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Chapter 13
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A month later, Summer

A month had gone by, turning spring to summer, and both Alberich and Phoenix started to get increasingly unhappy. The hot weather that they were experiencing now certainly did not help. The arrangement that seemed good to Alberich was beginning to irritate him now. He had hid his melancholy from Phoenix when they met a few days ago and wondered how she was holding up with his physical absence. Due to his growing depression, he became grouchy and vicious when he was training some of the advanced students in weapons work. The trainees were all bewildered and they had gone of to bed at the end of the day drained. Phoenix on the other hand, began to set harder assignments on her own students but controlled her depressions. It was due to the couple's profound unhappiness and the bewilderment of those who worked with them that three Companions held a conference.

******

: This is not good. : Kantor said firmly.

: I agree, brother. This separation even if it is only for a short distance is taking a toll on everyone. Some of the Blues are already suspecting that Phoenix's discontentment is connected to Alberich's. : Storm informed them.

: Sadly, we can't do anything about it until your Chosen decides that it is time for them to start living as a couple openly. : Rolan pointed out gravely to Kantor.

: I think it is time I goad him a little. : Kantor decided.

: I think that is the wisest course that is possible. Do your stuff. : Storm agreed, feeling rather tired.

******

Alberich was sitting rather disconsolately inside his office, contemplating the window of an artwork that was granted by the Sunpriests operating secretly in Valdemar a few years ago. Their planned separation was not working for them, for him at least. I miss her, and this is the truth. To hell with my reputation, the sooner word gets out, the sooner the matter will fade from peoples' minds. As soon as he said it to himself, he felt better. Now he had a purpose, and he was going out to fulfill that purpose. He left his office, entered the salle, and avoided the spots where the trainees were practicing. Jeri looked at him quizzically as he trooped out of the salle. He was surprised when he saw that Kantor was waiting for him.

: It wasn't that hard to decide after all. And to think that I might have to compel you to take some action. : Kantor whispered in his mind mildly.

: Where is she? Never mind, I know where she is. : He said abruptly as he used the lifebond to trace her and made his way to the common room. Should I just ask her? He caught sight of her as she stood up from her seat where she had been lunching with her friends. He groaned silently to himself after seeing Talia, Dirk, Keren, Kerowyn, Eldan, and the rest of Phoenix's cohorts. Taking a deep breath, he walked towards her, painfully aware that the people in the crowd were watching him. The very fact that he had seldom eaten in the common room seemed to have made his presence prominent.

Phoenix faltered a little in her conversation when she saw Alberich marching towards her. To her consternation, he gathered her in his arms, squeezing the breath out of her. Resigned, he noted that her height provided her a rather subtle advantage; he had effectively screened her flaming face from the crowd. The people in the room were evidently not prepared when the somber Herald held the silver-eyed woman lovingly. Feeling rather smug, he gave a crooked smile at the people sitting on a particular table. He withdrew from her a little, and she lifted her still-flaming face to watch him, trying to read him. Oh dear Sunlord! I hope he knows what he's doing!

: This is going to shock these people even more. : He slyly warned Kantor.

He focused his attention to his beloved, then bent just a little to bestow her a kiss, and she blushed even more. Silence spread in the room.

: Chosen! You've made me a laughing stock among my own! : Kantor protested.

: About time don't you know. : Alberich replied smoothly. Kantor began to swear fervently in Karsite. The room remained silent, and the silence was deafening.

Kerowyn regained her composure in a short time. "Blessed Agnira!" she breathed, then got up from her seat, and hugged them both. Phoenix was amazed to see that the Herald-Captain was actually crying, released them, and stood off to one side.

Alberich said quietly, although his every word can be heard because of the silence, "I have been a fool to think that I will remain content with that particular arrangement. And I apologize, if this has been hard on you." He admitted.

"Yes, I agree to that," she replied as quietly, then gave him a smile that warmed him from his head to his toes, "But you're my own personal fool." She told him seriously.

: Oh dear. : Storm sighed a little ruefully.

"Since our friends are present anyway," He stepped back a little and took both her hands and asked her with his mind, heart and soul, "Will you, Phoenix Maxwell of Valdemar, consent to have me as your mate for life?"

Phoenix did not answer immediately. Everyone in the room seemed afraid to even make a slight sound and froze their reactions, and the silence was palpable.

"I thought you would rather ask that question privately. But since you've asked, yes, I'll be glad to." She smiled lovingly, her eyes glowing. That was the answer the crowd had been waiting for.

