Two weddings, no funerals (OPEN)

by **Kashik** on October 13th, 2010, 2:43 pm

Denusk Weddings
20th of Fall, 510 AV
Southern Border of Endrykas

The announcement of the imminent wedding of Denusk's future Ankal flew through Endrykas as if on wings. Vanator Denusk had taken one wife already, Kashik of the Brightsmile Pavilion, though they'd exchanged their vows in secret and had no ceremony to mark the occasion, and it seemed that neither of their families were quite happy with that. But now, with the engagement of his second wife - a foreigner from Avanthal named Khiara - and the news that Kashik was pregnant with Vanator's firstborn, both the Brightsmile and Denusk tents were determined to have the party they'd been hoping for. Kashik's brother Bremon, the Brightsmile Ankal's heir, had practically adopted Khiara since they'd announced her intention to become Second-Wife beneath Kashik, and had promised to stand in as she had no father to offer her hand in the ceremony.

The two Clans joined forces and pooled their resources, setting up a large pavilion tent on the outskirts of Endrykas to hold the ceremony in. The women of both pavilions went to work collecting bits of fabric to decorate, and candles were remade from odds and ends to light the area. Chairs and tables were borrowed from friends around the city, Diamond Clan banners were brought from the War Pavilion, and several gifts of wine and ale were met with gracious thanks and set aside for the families to enjoy.

Any in Endrykas wishing to attend the ceremony and the celebration afterward were invited to do so, and the weddings were set for sunset on the 20th.

The day before, several vendors (and more than a few Drykas women) began setting up small tables around the outskirts of the wedding pavilion, eager to sell their wares to the guests. Food stalls, beverage merchants, flower-sellers, even homemade jewelry and clothing were ready to be offered to smiling celebrants. Those selling food set up a few of their own chairs to encourage people to partake of their business, creating little grottos of candlelight where guests of the wedding could relax between dances.

The main space in front of the wedding pavilion was left open for dancing, and there an area set up for musicians to provide the music for the festivities.

To one side, a section was reserved specifically for members of the Brightsmile and Denusk Pavilions. Dinner and drinks would be provided for them after the ceremony.

***Credit for graphics goes to Selinda Camp on the Selinda Reserve in Northern Botswana. Gorgeous!

by **Kashik** on October 13th, 2010, 3:00 pm

An hour before sunset, Kashik Denusk could be found at one of the little grottos just to one side of the wedding pavilion with a mug of wine waiting on the table beside her. She stood just behind where Khiara was seated, twisting her shimmering black-violet hair into the intricate knots and braids traditionally worn by the Drykas. She herself was already dressed and ready, wearing a white lace dress that her mother had lent her, with crystals sewn into the hems as a representation of her ties to the Diamond Clan.

Kashik had purchased a dress for Khiara, a wedding gift for her, of creamy white silk. Matching velvet ribbons were at that very moment being woven into the affianced's hair as Kashik giggled and tickled her gently.

"Almost time, love," she murmured, winking down at the woman who would be Second-Wife to her husband. "We'll be fine if we can keep Bremon from stepping on your toes."

Her brother sprawled in a chair close by, a wineglass in one hand and his youngest son asleep in his lap. "Less danger from my boots than from your tongue, vixen," he quipped, giving Khiara his own mischievous wink.

LedgerKashik: -15gm for dress

by **Khiara** on October 14th, 2010, 10:44 am

Khiara was nervous. Her own mug of wine sat before her, already half drained. Each time only a sip, but the sips too frequent - giving the young vantha something to do as she waited to be married. Eventually she had to force herself to stop drinking. The girl didn't want to be drunk for her own wedding.

Wedding. Goddess she was getting married.

Kashik had given her a beautiful dress, so white and so soft it reminded Khiara of light morning snow. The brunette hadn't known what to say, she was so touched. Smiling at the thought and the tickling and light teasing from the woman, she couldn't hide the nervous delight in her lavender eyes - nor the golden flash that accompanied the butterflies in her stomach. Tittering a little, she glanced at the man who'd agreed to give her away. Brother to Kashik, and a friendly sort of man. Every bit a drykas with the piercing eyes and golden skin.

