The Yamani Wedding Party at Mindelan
When it came time for the party her parents were to host, Kel was ready to get out of Corus. Her injuries had healed enough so she could ride without too much discomfort. It was a relief to see the mountains and smell the evergreens of her home. Kel knew every turn of the road even though it had been years since she had been to Mindelan.
She traveled with Yuki, four Mindelan men at arms and a group of women headed by Lalasa. Yuki and Lalasa's group rode in two carriages at the rear of the procession. Kel rode Hoshi, her saddle horse, because she wanted to be able to ride the trails around her home while she was there. The group was arriving the Thursday before the party on Saturday. Lalasa's team would be completing Yamani style kimonos, obis and accessories for many of the ladies and gentlemen who were attending the party at Mindelan.
Tradition dictated each family host a party to introduce and celebrate the couple and help outfit their new home by way of gifts. Since Yuki's family was lost in an earthquake, Kel's family had stepped up and happily taken up the role of Yuki's family. They had known Yuki's parents when they lived in the Yamani islands as ambassadors from Tortall and loved the ways of the islands. Kel's mother Ilane and father Piers were both thrilled to host Yuki's party and had decided to make it reflect the Yamani Islands as much they could. They thought it would be good for Yuki to have reminders of her home land and it would be good for Neal's family and other Tortallans to get a taste of what the islands were like. They decided that the party would include a traditional Yamani dinner and a moon viewing. Much of their kitchen staff had served in the islands and some of the Yamani staff had returned with them to Tortall, so there was enough Yamani experience to create an authentic evening.
Kel looked questioningly at the men at arms when they crossed a repaired bridge that had been burned so recently that the faint smell of smoke still wafted into the air. They shook their heads imperceptibly. They didn't want to talk about it now. The rest of the party was not as familiar with the old bridge, and weren't as alert to the potential danger it indicated. Kel moved in position with the men at arms, scanning the woods and road the rest of the way to Mindelan.
Kel was relieved when they rode into the yard between the stable and the entry on the back side of the main house. Kel breathed a sigh of relief. It was relieve that they and avoided any trouble on the trip and more simply, relief to be home, a place where she was loved and safe among family. She hoped the mountains and her family would help her heal some of the jagged edges of pain and anxiety left from the explosion. The group dismounted from horses and carriages and were stretching the kinks from their bodies. They had only been on the ground a few minutes when a group led by Ilane swept out of the house. Kel felt a surge of love for her capable, strong, kind mother. Standing by her always made Kel feel better.
"We're so glad you are here! Illane exclaimed beaming at them. You'll have the west wing." she spoke to Kel. We'll house all the single women here for the party in that wing. Marna will take you there and they are heating baths for you as we speak!"
Kel smiled gratefully at her mother but didn't make a move to hug her. Her mother looked fresh and pressed and the dust and grime from her travel clothes would change that.
Her mother smiled back, "We'll have tea in the west parlor in a couple of hours. That should give you time to restore yourselves to a more normal state." Noticing Yuki's head tilted in a question she replied with a smile, "Yes dear, Yamani style tea." After the bath and brisk massage in the ladies parlor Kel felt restored and hungry. Massage was a custom Piers and Ilane had brought back from the islands and Kel was glad they had. She hoped there may be some of her favorite Yamani treats served with tea. Kel's room was connected to Yuki's by a door. Kel knocked at her door after she was dressed.
"Please come in!" Yuki called to her.
Kel was glad for the moment to be alone with her friend. Kel and Yuki had decided to represent the islands for the entire visit, so for the informal times, they wore similar Yamani styled, indigo colored belted jackets over soft pants and slippers.
"I am glad to be at your home before the party. Your mother is most welcoming. I have such good memories of her from the islands." Yuki remarked. "It does feel like home. At least it is not the palace."
Kel heard all the things her friend did not say. It had been a hard decision, but Shinkokami and Roald did not come to the Yamani wedding party at Mindelan. With the recent attacks, not knowing the perpetrators and the remote location of Mindelan, it was decided that Roald and Shinkokami should not attend the party. Since she was one of Yuki's closest friends in Tortall, it was a sad decision, but since Yuki typically served Shinkokami, it freed Yuki up to only have one job, being the bride.
