[Mkguild] Misha and Caroline's Wedding part 2

[cokane8116 at aol.com]

Thou art formally invited to the wedding of

 

Misha Brightleaf Knight Commander of the Order of the Axeand Bow

 

and

 

Caroline Harding of the Order of the Axe and Bow, Daughterof Will Hardy, Jeweler to the Keep of Metamor

 

 

This noontide of June 21, 708 Christos Reckoning atLaracin's Courtyard

 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

To saythe Valley was hopping was no indication at all of the commotion for thewedding. Not since Duke Thomas's wedding had such preparations been made! Mishahad been busy for the last month ensuring things got prepared. Not the least ofwhich was helping the small town of Aldenburgh prepare for the oncomingvisitors--which might well feel more like invaders! Aldenburgh was located notjust a mile southwest of Llancarfan. It was east of Lanton, west of Laselle,and the only place in the region friendly to Keepers. Misha wanted it to staythat way!

 

When he'dsent his invitations out, Misha had made sure his brother Brian wasn't going tosteal the spotlight--not an easy task! Kelrag was invited and he'd planned tobring a small contingent of lutins. It was not an easy situation, but iflasting peace in the north was going to be had, Kelrag was necessary to secureit. If lutins could learn they'd get better from trades than raids...

 

Hisship's clock was ready for Phil, as were the instructions. Phil was hoping toattend but wasn't sure about it. He was definitely sending representatives withsome gifts, one of whom he mentioned would be of interest to both Misha andWhisper. The man's name was Arcas, and he had the Hammer Henbi-shnut!

Chapter1: Candid Conversation

 

Sometime in 707

 

It wasnot late in Long House, but most people had retired for the evening. Only theguards moved about on their rounds. It left the complex quiet.

 

"So,what does that bring the count up to?" Caroline asked. She was with Mishain the rooms they shared in Long House.

 

"Only175 close guests." Misha was seated next to her at a large desk. The deskwas piled high with papers and messages of all sorts.

 

“ONLY?"She asked. "What do you mean by ‘close guests’?"

 

"Immediatefamily and close friends,” Misha explained. “I’m not done with all the otherslike casual friends.”

 

"So,we can expect a lot more friends to just show up?"

 

Helaughed. "Everyone within a hundred miles is sure to show up. Whether weinvite them or not.”

 

"Weinvited everyone. Including the Lutins!"

 

"Ifigure somewhere around 200 more people we will have come.”

 

"Wecan’t feed and house that many!" she said.

 

Mishashook his head. "We don’t need to. Perhaps some entertainment and somedrink."

 

“We canhire street performers,” she said.

 

“That canwork! A bigger question is where are we going to house 175 people?” Misha askedout loud.

Chapter2: Going to Town

 

SirTalfrey Atherburr had not expected this problem. As the Feudal lord of the townof Aldenburgh he had long ago accepted that things were quiet here. He likedthat. The most difficult thing he usually had to do was judge the occasionaldrunk and the petty disputes of his people. But the issue for today trulyamazed him.

 

Seatedacross the table from him were an otter and a fox. Both were those cursedpeople many were now calling morphs. They were well-dressed and the otter had agood-sized sword in a sheath on her belt. The fox only had a dagger. It didn’tmean he wasn’t armed; it meant Talfrey just couldn’t see it.

 

Theknight bowed to the couple. “It is both a pleasure and an honor to meet you.”

 

Mishanodded his head. "It's a pleasure to meet you Sir Atherburr! We know thismust come as a great surprise, but we need your help."

 

"Iam honored to have such an esteemed group of visitors. How can I be ofhelp?"

 

"Carolineand I are to be wed this Midsummer and we are expecting a large amount ofguests." "Most of these guests are still human, but they may be herea fortnight or more," said Caroline.

 

"Andyou want to rent some of my town’s buildings?" He asked, a bit confused.

 

"Yes.We need somewhere for people to stay outside the Curse," said Misha. 

 

"Thereshouldn't be trouble," Caroline was quick to add, "but both Midtownand Lasselle are going to be filled, and we know there will be other peopleneeding a place to stay." 

 

"Wetried Lanton, but Baron Grenier was less than cooperative."

 

"Grenieris a self-serving fool," Talfrey commented. "He's too ambitious forhis own good."

 

The twonodded in agreement "That's why we came to you. Your town is ideallyplaced for anyone coming up from Menth, which will likely include Phil, Clover,and their retinue," said Caroline. "Some of my family may be comingthis way too," said Misha, "though thankfully not my brotherBrian."

 

"Oh?Something wrong with your brother? Kin of yours is always welcome here."

 

"Thatis very kind of you, but Brian is a grandstander," said Misha. "Iwouldn't inflict him on anyone except maybe Nasoj. He's liable to come throughwith a magical circus."

 

Theknight laughed. "I know that kind of person. I have an aunt like that, anyvisit of hers is a grand adventure!"

 

"Shealways has to have the attention."

 

Misha andCaroline laugh. "Oh he's an adventure alright!" said Misha. "Andjust like your aunt that way. We're already imposing on your hospitality bywanting to rent out the town to help. I don't want to cause strain becauseBrian's brought dancing pink elephants or Eli knows what with him."

