Chapter 38 At Least They Were Married
Usual disclaimers: The characters are owned by a lot of people and not me, with the exception of a bear and paladin-lovin' ranger and an occasional NPC.
Once they reached their chamber, Bevil and Katriona helped Dee and Casavir unfasten the buckles so they could remove their armor and store it on their armor racks. Since Dee had been wearing her elven chain shirt and a coif, she was out of her armor first. Though there was only a skeleton staff remaining at the Keep, the wash tub had been half filled with lukewarm water with two extra buckets alongside waiting for the Captain's return. Dee stripped off her gambeson and boots then dropped to her haunches beside Casavir's chest and chose his forest green doublet and black trewes. She held them up, looking at Casavir quizzically. Katriona thought how the two of them looked and acted like they had been married forever.
Casavir nodded as Bevil unfastened the last strap on his breastplate. "Yes, thank you, my love. I was thinking of wearing that too. Perhaps I should take one of the buckets and wash in the solar to save time?" Dee pulled out clean small clothes, socks, and a fine linen shirt and added them to the pile. Bevil and Katriona didn't look as if they had any intention of leaving though Bevil looked uncomfortable and suggested they wait in the hall when Dee put the screen between the tub and them.
Dee handed Casavir a stack of towels and washcloths. "Mrs. Fairfax's room is empty. You could wash and change there and it wouldn't be as hot."
"Good thinking, love. I'll be right back." Casavir gave her a peck on the cheek, picked up the bucket and looped his weapon belt over his shoulder. Dee handed his clean clothes and his good boots to Bevil, who took that as his cue to follow. Once the door shut she quickly stripped off her clothes, which were still damp with sweat, and bathed using the rosemary soap Casavir loved as she and the woman she realized she didn't know very well, but who was about to marry her oldest friend, made small talk. Katriona, serving as a lady's maid, poured the last bucket over her head then handed her a towel.
As Dee dried off a loud, stacatto knock sounded at the door, and Neeshka shook the latch and wailed impatiently from the other side, "Deeeeee, what's going on? Wolf said you're getting married? Tonight? Let me in!" Katriona rolled her eyes as she opened the door for her and explained, eliciting excited squealing and hopping up and down by the tiefling.
Dee threw open her trunk and tore through the contents, regretting giving away her best bodice in a maudlin moment. She considered the black one, but it was too hot for it even at night. The closest thing to a gown she had was the white linen robe Sand had bought her for her trial. She held it up and considered it for a moment then shook her head and set it aside.
Katriona, who had been standing leaning against the table with her arms crossed waiting with restrained impatience, suddenly became very interested as Dee examined the white robe. She walked over and rubbed the fabric between her thumb and index finger. "You're not going to wear this? What a fine weave. It's a very simple cut, but the whitework embroidery on the sleeves and along the hem really makes it quite pretty. Brides in my village oftentimes wore plain white robes or gowns to their weddings, and a few wore only their best chemises. Our headman was a priest of Torm from the Moonshaes who brought the custom with him. He said white symbolized innocence and purity."
Dee shrugged as she laced up Casavir's favorite small clothes and Neeshka took over digging through her trunk, holding up things for her opinion. "Innocence and purity. I think that was Sand's intent when he chose it. Brides in West Harbor usually wore their best clothes. I knew a few who bartered their handicrafts they had worked on all year for cloth when a merchant passed through so they could make themselves a special dress to set aside for their weddings, but that was rare, and even then it wasn't for wearin' one time only, just somethin' new. Most Harbormen were too practical. Last wedding I went to, the bride was helping with the cooking for the wedding feast and forgot she was wearing her apron when it came time for the ceremony, so she got married in it. She said, 'So what, 'tis my good apron.'" Dee chuckled at the memory.
Katriona was still looking longingly at the robe as Neeshka handed Dee her black silk leggings and a long green tunic. Dee noticed Katriona's expression as she wiggled into the leggings and her sergeant's words (and the hint implied) seeped into her brain past her preoccupation with getting herself dressed. "Would you like to borrow it?"
