Praise, a Marriage, and Goodbyes
Chapter 17
We arrived back in camp to a joyous celebration. As we stepped out of the Portal, the Rogues and their many guests cheered each of us. The first I saw, though, was Alanna. She was standing, with the aid of Amplisa. A broad smile spread across her face as I handed her the spear.
"Thank you for recovering it, Xavier," she cried.
"That spear gave us an advantage, Alanna," I replied. "If not for your sacrifice, we may have been beaten. How are you feeling?"
"Well, as you can tell, I can't stand on my own right now, but Akara says that's just a side effect of the blow I received. My vision is still a little blurry, but that should be gone by the time we reach Lut Gholein. Warriv says he's ready when you are."
"Tell him it will be a few hours. There are still some things I need to discuss with Cain and Akara, and we need to get rid of the items we pulled out of the catacombs."
"Have fun."
I turned to face the crowd that had gathered around, and a path opened before me. Actually, it opened in front of Akara, who was making her way toward me.
"Ah, Sir Xavier, congratulations and welcome back. We are all ecstatic at the news that Andariel has been defeated. Warriv has agreed to leave for Lut Gholein as soon as you are able."
"Are you that ready to get rid of us?" I ask.
"No, we are not ready to get rid of you, there is just so much more in this world that needs to be done. There are four other locations inhabited by demons."
"Oh, yeah. . . I guess you're right. Anyway. . . I tossed Andariel's head into a fire. I'm sure that will keep her from coming back."
"That was good thinking. Most ways of dealing with demons involves destroying the head in some way."
"Good, I did it right. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go see Charsi. I'm sure she can do more with the items I have than I can."
"Ah, yes, I'm sure she can," Akara replied. "And thank you, for all your work."
"You're welcome."
I turn back toward my companions. "Kiara, Paige, come with me. Ravina, Riega. . . feel free to rest. You both deserve it. Be ready to go in. . . four hours. Alanna, thank you, again."
We head off to Charsi's shop, the blacksmith just barely beating us there. "Congratulations, Paladin. I'm sure our lands will be safe now that the demon has been killed. How can I help you?"
"Well, we have all these items here we need to get rid of. I think you can take them." Kiara and Paige start pulling the items out of their packs, blades and armor glittering in the firelight. I reach out and pick up one of the swords, and look at the blade. It shimmers, then gleams a dull, rich green. The name of the sword, Shadowfang, rises to the surface. I lifted it, a bit heavy in one hand, but I will get used to it.
"I think I'll take this one," I said. "It just. . . feels right in my hand."
I also pick up the gems and a three-socketed ringmail, slipping my old studded leather armor off. I settled the ringmail over my shoulders, and found the sockets, then examined the gems I had. Two amethysts, a flawed topaz, a chipped ruby, and three chipped emeralds. I slipped an amethyst and the flawed topaz into the armor, leaving the other socket free. The armor changes color, a deep purple flowing over it. A rush of adrenaline washes over me, as I feel the amethyst doing it's job.
"That's much better." I hand Charsi the old armor, and look at the Rogues. "Take what you want, and make sure the others go through this stuff, also." I handed Kiara the other amethyst, along with a kiss. "Use it well, my dear."
"Don't worry, honey," she replied, her tone honey-sweet. "I will."
We spent the next two hours describing the final fight with Andariel. I heard Alanna's sigh when she learned her spear-thrust was not the death blow to the demon, but her smile came back when I told her we couldn't have beaten the demon without it. Riega then told what she had done, and everyone's mouth fell open.
"You mean to tell us, Assassin," Kashya cooly asked, "that you drove a sword through the demon's head?"
"Yes, Rogue, I did," the Assassin replied, in the same cold tone.
"Kashya, I was there," Kiara spoke up. "I saw her do it."
"Very well."
I saw Warriv rise and begin attending to his horses. "Well, everyone, I'm afraid it's time we started moving on. There are more demons to kill and lands to save. Ladies, let's get ready."
We started saying our goodbyes. Kashya approached me last. "Treat my daughter well, Paladin. If any harm befalls her, I will hunt you down, to Diablo's throne if necessary."
"Kashya, have you not heard anything I've said? If she gets hurt, I'll take it out of my own skin. I will not need your help. She is my love, and nothing will change that. And now, since I have stated that, I will have Cain say a few words to bless us and make our communion known to the Gods, if they don't know already. And then I'll start calling you my mother-in-law. How does that sound?"
