[Mkguild] Misha and Caroline wedding part 5

[cokane8116 at aol.com]

Chapter 12: The Wedding

 

Late Morning: June 21, 708

 

            PastorJames was rehearsing with Father Hough, Misha and Caroline. The wedding,officially, was only an hour away. His wife, Anne, was helping a bear-womannamed Mirriam set up the food for the bride and groom, though there were plentyof servants for the other parts.

 

            Thanksto a mix of magic and practical planning, some foods would be kept warm andothers would be kept cool. No thanks to some of Misha’s relatives, the samecouldn’t be said for tempers.

 

            Hisbrother Brian was, somehow, the one best able to diffuse things and also thebiggest source of annoyance with his grand magical acts. Luckily, not oneperson was contesting the seating arrangements at the center table. WillHarding, Ruben and Muriel Brightleaf, Caroline, Misha, Duke Thomas, Alberta,Princess Clover, Prince Phil, and Kelrag were to be seated there in that order.Everyone except Thomas and Alberta were already there.

 

            Theautomata fox, Madog, was sitting patiently. Next to him was a basket with tworings in it. James liked the fox; he was friendly, playful, and helpful. Fromtime to time he would get up and do crowd control. Fortunately, the Bremen TownMusicians were among the many groups keeping people entertained. Baldwin musthave trained for being a jester given the acrobatics he was performing–whichlooked even stranger coming from a donkey!

 

            “Willyou be staying here Pastor James?” asked Father Hough.

 

            “Yes.Anne likes it here and we’re both curious to see Geoffs Oak. It’d beinteresting to hear their stories.”

 

            FatherHough nodded. “I’ve been there a couple times. It’s a nice place; I thinkyou’ll like it.”

 

            Itseemed like forever, but suddenly Madog opened his muzzle and a series ofchimes came out! At the end he made a sound like bells: twelve of them. “Timefor Daddy to get married!”

 

            Mishaand Caroline took their places: he stood near the alter while she was near theback. Her father stood on her side, taking her up. There was music playing asshe went forward. Next to Misha, Madog still had the rings in a basket, but hewas also singing a different song. "Here comes the bride, all dressed inwhite..." 

 

            Mishawas not going to comment that Caroline was, in fact, in a cerulean blue trimmedwith silver. He'd learned long ago not to question when Madog made some weirdcomment!

 

            “Whatis he singing?” whispered Pastor John to Misha.

 

            “Idon’t know but its nice."   

 

A gentlebreeze played with Caroline's dress as she came closer. They were finallytogether at the alter and Madog held up the ring basket. Each of them took oneand Madog sat again at Misha's side. He was looking studiously out at whereMisha's family sat. Father Hough began. "

 

“All daysare blessed by Eli, but this is an especially joyous one. For what greaterthing can there be than for a man and woman to marry and become one? And whatmore joy could there be than to have a fellow follower of Eli here to do theceremony? Pastor John and his wife Ann arrived not long ago, but they will bestaying. As they and Misha are Latharians, it is only appropriate that PastorJohn officiate. Our gracious Duke has already given his blessing." Hemotioned to where Duke Thomas and his wife were sitting nearby. Duke Thomaswaved.

 

PastorJohn looked out solemnly. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here on thisday to celebrate the union of Misha Brightleaf and Caroline Harding. Please,exchange your rings and vows."

 

"Youcomplete me Caroline. I want to go thru life with you." Misha said as heslipped the ring onto her finger.

 

“I loveyou," Caroline said softly. "I love you with all my heart andsoul." She slipped the ring onto his finger.

 

"Letany who object to this union speak now or forever hold your peace!" Mishahad worried, but no one on his side stirred. In fact, the ones who might haveobjected seemed to have their eyes focused on Madog! He was absolutely certainhe did not want to know why! After the breath-taking moment passed, Pastor Johnsmiled. "Then with the power vested in me by Eli, I now pronounce youhusband and wife! You may now kiss to seal your union."

 

As theykissed everyone cheered and clapped. Madog gave several leaps of joy as theywent from the alter to where their friends and family were waiting, and fromthe congratulations to the tables where food was ready to be served.

 

Trottingalong side Misha and Caroline, Madog said, “Don't worry Daddy. I will be theworld's best babysitter!”

 

"Isee chaos in the future! " Someone joked.

 

Madoggiggled before backflipping! "The kiddies will be very entertained. I willtell them all about Captain Safety!"

 

Mishasmiled and patted Madog between the ears. “That’s very kind of you.”

 

It was asumptuous wedding feast that started with the lightest of fares: a variety ofcheeses, fruits, and fritters followed by soups and pottages. Then came themain course of spiced wine (drunk with a toast to the bride and groom), roastedpigs, ducks, and chickens (with sauteed vegetables for guest who could not orwould not eat meat), and after that came pies, tarts, and other pastries.

 

Rickkterstood up and held up his hands!  The buzzof noise from the guests died down and the room went silent. “With the rest ofthe meal out of the way, it’s now time for the cake!” He pointed to thedoorway.

            The doors opened wide and atwo people came in pushing a small cart. Resting on the cart was a largetowering cake. The cake was carefully rolled into the center of the room whereall could see it. 

