A Dragon's Tale Ch. 86

Chapter 86: "Once more unto the betrothal, dear friends"

* * *

"Whosoever shall hold that hammer..."

Ethan laughed at Selene's comment as he hefted his newly re-handled war hammer in the elven forgemaster's forge. He'd been using the wooden handle since his marriage to Beth in Gralden just over four months ago. He paused, then cocked his head to one side.

"What?" Beth asked, though his other wives looked curious as well.

He looked at her. "We only got married just over four months ago." He shook his head. "Somehow, it feels like yesterday and an eternity ago at the same time."

"I know it's hard to believe Master." Tee spoke up with an almost perfectly straight face. "Beth is so hard to tolerate."

"It's a tough job, but someone has to do it." Ethan agreed in mock-seriousness.

"I would say it's a hard job Dominus." Beth replied sweetly. "But no one does it like you."

*Beth, language in public.* Alana thought to everyone.

The blonde frowned, but didn't reply.

The forgemaster -- who probably had at least grandchildren, and quite possibly great-grandchildren -- had a subtle smile on his face as he spoke. "There is little so pure as the joy of a young, newlywed wife." His smile widened slightly. "Sometimes, that purity shines through in ways you might not expect." He gave Beth a slightly pointed look.

Beth blushed slightly and averted her eyes.

"This is perfect." Ethan said to change the topic and take the attention off of Beth. He hefted his war hammer again. "It feels slightly different; the leather changed how it balances slightly."

"It is dragon leather, of course." The forgemaster replied. " You should find the new balance more conducive to your preferred style of combat."

"Yeah, it feels like it." He said as he moved it around in the air experimentally.

"Now you need to test it." Selene said.

They went into the testing yard and Ethan got the opportunity to test it thoroughly, though not in combat against a real person. Because of a war hammer's mass and the blunt force trauma they inflicted, they were just too dangerous to spar with. However, he was able to practice switching the length from long to short against some target dummies and even some large fruit.

"Hmm, going short to long really slows things down." He observed. "But if I start long and shorten it mid-swing..." He whistled. "Man."

"Conservation of momentum." Selene nodded. "Ice skaters use the same trick to spin super fast."

"It could be very effective if you needed an extra powerful attack at close range." Kendra pointed out. "It would be difficult to do, but very effective."

"Yup." Ethan nodded.

He played around with it for about ten minutes before they all thanked the forgemaster profusely and then left. It was after dinner and growing darker in the sky. It wasn't dark yet, but he could tell that the sun was starting to set earlier as they got into autumn.

"Um, I had a question." Sarah said quietly once they were on the way back to their suite and no one was nearby. "Could Ethan use Rachel's new ring to enchant himself faster?"

"No." Ethan shook his head. "I mean, I can try it, but almost certainly not."

"Why?" Sarah asked.

"Because not all mana is the same." Ethan replied. "We tried having my wives donate mana to me so I could use it for enchanting, but any mana I got that way just wouldn't stick. It faded away quickly, maybe half a day or so."

"However, I can use it for enchanting." Alana grinned.

"Maybe." Rachel said. "I had to drop some deep mana into it to bond with it before it would work. It should partially work for the rest of you because we're all bonded to Ethan, but it will only ever work fully for me."

"So I just need you to hold my hand so you can donate mana." Alana teased back.

"Yes, you're very good at holding." Rachel replied with a subtle note of desire in her tone.

"That was hardly better than what I said." Beth pointed out.

"And I wouldn't have said it in front of the forgemaster." Rachel replied.

"Oh come on, it wasn't that bad." Beth replied.

This, of course, sparked a conversation about the relative severity of Beth's comment and the lines of what should or shouldn't be said in polite company. Ethan listened the whole time, not participating but just quietly enjoying something that he'd gotten precious little of lately.

Normalcy.

