Chapter 24
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Alberich was riding out with Elcarth and were just chilling out together, as Kantor puts it. Alberich was suspicious that that had not come from him, but rather from the other Companion, Storm. After years of spending time with Phoenix, Storm had picked up the unique way of Phoenix's speech. As Elcarth had said before, the way that Phoenix and her group of friends almost speak Valdemaran in a very casual and funky mode. The two Heralds went into the stable that housed the Companions and started to groom them.
Alberich remembered that he wanted to ask Kantor something, "Kantor, what is Phoenix up to?"
: What do you mean? : Kantor asked dreamily, leaning against Alberich's strokes. Elcarth looked attentively at them, and Kantor decided that Elcarth should know what Phoenix had planned for the Karsite Herald. He asked Storm for permission and waited until Phoenix gave him an answer.
: Just tell Alberich, that she's making their own wedding costumes and she asks you to tell Elcarth, so that he could tell Selenay, that their costumes will be black. : Storm instructed Kantor as Kantor listened inattentively to his Chosen.
: Oh, that, : Kantor replied sleepily. : She's making the groom's wedding costume. :
Then to Elcarth, he requested respectfully, : Elcarth, do you mind telling the Queen that the costumes will be black? Phoenix hadn't forgotten that Selenay had exclusively forbidden Alberich to wear black. :
Elcarth looked momentarily startled then exclaimed. : Is she crazy? :
Kantor shrugged, : Phoenix says it's a good idea. That's because the general outline of the costume is purely Karsite and I agree with her. :
: But I still think it's crazy. Come on; think about it. Grooms are always nervous on their wedding day. You tell me yourself; how does Alberich react when he's damn nervous? :
Kantor turned sharply to look at Elcarth. Kantor suddenly collapsed to the ground, his laughter ringing out to everyone. Several of the Companions trooped in to look at the hysterically, laughing Companion. Alberich looked shockingly at his Companion, his eyes wide.
: Kantor, : Alberich started menacingly. : If you don't tell me what's going on, I'm going to stop grooming you. : He looked helplessly at Elcarth and at one look at Alberich's face, Elcarth buried his face at his Companion's shoulder, muffling his laughter. Upon a closer look, Alberich found that Elcarth's Companion was shaking with silent laughter.
Sunlord, help me! What do they know that I don't?
"That your beloved is going to go all out of her way to make you feel loved." A strangely familiar voice said. The hair at the back of his neck prickled on ends as he cautiously peered behind him. He saw a young man dressed in a standard Sunpriest robe worn by the Priests tending the temple near the Palace. However, what placed the Sunpriest, as strange was that his being was surrounded by a golden glow. Alberich's throat constricted and his eyes watered heavily as the young Sunpriest saluted him and walked off; the Companions ignoring him as if they weren't unaware of the stranger in their midst. Then again, probably they were unaware of him. Kantor got up shakily on his hooves, blissfully unaware what his Chosen was feeling.
: Sorry Chosen. That was unkind of me. You will know whatever Phoenix is planning for you soon enough. : Kantor said, butting his head on Alberich's chest for forgiveness. Alberich sighed and resumed brushing Kantor, despite his earlier threat. The two Heralds left their Companions as they began to make their way into Heralds' Wings.
"I have an appointment with the Queen. I'll see you later in the evening, friend." Elcarth said to him, squeezing Alberich's arm and sauntered off towards the Queen's Suite. Alberich headed off to his quarters, and entered his room. He opened his little cupboard where he kept most of his wines and took out the bottle of Taltherian wine then wrapped it up in brown paper. He inspected his room casually and somehow it seemed empty. Of course it feels empty. You don't have her presence here. When he found nothing else in the room to be brought back to the ekele he got out of his room bumping into Skif holding the hand of his lady, Nyara. Alberich nearly dropped the expensive wine; it was a good thing he held it securely in his hand.
"Gods, sir! It's true isn't it?" Skif babbled out, while Nyara looked shyly at Alberich and bobbed a greeting. Alberich nodded kindly at her and turned his attention to Skif, scowling. Skif flinched a little, but looked bravely back.