Kel had heard a story from Lalasa through her palace contacts about Shinkokami talking to the queen, Thayet, about being frustrated about having her plans controlled by fear of those who would hurt them. To Shinkokami, the queen had encouraged the importance of her duty to the crown through the safety of and her and her children. Even though she had advocated caution to Shinkokami, the situation didn't sit well with Thayet either. Apparently the queen herself and had worked through her frustrations with a long evening of Shang martial arts practice and finished the process by disassembling some pottery water jugs in exercise room.
The peace delegation had much work to do as their time came to a close and the members decided not to make the trip to Mindelan either. Higher level officials would be coming soon to Tortall to ratify the treaties and the delegation needed to be ready when they arrived.
Where some may have felt slighted, these absences didn't trouble Yuki and Neal at all. They were looking forward to the time in Mindelan as time with the people that mattered most to them. Without the social pressures, it would be a time to relax with just their families. The Bairds had invited their closest friends and family. Raoul and Buri would attend in part as security detail and in part to give them a break from the work in city. Kel had initially told Raoul they would be spending most of the night writing and reading Yamani style poetry, but when he couldn't keep the horror from his face she relented and admitted there would be plenty of delicious food, relaxed atmosphere and utensils other than chopsticks.
The mages, Numair and his associates, would stay with the peace delegation as would Daine.
The rest of the guests would arrive throughout the day before the party and stay overnight after it was over.
Kel, sitting by Yuki on a bench at the foot of Yuki's bed, reached out for her friend's hand, she knew the incidents troubled Yuki. Kel held her silence, Yamani style, and bowed informally to her friend from her seat, showing Yuki her solidarity with her.
"Let's go have some tea." Kel said. "I think my mother will have out the cups from that special porcelain shop in the islands. Do you remember the one, with the cherry blossom as their stamp?"
Yuki looked up in surprise at the reminder of her home. Kel realized in that moment that Yuki hadn't been home since she first came to Tortall. "Yes," she said her eyes bright with remembrance. "The little shop at the end of the street by the park. They have a pond with the bright koi where you could have a cup of tea and try out the cups and pots!"
"I wonder if it is still there?" Yuki wondered.
"Let's go ask Mama. She writes regularly to several people in the city, I think she would know!" And with that they set off to find Ilane and the other women. Kel decided in that moment that the lovely cups would make a special wedding gift for Yuki and Neal.
Yuki and Kel were the last to arrive in at tea. Lalasa, Tian and their apprentices already sat at low tables, but instead of kneeling in the traditional Yamani manner, they sat on low cushions. It was a nice compromise for the Tortallans unused to kneeling. Lalasa and Tian had brought fabric swatches and talk quickly turned to Yamani fashions and how they would construct the kimonos and obis for the guests who wanted them. They frequently asked Yuki for information and her opinions. Illane and Kel also contributed ideas.
After tea, they all moved to parlor in the west wing that had been converted to Lalasa's dressmaking shop. As more people arrived they visited Lalasa's 'shop' to be outfitted.
While others had measurements taken and tried on the new finery, Kel and Yuki decided to take a tour of the fief. They had climbed to the top of one of the watch towers to get a good view of the fief. Kel was pointing toward the river where she had fought a spidren when they saw the Baird's train coming down the road.
Yuki's eyes searched until she found Neal and then she sighed.
"He makes you very happy, doesn't he?" Kel asked her friend, perplexed at and a little jealous of the look on Yuki's face.
Yuki considered for a minute then answered still gazing at Neal, "I feel whole now that he is here. Until now, my heart has been waiting for him."
Kel nodded, smiling gently at her friend, yes, that had been what she had seen on Yuki's face.
They continued to watch the group, Kel spotted Dom. He was a pleasure to watch. Kel could see the blue of his eyes flash even from that distance. They were bright in a face that was deeply tanned from his work outdoors. Kel could see the shadow of his beard at the end of the day and remembered how her fingers traced from the smooth of his cheek to the rough line of his jaw the last time she kissed him. He managed to sit his horse in a way that was both casual and completely alert at the same time. Kel could see him scan the forest and the last bridge they needed to cross before approaching the fief while he was keeping a conversation going with Neal.