Okay, the seven wives thing wasn't normal, even in the Ten Kingdoms, but otherwise, it was absolutely, totally, and completely normal. His wives were having a friendly conversational debate about decorum and it seemed like the Ten Kingdoms equivalent of a typical man on Earth taking his wife and kids to a soccer game, or going out to the movies, or maybe bowling; anything like that.

They weren't discussing how to change empires, or cultural elements a thousand years old, or how to fight a war, or how to find this embodied Nesteri, or fight a dragon who was also a lord; they were just living a small slice of ordinary life. Ethan thought that was the most amazing thing ever.

The conversation and his smile continued until they reached their suite. He held the door open and they all filed through, Sarah last.

She looked at his smile. "What?"

"Nothing." He smiled. "Just enjoying the normal."

She smiled back. "It's wonderful, isn't it?"

He nodded, then they filed in, the others not having noticed that they took a moment because they were still discussing decorum. Ethan leaned up against the door and watched as the conversation developed, and Sarah leaned up against him. He put his arm around her and she sighed.

"You know, I wanted a family since I hit puberty." Ethan said after a moment. "I kept trying to start one on Earth, but couldn't. I guess I needed to wait until I got here."

"Was it worth the wait?" Sarah asked.

He looked down at her until she looked up at him, then he looked directly into her eyes as he spoke. "Yes. Yes, it was."

Sarah beamed.

* * *

Candice normally replayed an event in her head a thousand times from every angle, trying to decide what every little nuance of expression or subtle tonal shift in someone's voice meant. That was normal for her and she did it automatically.

Except that she wasn't right now.

Despite the fact that Ethan had said that he thought of her like a daughter, she wasn't ruminating on that right now. No, right now she was trying to figure out something that was even more puzzling: Halasses. He was sitting in a chair in her bedroom after Thea had sent him there, and strangely, he was able to take a nap while sitting in it.

She got up off the bed, keeping a hand on it in case she lost her balance since she still wasn't comfortable on her wooden leg yet.

"Yes, I was sleeping." Halasses said, though his slightly open mouth didn't move and he gave no indication that he was awake. "And yes, I woke up when you moved."

"How?" Candice asked.

He opened his eyes and looked at her, but didn't answer the question. "Thea sent me because she said you would be distraught, though she neglected to tell me why. She said that I was to remain at this post until you and I had properly talked."

"Oh?" Candice replied.

"I neglected to tell her that she lacked the authority to reassign me." He continued, a slight smile on his face. "If you prefer, I can tell her that we had a conversation, but that its contents were private."

"But we haven't talked." She replied.

"Is this not a conversation?" He pointed out.

That almost made her smile.

Almost.

"Thea believes that she can push us together through proximity." He continued. "If you wish to share what troubles you, feel free. However, I will not pry. You appear to be doing better, so I shall take my leave so you might enjoy the rest of your evening."

He stood up, gave her a respectful nod of the head, and then walked out of the bedroom and into the living room. She took a few careful steps to the door and saw that he did intend to leave.

"Wait." Candice said just as he was about to put his hand on the latch to open the door out of her suite.

He paused and looked at her.

"Um, Ethan said that..." She swallowed. "Um, that he thought of me like a daughter." She said, then she explained. She explained everything that had happened and how it had hurt. She even let herself tear up when talking about it.

Halasses listened without comment until she was done. He was silent for several moments, then spoke calmly, and something about his voice was soothing. "Ethan almost certainly said that intentionally to reduce your affection for him, likely on the advice of his wives. While I cannot say for certain, I suspect that they wished you to move on because they believed it best for you."

Candice stared.

"I... I hadn't thought of that." She replied, then bit her lip.

"The Prophet clearly cares for you, and I am sure he felt guilty afterward." Halasses continued. "However, that care is not what you previously wished it to be."

"Previously?" She asked.

"Yes, previously." He nodded his head respectfully at her. "Have a pleasant evening."

"You too." She replied almost automatically.