Kashya was obviously knocked off her feet by that announcement. "You would. . . have a true ceremony. . . to please me? Does Kiara know?"
I saw Kiara walk up behind her mother. "Well, she does now. You just told her."
"You want to have a ceremony? And you were going to plan it without my knowledge? Why?"
"Well, actually, I was wanting to wait until we got to Lut Gholein, but. . ."
"No. We will have it here. And now. Deckard Cain, come here!"
The old mage shuffled over, leaning heavily on his staff. "Yes, madame Rogue, how may I help you?" His voice rattled in his chest, the steady rain and colder temperatures not good for his health.
"We want you to marry us," Kiara stated, before I could say anything different.
His mouth opened a bit, then closed. "A marriage? Here? Between a Paladin and a Rogue? If it was anyone else, the sky would have just opened and this entire area would have been destroyed, and we would all be standing attendance in Diablo's chambers now. I guess if the Ones up high don't have a problem, let's do it."
He led us to a tent that was still standing. "Xavier, with your right hand, take Kiara's right, and do the same with your left. Kiara, repeat after me. I, Kiara Granier, do take Xavier Halcrion as my husband, blessed this day in the sight of the Ones above, and do swear to be with him for all time."
"I, Kiara Granier, do take Xavier Halcrion as my husband, blessed this day in the sight of the Ones above, and do swear to be with him for all time."
"Good. Now, Xavier, repeat after me. I, Xavier Halcrion, do take Kiara Granier as my wife, blessed this day in the sight of the Ones above, and do swear to be with him for all time."
"I, Xavier Halcrion, do take Kiara Granier as my wife, blessed this day in the sight of the Ones above, and do swear to be with him for all time."
"Now, in the name of the Horadrim, and the Ones they serve, this union is blessed. You may kiss the bri. . ."
"HALT! SAY NO MORE, CAIN!" A voice boomed from all around. A bright light began drifting down from heaven. As it neared, we could make out a figure inside. The light settled to the ground. The Archangel Tyrael stepped forward, the light dimming behind him, his wings fluttering behind. He reached out, grabbing our clasped hands. A new light, this one an electric blue, swirled with red, raced down his arms and across ours, then enveloped us both. It grew intensely bright, then flashed out.
"Now, you are both truly blessed. I believe, Paladin, that when you stop blinking the flashes out of your eyes, you still have a kiss to perform," Tyrael stated, his voice ringing across the encampment.
As my eyes returned to normal, I could see Kiara still blinking out the flashes. I reached up, stroking her cheek. Her eyelids stilled, then she looked into my eyes. We closed the distance slowly, and kissed, slowly, deeply. When we finally parted, we were both breathless. I turned to look at Tyrael. He nodded, then the light grew around him again.
"You now walk with a double blessing upon you. One of love, and one of heaven. Neither can be lost. Go now, and fulfill your destiny." With those words, he rose into the sky, cutting quickly through the clouds. Within seconds, the bright light was gone.
The gathered crowd broke out into a cheer. The sound of it echoed across the camp, but after hearing Tyrael, it was easy to endure. I took Kiara's hand, and we stepped out to find Warriv. Ravina, Paige, Alanna, Amplisa, Riega, and Blaise greeted us first, then led us to the caravan leader.
"Warriv, we can go whenever you are ready."
He looked down from his wagon. "Well, if you are finished with the fireworks, I'm ready to go. Choose one of the wagons further back. You can all take one together, or sort yourselves out between them. The drivers won't mind."
We moved to the next one back. The driver climbed down quickly, handing me the reins. All of us piled in, just enough room for eight bodies and eight packs.
"Rogues, keep your bows at the ready. We may encounter a few demons on our trip. And we will be looked upon as the protectors for this caravan. Do whatever you can to do so."
With that, we set out, Warriv's wagon leading the way. As we left the encampment, an arrow flew in, driving itself into the panel beside me, a note attached to it. Pulling the note off, I handed it to Kiara, who read it aloud.
Congratulations, both of you. I wish you true happiness. Please accept my apologies, And make me proud.
Kashya
P.S. Xavier, you are the best Son-in-law I could ask for.
Kiara turned around in her seat and waved at her mother, standing atop the wall, then leaned over and kissed me. "We are released. She has given us her blessing. Today is a good day."
I looked out at the clouds surrounding us, and the gray smudge in the distance that showed rain. "Well, at least in spirit it is a good day," I replied.