Katriona gasped in surprise. "Me? Wear it? Oh yes, but I don't have time to change," though a heartbeat later she began stripping off her sergeant's uniform.
Neeshka helped her put it on and observed as Dee tied the lacing on her tunic, "Green and black. You're going to match Casavir."
Dee ran a brush through her wet pale hair, twisted and pinned it into a small, messy bun. "No time for paint," she replied firmly to a disappointed Neeshka, who had pulled out Dee's paint box as Katriona was adjusting the belt on the robe and draping it so she, being was several inches shorter than Dee, could walk without tripping. But Katriona was astonishingly voluptuous out of her armor though she had the hard-muscled arms and shoulders of a warrior, and her curves took up some of the slack in the gown. Dee pulled on her dress boots and strapped her sword belt back on to comply with her decree that no one set foot outside their chambers unarmed. She paused and looked at herself in the mirror, loosening the lacing on at the neck of the tunic and wishing for more cleavage but deciding it would have to do.
Neeshka pouted. "Oh come on, at least let me put some kohl around your eyes. Your lashes are so pale. It won't take me but a minute. Then let me borrow it. I think Bishop stole all of mine."
Dee glanced at Katriona, who was still examining herself in the mirror and adjusting the robe, loosening the drawstring at the neck so she could wear it off her shoulders. "Oh alright, just a bit."
They sat at the table on either side of the tiefling with Dee's paint box in the middle. Neeshka deftly drew neat black lines on Dee's eyelids then did the same for Katriona and added a touch of red to their cheeks. She pulled a few tendrils loose from Dee's bun so they hung down around her face. Dee glanced at the door as she removed her spectacles, trying to decide whether the occasion warranted the vanity of going without them. "I wonder what's keeping the men? Surely he didn't take longer to dress than I did." She folded her spectacles and put them in their case on her dresser as vanity won out over practicality.
Just then in answer to her question she heard Nevalle's voice from the next room through the fireplace responding curtly to a knock, "Yes, what is it?" Whoever he was talking to was still on the other side of the door. She heard him say after a minute, "Very well, I'll be there presently, but don't wait on my account." Dee realized Casavir must have gone to let Nevalle know. She smiled thinking how lucky she was to get such a considerate man who remembered to make sure Nevalle didn't feel slighted. Just then Bevil knocked on their door and announced they were ready.
Dee grinned at Katriona as Neeshka stained her lips crimson. "Are we ready?" She was struck as she watched Neeshka finish Katriona's face with a dusting of white powder by how much her sergeant reminded her of a delicate porcelain doll she had seen for sale in the Merchant Quarter. She bore little resemblance to the hardened warrior who entered the room a short time ago.
Katriona shook out the folds of the robe a last time and reluctantly strapped on her sword belt. "Oh I've been ready for a tenday." Neeshka clasped her hands, uttered one more long high-pitched squeal and added a hop for good measure.
Dee leaned close to Katriona and whispered, "I was thinkin'...my housekeeper's room will be more private than your room in the barracks if you want to stay there tonight. Bevil knows where it is." This was welcome news because the female sergeants all had private rooms since there were fewer of them, but Bevil shared his with another sergeant, and the interior walls in the barracks were deliberately built thin to allow the sergeants to listen for anything going on at night that shouldn't be. With the farmers and others who stayed behind moving into the Keep proper, private space was at a premium, and this was the most welcome wedding present the Captain could have offered them.
Katriona blushed and whispered back as Neeshka opened the door, "Thanks. I'll tell Bevil. That way I don't have to worry about us waking Light-of-Heavens sleeping in the next room." She had a good working relationship with her fellow sergeant, but she was convinced after a few tentative conversations about men in general (being too shy to mention Bevil specifically) that the aasimar was completely asexual.