"YES!" the crowd thundered their approval and cheered noisily. Talia found it hard to control her exultation. She was bouncing up and down, hugged Dirk, kissed him several times, and crowed along, clapping her hands gleefully. Kerowyn was crying openly but she wasn't alone, Devan, Karal, Talia, Silk and even Ray shed a few tears. Alberich couldn't contain his euphoria any longer, and he kissed Phoenix rather passionately than was appropriate in public. When he released her, she was laughing at his enthusiasm.

: I feel like my heart is going to burst, dear. Dear Sunlord! I can't imagine being so happy as I am right now! : Phoenix hugged him. : This is the best day of my entire life! And I hope there'll be more! : She asked shyly.

: I'm certain of it dear. : He reassured her, then went back to kissing her.

********

"YES!"

That caught the attention of the Queen and her Consort while they were conferring with some of the gryphons from Iftel.

"What in the name of Vykaendys is happening out there?" Keenath demanded. But both the Queen and her Consort were on the process of getting the answers. Both of them sported an out-of-focused look as they communicated with their Companions. Prince Daren broke his link to
Jasan, staring wildly at Selenay. Keenath was twitching with impatience but he restrained himself and waited.

"I don't believe it!" Selenay gasped. "I don't bloody believe it!" her eyes wide with stupefaction.

"Your Majesty," Syshaerna, a female gryphon, asked the queen patiently, "Would you kindly tell us what's happening?"

"Alberich proposed to Phoenix!" She answered, a little wild-eyed. She felt as if someone had placed her head inside a huge bell, and was banging the bell hard. Everyone was taken aback by the news; all except Keenath whom was smirking rather smugly. Selenay looked at him accusingly, "You knew he was courting her!" She pointed her finger at him.

"Well, yes, I suppose. But I gave my word that I'll tie the bag tightly." He told her defensively. Selenay was still staring daggers at him, while Prince Daren suggested it might be prudent to inform Solaris.

: Don't worry, Altra has taken care of it. : Jasan replied, carrying overtones of joy to his Chosen.

*******

The cheering still hadn't died down. Phoenix privately thanked the Gods that the people behaved themselves and not engaging in a food fight. If that had happened, Gaytha and Mero would skin them all alive.

: We ought to inform the Queen. : Phoenix suggested to Alberich when he released her, and she still blushed.

: All right, : he told her reluctantly, : But I want another kiss. : He told her seductively, and then kissed her thoroughly. When he felt satisfied by the kiss and at her response, both of them set off towards the Royal Suite trailed behind by their friends. Karal, guided gently by Talia, had automatically followed, as Altra would be responsible for giving information to Solaris and getting back a response. When they reached the Suite, Prince Daren was waiting for them and motioned them into the room.

Selenay took Alberich's hand, drew Phoenix closer, and gave the small woman a hug. Daren clasped Alberich's hand and congratulated him of the success. Then he turned to Phoenix and gave her a chaste kiss on the cheek and a brief hug. The gryphons were looking at them with much interest, as this was the first time that the Monarch had treated Phoenix so informally. Phoenix then approached Keenath, the first steadfast friend that she had made when she had gotten out of the miniature Vale where she had been recuperating. He laid a foreclaw on her forehead in an ancient ritual of blessing. Then, they made themselves comfortable by taking a seat wherever there was space. Phoenix pulled Alberich down beside her while Keenath curled behind them.

Selenay got straight to the point, "When will it be official?" she asked.

"Please, your Majesty, we would really like the ceremony to be simple and not that extravagant." Phoenix requested diffidently.

"Yes, and I wish that the where and when is not circulated around. It will be a small ceremony, so we would not be inviting a lot of people." Alberich added resolutely.

"I think we all can agree on that," Selenay nodded her agreement, then continued, "So it will be on…"

" Midsummer." Both of them announced simultaneously.

"All right. Now we've come to the where." The Queen asked them, curling her hair with her fingers and playing with it. Alberich was silent however, but that was all right, since Phoenix had decided the where a long time ago.

She answered them carefully, "For obvious reasons, I think we, at least I do want to get married in the Temple of Vkandis that is situated near the Palace." She said quietly. She caught sight of Alberich's startled glance and smiled slightly. He reached her hand and squeezed her gently and she returned it back.

: Thank you. :

: I know you do want that, and I know you still love Him. : She told him gently.