"It's alright Bremon. For this day, for what you do for me, you can step on my toes." Flashing the man a smile, she turned back to look at the glow of the candles. Her hair was twisted and woven into the drykas style and her dress of drykas cut. The young woman wore no jewellery yet, save for the necklace Eliac had given her. It belonged. Her past and her present combined today. Vividly, she recalled her dream only nights before. He wanted her to move on, to stay living. Reaching up, the vantha gently touched the beads.

"Goddess...I just can't believe this. I keep thinking I'll blink and suddenly wake up in Avanthal. All my travel and everything to this point just a dream." Taking a deep breath, she laughed softly. Her hand trembled in her lap and she closed her fist tight to avoid snatching up her wine again.

"I'm so petching nervous." Khiara said with a giggle.

by **Vanator** on October 15th, 2010, 1:35 am

On the opposite side of the giant pavilion, Vanator stood within a small, blue-bannered tent set apart from the tables, chairs and trappings of the wedding celebration. As his aunt and his father's third wife preened him, his younger cousins sat around chugging ale and making bawdy jokes about Vanator's pending honeymoon. The older Drykas women shot deadly glares at the rowdy men, huff and continue to weave small braids in the groom's hair.

"If you wine-sodden snarlwings ruin my wedding, I am going to tie you to a Seme by your feet and smack it's arse until it drags you into the green Sea." Van smoothed his garb absent-mindedly, a long blue tunic that reached nearly to his knees, the hem, collar and cuffs embroidered with intricate knotwork. His breeches matched the brown of the embroidery, and his feet were donned in polished riding boots. His jewelry consisted of a single, thick gold torc encircling his neck, lent to him by his father.

The women had just completed putting sapphire-stained bronze bands in Vanator's front two braids when Eachann entered the candle-lit tent. The young Drykas men scrambled to their feet and hastily skirted the Ankal to exit the structure. Eachann's wife and sister-in-law left as well, seeing that the man wished to speak to his son privately.

Van and his father had conversed very little since he returned to Endrykas at the end of summer. Eachann and his eldest son did not have a close relationship, but it was amiable and threaded with a mutual understanding of affection and respect.

"Van, I know it has been a hard five years for you." The older Denusk smiled slightly, his green eyes twinkling faintly, framed by a graying brown mane similar in cut to his son's. The smile faded, and the father placed his hand on his heir's shoulder. "It is time for you to move on. You are old enough to run the Pavilion. I am blessed that the grasslands have not claimed me yet, but now, I could leave this world knowing you have taken your place behind me."

The Ankal's hand slid from Vanator's shoulder, pushing aside his son's locks to see the Chevas mark on his neck. "We were...disappointed that you took your vows on your own, especially your mother. But I understood. I know you are not like me, or your cousins. You have a bit of a wanderer in you Vanator, and still possess some of the impetuousness of your youth. Do not let them compromise what you are creating her tonight."

The Drykas father paused, his few words of advice spoken. "Kashik and Khiara are fine women, both beautiful, bringing vaulable talents and skill to our family. You have done well son." Eachann clapped Van on the shoulder, gave him a rare wide grin, and turned, exiting the tent and leaving the groom standing alone.

Van suddenly missed Kavala. His sister had always been there during important events in his life. He had his cousin with the fastest Strider deliver an invitation to Sanctuary, but it would have been difficult for Kavala and Akela to make it to Endrykas in time, if they would come at all. His sisters had all but abandoned their Drykas heritage anyway. Despite all that had passed, they were still his sisters, and he wanted them to know.

by **Kashik** on October 15th, 2010, 3:21 am

Bremon simply smiled and ghosted a hand over his son's hair, chuckling as the boy grumbled in his sleep. "It's normal to be nervous, I think. We can't all be Kashik and do whatever we petching want every moment of every day," he drawled. His sister, of course, mimed throwing the brush at him, but they both knew she wouldn't chance waking the boy and so they simply laughed. A moment later, Bremon's eyes dropped to the boy and his smile turned bittersweet. "Ghena was like that when we were married. She tripped on the way to the alter, can you imagine? I was afraid for a moment that she'd just die of embarrassment right there. But she got up and walked the rest of the way. Nothing would stop her from making her vows, that's what she told me after," he murmured.