He left, leaving Candice to wonder what he meant. Oddly, as she thought about Ethan, something had changed in the way she felt. She wasn't sure what, but something had.

* * *

"Yeah, it doesn't work." Ethan said to Sarah as he opened his eyes and let go of Rachel's hand. "I can already tell that the enchantment from that mana won't stick. It'll be mostly gone by morning."

"Perhaps it could still be useful." Kendra pointed out. "Not as a permanent solution, but maybe if you had several hours to prepare before an important battle?"

"Possibly, but dragon enchantments do less than normal ones; the difference is that I can stack them far higher." Ethan replied. "It's really only powerful in aggregate, built up over a long period."

"In a serious confrontation, every edge could help." Kendra pointed out.

"True." Ethan conceded.

"Speaking of confrontations, what are we going to do about Nakhim?" Rachel asked. "Kalaya will have her shame-removal ceremony at dawn the day after tomorrow, and I'd prefer that Nakhim had already agreed to let Navaro and Kalaya marry by then."

"Speaking of, Thea said that she'll get the details for the ceremony sometime later tonight." Selene spoke up. "She'll have someone slip a note under our door."

"Great." Ethan gave her a thumbs up. "And tell her 'thanks' from me."

"Done." Selene said after a momentary pause.

Rachel continued. "Concerning changing Nakhim's mind, we have Thea's idea, plus bluffing about the Prophet publicly cutting ties with Nakhim, and Thea disinviting him from the wedding, contrasted with Thea getting Nakhim some time alone with The King every month. That's a lot of pressure, but I'm not sure it'll be enough."

"Perhaps the way it's approached will matter?" Kendra said. "The same idea that was rejected the first time might be accepted the second time with a different presentation."

"You sound like you're planning a battle." Sarah observed.

"Cry havoc, and let slip the dogs of marriage." Selene replied.

Everyone looked at her, even Ethan.

"Shakespeare's play Henry V, said about the dogs of war." She explained. "Seriously, we need to have a movie night on Earth so that..." She trailed off and looked at Tee with a sigh. "Sorry Tee; I know Earth doesn't agree with you."

"Maybe it could?" Rachel said, then held up the hand with her arch-mage ring. "Tee could maybe borrow it and draw enough mana from it that she could remain conscious?"

"I thought you said that it was bonded to you, so it won't work properly for anyone else." Selene replied.

"True, but I also said that since we're all bonded to Ethan, it should work somewhat for all of you." Rachel replied, then looked at Tee. "I think there's a good chance that you could draw enough mana to spend at least a short time on Earth."

Tee's wings started moving so fast that they were vibrating. "Really!?"

"Of course, but only if you're very, very good." Rachel teased, which brought a smile to Ethan's face. He really liked this new version of Rachel that was more lighthearted and carefree. Not actually carefree, but much more so.

"We need to tell Richard and Ruth about the triple wedding too." Alana pointed out. "Well, assuming we can make it happen."

"I think we can, I'm just not sure how." Ethan replied.

"I think Thea should present the argument, with Ethan and Ahjah there to support her." Rachel said after a moment. "Normally, I might suggest that it wouldn't be a woman talking to Nakhim because of his views. However, he's more likely to think that Thea would do something irrational because of his views on women."

"Turn his prejudice against him?" Selene asked.

Rachel nodded. "He's more likely to believe that she would do something self-destructive; I say we use that."

"Poetic justice." Ethan smiled. "And I agree."

"Thea says that she can ask The King to summon him to the palace tomorrow so that we can have an audience." Selene spoke up. "She also says that he's willing to attend to keep the whole thing highly civil."

"Can we get The King to tip the scales?" Ethan asked. "Maybe say that he would support the marriage, or maybe that he's in favor of it?"

Selene cocked her head to one side. "I can have Thea ask him."

* * *

The King took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he regarded his ward, soon-to-be adopted daughter. They were in one of the many hallways in the palace, this particular one just off one of its many dining rooms.