Bevil stared in astonishment as they walked out and stammered, "Kat? I...I hardly recognize you. You're beautiful!" He flushed, realizing too late how that might have sounded. "I mean, you're beautiful, you've always been beautiful, but now you're even more beautiful..." He flushed crimson but wisely shut up after she muttered a terse "thanks" before he dug himself in deeper. He took her arm and led her to the stairs.
Dee noticed that Casavir had taken the time to shave too. He put his arms around her waist as she put hers around his neck and pulled her close kissing her softly. He drew back and looked at her, his eyes shining with love. "I must concur with Bevil. You define beauty, my lady. Shall we?" He offered her his arm, which she took, leaning close and nuzzling his smooth cheek. As much as she wanted him to grow a beard, she loved how soft his face was right after he shaved. Though he had washed, enough of his particular scent remained behind. To her he smelled like a man should smell, and she took a long, appreciative sniff as they walked down the stairs.
Sir Nevalle stepped out of Lord Nasher's room as Neeshka shut Dee's door, fastening the button on the top of his doublet. Neeshka slipped up to him and seized his arm, her tail waving saucily as Nevalle glanced moodily once more at the door he had just exited. She grinned up at him. "I guess that makes you my date."
Nevalle grunted. "Indeed. So it seems." While the news that the bridges were destroyed was a most welcome relief, this had not been the best of evenings. As he expected, Lord Nasher had thoroughly enjoyed the attentions of Leather, the boy from the festhall, who came back from the kitchen with his shirt open to the waist, showing off his smooth, taut body. He flirted shamelessly as he fed Lord Nasher soup, being so bold as to lick off a few drops that ran down his chin. When Nevalle returned from meeting with the Captain and Kana, the boy was giving Nasher a sponge bath, and Nevalle had to remind him (and Nasher) that their lord was still weak from his ordeal.
He hadn't realized how annoying the boy's prattle about Sharess was, distracting him from going through documents the courier had brought from Neverwinter, until that moment when he wasn't on the receiving end of his ministrations. The final straw was when Nasher called his name to get his attention and broke his train of though as he had nearly finished a tedious report. He asked, "Gilles, doesn't Leather look remarkably like you at nineteen?" Nevalle was nearly apoplectic with jealousy, though he wasn't altogether sure of which one he was more jealous.
He certainly didn't need the reminder that he was no longer young. While he knew he was considered handsome and could have his choice of lovers, his hair was thinning, requiring a regular visit to a discreet hair stylist who could cast a cantrip to fill in the bald spot at his crown and restore its golden luster. If not for constant training he suspected he would by now have a paunch like his elder brothers. And he had a few lines etched across his forehead and around the corners of his eyes from too much fighting in the sun and too much worry about Nasher that the smooth-browed boy was free of. He knew it was his own fault for summoning him to care for his Lord, his love, knowing perfectly well Leather was his type. Had he made the mistake of introducing his replacement? Would Nasher do that to him after all they had been to each other?
If Torio Claven had still been at the Keep he would have sought her out and consoled himself in her company. It was rare that he met a woman he could truly share his feelings with like he could with her; he realized then how much he missed their talks and games of chess. He supposed he even missed the sex. He had half a mind to marry her if Nasher agreed to a political marriage alliance. It occurred to him that she would serve as the perfect comeuppance for his mother as well. The only problem was he knew he didn't love her, he loved Nasher, and he knew himself well enough to know he could never be content with or faithful to any woman. He had decided he needed to stop brooding, to get out of this room and away from the two of them stretched out on the bed whispering and looking in his direction. As he was about make an excuse that he wanted to view the troops from the wall so he could go for a walk to clear his head, Casavir knocked at the door and gave him a better excuse to escape.
He was contemplating going to stay in his tower tonight to put more space between them as he and Neeshka were about to walk away when the door was opened by Leather, who stood off to the side not meeting his eyes but murmuring "I'm sorry," as Nasher called from his bed, "Gilles, my dear...you are coming back soon?"
He hesitated only for a moment, the time it took for his jealousy and resentment to evaporate like a puddle of water at highsun on Midsummer day. "Of course, Nash. I shall return as soon as I have done my duty to my cousin."