Alberich did not bother to beat the topic around the bush so he admitted the truth. "Yes, it's true. I've lifebonded, and proposed to her and we are getting married the coming midsummer." Skif's eyes went round with disbelief and Nyara looked at her husband fondly.
"But…but…I thought…they were just rumors…just gossip." Skif spluttered. However, Alberich's serious face and with his eyes twinkling, convinced Skif that the rumors; whatever they were; were probably right.
"There will be a celebration this evening at the glade. However, if you'd like to, you can stop by at the ekele. Firesong and Silverfox just came in yesterday and are going to live in the ekele for as long as they're staying. Phoenix had been residing there ever since she got Chosen." Alberich said to the thief-turned-Herald.
Nyara looked pleadingly at Skif, "I would really like to see them."
Skif smiled at her crookedly and teased, "It's a good think Silverfox's handfasted."
"Silly Herald. We ourselves are married; you don't think that I'd go for someone else after the years I've spent getting to know you, aren't you?"
Alberich watched the other lifebonded couple with amusement. "I'm going to the ekele now. Coming?" The two nodded and followed Alberich out to the Field.
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"Caryo said that there is something you'd like
to tell me. What is it?" the Queen asked Elcarth curiously.
"Actually, Phoenix was the one who wanted to tell you something. She's going to make the wedding costumes for herself and Alberich." Elcarth hesitated.
"I don't see anything wrong with that," then the Queen paused as Elcarth's face betrayed his indecision. "Elcarth, what is it?"
"Well, Phoenix said that the costumes will be in black."
Selenay stared at Elcarth blankly. "Is she crazy?"
"No, don't look at me. I asked the same thing myself. Ask Caryo; your Companion agreed with Kantor and Storm on the designs, so it must be suitable for Alberich."
Selenay remained silent as she communicated with
her Companion. After a while, she let out a sigh. "Somehow, I have the
impression that Phoenix really do understand Alberich in some ways that
we don't. We'll just have to wait till their wedding day to see how they're
dressed up then. Tell her that she can do whatever she wants." Selenay
finally said, shrugging absently. At a single glance, both the Queen and
Elcarth burst out laughing.
*********
"Who is the lucky lady, Weaponmaster?" Nyara asked shyly as they headed towards the ekele.
"Herald Phoenix," Alberich replied shortly.
Skif looked curiously at the Weaponmaster. My God, he's beaming. Nyara furrowed her brows in concentration and looked at her husband, "I recall her name several times, but I don't think I've seen her before, even when we came back to Valdemar."
"You know what ke'chara, I believe you are right. 'Cause I can't really remember which face is attached to the name."
: Still don't believe it. I thought Cymry was just pulling my leg when she told me that Alberich proposed to marry someone. Come on, he doesn't strike me as a man that will fall in love! : He said to Nyara, his Mind-voice tinged with surprise and disbelief.
: When it's bound to happen, it will happen, ashke. :
: Well, yes, but him? I mean, look at him, even just now he frowned at me. How can anyone stand being with someone like well, him? :
: Ashke, stop being so judgmental. You've said yourself, we don't know his lady. We'll just meet her in the ekele and probably we can understand why she could love your solemn Weaponmaster. : She paused for a moment, then confessed to her husband. : Actually, I'm pretty much intimidated by him just now. :
They entered the miniature Vale, and the wonderful smell of baking wafted down from the ekele. Skif exchanged an amused look to Nyara and she shrugged. Gesten looked up at the trio and gave a warm smile when his eyes met Nyara's.
"Hello! It's been a long time since I've seen you," then the hertasi looked at Skif shrewdly. "You're here to see who is the one that managed to catch this one's heart, am I right?" Gesten turned his attention back to his mending, while Skif gave a guilty look at the Weaponmaster. "Make yourself comfortable here. Phoenix is busying herself in the kitchen and Silverfox's with her. Did you meet Firesong on your way? No? Oh well, you would meet him sooner or later."