Kashik's breath caught for a moment, and she glanced at Khiara and gave a little shake of her head, a sign to keep quiet. A few heartbeats passed, and Bremon shook himself from his revelry. "Remember that well, my girls," he chuckled, gathering his son into his arms and hauling up to his feet. "Don't let anything stop you from getting what you want. Stubbornness is no curse in my book." He smiled once more, bowed to press a kiss first to Khiara's cheek and then to Kashik's. "I'll see you at the ceremony," he said quietly, then made his way out to see what else was going on.

Kashik let out the breath she'd been holding, and set down the brush so she could grab up her wineglass. "That's the first time I've heard him say her name in two years," she whispered. Then, remembering that Khiara wasn't privy to all the gossip of the Brightsmile pavilion, she continued. "His wife. She died giving birth to Tinroa. I think... I think perhaps that seeing Vanator find happiness again might be helping him a bit. And you as well," she said, her smile returning. "It's why he likes you so much. Because you haven't given up. You're proof that the gods reward those who survive."

A calloused hand grazed the tatted lace of her dress, an unconscious gesture that every woman made when she was with child - no matter that her stomach was still as flat as it had always been, there was something precious within it now that she could not help but caress. But then she shook herself, much as her brother had, and her grin twisted into something much more self-depricating. "Listen to me! This is a time for celebration, not melancholy stories. Come, let's see who's come to join our party, shall we?" she laughed, sliding to her feet and holding out a hand to Khiara.

by **Khiara** on October 16th, 2010, 10:32 pm

Khiara turned her head to watch Bremon as he spoke, catching Kashik's eye and the small shake of her head. The vantha kept her lips pressed together as he spoke, smiling as he pressed a kiss to her cheek and left. As Kashik grabbed her own wineglass, Khiara did the same - sipping with a slightly trembling hand. As the drykas continued on about Bremon's tragic story, the brunette's confused brow smoothed out and her eyes shone with the sting of tears. Quickly downing her wine, the girl shook her head slowly.

"Goddess, I did give up though. For a while there, I just wanted to leave this world. But then...well.." She smiled, unwilling to grieve on her wedding day. Eliac's voice echoed in her head. He wanted her to be happy. Wavering golden eyes glanced down as Kashik unconsciously stroked her stomach. Her smile widened. Life, a small miracle. One day, Khiara would like to experience the joy of motherhood. To share her joy with Kashik and Vanator and the rest of the pavilion. But right now, she was happy to share the drykas womans experience.

Jumping at the sudden change in tempo, Khiara laughed and stood, brushing her dress smooth. Taking Kashik's hand, she walked with her. It was beautiful. The whole setting. Candles glowed in the evening air, and a cool breeze skirted their skin. It was cool enough that Khiara found herself comfortable. There were people gathered in small groups, chatting and laughing, relaxing together. Family.

by **Kayiri** on October 21st, 2010, 7:36 pm

"You sly little bastard," Kayiri uttered as he entered the tent, laughing that laugh that he so often laughed. "You leave for Riverfall for a season and you come back with another wife? What is this? Did you steal one away from Riverfall, or did I just not pay enough attention when you were here?" he laughed again, approaching the older man. A playful fist found its way to his arm.

"Look at you, all dressed up. No one here will look at you and guess that not three seasons ago, we were busy cutting down Zith, side by side. Oh, almost forgot the part where we ran off and were fortunate I did not bleed to death. I don't like that part, though," the Drykas folded his arms across his chest, tilting his head slightly as he sized up the man. Another smile. "So, who're the lucky ladies? You ran out of Endrykas before I could pin you down to ask who your first wife was. However, knowing you, I'm certain you pinned down two absolutely stunning women. For that, I must curse you. You're leaving less fish in the sea for us young people!"

He did know whom the first one was. Pygmy had told him before she left. However, he did not want to ruin his friend's special day with mention of her. A pang of sadness passed through the younger man as he remembered her. He missed her. He missed her a lot, and although Vanator had broken her heart, he assumed a part of him missed her too. Tearing a gash in both their hearts by questioning him about it tonight would do neither of them any good.

"All right, all right, I'll leave you alone so you can finish up, I just felt the need to drop by, say hello, and interrogate you a little, considering they won't let me sit at your table after the wedding," the man threw his arms around Vanator, careful not to mess up his appearance. Couldn't have anything ruined before the Wedding, could they?

