Before standing, Farrell said a silent prayer to Honorus and the other gods. Drained from the experience, he took Miceral’s hand. “We should go. It wouldn’t be right to be late for our ceremony.”
Chapter Eighteen
OVER THE centuries, Winter Festival and Summer Festival became the days for couples to be joined. Well-to-do families scheduled private ceremonies. Everyone else had to attend a group session at one of the temples. Having the high priest or priestess of a temple preside over a union ceremony required a large donation to the temple coffers.
Farrell’s union ceremony upended all the rules, a fact he wished he could change. Because of his pending union, none of the high prelates were available for private ceremonies.
“Is it really necessary to have all the high priests and priestesses attend our ceremony?” From the daggers Glendora shot him, Farrell knew the answer. He looked around the small room but found no place to hide.
“I’m not sure what possessed you to ‘inform’ Teclelion and Verona they were not needed.” Her expression grew harder. “As High Priest of Honorus, Teclelion is required to attend. The same for Verona. Miceral is a devotee of Lenore. How could Her High Priestess not be there?”
“Priestess, forgive the boy.” Wesfazial’s remark only made Farrell’s ears grow warmer. “Those in love rarely think with their heads.”
“To answer the rest of your question, once Teclelion and Verona announced they would be in attendance, the other four temples asked to be included.” From her tone, Farrell knew she didn’t want them there, so why did she lecture him?
“But they’re clear you’re the one who’ll join us.” Farrell had ended the bickering among the temples by telling them he and Miceral had selected Glendora to perform the ceremony.
“They are, though they were not happy.” She seemed on the verge of smiling, but it never appeared.
Miceral wrapped his arms around Farrell from behind. “We knew if we chose the head of any one temple, the other five would feel slighted.”
“Child, I’m old enough to know why you selected me and young enough to be flattered by the request.”
Before either could answer, the wooden door to the small room Teclelion had “loaned” them opened to admit Horgon.
“Most of your guests have arrived.” He shook his head. “There have already been three arguments over who outranked who and thus deserved closer seating.”
Farrell had to count down from ten to keep from going out and turning the lot of them into toads. “I thought we agreed there would be no assigned seating other than the three front rows reserved for our real friends.”
“We did, and that’s what started the ruckus.” Horgon chuckled. “When your friends took their seats, other, more self-important guests began to complain. Evidently they had worked out a system where rank still prevailed. It took several angry looks from Takala and Grohl to restore order. No one confronts a mad peregrine willingly.”
Turning to Glendora, Farrell spread his arms out in front of him. “Please let me turn them into donkeys. If they’re going to act this ill-mannered, they should be treated that way.”
Glendora laughed so hard, Farrell thought she’d pass out. “Sorry, but you looked so earnest when you asked. But, no, you can’t turn them into anything, especially not in Honorus’s temple.”
“Besides,” Miceral added, “you’ll end up insulting donkeys if you do, and they don’t deserve that.”
Farrell paced around the small room. “We should have gotten joined in secret.”
After his third circle, Miceral wrapped an arm around Farrell, forcing him to stop. “You’re making me dizzy.”
“Unfortunately, young prince, your ceremony belongs to all of Haven,” Glendora said in a firm but motherly tone. “For good or ill, you are Lord of Haven. Your people need to feel a part of this union.”
A knock preceded a young cleric of Honorus slowly opening the door. “Reverend Mother?”
Glendora rolled her eyes at Farrell before she turned around. “Yes, child?”
The priest never fully entered the room, staying with his hand on the door handle. “The Most Holy Father sent me to say we’re ready to begin.”
“Excellent.” She pointed to everyone but the life-partners-to-be. “You may tell Father Teclelion I’ll be out momentarily. I just need to send the participants to their places.”
The others quietly followed the priest to the main temple. When just Horgon, Lisle, and Glendora remained with the soon-to-be-joined couple, the priestess smiled warmly and left with a nod.
“Enjoy your day.” Horgon grabbed each by the shoulder. “I’m proud of you both.”
Lisle fussed with Farrell’s tunic and crown. “There. Now you’re presentable.”
He smiled, feeling more relaxed than a moment ago. “Thank you.”
She gave him a wink. “Can’t have my charge looking less than perfect. The old biddies would never let me hear the end of it.”
Lisle left the two alone for the few minutes before the ceremony started. With a grin and a twinkle in his eye, Miceral asked. “Ready?”
“For what will come, not a chance; to leap into the unknown with you by my side, without a doubt.” He squeezed his partner’s hand, and they set out for their walk down the long central aisle, fingers still laced together.
Everyone stood once Miceral and Farrell entered the temple proper. Glendora waited in front of the altar, the six temple heads behind her. Somewhere along the way, she had put on a beautifully embroidered green robe that reminded Farrell of new spring grass. The embroidery depicted scenes of the earth, both plants and animals— things dear to Lenore.
“Slow down.” Miceral’s voice almost caused him to flinch. “This isn’t a race.”