Neeshka poked him with her tail and jerked him towards the stairs, showing, in his opinion, a vulgar lack of deference for his rank and station. She growled, her eyes glowing like hot coals, "Come along, we're going to miss it!"
When they arrived at the festhall, the small shrine in the basement had been set up outside because so many of the Keep's residents had gathered as word spread like wildfire. It was a beautiful late summer evening though, and the silvery light cast by the full moon was bright enough to read by, as if Selune had forced back the gathering gloom just for this night.
Wolf had met with mixed success in locating their company. Dee was happy to see Daeghun next to Elanee and Naloth, Cillian, and Sand. Khelgar was near them standing in the middle of a semi-circle of Ironfists, including Khalia the Red, who stood just off his right shoulder watching their king like a warrior sizing up an opponent, which to was the same look a dwarven woman had as she considered a man as a partner. As they passed them Dee detected the slightest shift in Khelgar's eyes in the dwarven woman's direction in acknowledgment. Zhjaeve was sitting cross-legged on the ground next to the Lizardmen's shaman, both curious to observe the human ritual. Grobnar was already providing atmosphere strumming his lute softly accompanied by the girl who had recently become his protege. Ammon Jerro was also there though standing apart from the others, his arms folded across his chest and wearing his perpetual scowl. Qara also stood apart looking bored, but Bishop was nowhere to be seen.
Kana did a double-take and ran over to give Katriona an uncharacteristic hug as they walked up and exclaimed that she nearly hadn't recognized her. Dee noticed those of Wolf's crew who hadn't evacuated in the back trying to look inconspicuous along with the rest of her off-duty 'Cloaks and household staff. Orlen and his sons were there with them. Maisie, formerly Jons, and Jalboun were absent, but that wasn't surprising since they had been the first ones married that afternoon. Instead one of the other entertainers, one of the twins from Cormyr, was acting as the Celebrant and had just finished the ceremony for a Greycloak, who married one of the cooks. The young priestess was waiting at the altar dressed in a flimsy sheer deep purple robe that matched her hair (which had been colored with a Paint cantrip courtesy of her sister), smiling at them and beckoning them forward, while her sister sat on a large satin cushion acting as scribe with a tablet of hemp paper and an enchanted quill which took down her words.
As they were approaching the altar, Brother Ivarr, followed by one of his acolytes, trudged across the street carrying a small stone symbol of Tyr on a folding table. He jerked his thumb at Casavir as he addressed the young priestess. "If you don't mind, Sister, this lad is one of ours, so I'll see to marryin' him and our Captain."
Bevil and Katriona went first while Brother Ivarr set up his makeshift altar. Dee and Orlen came forward and stood as witnesses for Bevil, swearing before the gods his name, age, and eligibility for marriage and then signing on the parchment, while Kana and Casavir performed the same service for Katriona. The priestess looked down at her list to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything then barked, "Vows!" Bevil jumped, then took Katriona's hands and flushed again. "Kat, I love you with all my heart and soul. You are everything I could hope to find in a wife. That's about it."
Katriona smiled as she stroked his hot cheek. "Bevil, I vow to take you with all your strengths and faults just as you are, as I offer myself to be yours with all my strengths and faults, just as I am."
Dee nudged Orlen and whispered that Katriona sounded like a Harborman already. The priestess raised her hands to the sky invoking her goddess and called on the community to bear witness to their love for one another. Everyone cheered heartily, and with a giggle she pronounced them husband and wife. "Now kiss!" It was more a command than a request, but they didn't appear to mind. They shared a passionate kiss before accepting hugs and congratulations for a few minutes then stepping aside so Dee and Casavir could take their turn when Brother Ivarr cleared his throat loudly and announced he was ready.