Leaning on their elbows on the wall of the watch tower, Kel and Yuki both sighed at the same time, which startled a laugh from them both. Eyes crinkled in laughter, they allowed them selves a private giggle as they moved together down the stairs to meet the group.
Kel ended up helping the hostlers find space for all of the new horses. She waved to Dom and Neal where they were busy helping unload the carriages and direct where different trunks should be delivered. Yuki, escorted Duke and Duchess Baird and their friends in for refreshments. Kel was glad they were all together again. It would be a fun weekend.
The day before the party, Illane organized several events to help show the Tortallans about Yamani culture. The events began with a formal tea ceremony. Most of the guests had never seen one and Illane thought it was a good place to start. The tea ceremony was held and explained to all so they could understand its history and significance. Illane knew a big part of her job was as an ambassador of Yamani customs, whether she held that title now or not. After the ceremony, Yuki and some of her friends who were Shinkokami's ladies in waiting demonstrated how a kimono was worn and how traditionally one sat, kneeled or stood in one. One of the Mindelan men at arms who had accompanied Piers and Illane from the islands brought out the armor and weaponry used. The guests were intrigued and enjoying examining the swords, glaives, throwing darts and armor. After the arms demonstration, Illane and Piers took questions from the group about the islands. They told them about traditional foods, why seafood was so important to the island, how the islanders built homes to accommodate frequent earthquakes, their skill as sailors and fishermen and many other topics the Tortallans hadn't considered. It was a full and successful day of sharing Yamani culture. That afternoon, guests had the time to themselves to walk on the trails of the fief or relax in the parlors and gardens on the ground.
Kel woke up early the day of the party, she was excited. They had planned a series of Yamani styled contests and demonstrations. The armory at Mindelan had a decidedly Yamani flavor, with a wall full of Yamani bows, glaives, throwing darts and a soft sand area for practicing Shang style combat throws.
The parents and friends of the bride and groom watched on while Kel, Yuki and Yuki's friends competed against Neal, Dom, Balduin, Owen and Merric in archery, a contest using practice glaives marked with chalk to show touches and dart throwing. It was a closely pitched contest, but in the end the gentlemen gallantly admitted defeat as the women excelled in the weapons they had been raised to use.
Happily worn out from competing or cheering, contestants and spectators all relaxed and ate lunch under a shady pergola while they watched a kabuki show. The antics of the painted actors had everyone laughing. After the show most of the guest retired to their rooms to prepare for the evening.
Kel, had noticed there were a few of the bows that hadn't been returned to the armory after the contest and walked over to the archery field to put them away. She returned from the armory and paused to sit on a bench by the decorative pond her parents had created near the house in the traditional Yamani style. The sun was low and just lit the tops of her mountains. Birds were busy making good use of the last of the day. A crane she hadn't noticed before lifted off from it's hiding place in the reeds and lightly touched rings on the pond with the tips of it's wings as it swooped away. A mountain jay was cleaning up a bit of bread left from the picnic and a pair of water fowl were working their way back to their nest on the bank. As the light faded, the small creatures of the night began their musical chorus. Kel took a deep breath and inhaled the peace of the place. It was good to be home.
Then, sensing a motion or hearing a sound, she turned and looked up to the east wing. She saw Dom sitting on the windowsill of his room watching her, his head tilted in consideration. She wondered how long he had been there. Meeting her eyes, he surprised her by saluting her, and then as his hand dropped, pressed his fingers to his lips and blew her a kiss. She stood and smiled at him and then bowed Yamani style to him, then averting her eyes like a Yamani maiden she glided into the house. It was time to transform herself into that Yamani maiden!