“It ought to be. I have plans for after the ceremony.” Farrell smiled at his partner and managed a small wink.
Slowly, they made their way to the open space between the pews and the altar. Takala and Nerti waited to the right, while Grohl and Klissmor waited on Miceral’s side. Rothdin, beaming like a proud parent, stood behind Takala, nodding when Farrell looked in his direction.
A few paces beyond their nonhuman family and friends, Lisle and
Horgon stood shoulder to shoulder, facing the audience. Just before Farrell and Miceral reached their sponsors, the older pair stepped to the side and turned toward the altar.
Glendora moved to the bottom step and motioned for everyone to be seated. “Welcome, friends and loved ones. And today everyone in Haven is a friend of these two fine young men. We’re here for the joyous occasion of the union of Miceral and Farrell. This ceremony is about two becoming one.” She held her hands wide, and the priests and priestesses moved to her side. “In this union we seek the blessings of the Six.”
The seven clerics joined hands and recited the traditional blessing together. “We, your humble servants, seek your blessing for this union today. Grant them a long and happy life together.”
The six temple heads stepped back, leaving Glendora to perform the rites of union.
“Who sponsors these two?” Glendora asked.
Horgon and Lisle stepped forward. “We do.”
“Who stands with Miceral?”
“I, Horgon, father of Miceral, stand with him.” His booming voice filled the temple.
“Who stands with Farrell?”
“I, Lisle, friend of Farrell, stand with him.” Her voice dared someone to object.
Glendora smiled at the four. “Do you both stand with them of your own free will?”
“We do,” Horgon and Lisle said together.
“Before today, have you been a part of their lives? Have you seen them together as a couple?”
“We have.”
“Do they each love as two who seek to be joined should?”
“They do.”
“Do you believe they are right for each other?”
“They are.”
“Do you believe they should join their lives toget
her?”
“They should.”
“Will you do all you can to help them as they set off as one?”
“We will.”
Lisle and Horgon returned to their places a step behind Miceral and Farrell.
“Are there any other family or friends who are here to stand with and support our couple?’
Farrell’s adopted brothers and father as well as Nerti and Klissmor moved a pace closer.
“There are.” The nonhuman voices were projected for all to hear.
“And you, their family and closest friends, do you agree with the sponsors that Miceral and Farrell love each other and should join their lives together?”
“We do.”
“Will you support them as they set forth on this journey? Will you be there for them in good and bad times, in happiness and sorrow, offering them any help they’ll need along the way?”
“We will.”
Glendora paused and looked at the pair, a twinkle in her eyes. “Those closest to you agree; you should be joined this day. Do you agree this is what you want?”
Farrell turned toward Miceral and saw his smile reflected back in his partner’s face. “I do.”
“There is no mystery, no special words which join one person to another. Joining is something couples decide together, so it is fitting that it is their words that join them. Have you two decided who will go first?”
Farrell turned back to Glendora. “I will.”
Facing Miceral, he took his partner’s hand. “Miceral, it is my desire to spend my life with you. This is not a decision I have made lightly or without thought.
“You are everything I had hoped for in a partner. You’re kind and loving. You hold me when I’m sad and laugh with me when I’m happy. You’ve seen the flaws in my soul, and still you stand by me, offering your love and help instead of walking away to find someone else. When I look in your eyes, I see the same love in them I feel for you.
“I can’t promise it will be easy being my partner. There are things that lie ahead that will make it hard for us both. That you still love me, knowing my destiny, has been a source of strength I’ve never known before. When we’re together, I feel there is nothing that’s too difficult.
“I’m not perfect, and I know I will fail you, though never will I do so willingly. I promise to love you with all my heart and always be there for you. Every day I’ll try to be better than the day before and to never let anything or anyone come between us.
“Miceral, if you will have me, I want to join with you today and be together the rest of our lives.”
Miceral appeared teary-eyed but kept his smile. “Farrell, I knew the day we met you were the one I had waited for my whole life. From that moment, I knew we would one day be joined.
“In you I found my true soul mate. When I look in your eyes, I see you love me so clearly it makes my heart beat faster. You’re kind and gentle, yet strong and resilient. It humbles me to know you are capable of loving me in ways I cannot hope to match.
“I,, too can’t promise it will be easy being with me. There will be times I’ll fail as well. But I promise if I do, it’s not because I want to hurt you. I ask that you be patient with me and help me be a better partner every day.
“What I pledge today is that you will always have my heart and my love. I’ll support you in all that you must do, willingly and gladly. Without hesitation I will face death with you so long as we face it together. To do otherwise would be to turn my back on the most amazing person I ever met.
“I love you, Farrell, with all that I am. I want to join my life to yours if you will have me as your life partner.”
Farrell let go of Miceral’s left hand so the pair could face the altar. Glendora’s smile never waned.
“Friends and family, I am a simple priestess of a great goddess. I have no words to match the heartfelt vows these two have spoken to each other. I can offer only words of guidance and prayer for them on their path.