Brother Ivarr motioned them forward then had them kneel before the symbol of Tyr. He delivered a brief sermon during which he admonished them to strive to build a home together founded on love, compassion, and understanding, and never to let the day end while there was yet anger or resentment between them. Bevil, Neeshka, and Daeghun came forward when called and stood witness for Dee, and Khelgar, Nevalle, and Katriona did the same for Casavir. Brother Farrin then had them sign the certificate, which he said would be copied for them later, with the original being stored in the temple archives. Cillian broke away from Elanee and came up and nuzzled Dee as she finished signing, and Casavir leaned over and whispered something that caused her to elbow him lightly in the side and exclaim, "That was bad!"
Casavir had rejected his grandfather's family name when his grandfather rejected him, just as his father had done years before when he took the working-class name 'Carver,' which was better suited to the village of stone workers where he chose to raise his family. Since Casavir's induction into the Order of the Knights of the Merciful Sword, he had been known simply as 'Casavir of Tyr.' While he and Dee had talked about creating a new family name, they hadn't found one that suited both of them, so they signed the names they had used for years.
Brother Ivarr commanded them to kneel again for the exchange of vows. They clasped hands and turned to gaze into each other's eyes. Casavir remarkably remembered nearly every word he had spoken to her on the wall. Dee mused wryly that he must have rehearsed his words so much while he was working up the nerve to give voice to them that he had committed them to memory.
On the other hand, Dee had only had less than an hour to think of hers. She sent a silent prayer to Mihil then turned her most dazzling smile on him. "Casavir, you are my dearest friend and my love. You strengthen me with your calm wisdom; I know much of the growin' up I've done since we met has been due to your gentle guidance. You refresh me like a cool breeze when I feel weary. You are my dream of a future. I love your laughter and your silly jokes that make me smile when I'm feeling the weight of my duty." She turned her head to address those attending. "Just now when Cillian came forward Cas leaned over and whispered, 'Perhaps Cillian wants to bear witness as well.' You see what I have to put up with?" She turned back to face him gave his hands an affectionate squeeze. "But I must admit I love your puns. Oh Cas, I pray that our life together will be one of joy. I pledge my heart to you, to be as faithful to you as you are to Tyr."
Brother Ivarr nodded solemnly as she finished. "That will do. Now have you a token of the vows you have made that you would like to exchange?"
Dee looked perplexed, and when she met Casavir's eyes, she saw he had forgotten this part of the ceremony as well. She had been working on a silver dining dagger for him for the wedding in the fall but hadn't had time to fit it to the hilt. On impulse she pulled off the plain gold ring she wore on her left index finger and held it out to him in her palm. Casavir smiled and did the same as he had forgotten to ask Neeshka for the silver flask he had bought for her gift and had Neeshka hide. They slipped their rings on one another's index fingers, and the rings, which bore the same healing enchantment, flared red for a moment before they became plain gold bands again. With that, Brother Ivarr declared in his booming voice that could fill the temple on the god's day, "Let it be known that here at Crossroads Keep on this tenth day of Elesias, commonly called Highsun, Lady Dierdre Farlong and Casavir of Tyr are married." They leaned closer and exchanged a chaste kiss.
Brother Ivarr smirked at the young priestess. "See, that's how you conduct a proper weddin' ceremony." He ignored her reply of sticking her tongue out at him as he turned to pack up his things.
After they stood Casavir pulled Dee close for another soft kiss then whispered, "Tenth of Elesias, three days before your birthday. At least I'll never forget our anniversary."
She chuckled, laying her head against his chest and looking up to meet his eyes. "As if you would ever forget. I know you too well, love."
Sir Nevalle was the first after Brother Ivarr to offer his congratulations, whispering to Dee after he kissed her cheek, "I'm going to hold you to that formal ceremony in the fall, cousin." With his duty to his kinsman fulfilled, he stepped aside for Neeshka and retreated to Lord Nasher's chamber.
Neeshka gave them affectionate hugs, not even flinching away from Casavir. Behind her came Daeghun, Elanee, and Sand. Daeghun clasped Casavir's hand and welcomed him then let Dee throw her arms around him, even returning the embrace. He drew back to look at her and swallowed hard, thinking how quickly she had grown from a little girl hunting for lizards under rocks in the garden to the woman standing before him, before he even noticed. Elanee, as if sensing his growing melancholy, lay a soft hand on his arm and led him away, knowing instinctively where his thoughts led—that in no time at all he would have to watch his foster daughter as well as her children grow old and die.