The Yamani Moon Viewing
Kel & Yuki grinned at each other as they stepped into the ballroom. Yuki look spectacular in the same emerald green kimono she wore for the portrait sitting. She'd had her hair styled in the traditional, formal Yamani style and she look absolutely imperial, except for the delighted dimples on her cheeks. She was enthralled with the transformation of the ballroom to a Yamani venue. Large wooden screens around the perimeter of the room emulated the construction of the paper walls in most Yamani homes. Paper lanterns inscribed with symbols for good luck illuminated the room with a soft glow. A group of musicians quietly played Yamani stringed instruments in the corner.
There was the fun sense of a costume party as the most party goers moved about cautiously in the unfamiliar apparel. Kel and Yuki moved comfortably, accustomed to the wide stiff obis and wrapped kimonos. Yuki had used rice powder on her face to accentuate it's smooth surface and lined her eyes in the traditional style. Kel had pulled her hair back into a smooth knot at the nape of her neck and used a lighter hand with the rice powder, lip color and eyeliner. Her own kimono was Mindelan blue with a wide rich cream obi, cuffs and trim. All of the cream had been rich embroidered by Tian with the blue of the kimono, silver and black in a interconnected pattern of griffins in flight. They kept their hands tucked into their sleeves and were bowing and greeting the other party goers. They delivered formal bows to the Masbolles, Raoul and Buri and one of the dukes' good friend when they spotted Neal and Dom. Neal stood with his father, mother, sister, Balduin and Dom.
Kel was impressed. To please his bride, Neal had immersed himself in Yamani culture. His kimono was in Queenscove emerald green with a gold and black border and black obi. Green flames twined around the obi and reminded Kel of the way she'd seen Neal's magic flow from his fingers. She suspected Lalasa's friend Tian might have been involved with such beautiful embroidery. As a final finishing touch, Duke Baird had provided Yamani swords for Neal and Dom. Kel thought they looked as well turned out as any Yamani warrior she had seen.
Dom had done up his chin length hair in the top knot often used by Yamani Warriors, he kept with the colors of the King's Own in his dark blue kimono, with a border of black and silver.
Kel's parents, Illane and Piers stepped into the room and Piers spoke, "Most honored guests, please join us in a meal to honor our bride and groom." At that a gong sounded and Piers gestured to them all to follow him into the dining room.
A meal of Yamani delicacies from the sea was presented as all Yamani meals were, with an emphasis on beautiful presentation as well as taste, carrots and other were sculpted in to a garden of flowers and rice and buckwheat noodles into birds nests that were filled with carefully prepared octopus, shrimp and fish from the sea. Kel wondered how her parents had managed to get it all inland fast enough. She was impressed and wondered if mages were involved. Kel watch Dom consider using the sticks traditionally used by the Yamani, then decide a fork was a safer bet. He looked up and caught her eyes on him and smiled and shrugged. Kel crinkled her eyes back at him and demonstrated picking up a small, slippery scallop and delivering it to her mouth. He set down his fork and applauded her quietly across the table.
After dinner, guests mingled and talked until the sound of a gong, softly rapped, called them to a deep stone patio at the back of the house. Beyond the patio was the pond where Kel had been sitting. The pond had been sculpted into the landscape and was surrounded by an array of beautiful trees and shrubs each with unique shape and texture from the gently swaying willow to the holly and aspen local to the mountain and small twisted maple trees from the islands. An area to the right of the pond had been filled with soft white sand in which several large, unusually shaped rocks had been placed. A small bridge crossed a narrow end of the pond, connecting the edge of the white sand to a small green oval on the other side of the pond. It was beautiful, and serene. The guests stood quietly, appreciating the setting. Soon, one of the guests spotted the moon rising in the notch between two slopes of the mountain. All attention turned to watch the moon rise, turning the inky sky wash to indigo as the silvered disk grew larger on the horizon. Silence enveloped the group as they watched the majestic, ancient, inexorable rise of the moon.