“Farrell, Miceral, today you embark on a journey whose path you will not know until you have traveled it together. By your words, you profess your desire to take this walk together, and that is as it should be for two people so in love as you are. Not even the gods and goddesses know what is truly in store for you both. What your life will be like together is in your hands. It will be what you make it, so make it wonderful.
“Together you’ve shown yourselves capable of great love and understanding. That’s good, because a lifetime together requires all you’ve shown thus far and much more. Anyone who tells you it will be easy is being untrue. But a life shared, despite the rough patches, is far better than a life shorn of love. Together your lives will be richer than you can imagine today. If you let your love grow, together you will overcome problems that alone would defeat you.
“Honor each other; respect each other; love each other. If you do these things, the path to happiness will be clear.” With a smile that had grown throughout the ceremony, Glendora motioned for the other clerics to join her. The seven formed a circle around the pair. “We who are honored to serve our gods have no power to join your hearts. Only you can do that. But together we acknowledge your commitment before all the gods of Nendor and sanction your commitment for all to see.
“In Lenore’s name, I join you, Farrell, to Miceral and you, Miceral, to Farrell.”
A screech and a whinny filled the temple. Hovering above Farrell, the white eagle of Honorus and the white-winged unicorn of Lenore filled the cavernous room with their light. Farrell quickly dropped to his knees and bowed his head. From the corner of his eye, he saw Miceral do the same. Impossibly, the space between the clerics and Farrell and Miceral expanded to allow both avatars to land and stand before the still-kneeling pair.
“Rise up, favored sons,” the voices said together. When they stood, they kept their hands entwined as the avatars addressed them. “This union We decreed long ago, though you knew it not. Where once you were alone and servant to just one, now you are one in Our eyes and servants to Us both. Accept Our blessings this day and know you are favored in Our eyes. This union and your love for each other is Our gift to you both for the services you have and will do in Our names. Go forth in love for each other and with Our love.”
As quickly as they appeared, the ethereal creatures disappeared. With no flash, no pop, they just vanished. Farrell noted the shocked expressions on everyone, including Teclelion and Verona.
“I take it this doesn’t happen at everyone’s union ceremony?” Miceral asked Farrell, who shrugged.
“No, child, it does not.” Glendora smiled at them. “It was Their gift to you both.”
Standing, Glendora turned to the stunned gallery. “Friends, what more proof do we need that these two people were meant to be joined? Let us wish our newlyjoined all life’s happiness before we begin the Winter Festival celebrations.”
Their friends began to come forward when Farrell felt his father and brothers take to the air. A deafening screech filled the temple, forcing Farrell to look up. Many of their guests had started toward the exit.
“It is still proper for the new couple to take their leave before those invited to join in their day!” Rothdin’s booming voice in Farrell’s mind almost made him wince. “Keep your places, or my sons and I will help you!”
Grohl and Takala landed in front of the massive doors, glowering at anyone still in the aisle. Those ill-mannered enough to break protocol quickly returned to their seats.
“Thank you, Father,” Farrell said when Rothdin landed. The giant peregrine moved quickly to wrap his Farrell and Miceral in his wings.
“Son of mine and his mate. I wish you endless skies in your journey together.”
Teclelion cleared his throat politely, standing at the head of the other clerics. “My lords? If you would permit me, I would lead you to the exit so you may begin your life together.”
Farrell bowed to the high priest, aware that few, if any, received such treatment. “You honor us, Holy Father.�
�
The older man gave him a wink before inclining his head slightly.
Standing at the exit beside Miceral, Farrell accepted the hurried well-wishes of his guests. Most rushed to leave so they could regale others with what had just occurred. In short order, only friends and family remained.
Miceral gave Farrell a serious stare. “I believe you’re stuck with me for the rest of our considerable lives.”
Farrell beamed at his partner. “Awful as that sounds, I think I can manage.”
EARLY IN the planning stage, Horgon had recognized that most of Haven would want to attend the Winter Festival celebration Farrell normally attended. To prevent mass overcrowding, everyone agreed the couple would make an appearance at the six main festivals—one for each displaced nation—during the course of the night.
“I hate spending our night stomping from place to place,” Miceral said as they reached Haven’s Great Hall.
Taking his partner’s hand, Farrell pushed open the door, setting off a roaring welcome. “Being concubine to the Lord of Haven comes with its demands, one of which is that the people need to see whom the Lord is joined to.”
“Concubine, is it? Perhaps you’d like to spend your celebration sleeping on the couch.”
Farrell leaned in and kissed Miceral. This set off a new round of cheers. “Only if you join me.”
It took the pair several minutes to wade through the throng of well-wishers. When they reached the central meeting area, Farrell scowled as he scanned the stage.
“Didn’t Horgon tell the organizers we wanted all newlyjoineds to meet us here?”
Miceral’s smile faded when he looked around. “I heard him dictate the request.”
Searching for the festival organizer, Farrell readied a seeking spell when he noticed the official at the head of a large group of confused couples.
Champion of the Gods Box Set Page 22