"Van, it's good to see you found people you love," he said honestly. "I'll be sure to hunt you down and harass you some more after the Ceremony if you aren't busy with your lovely wedded wives," he grinned, and then vanished from view. God, he was an odd one. Odd, but lovable, in that weird way.

by **Vanator** on October 23rd, 2010, 4:33 pm

Van stood alone in the small tent, his own shadow flickering on the dark walls of the candlelit room. His mind quieted for a moment and he allowed his thoughts to drift. It had been over five years since his life had fallen apart. He had lost Tamar, he had lost his Strider, and his sisters had walked out of his life. There were friends, women he loved that he had hurt. His hand slipped into his pocket, grasping the mysterious crystal he and Hex had discovered in a hidden cave. The rock had remained in his pocket, since that day, a reminder of the friend he had also come to love. Then there was Pygmy, her final words would never leave him.

But this past season, his life came back to him. He had chosen to wed the woman he loved so dearly. He had found his sisters, and Khiara, after fearing he had lost her forever, had not only come back into his life, but now would share it with he and his beloved pregnant Kashik. And finally, the night before he and the women he loved vowed their love, he came to the shocking realization that spirit of his lost Tamar had never left him, living again in the heart of his faithful Strider Backlash. The fortunate man sighed in contentment and uttered gratitude to the gods.

Vanator's moment of thanksgiving was interrupted by the brash young Drykas warrior. He spun around to see Kayri, giving his friend a big smile. He laughed at the man's jibes, nodding in affirmation and memory of their ill-fated trip to Din. Van glanced down as Kayirir teased him some more and asked about his brides.

" They are both wonderful, amazing women Kay. The first is Kashik Brightsmile." Van could not help but break into a wide smile at the thought of his beautiful bride. "She is from the Diamond Clan. The second is a Vanthan named Khiara. You may even know her, she was Pygmy's friend." There was a pang as Van mentioned the Kelvic by her former name. But he knew she and Kayiri were also friends.

The groom's smile returned after a momentary fading. He clapped Kayiri on the back soundly. "I hope you stick around friend, there will be plenty of eligible Drykas daughters here tonight!" Following the tall rider out of the tent, Vanator paused, surveying all the preparations that had been made for the ceremony. He inhaled deeply, donned a grin, and began to move about the grounds.

by **Kashik** on October 27th, 2010, 3:07 am

Kashik looped her arm in Khiara's, pulling her through the gathering crowd as she met the smiles offered to them and gave a few small waves with her free hand. "Do you want to find Vanator?" she asked, unsure what would make the girl feel a bit less nervous. "It's almost time, we could make our way over to the tent and get this going. Most of these people are here for the after-party anyway," she said with a laugh.

by **Khiara** on October 28th, 2010, 7:52 am

Khiara looked at the drykas and nodded, nervous smile on her lips. Taking a deep breath, she laughed.

"If Vanator's cousin's wedding is anything to go by - after parties are what drykas do best. I barely remember the ceremony!" Slowly suddenly, the vantha took another deep breath, then another. Her eyes shifted, lavender and gold liquid streaks.

"Goddess. Okay." Nodding to herself, she turned to Kashik.

"Nope." She said, as though it was perfectly fine she made no sense. Looking the pregnant woman in the eyes, the vantha suddenly squealed and let out a breathless string of curses in vani. Letting go of Kashik, she shook her hands and closed her eyes. Clearing her throat, Khiara took one last deep breath and breathed it out slowly, before opening her eyes and taking Kashik's arm in hers.

"Alright, I'm good." Moment of giddy nervous excitement over, for now, the brunette felt ready to face her wedding. If only Pygmy could...

What exactly would the kelvic say? Congratulations? You petching whore?

No, no. Pygmy wasn't like that. And...Khiara had never done anything to turn Vanator from the goat. In fact, she'd done her hardest to encourage them. In the end, Pygmy had been stronger to be able to fly. The vantha had tried...but...fate it seemed wanted to tie her to the drykas. Not just Vanator, but the people themselves. Here she stood today, about to become one of them. It couldn't be more right.

Smiling, she pulled on Kashik as she began to walk again, heading towards the main pavilion that had been set up for the ceremony. Bremon would be waiting to give her away, an honour the foreigner greatly appreciated. And Vanator would be there. Waiting.

"Come on, we've got a wedding to be had."