Cillian nuzzled Dee as she and Casavir ruffled his fur, understanding in animal terms that his bonded had formed a pack with the dark furred one, though he thought they had done that long ago during the cold time. He didn't understand the need to form a pack much less the need to do it twice, but he accepted it and him for the sake of his bonded.
About that time the priestess bellowed, "Next! Step aside!" and they went to stand next to Bevil and Katriona so the last couple could take their place before the altar. They exchanged brief hugs, and Katriona promised to return the robe in the morning.
Bevil pushed his thick unruly sandy hair back from his forehead and grinned at Dee. "I still can't believe we're both married." He looked at the ground. "I only wish Ma could have been here to see it."
Dee squeezed his hand. "I believe she's watchin' over you, Bev, and I'm sure she would've loved Katriona and welcomed her like a daughter."
Neeshka bounded over like an excited puppy and admonished, "You just got married! I can't believe you're still here! Why are you still here exactly? Don't you have something better you could be doing?"
Casavir put his arm around Dee's waist, pulling her close. "Neeshka's right. According to Tyrran law, a marriage is not considered valid until it has been consummated." He flushed crimson as he added, "And I'm certain the same is more true of Sharessan law, if there is such a thing." With everyone blushing furiously now, they headed for the Keep proper at as fast a pace as was not likely to alarm the guards.
On the way up the stairs Katriona remembered that she was on duty the next morning, so she hesitantly asked if it wouldn't be better if she collected her uniform now. Casavir opened the door and stood aside for them to enter as Cillian pushed past them to stretch out on the rug. The shutters and heavy curtains that blocked out the heat of the day had been opened, giving them a spectacular view of the moon. The household staff had been busy in their absence, setting the table with candles and roses gathered from the festhall's garden, and their supper awaited them in covered dishes. The delicious smell washed over them like a wave as soon as they stepped inside, and their stomachs rumbled as neither of them had eaten since before they left for the bridges.
Dee took a big whiff. "I guess they figured we wouldn't be comin' down to supper." As much as she had wanted to gently push Bevil and Katriona out the door then throw Casavir down on the bed, the tantalizing aroma made her mouth water and distracted her from her other appetite.
Casavir was hungry too, but he would never admit it if she didn't first. "Indeed, they know us quite well. You must be famished, my lady...my wife." Katriona hastily gathered her things as Casavir pulled the cork from a bottle of sparkling wine and poured them both a glass. Dee kicked off her boots and watched Katriona looking around for something she had dropped and suppressed a sigh as she debated about whether they should ask them to stay for supper. She glanced over at Bevil, who stood by the door waiting for his bride shifting from foot to foot anxiously. Dee knew that a few hasty, clumsy encounters with Aime in the Starling's barn and one night when Dee let them borrow her room while Daeghun was away was the extent of Bevil's experience.
She caught the nervous glance that Katriona gave him as she fumbled with the pile of clothing, nearly dropping it again and guessed correctly that she had even less experience than Bevil. Dee took the bottle from the table and passed it to Katriona and walked her to Bevil. "Here's something for you two to celebrate with. Sorry we don't have extra glasses." They took the subtle hint that they should leave. Katriona muttered her thanks and handed it to Bevil as Dee walked them out the door and to their bridal chamber.
She returned and shut and locked the door and threw herself against it, muttering dramatically, "Alone, at last!" Casavir smirked at her. He had removed the covers from the porcelain serving dishes, revealing a supper of grilled trout and summer squash and potatoes. He had removed his boots and his doublet and hung it on the back of his chair. Dee walked over and filled their plates. She handed him his plate and gave him a kiss as he pulled the ties loose on his shirt to open it, smiling rakishly. She took a couple of big bites then set her fork down, pulled her tunic over her head and wiggled out of her leggings. She moved her chair closer and sat back down in her small clothes and picked up her fork. "Two can play that game, my love."