 

The masstowered some three feet up. The cake had several layers, each with its owndesign. The bottom-most one was largest and had red and pink roses. The next uphad orange and peach blossoms. Above that was a layer of yellow and creamdandelions. The center one had green ivy leaves gracing it. Above it was alayer with bluebell designs. The final, top layer looked like a castle on ahill. Miniatures of the bride and groom stood before the castle and the basewas surrounded by lilac blooms that were a riot of countless colors.

            Countless oh’s and ah’sescaped the lips of the guests and there was a round of applause from others.

            They started on the upper partof the cake. Caroline cut a slice and served it to Misha. Then he cut a sliceand served it to Caroline. All the guests cheered as that happened. Then theytook to cutting slices for the guests. They cut out the slices carefully,applying them to plates provided by the servants. Each guest was to have one,and no one could claim the bride and groom had favored any. Misha and Carolinecut the slices for those at their table: their parents, their friends andallies, their lord and lady. Each cut was made as even as they could and laidon a platter like a solemn promise.
            

The cakeslowly diminished in size as slices were passed out to the guests. It wasalmost like watching someone pick petals off a flower: one by one the tiersdiminished, and Misha thought he occasionally heard Madog mutter something like'loves me' 'loves me not'."

            A plate with a slice of cakewas placed in front of Madog who proceeded to eat it; plate and all.

            The band had stopped playingas its members enjoyed their own meal.

 

“A finaltoast!” said Duke Thomas. “To Misha and Caroline! May you have many happy yearstogether!”

 

“Here,here!” said everyone else as they saluted.

 

The bandgot its instruments ready. “Will the groom and his mother step forward.” Thevoice echoed across the room.

 

Misha andhis mother came onto the dance floor. Soft music started the play and the twodanced together. Moving slowly and gently in time to the music.

 

“May thebride and the father of the bride come to the dance floor.”

 

Carolineand Will made there to the dance floor. They danced together as well slowly andgently. For a long moment the rest of the world disappeared and it was only thefour of them. Each pair lost in the memories of childhood and growth.

 

“I loveyou baby,” Will said in soft tones.

 

Carolinehugs her father tightly. “I love you.”

 

Murielstopped dancing a moment and looked at her son. “I still the little boy whowent charging around the house with a wooden sword. Talking of adventure andall the places you’d see.” Then she hugged him tightly.

 

Mishahugged his mother tenderly. “You both were always there for me.”

 

The musiccame to an end and the dancers stopped.

 

   “Now as they move together as a couple, theyshare their first dance as Husband and wife.”

 

Caroline and Misha came together asa lively toon played. They danced together enjoying the moment as their parentswatched. Once it ended and everyone was seated once more, Brian stood up.

 

"Ladiesand gentlemen, to honor my brother's wedding, I and my fellow mages willperform some feats of prestidigitation!" Brian raised his hands and flamesof different colors poured out from them. Each color flew off one at a time, turning first into birds, then intobats, and then into dragons. They circled around the crowd. When they werebirds, they sang sweet melodies, each in a different scale. When they werebats, they performed aerial maneuvers, leaving trails of their colors in theirwake. When they finally turned into dragons, they began mock battles, fightingone another until they finally became nothing more than colorful motes oflights that slowly sparkled out of existence.

 

Brianwent over to the band and talked with them a minute. They picked up theirinstruments and began playing a romantic waltz. As people watched dancerssuddenly appeared in beautiful clothing. The life-sized figures moved to themusic, but as it went on new features appeared: stairs leading into the airwith fantastic architecture. The illusionary figures, unbound by physics,danced in the air, moving from one scene to another, before slowly returning toEarth and vanishing when the song finally ended.

 

Severalother mages went next, each producing illusions of various sorts combiningmusic and light for fantastic shows. The last was just after nightfall: aspectacular show of fireworks taking on shapes of all sorts of different formsand colors, including a great dragon that swooped over the audience, and thelast of all: Misha and Caroline in profile hugging and kissing. The sparks fromtheir kiss lit up an area below where a mysterious box had appeared. Sometimeduring the show, Brian had it brought out. 

 

"Mygift to you, brother. I found it and restored it as best I could, but I couldnot get it to work." This last made Misha's jaw drop: his brother neveradmitted not being able to do something! Brian opened the box and it revealedwhat looked to be a small dragon. It couldn't have been three feet from snoutto tail. But more it was still in a way no living thing could be. 

 

"It'san automata..." said Misha in a whisper, approaching it almost like asleep walker. "Where did you find this?"

 

“In anancient Suielman temple. I assume it was once its guardian before it brokedown.”

 

Mishagave his brother a hug. “Thank you Brian!”

 

***

 

Under thebright stars, Misha and Caroline made their way back to Metamor Keep hand inhand. They were in no rush, but took in the scents of the summer night waftingon the breeze.

 

“SometimesI wish life could just stay like this. Peaceful evenings and cool summerbreezes under the stars,” said Caroline.

 

“That’dbe nice,” agreed Misha, nuzzling her. “No wars, no mad mages.” He sighed. “Butwhile it might not be permanent, we can enjoy it while it lasts.”

 

Carolinenodded. “Only the peace of death can last forever, but we seem to be movingforward to a new era. It’s both exciting and terrifying.”

 

“We’llmake it through, as we always have.”

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