Phoenix then requested Karal that if the Son of the Sun is permitted, she wants Her Radiance to officiate the ceremony. Karal was a little bewildered at her request but carried it out anyway.

: She is honored, and she will officiate over your wedding. I had taken the liberty telling her it is a simple affair and to prepare for it accordingly. : Altra Jumped back to them, and informed them of Solaris's answer.

"The Temple could only hold so much of you, so only those whom are close to us will be invited." Alberich added.

"Hmmm. I think that after the ceremony itself, about a candlemark later, the Companions can help spread around the word, so they can well wish us or something at the ekele." Phoenix suggested, and then asked around for opinions.

"Finger food, and a little alcohol will do nicely for the wedding reception." Silk observed. The more Phoenix thought about it, the more she liked the idea.

"No littering though," Phoenix added as an afterthought, "or I'll throw the offenders personally in the river if they do that." She added firmly.

: Maybe you could get some of the guys to flex their muscles a little. : Silk suggested mischievously.

: Silk that's absurd! : Phoenix objected, trying hard to control her expression.

"That's done then. Anyone has any objections? No? Good," the Queen then turned to look at the couple gravely.

"I want the two of you to take a vacation for two weeks now," the Queen raised her hand to stall their protests, "Both of you will be Heralds for the rest of your lives, but that doesn't mean you can't take sometime off. And then, you will have another three weeks of vacation after you get married."

"That's a bit too long!" Alberich protested, and Phoenix nodded her head vigorously.

"You certainly are not going to argue with me. That's a Royal Command. Start packing Alberich, and I don't want to see the both of you sneaking back here." That was clearly a dismissal, and the couple got up and proceeded out.

: That was quite an ultimatum, wouldn't you say? : Kantor observed critically.

: Pack well Alberich. Phoenix is already planning what the both of you are going to do for the next two weeks. : Storm agreed, and made his Chosen blush, and got a stinging swat for his pains.

Hand in hand, they strolled to Alberich's living quarters situated at the salle to pack a bit of his belongings. When they finally reached the salle, Phoenix tried hard to free her hand.

: Stop that, : Alberich told her, irritation creeping in his Mindvoice. : I have you now and I don't intend to let you go. : He told her resolutely.

: But, the Trainees, your reputation! : If she had spoken aloud, she might have been whining.

: You don't want them to know we are together? : He asked, feeling a little hurt.

: Don't be a jerk! : She halted, scowling at him, : Do you really want them to get the idea that getting yourself lifebonded will make life easier for them? : She argued, standing rigidly.

: Well, do you want me to make life easier for them? : He asked her rather carefully.

: You do that, I will help you pack and kick you back to Karse. : She threatened him seriously and continued. : Getting "soft" was not the job that was entrusted to you when you were Chosen and you know the reason why you had become the Weaponmaster in the first place. : Her expression bland and unmoving. Alberich considered her carefully and then pulled her close and hugged her, giving a kiss on her hair.

: Then, do not fear, delinda. I will let them simmer on the notion during the break, and then I'll point out to them that there is nothing different about me, : he said huskily in her mind, : Except for the fact that I'm lifebonded to the solitary fiery queen of Valdemar. :

: I feel like I've been immersed in extreme honey. Honestly Phoenix, if this gets more cloying, I'll throw up. : Storm complained in their minds.

: Imagine how I'm feeling at this particular moment. His behaviour is totally unnatural. : Kantor mentioned acidly.

"Do you think we should pay attention to them?" she asked Alberich, carefully keeping her face neutral.

: Just ignore them. : Alberich advised, not bothering to hide the fact that he was just teasing his Companion. Kantor chose to answer privately to him and after several moments, he burst with laughter.

: Come on then, lady-mine, we have some packing to do. : Alberich strove to control his laughter, held out his hand and she reached for him and they continued their way down to the salle.

*******

As they passed the salle, they caught the attention of several of the trainees and Jeri, the current Weaponmaster. The latter watched them, her eyes went round with disbelief. He Sent a Mindcall to Jeri as Phoenix helped him pack some of his stuff. Jeri was still bewildered, and glanced at Alberich and Phoenix with open fascination and finally concluded they are lifebonded. Alberich was giving her several instructions regarding the advanced pupils and to let her know that the Queen had ordered them a few weeks' absence. Alberich was about to bring his sword, but Phoenix shook her head.

"Don't bother, I have a couple of them swords in the storage. See if you can find one you like." Phoenix informed him. When they're done, they linked arms again, and Jeri didn't bother to hide her grins.