The Uzan Crystal

by Lisa S. Buchholz

  "Yes, of course I'll go with you," began a stunned Elise. "Why would you tell this Airic that you would leave only as his wife?"

  "I had to," she explained. "I had to keep the honor of our family."

  "Isn't there any other way? Certainly if the truth were known, it would be understandable that you left with him to keep your father's promise. But then again," Elise continued after thinking about what she said, "it may cause a problem if you have to stay there. You know how people get ideas into their heads."

  "Exactly. If I am made to stay with Airic and the years pass, would our honor still hold true? There would be too many speculations then on why I really left, did I do it for honor or did I leave because I wanted to or who knows what talk would start. Getting married, even if it be in name only, is the thing to do," she stated with conviction. "Besides, father hasn't decided what he is going to tell people yet."

  The next two days flew by with all of the activity of the "Changing of Seasons" celebration and the making of plans for Angelina and Elise's departure as well as for the upcoming wedding.

  It was the last evening of the celebration and the King would be expected to give his speech. King Kalen had decided that along with all of the thank yous for coming, etc. he would also inform his subjects of the impending wedding of Princess Angelina and Lord Airic.

  The main hall was filled with people. The perimeter of the room was lined with tables and the center was left clear for servers and entertainment. The royal table was at the far end and was set upon a dais two steps above the main floor so that the table could be clearly seen by all. The King and Queen along with their family were making their way through the crowd to the table so that the feasting could begin.

  King Kalen was dressed all in white with a gold sash around his waist and a gold insignia of Talenvar embroidered on the left breast of his tunic. Queen Faleasha was in a white gown trimmed in gold. Her hair was clasped back allowing the long black curls to stream down her back. Maypre was dressed in a violet gown with white trim and Glasha was dressed in a green gown with cream trim. Prince Phillip was dressed in dark blue with a gold insignia of Talenvar embroidered on the left breast of his tunic and he also wore a gold sash. His wife, Julia, was dressed in a dark blue gown which had to be let out twice since it had been finished because Julia was carrying their third child. Their two children, Peter who was eight and Silvia who was four were sitting with Julia's parents at their table. Amberlynn was wearing a cream colored gown and was reluctant to leave Prince Jarrett who she was soon to be married to. It was unusual to have participants from the Kingdom across the sea, but since Prince Jarrett had come to see Amberlynn, he and an escort were also at the celebration. Angelina was wearing a pale peach colored gown with cream trim. Each member of the royal family had their crowns on.

  After the royal party arrived at their table, the rest of the celebrants then took their places at the tables. Everyone took their seat except for the King and Queen.

  King Kalen waited for the noise to die down before he began. "First of all I want to thank everyone for their participation in this year's celebration and to say that it's wonderful to see each and every one of you again. We were lucky to have a mild winter this year which attributed to an early season of rebirth and which gives high expectations for extra hearty crops. This celebration has brought our children together and I have heard of a few marriage proposals that were given and accepted. Two of these proposals were made and accepted by Maypre and Angelina."

  Kalen had been able to continue over his subjects hollering their agreement to seeing each other again and the excitement that arose for the upcoming crops but could not continue until the hall quieted down after his announcement regarding the royal family. When marriage announcements were made regarding the royal family there was always much excitement.

  Kalen was a little anxious about what he was to say next but knew that it had to be said. After the crowd quieted down, the King continued. "Maypre has been asked for her hand in marriage by Lord Mikal, son of Lady Katheryn Brighton and the late Lord Radcliff of Gressingham. Maypre has accepted this offer and when she marries, will move to the Gressingham estate to live with Lord Mikal, his sister Lady Crystal and his mother." Kalen waited for the applause and cheers to die down before taking a deep breath and continuing. "Princess Angelina has been asked for her hand in marriage by Lord Airic. Lord Airic saved my life and in return I promised him whatever he wished. Lord Airic has asked for the hand of Princess Angelina and she has agreed. Since Lord Airic is a very private individual, he has asked for a private wedding ceremony and then Angelina and he will leave for his estate."

  This time there was applause and cheers but it was a bit subdued. From the looks of the attendees, no one was familiar with who Lord Airic was. Princess Angelina noticed and decided that maybe if she said a few words it might help to restore the festive mood.

  Princess Angelina stood up and the hall quieted. She placed her hands at her side as she began. "My friends, it may not seem sudden that I will be married but it may be unexpected that I will marry and leave Talenvar. I am sure you will all understand that my father gave this man his word and whether this person be a prince or a stable hand the King's word is law." Upon this statement she glanced around to see a number of nods in agreement. "I have had the opportunity to speak with Lord Airic and find him to be an honorable man. I respect his decision for privacy and I hope that you also will respect his decision and wish us the best."

  It was a relief not only to her but also to her father when the crowd stood, applauded and cheered.