Chapter 17
We arrived back in camp to a joyous celebration. As we stepped out of the Portal, the Rogues and their many guests cheered each of us. The first I saw, though, was Alanna. She was standing, with the aid of Amplisa. A broad smile spread across her face as I handed her the spear.
"Thank you for recovering it, Xavier," she cried.
"That spear gave us an advantage, Alanna," I replied. "If not for your sacrifice, we may have been beaten. How are you feeling?"
"Well, as you can tell, I can't stand on my own right now, but Akara says that's just a side effect of the blow I received. My vision is still a little blurry, but that should be gone by the time we reach Lut Gholein. Warriv says he's ready when you are."
"Tell him it will be a few hours. There are still some things I need to discuss with Cain and Akara, and we need to get rid of the items we pulled out of the catacombs."
"Have fun."
I turned to face the crowd that had gathered around, and a path opened before me. Actually, it opened in front of Akara, who was making her way toward me.
"Ah, Sir Xavier, congratulations and welcome back. We are all ecstatic at the news that Andariel has been defeated. Warriv has agreed to leave for Lut Gholein as soon as you are able."
"Are you that ready to get rid of us?" I ask.
"No, we are not ready to get rid of you, there is just so much more in this world that needs to be done. There are four other locations inhabited by demons."
"Oh, yeah. . . I guess you're right. Anyway. . . I tossed Andariel's head into a fire. I'm sure that will keep her from coming back."
"That was good thinking. Most ways of dealing with demons involves destroying the head in some way."
"Good, I did it right. Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got to go see Charsi. I'm sure she can do more with the items I have than I can."
"Ah, yes, I'm sure she can," Akara replied. "And thank you, for all your work."
"You're welcome."
I turn back toward my companions. "Kiara, Paige, come with me. Ravina, Riega. . . feel free to rest. You both deserve it. Be ready to go in. . . four hours. Alanna, thank you, again."
We head off to Charsi's shop, the blacksmith just barely beating us there. "Congratulations, Paladin. I'm sure our lands will be safe now that the demon has been killed. How can I help you?"
"Well, we have all these items here we need to get rid of. I think you can take them." Kiara and Paige start pulling the items out of their packs, blades and armor glittering in the firelight. I reach out and pick up one of the swords, and look at the blade. It shimmers, then gleams a dull, rich green. The name of the sword, Shadowfang, rises to the surface. I lifted it, a bit heavy in one hand, but I will get used to it.
"I think I'll take this one," I said. "It just. . . feels right in my hand."
I also pick up the gems and a three-socketed ringmail, slipping my old studded leather armor off. I settled the ringmail over my shoulders, and found the sockets, then examined the gems I had. Two amethysts, a flawed topaz, a chipped ruby, and three chipped emeralds. I slipped an amethyst and the flawed topaz into the armor, leaving the other socket free. The armor changes color, a deep purple flowing over it. A rush of adrenaline washes over me, as I feel the amethyst doing it's job.
"That's much better." I hand Charsi the old armor, and look at the Rogues. "Take what you want, and make sure the others go through this stuff, also." I handed Kiara the other amethyst, along with a kiss. "Use it well, my dear."
"Don't worry, honey," she replied, her tone honey-sweet. "I will."
We spent the next two hours describing the final fight with Andariel. I heard Alanna's sigh when she learned her spear-thrust was not the death blow to the demon, but her smile came back when I told her we couldn't have beaten the demon without it. Riega then told what she had done, and everyone's mouth fell open.
"You mean to tell us, Assassin," Kashya cooly asked, "that you drove a sword through the demon's head?"
"Yes, Rogue, I did," the Assassin replied, in the same cold tone.
"Kashya, I was there," Kiara spoke up. "I saw her do it."
"Very well."
I saw Warriv rise and begin attending to his horses. "Well, everyone, I'm afraid it's time we started moving on. There are more demons to kill and lands to save. Ladies, let's get ready."
We started saying our goodbyes. Kashya approached me last. "Treat my daughter well, Paladin. If any harm befalls her, I will hunt you down, to Diablo's throne if necessary."
"Kashya, have you not heard anything I've said? If she gets hurt, I'll take it out of my own skin. I will not need your help. She is my love, and nothing will change that. And now, since I have stated that, I will have Cain say a few words to bless us and make our communion known to the Gods, if they don't know already. And then I'll start calling you my mother-in-law. How does that sound?"