Kel, taking deep breaths of the familiar woodland scents of her home, caught another familiar scent and looked over her shoulder into Dom's warm smile. He felt warm and solid behind her and she leaned back against him. He caught the fingers of her right hand and they stood with the other guests and watched the moon rise above the trees. There hadn't been much time to spend with each other between the investigation, wedding preparations and their work. Dom had been called out on small missions and Kel had wrapped her interviews for Raoul into those of other commands like the Queen's Riders. It made sense to find the best fit for each candidate and service while she was interviewing candidates. She wasn't seeing her friends regularly in combat practice. Kel was still healing from the explosion. She could handle staff and sword work without jarring her head, but she hadn't returned to unarmed combat drills yet. All of that left Kel and Dom little time to spend together and Kel was feeling uneasy about that. Their relationship wasn't at a definable place and the gaps between their time together made her wonder if she was still interested or if he still was, but having him next to her, she felt herself relax a bit. They had faced so many things together. He gave her confidence when hers was flagging.
The brightness of the moon lit up the flat stone steps that marked paths around the pond and gardens. Guests began to wander the paths around the pond and through the gardens. Some reclined on comfortable chairs and settees that had been placed on the patio and paper lanterns were lit. Kel and Dom wandered down one of the paths Kel knew to where the outlet of the pond started a cheerful brook. A small bridge arched over the burbling water. Kel and Dom crossed it and slipped through the drooping branches of a huge blue spruce to sit on a bench hidden under it's branches. It was a quiet place you would only find if you knew it was there.
Kel smiled at Dom and reached out to smooth the heavy silk of his kimono. "Hello my Yamani warrior" Kel teased. "You look quite formidable!"
Dom smiled back. "I feel less ridiculous than I thought I would. I actually feel a little invincible. You know, like that feeling you get when you are in armor that you can take on any thing?"
Kel nodded "I especially feel that way in armor and on Peachblossom!
"Just dressing like a Yamani warrior makes me feel like swaggering a bit!" He grinned at her.
Dom turned sideways on the bench and faced her. He reached over and brushed her hair back from her face and traced a fresh scar that ran down her hair line.
"I'm so very glad you are ok." He said looking intensely at her.
"I'm not sure I'm ok." Kel answered quietly, resting her cheek on his hand.
"You will be." He kissed her forehead. "You will be." He whispered as his mouth settled on hers. Time was lost for the first time in many days as they relaxed into each other. Kel felt a small flicker of life in her where she had felt cold, afraid and alone since the explosion. They sat and held each other for a while on the bench, then they rose and began walking. Kel showed Dom the many paths she knew around the garden, telling him stories of her brothers and their childhood there and stopping to kiss often in the woodland that was charmed by moonlight. Kel's hands took in the breadth of his chest and the sweep of the muscles of his back, reassured by the fact that he was real and solid and alive. In the moonlight his lips explored her skin, silvered by the light. Kel savored every kiss, every swell of sensation and was glad that even though the blast had taken some of her trust in the world, there were people in the world she could trust and she would not squander a moment she could spend with them.
They finally wandered back to the house and joined groups who had started playing cards. It wasn't a particularly Yamani occupation, but no one seemed ready for the evening to end. Kel noticed both her mother and Dom's watching them as they came in, but both seemed content to leave the couple to their quiet companionship. Kel and Dom joined Neal, Yuki, Neal's sister and Balduin in a card game that lasted until they couldn't stay awake any longer. "Hold fast to what is good." Echoed in Kel's mind. She wanted to hold onto this day as long as possible.
It was afternoon on Sunday before the group that was returning to Tortall started their trip. Kel and Yuki were last out of the yard giving Piers and Illane a final farewell.
"I thank you so much for the beautiful party." Yuki said bowing low. "You showed our friends so much of the beautiful things of the Yamani Islands. I am very grateful."
"It was truly our honor." Piers answered
"We wanted it to show your friends a bit of where you came from, and bring honor to your marriage, Yuki dear." Illane added and reached out and hugged Yuki. "You are very much a daughter of our hearts."
Kel hugged her mother and father. "Thank you." was all she managed, but that was all and enough. It had been a good trip home. Yuki mounted the horse Neal had brought for her and Kel settled on Hoshi and gave her parents one last wave before they started out of the yard to catch the rest of the group. Kel was ready to look forward, to rejoin the fight, to find those responsible for terrorizing the city.