  King Kalen then gave a toast to begin the feasting. The rest of the evening went smoothly. Everyone ate, drank and was entertained. Angelina, Maypre and their families were congratulated on the two marriages and no one mentioned anything else about Airic so as not to insult the family. The festivities lasted late into the evening.

  The next morning was a flurry of activity as the guests and their servants packed up to begin their journey home.

  Chapter 17

  A New Beginning

  Airic was sitting on his horse at the edge of the Milabar Forest looking at the far off city of Talenvar. It was time to pick up the princess and return to his home. He sighed. He did not wish to marry her but if it would make it easier for her to leave, then so be it. Airic gently kicked the flanks of his horse and started his approach to Talenvar. It did not take him much time to reach the gates of the city, which were wide open. The gates closed at night but were watched by guards stationed there so that they could let travelers in or out. It was early and most of the inhabitants were just getting up. It was a quiet ride to the castle and when he approached the gates to the castle courtyard they were standing open. They had been expecting him.

  The squire Jonathan approached Airic as he dismounted and his horse was led away. "Welcome, we were expecting you. Would you please follow me," he invited as he turned and headed across the courtyard. He called back over his shoulder, "they await you in the chapel."

  Jonathan led Airic through a door which opened into part of the gardens. As they were making their way through the gardens, Airic asked, "Would I be permitted to pick a flower for my soon to be bride?"

  "Um, yes of course. Anything that you wish," he said as he stopped and waited while Airic glanced over the array of flowers.

  Airic noticed the white rose vines clinging to the walls of the garden. He proceeded to break off four roses and then joined Jonathan. Airic sensed that these had a special meaning to the princess.

  Jonathan noticed the choice Airic made but did not say anything. Everyone in the castle knew that those had been the Queen's favorite flower and he knew that each year on the Queen's anniversary of her death the two princesses picked armfuls of roses and placed them on their mother's coffin. "Shall we continue?" asked Jonathan when Airic walked up to him.

  "Yes, please," he responded as he followed behind Jonathan, one hand holding onto his walking staff and the other the roses.
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  They exited the gardens and were in a small courtyard which surrounded the royal family's chapel. The only time it was open to the other people in their kingdom was for weddings or funerals; however, today's wedding was private and only a select few were in attendance.

  Jonathan opened the door of the chapel and motioned Airic inside. When Airic entered, Jonathan closed the door and returned to the castle to attend to his other duties.

  When Airic entered the chapel he felt the coolness from the granite walls and floor. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust to the dim light. He had come through a side door and to his left were the pews and to his right was the altar. Immediately in front of him was the King and a few other men that Airic did not recognize but realized that one must be the King's son because he looked so much like him. He glanced at the people in the first two rows of the pews, figuring that these were members of the family.

  Kalen saw Airic enter and was waiting for him to approach. He was waiting with Phillip and Sir Taz. The King did not look happy at all.

  Airic approached the King. "Well, shall we begin," he asked as he set the butt of his staff on the floor. It will be a long journey and I wish to leave as soon as possible."

  "Father, please begin," informed the King. He noticed the flowers that Airic had in his hand and gave him a narrow look.

  Airic noticed the look, but thought that the King didn't like that he was giving flowers to his daughter. He didn't realize that the King didn't like his particular choice of flower. "I thought it might be a nice gesture," he kindly explained. All he wanted to do was get this over with so he could leave. He felt uncomfortable enough having to take the King's daughter, but to have to marry her made him even more uncomfortable. After all, he was old enough to be her grandfather.

  The Father gave the cue to Lady Elise who was waiting in the back of the chapel to bring the princess in.

  "Angelina," softly called Elise, "this is it. I sure hope you know what you're doing." Elise held open the door as Angelina stepped through to begin her walk down the aisle.

  Angelina had picked a simple white dress with lace trim. The dress had long sleeves and a slightly scooped neckline. The cuffs of the sleeves had a thin lace trim on them with a matching trim on the hem of the dress. It was tight at the waist and then flowed out a little from the waist down. She wore low-heeled, white leather shoes laced up in front.. She wore her mother's necklace with the dragon resting just above the neckline of the dress. She carried white carnations and the tips of the carnations had been dipped in silver dye. She looked up the isle at her father and then at Airic. She was wondering now that the time was at hand, if she did know what she was doing. Well, there wasn't time to dwell on it. Angelina proceeded up the aisle with Lady Elise following a few feet behind. When Angelina reached her father and Airic she noticed the flowers he had in his hand.

  "I picked these for you, your highness," he began as he bowed and then handed her one rose at a time, "one for your beauty, one for your innocence, one for your kindness and one for your grace."

  Angelina was taken aback by this. "Thank you," was about all that she could say. Luckily the priest directed their attention to him before she could feel any more flustered than she did. She even felt her cheeks beginning to darken with color at her embarrassment.