He arched an eyebrow and reached over to take the hand she wasn't using to eat with and entwined his fingers with hers. They ate silently for a few minutes, giving almost all their attention to quenching their hunger. Dee said between bites as she devoured her fish with about as much delicacy as Cillian would have, "This is so good. I was starving, husband, and from the look of your plate, you were too." She chuckled, getting used to the newness of the term. "Husband...my husband..."
He looked up from devouring his potatoes, his eyes twinkling merrily. "Yes, my wife?," giving her hand a squeeze then putting his fork down. He traced his hand across her skin along the delicate ruffled lace at the neckline of her camisole then sat back, pulling his shirt over his head and tossing it on the floor. "I believe it is your move, my love." He winked then made short work of the rest of his supper, leaving little behind for Cillian.
She distracted him when she raked her free hand through the dark hair across his chest, and he gasped as she stroked his leg from his ankle up to his thigh with her bare foot. Dee chuckled at his reaction. "Do you like that, husband? Just promise me one thing—that we'll never start callin' one another 'ma' and 'pa.'" She sopped up the buttery sauce with a piece of oat bread and wolfed it down as her foot caressed his thigh.
He wrinkled his nose in distaste. "That's an easy promise to keep, my love, but what's worse to me is couples who call one another 'mother' and 'father.' I detest that." Casavir shuddered as she reached a sensitive spot. He wiped his mouth on his napkin then lifted the lid from the last dish. "Blueberry cobbler. Would you like some?" He reached for the serving spoon, but his eyes betrayed his hope that she would decline.
Dee folded her napkin primly and lay it on her plate and leaned back smiling at him seductively. "Later, mayhap, when we've worked up an appetite. Or it could be breakfast too."
He chuckled. "I was hoping you would say that. Shall we?" He didn't wait for her to respond. In a flash he had disentangled himself from her leg and was up out of his chair and at her side. He offered her a mock formal bow, took her hand and kissed the back of it then drew her to her feet and took her in his arms for a long, passionate kiss. She put her arms around him and leaned into him, returning the kiss with just as much passion. He swept her up into his arms and carried her to their bed, where they wasted no time in fulfilling the terms of their covenant.
Nasher stirred and looked towards the fireplace, distracted from caressing Nevalle's shoulder and upper arm as his attention was captured by the creaking sound on the other side of it. "Do they realize we can hear nearly everything? That bed sounds as if it's about to break. Your cousin seems to be quite vigorous. It must run in the family."
Nevalle raised his head and looked towards the fireplace. "It is their wedding night, and they're at that blessed state where they're in love enough that they're still in lust." He lay back beside him, caressing his chest. "Pity you're not well enough that I can remind you how vigorous I can be."
Nasher turned his head and eyed the boy, who had been banished to the divan. "Perhaps you can yet, my dear."
Dee and Casavir kissed and lay back caressing one another for a few minutes until exhaustion overtook them and they fell asleep in one another's arms. Her sleep had hardly been disturbed by dreams at all since her talk with Brother Ivarr, as if giving voice to them was enough to drive the fears from her mind. She did sometimes awaken still feeling as if someone was watching her, but Sand felt she was probably right and not just being paranoid. He had promised he would research spells that would protect her from being scryed by Black Garius or the Luskans, for who else could it be?
But she dreamed this night. She and Casavir were eating at a picnic spread out on a thick green blanket covered with exotic symbols. Dee didn't recognize the terrain nor a few of the trees, but Neeshka was there along with a stranger who was handsome despite his unusual blue skin. Then she was running through a ruin calling for Casavir, but she couldn't find her love. The people she met were unable or unwilling to help. Cillian was growling at something she couldn't see. A loud pounding pulled her back from the dream, nagging at her until she heeded it.
She blinked awake. Cillian was growling at the door. Someone was pounding at her door, and Casavir awakened too and sat upright as one of the guards shouted "Captain, wake up!"