 

Helaughed. "What do you need from me and my people? How places do you needto rent?"

 

"Uh,well, everything? I think?"

 

"Everything?You mean the entire town?" He asked incredulously.

 

"Yeah.If you and your people are willing," said Caroline. "We don't knowwho might come here and what might happen." 

 

"We'renot expecting anyone to cause trouble," said Misha, "but accidentshappen and I'd rather make sure you and your people feel safe andcomfortable."

 

"Wehave been dealing with Metamor for a long time," the knight answered."I seriously doubt there could be anything that happens we cannot handle.”

 

Mishanodded his head in approval. “Good. Then let’s talk numbers and prices.”

Chapter3: A Meal Fit For a Fox

 

The LongHouse was usually a quiet place. It was a small complex and the residents werealways about on their tasks. Still, most of the rooms were quiet most of theday. But one place was never truly quiet or empty of life. The Kitchen. It wasalways busy. Regardless of the time of day or night there was always someonethere. During the day they were making or serving meals. But late at night andinto the early morning there were usually at least one or two people there,preparing for the next day’s meals.

 

In chargeof this place and those who worked there was a middle-aged black bear morphnamed Mirriam Lakewood. She had been a head cook in one of Metamor Keep’s manykitchens when Misha had approached her about being the Head Cook in Long House.The job was exciting in its own way and it certainly kept her busy.

 

            “Wehave a special task for you if you’ll accept it,” Misha said.

 

“What isit?” She asked curiously.

 

“We aregetting married,” Caroline said cheerfully.

 

“That’sfantastic,” Mirriam responded happily. “Congratulations!”

 

“We wantyou to cook the wedding feast,” Misha said.

 

“How manypeople?” Mirriam asked.

 

“About400 hundred,” Caroline answered.

 

“I’ll doit!” She responded immediately.

 

“Nohesitation or time for consideration?”

 

“No,”Mirriam answered. “I love a good challenge.”

 

Carolinehanded her a large piece of paper. “Here is a list of the guests.” The otterhanded her another piece of paper. “Here are the dishes we want.”

 

Mirriamexamined the list of dishes and nodded as she read it. “Not a problem. Who doyou have making the cake?”

 

Mishashrugged. “We haven’t decided yet.”

 

“Mycousin is a fine baker. I’ll talk to him,” the bear responded. “See if he willdo it.”

 

“Thankyou!” Caroline said.

 

“Let’sget down to the details,” Misha said.

 

***

 

Attachedto one wall of her small office was a large piece of slate. She picked up apiece of chalk and began to write on the slate. “Wedding.”

 

“For 400people I’ll need at least 100 hams, 100 turkeys and 200 chickens. I can makeAunt Edna’s famous Chicken Supreme! I’ll need 2 tons of vegetables. Carrots,corn, potatoes, sweet potatoes. Radishes.”

 

The listgot longer with each passing moment but Mirriam was happy.

Chapter4: An Unusual Invitation

 

Theinvitation arrived in an unusual way.

 

The townof Crowley was a quiet place this time of year. It was tucked into the lowerslopes of the Sylvan mountains in southern Marigund. In summer it played hostto many people trying to escape the summer heat of the city. But this wasOctober and it was cold and the summer residents were all gone till nextspring. This left the town fairly quiet.

 

Justoutside of town and up the mountain slope was a tall stone tower. The edificewas surrounded by a low wall that was there more to keep out strangers than tohelp defeat an attack. Only a few servants and workers moved about on the usualmundane tasks of maintaining the place.

 

Thedining room was several stories up in the tower and allowed for a beautifulview down the mountainside and over the land below.

 

Ameliaand Fred Montague were enjoying lunch when a large bat flew through the windowand into the dining room. It circled around their heads for a moment then itdropped something and flew back out through the window.

 

"Ithought window was closed,” Fred said calmly.

 

"Itis! And warded as well,” Amelia answered. “We need to improve the defenses.”She picked up the tightly bound scroll the bat had delivered and opened it."It's good news! My cousin Misha is getting married!"

 

"Wehave to go," he said. "Where is it being held?"

 

"MetamorKeep!"

 

"Oh!The place with the fascinating curses?"

 

"Andthat magnificent library! I rather think that's the most importantfeature!"

 

"Indeed!How far is it?"

 

"Only500 miles or so. A short trip.”

 

"Walkingis too boring and we cannot teleport. The magic there prevents it. We could flythere. I could make a carpet fly. It'd have protection against wind and theelements and we could store our luggage on it."

 

“Carpetis too exposed,” she said.

 

“We couldtake the mortar and pestle. We haven’t tried that before.”

 

"Ilike that idea, but it might be a bit impractical. Perhaps a flying coach? It’sbeen too long since we've been flying together."

 

"It'dbe a nice, scenic view as well."

 

"Wecan stop at the restaurant you like in Giftum."

 

"Andbuy goodies at that one shop you love there too!"

 

He smiledand laughed. "It’s been far too long since we've been there."

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