  "Please step forward," he directed to the princess and Airic. "Thank you for coming to witness the marriage of Princess Angelina D'Alamber and Lord Airic," he began glancing at the attendees. He had spoken with the King earlier and knew to make the ceremony simple and quick. "Do you have the ring," he asked Airic.

  Airic reached into a pocket of the dark gray cloak he was wearing and pulled out a small pouch. He untied the string which was holding it closed and turned it upside-down to drop the thick gold band onto the Priest's open palm.

  "Thank you my son," said the Priest as he placed the ring on the open book that he was reading from. He turned to the princess. "Do you Angelina D'Alamber take this man to be your husband?" he asked and waited for her reply of "I do" and then he turned to Airic. "Do you Lord Airic take this woman to be your wife?" he asked and waited for Airic's response of "I do." The priest then took the ring and gave it to Airic. "Place this ring on her finger," he instructed.

  Airic leaned his walking staff against his shoulder, took Angelina's left hand in his and placed the ring on her third finger. He then released her hand and turned back to face the priest.

  "I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride if you wish," informed the priest.

  Airic did not feel comfortable kissing a woman so young, even if she was his wife so he just stood there.

  Angelina leaned over and kissed his cheek.

  Everyone then said their good-byes. Airic had stepped off to the side after Angelina had kissed him and he waited near the chapel door he had entered through. Angelina was hugging her family and saying good-bye. He thought back to Saline and their wedding day. They were so young and in love. He sighed at the thought.

  When Angelina was finished saying good-bye to her family she came over to Airic. "Well, I guess I'm ready. I will be bringing my Lady-In-Waiting, Elise with me as a companion. That is if you don't object," she said, knowing that whether or not he agreed, Lady Elise was coming with her.

  "Yes, that's fine. Shall we go?" He opened the door for her and Lady Elise who had come up behind Angelina. They stepped into the courtyard and were followed by the King.

  "I am sending a group of my most trusted guards with you during your journey," he informed Airic as he caught up with them before they were halfway through the gardens. "I know that you might not want them along, but it would make me feel better knowing that you were well protected."

  Airic smiled at that and kept walking. "I do not need anyone but myself to be well protected. After all, I'm not an ordinary man as you may have already guessed." He turned to look at the King to see his reaction if any.

  The King's expression did not change. "That I know, but I still ask that you take them with you for part of the way at least," he insisted.

  "Would you mind if I change before we leave," asked Angelina. "I'm not exactly in traveling clothes."

  "That's fine, but be quick about it," he said with slight irritation and watched both women hurry off. He turned toward the King and stopped, "If it makes you happy, I will take your escort."

  "Thank you," Kalen responded and then excused himself so that he could inform them and make sure they were ready before his daughter returned. He had spoken with Mallock, the captain of the guards, a few days ago and was told that they could be ready on a moment's notice.

  Airic entered the main courtyard and the servant boy that had taken his horse ran to get it and bring it to him.

  Airic felt that he was slipping in his old age. He used to just demand the women and when he came for them that would be that. He had been giving in a lot lately, especially consenting to wed this princess. Airic shook the thought from his head and mounted his horse. He sat for some time and was about to tell the nearest servant to summon the princess at once when she and her Lady-In-Waiting emerged from the castle.

  The guards, twenty in all, rode into the courtyard followed by the princess' coach. The women climbed aboard and they were finally ready to depart.

  Airic took the lead and they headed out of the castle gates into the now bustling city of Talenvar. It was slow going through the city because of all of the people, horses and vendor carts. Airic was relieved when they were finally crossing over the drawbridge and were out into the fresh air. He glanced back at the guards and thought that maybe he would give them a few days before he dispatched them.

  On the fourth day, near mid afternoon Airic decided that he had enough of his escort and decided to ride just a little ahead of the group. When he was far enough ahead he reached under his cloak and brought out a small bottle sealed with a cork. Inside the bottle was a tiny iridescent butterfly. He removed the cork to allow the butterfly to fly free of its hom
e. The butterfly flew off and lightly landed on the guard bringing up the rear of the party. It then continued to make its way to the front of the group, landing lightly on each person.

  "Look at that little butterfly that just flew in the window," exclaimed Lady Elise with delight. "I don't recall seeing anything like it before," she continued as she held out her hand for it to gently land. Look at the color, it's like a rainbow." The butterfly gently landed on her hand and then quickly took flight and headed over to the opposite side of the coach and landed on the nose of the princess before fluttering out the same window of the coach in which it had entered. "Well, did you get a good look at it?" she inquired excitedly.

  "Not exactly, it's kind of hard to get a good look at anything that lands on your nose while you have to look at it cross-eyed," informed Princess Angelina with a smile and a sigh. "It's such a lovely afternoon and the sun feels so warm, I think that I'll just close my eyes for a moment."