Alberich quickly removed his riding boots and strode to the kitchen, holding the bottle of wine carefully. The heat of the kitchen hit him full in the face, and watched Phoenix and Silverfox quickly cutting up the dough with biscuit cutters of various shapes and quickly arranged those that were done to the trays. Alberich waited at the threshold of the kitchen until Phoenix came to a pause to wipe the sweat off her face and went to the sink to wash her hands. Alberich moved in swiftly and caught her by the waist and stole a kiss.
"Anyplace where I can keep the wine?" he asked her between kisses.
"Certainly not the kitchen!" Silverfox said, his attention still on his piece of dough.
"Yes, ahey'la he's right," she paused to open a cupboard and got out a deep bowl. She first filled it with water halfway, and Alberich felt a tingling sensation behind his back. Phoenix was using a little magic to freeze the water and then the ice cracked into smaller pieces. She frowned at it for a moment and then motioned him out of the kitchen and went to their bedroom. She was unaware of the two strangers sitting on the couch; but it was all right since Skif and Nyara were also unaware of her presence.
The tingling sensation continued and Alberich shifted his shoulders uncomfortably. Phoenix somehow sensed his uneasiness and reminded him of his sword. I'd forgotten that she had attached a spell, as he unsheathed his sword to find it glowing red dimly. Phoenix held out her hand for the bottle and Alberich gave it to her. Placing the sword back in its sheath, he placed it beside Phoenix's own light-sword and watched her bent over the bottle and its tub.
"The bottle's going to stay cool in there," she said with satisfaction and stood on her toes to hug Alberich and gave him a very chaste kiss on his lips. She paused outside of her room and looked at the strangers curiously, tilting her head instinctively. Alberich Sent a brief Mindtouch to Skif as he turned around to meet Phoenix. No matter that they were strangers, she smiled at them warmly, then looked at Alberich expectantly.
"Phoenix, this is Herald Skif and his lady Nyara. This is Phoenix." Alberich introduced them as Phoenix gave the two a genuine smile.
"Storm, he's my Companion, has told me stories about you. Well, so did Rris."
"Oh, okay. She's awfully little don't you think Alberich? I think I remember her now; she's the girl and the company you brought back from Horn," Skif peered curiously at her eyes, as Phoenix looked archly back at Skif.
"It's not my fault I'm born to grow short. And its just my luck that most guys here are so damn tall," she replied acidly to Skif, while Nyara looked at them with an amused smile.
"You have a good taste Alberich. But as for you choosing him, lady, I hope to hell that you can manage…" Skif told her dubiously.
"If you had known for how long I've been pining for him, you would burst out laughing for two straight weeks. Ask Talia. Now that I think about it, Keenath probably notice that I've been bursting at the seams; taking every opportunity to look at this fellow for years, so did Firesong," Phoenix smiled thoughtfully. Alberich raised an eyebrow at her.
"Keenath doesn't seem terribly surprised when he spied on us that night," Phoenix explained. Skif was about to respond when Nyara pinched him painfully at his thighs. Phoenix looked at Nyara and both the women winked. Phoenix went back to the kitchen just in time to take the cookies out of the oven.
"Silverfox, Skif and Nyara are here," Alberich told the kestra'chern. Silverfox looked up at him with a smile.
"I had wondered whose voices I heard, you can tell them I'm just about done; I'll join them later." Silverfox said, putting on the last batch of cookies. Phoenix prepared fruit punch for the guests and used a little magic to make the drinks chilled.
"Ahey'la, do you mind? I have to clean up the kitchen for a bit and then I'm going to bathe."
Alberich took the tray of drinks from her and gave her a kiss on her lips. Silverfox shook his head at their display of affection and Phoenix made a face at the kestra'chern. Then she set about arranging the baked cookies into a container while Silverfox helped to wash the utensils they had used. While the two in the kitchen was busily cleaning up the kitchen, Firesong came back to the ekele with Kerowyn and Eldan. The three brought with them several baskets, presumably items for the party.
Kero sat down cross-legged on the floor, declining to sit on a spare stool Gesten handed her.
"Everyone seems unready to believe that you have a lover," Kero said to Alberich. Alberich muttered a curse under his breath and got an amused chuckle from her.
"And it also seems that Elspeth herself has got
here just to see if the rumors are true."
