privacy. Aikido's attendants walked with them. The two – Dove and the Prince – made meaningless small-talk.
When they reached the palace, there was a feast dished out in the decorated Ballroom. Dove and Aikido sat at the head of the table, then Nuritin and Winnamine across from each other, Sarai across from Taybur, Aly across from Nawat, and the four attendants at the end of the table, the head of the table on the other end left respectfully empty as a signal that that was where Mequen and the Emperor would have sat, had they been living or present. Dove and Aikido continued their small talk for a while, but by the time the Yamani and Copper Isles dishes had been served, mingled, they were conversing in earnest and seemed to enjoy each other's company. Aly had high hopes.