She sat up squinting at the window at the position of the moon and replied, "What is it? It can't be much past midnight." Casavir reached over and raised the sides on the magic lantern, causing them to blink at the sudden brightness.
"Kana sent me for you. The scouts say the enemy is nearly here, Captain!" She could hear the near panic in his voice.
She and Casavir looked at each other, and she whispered, "How?" But there was no time to speculate how or when or why they hadn't been spotted until now. They were out of bed in an instant fumbling for clothes. She shouted through the door as she put on her spectacles, "Very well. Have Kana sound the alarm and tell her we will meet in the War Room. And send one of the other guards in here to help arm Casavir." The man's footfalls echoed down the hallway as he hastened away to obey her commands. She turned to Casavir as she pulled the tunic over her head, looking like she was going to be sick. "This is it, isn't it."
Casavir caught her into a fierce embrace. "I'm afraid so. Go on, my heart. I'll bring your armor bag to the War Room once I'm armed. But give me a kiss before you go." They shared a heartfelt kiss as if they might never be able to kiss again, then she and Cillian ran out the door with her boots under her arm.
Nevalle opened the door as she and Cillian stepped out, having hastily dressed and not even bothering with the disorder of his hair. He looked as if he had even less sleep then they had gotten. "I heard the guard. I'll help Casavir, then we'll be right there."
"Thanks, Gilles." She sprinted towards the stairs followed by Cillian as Nevalle entered her room and Leather followed him with Nevalle's own armor bag.
Jerro and Zhjaeve were already in the War Room when she arrived. She sat and pulled on her boots as Kana marched in. Neeshka walked in, looking like she hadn't slept at all, and plopped into a chair. A movement in the shadows near the rear door caught Dee's eye, and she recognized Bishop by his posture. What was he doing back there though? She told Cillian to stay at the table and walked up to him while she waited for the others to arrive. "You got here fast. Are you going to join us?"
He met her eyes for only a heartbeat before he looked away. "War is comin'."
Well that was obvious, but she resisted the urge to say so. "Yeah, it is. I could use your bow on the wall, Bish." He refused to meet her eyes, and she smelled that acrid smell again that made her wrinkle her nose.
He looked down as he ruffled Karnwyr's fur. "If you're smart, you'll get out before it gets here. I could get you out. We could get to somewhere safe."
She snorted. "You're not serious, Bish. Even if I could, you know I can't go anywhere, and I won't either. These people are depending on me."
He sneered and met her eyes as he put his hand on her arm. "Thesepeople. They're a weight around your neck, Captain. They're dragging you down. All your devotion to them is gonna get you is a grave and maybe a statue in the courtyard. I say we get out of here tonight. Leave this to his holiness. He's the martyr. I...I don't want to see you die."
"Don't call him that!" She scowled at him as he cursed in response. "I know you hate him, but Cas and I were married tonight. I won't have you insulting my husband."
"Married?" For a heartbeat he looked as if she had struck him, and then he recovered his air of disdain. "Congratulations, sweetheart. Looks like a marriage that's going to be more executed than celebrated though."
Dee wrinkled her nose again. Suddenly she knew what she smelled—fear. She suppressed a sigh. "Bish, get away, far away, and save yourself then. As for me, yeah, I'm scared, but I've come to peace with my destiny."
She turned her back on him to walk to her place at the table, offering him a tempting target. His hand slid to the hilt of the dagger she made him where it rested for a heartbeat. Not that he was going to get her out, even if he could set ten yards outside the Keep before the Geas overtook him. No, that was a dream. He had thought he could take her to Garius, though a small part of him hoped she would have smiled at him and let him lead her away. She might be payment enough for Garius to let him go. But she wouldn't go willingly; she would have to be unconscious or dead. He cursed again and was out the door before any more of the fools arrived. He had found a place to lay low until it was time to make his move. He had only one more task for Black Garius, and he would be free, and he knew after his inspection this afternoon just how to do it.