<html><head></head><body><div class="yahoo-style-wrap" style="font-family:arial;font-size:16px;"><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><div dir="ltr" data-setdir="false"><h1><div><h1>Chapter 10: Sisterly Greetings</h1> Night: June 20, 708 Arcas entered the Jolly Collie and smiled. The place smelled wonderful and warm. He was soon greeted by Olivia. The sow skillfully led him across the room to where a large table was and placed him next to it. He placed an order and also laid down his Hammer, Henbi-shnut. “Well, my Storm, let us see if your sister arrives as promised.” It wasn’t long before the Axe appeared with its wielder. Misha and his bride-to-be Caroline were just coming in and managed to make their way through the crowds to the table next to Arcas. It didn’t take long before Misha looked at him. Misha stared at Arcas for a moment. "You have her?" He asked. Surprised. "Indeed," Arcas smiled and held up the Hammer. "I found her in a sunken ship, and we have not parted since." The runes on the Hammer glowed briefly. "I've been told you have her sister." "I do. The sisters have not seen each other in centuries," Misha said, "Perhaps we could sit together and get acquainted?" Caroline suggested and Arcas moved next to Misha, putting his Hammer near Whisper. "I call her Storm for what she can do, though I know her true name as well. I'm Arcas, and I'm here on honor detail with Prince Phil, Princess Clover, and their children. It's a pleasure to meet you two!" Misha bowed to Arcas. "Too loang have they been apart." The two Runic weapons begin to chat with one another in the long-dead language they first knew. "I can tell. Storm was insistent we try to meet her sister if we could, and I couldn't deny her that. To be honest, I'm planning to ask Prince Phil to stay here. I'd hate to see the sisters parted again so soon. Can you imagine if all five reunited?" "That has not happened in millennia! " Misha commented. "It would be fantastic!" "Rickkter is supposed to be joining us soon, along with Finbar and Danielle. He's got the Dagger, hasn't he?" asked Caroline. "He holds the Dagger but has yet to fully master it," Misha commented with a chuckle. "For the moment they tolerate each other. Even as Misha said that, Rickkter, Finbar, and Danielle came in. As soon as they got close to the table, the Dagger began to almost drag Rickkter forward! "What the Hells?!" No sooner did Rickkter get to the table than the Dagger seemed to insist on him taking it out. "Oh no," said Rickkter, "not another one! Having two is more than enough trouble but now we have three! Does that mean the other two aren't far behind?" Arcas chuckled. "Well, only time will tell. It's a pleasure to meet you all." Rickkter gave a deep bow. "It's good to meet you. My name is Rikkter and who do I have the pleasure to be meeting?” "I'm Arcas of Whales. I'm here as honor guard for Prince Phil, Princess Clover, and their children. I plan to stay if he'll allow, though." "And I'm Finbar.” “And I’m Danielle. We're glad to meet you, Arcas. Are you two ready for tomorrow? You were pretty busy all day today." "We're both excited about the wedding!" Caroline said, "This will be the perfect day!" <h1>Chapter 11: Not So Calm Before the Storm</h1> Nearby things were not so calm. Just outside the keep in a large field many people were busy. This place had seen many different events over the years but the current one was a first. They were getting ready for a wedding. But a wedding on a big scale. Over a thousand people were expected. The first stage was the simplest. They lined up everyone on one side of the field and simply walked across it. Each person checking the ground around them for anything that shouldn’t be there. A long list of trash was found; items left over from previous uses of the field. Also located some coins of various denominations along with a good amount of dung left over from herders grazing their sheep. Then a large tent was erected in the middle of the field. It was over 30 feet wide and 200 feet long! The canvas was a riot of bright colors and set the mood for the festivities to come. One one corner of the field a trio of small tents went up. Set up out in the open were fires with grills for cooking. A wagon pulled up with an assortment of odd, metal parts. They spent time slowly unloading the parts and then assembling them. It was only when it was finished that everyone recognized it as a large oven! Fit for cooking the largest pieces of food. Back at the large tent tables and chairs were set up for the big wedding reception. The seating arrangement had been a surprisingly touchy subject. Great Aunt Millicent was *still* mad at her brother Joseph for something no one else could even remember. They had to be separated and on opposite sides of the tent. Cousin Terrance was mad at his nephew Brent for cheating him in a business deal five years previously. Something Brent adamantly denied. The last family event they had both been to saw them openly fighting out on the street. They wound up not only on opposite sides of the tent but opposite ends! Finally, after long discussions and the subject of countless changes till the seating arraignment was approved. The entertainers had arrived and Misha and Caroline had made sure they have good living quarters. Next to arrive was the food and drink. Wagon after wagon arrived laden with boxes and barrels of food and drink. All of it was taken to a specially built wooden shack. The walls of the shack were covered with frost and the inside was kept cold by powerful magic. As it grew closer to the big date the guests started to arrive and settled into their assigned living places. As the crowds grew so did the excitement. Everyone seemed to be involved either as guests or hired to help prepare and serve the foods and drinks.</div> </h1></div></div></div></body></html>