Kashya was obviously knocked off her feet by that announcement. "You would. . . have a true ceremony. . . to please me? Does Kiara know?"
I saw Kiara walk up behind her mother. "Well, she does now. You just told her."
"You want to have a ceremony? And you were going to plan it without my knowledge? Why?"
"Well, actually, I was wanting to wait until we got to Lut Gholein, but. . ."
"No. We will have it here. And now. Deckard Cain, come here!"
The old mage shuffled over, leaning heavily on his staff. "Yes, madame Rogue, how may I help you?" His voice rattled in his chest, the steady rain and colder temperatures not good for his health.
"We want you to marry us," Kiara stated, before I could say anything different.
His mouth opened a bit, then closed. "A marriage? Here? Between a Paladin and a Rogue? If it was anyone else, the sky would have just opened and this entire area would have been destroyed, and we would all be standing attendance in Diablo's chambers now. I guess if the Ones up high don't have a problem, let's do it."
He led us to a tent that was still standing. "Xavier, with your right hand, take Kiara's right, and do the same with your left. Kiara, repeat after me. I, Kiara Granier, do take Xavier Halcrion as my husband, blessed this day in the sight of the Ones above, and do swear to be with him for all time."
"I, Kiara Granier, do take Xavier Halcrion as my husband, blessed this day in the sight of the Ones above, and do swear to be with him for all time."
"Good. Now, Xavier, repeat after me. I, Xavier Halcrion, do take Kiara Granier as my wife, blessed this day in the sight of the Ones above, and do swear to be with him for all time."
"I, Xavier Halcrion, do take Kiara Granier as my wife, blessed this day in the sight of the Ones above, and do swear to be with him for all time."
"Now, in the name of the Horadrim, and the Ones they serve, this union is blessed. You may kiss the bri. . ."
"HALT! SAY NO MORE, CAIN!" A voice boomed from all around. A bright light began drifting down from heaven. As it neared, we could make out a figure inside. The light settled to the ground. The Archangel Tyrael stepped forward, the light dimming behind him, his wings fluttering behind. He reached out, grabbing our clasped hands. A new light, this one an electric blue, swirled with red, raced down his arms and across ours, then enveloped us both. It grew intensely bright, then flashed out.
"Now, you are both truly blessed. I believe, Paladin, that when you stop blinking the flashes out of your eyes, you still have a kiss to perform," Tyrael stated, his voice ringing across the encampment.
As my eyes returned to normal, I could see Kiara still blinking out the flashes. I reached up, stroking her cheek. Her eyelids stilled, then she looked into my eyes. We closed the distance slowly, and kissed, slowly, deeply. When we finally parted, we were both breathless. I turned to look at Tyrael. He nodded, then the light grew around him again.
"You now walk with a double blessing upon you. One of love, and one of heaven. Neither can be lost. Go now, and fulfill your destiny." With those words, he rose into the sky, cutting quickly through the clouds. Within seconds, the bright light was gone.
The gathered crowd broke out into a cheer. The sound of it echoed across the camp, but after hearing Tyrael, it was easy to endure. I took Kiara's hand, and we stepped out to find Warriv. Ravina, Paige, Alanna, Amplisa, Riega, and Blaise greeted us first, then led us to the caravan leader.
"Warriv, we can go whenever you are ready."
He looked down from his wagon. "Well, if you are finished with the fireworks, I'm ready to go. Choose one of the wagons further back. You can all take one together, or sort yourselves out between them. The drivers won't mind."
We moved to the next one back. The driver climbed down quickly, handing me the reins. All of us piled in, just enough room for eight bodies and eight packs.
"Rogues, keep your bows at the ready. We may encounter a few demons on our trip. And we will be looked upon as the protectors for this caravan. Do whatever you can to do so."
With that, we set out, Warriv's wagon leading the way. As we left the encampment, an arrow flew in, driving itself into the panel beside me, a note attached to it. Pulling the note off, I handed it to Kiara, who read it aloud.
Congratulations, both of you. I wish you true happiness. Please accept my apologies, And make me proud.
Kashya
P.S. Xavier, you are the best Son-in-law I could ask for.
Kiara turned around in her seat and waved at her mother, standing atop the wall, then leaned over and kissed me. "We are released. She has given us her blessing. Today is a good day."
I looked out at the clouds surrounding us, and the gray smudge in the distance that showed rain. "Well, at least in spirit it is a good day," I replied.