"I know that you cannot say much." Thea continued. "But anything you could say to Nakhim, or just mention with him around, would help rather a lot."

The King took a moment to consider what to say. "Let us suppose that it is some years in the future and your first daughter has reached the age to be married. Some suitor has arisen, yet both yourself and Ahjah feel his character is insufficient to the task of keeping your daughter's heart in an honorable and healthy manner."

His ward frowned.

"Now suppose that The King -- even if it is not I -- makes a comment in public that he supports the match." The King continued. "Consider what effect that would have on yourself and Ahjah, and your decision."

His ward's frown deepened. "We would feel pressured to let them marry. I'd like to think we wouldn't, but if we didn't, that would come across as defying The King, or saying that he's wrong and it's a bad match, either of which would cost our family greatly in honor."

"You are correct." The King replied. "Many think that wisdom is the hallmark of a great king. Others think it is strength, or cunning, shrewdness, righteousness, courage, and many of the other noble traits as well. Those are indeed good qualities in a king, especially wisdom and courage, for wisdom without the courage to apply that wisdom is like trying to wield magic without mana." He paused. "However, there is one important hallmark of a good king, and indeed all good leaders, that is often neglected in such lists."

"What's that?" Thea asked.

"Restraint." He replied.

Thea's frown turned thoughtful.

"Restraint is power under control." He continued. "It is the ability to refrain from acting when one could act, because not acting is the wiser course."

Thea inclined her head in concession.

"The domain of the government is the law and its enforcement, not to advise its citizens when a marriage should or should not be contracted." The King continued. "To throw my support behind this marriage publicly would create a precedent that would outlast my life, and make our great culture weaker, even if it would provide some temporary happiness at the present time." He looked at her pointedly. "It is never prudent to sacrifice one's future for a little temporary joy."

She nodded. "I wish you weren't right."

"I have occasionally wished that as well." He replied with a smile. "It is then that I remember that the words are not mine, but my father's; may Illuminar -- blessed be He -- rest his soul."

"I miss him." Thea said. She smiled even as her eyes got watery. "He used to let me sit in his lap, even in the throne room."

"I remember." The King said, his own expression not dissimilar. "If directly asked, the most I could say is that I do not oppose the match, for it is not The King's place to support or oppose such things. The lack of symmetry in my response will allow a clever man to ascertain my position on the matter without imposing even a grain of pressure on his decision."

"Thank you." Thea replied.

"You are welcome." He smiled.

They talked for another few minutes, then Thea gave him a hug good night and left, probably for her room. The King watched after her for a long minute as he considered the situation and how Thea was reacting to it.

*You have much on your mind, my king.* His wife thought to him as she entered the hallway.

*Indeed.* He replied, smiling at her.

*Might I ask?* She came to his side and he took her hand, then led her toward the royal bedchamber.

*It is my suspicion that our soon-to-be daughter has an additional stratagem percolating in her mind about how to bring about a wedding between Navaro and your sister.* He replied after a moment. *Yet she has not voiced it, apparently to anyone.*

*We agree.* His wife replied as they entered their room, since it was not far. *For her to be so reluctant to share it indicates that it is unlikely something that we would endorse, and yet her tender heart tells me that it would not be something altogether wrong.*

"We agree." He replied aloud now that they were alone.

"Have you any idea what it might be?" She asked as she picked up one of her brushes and began to comb her beautiful hair.

"I would suspect something that would affect honor, not morality." He replied as he removed his shoes. "She is not overly fond of the honor element of our culture, though she moves quite well in it. Thus, she would wish to conceal a stratagem that affected honor, though it would not overly bother her conscience."

"If that were the case, would she not tell the Prophet and his wives?" The Queen asked.

"That is possible, or perhaps she would not wish it to come back to you and me."

The Queen nodded, set down her brush, and then smiled at him. "My king, I'm afraid that I feel slightly... restless tonight; perhaps too restless to sleep."

"Elucidate." The King said, a part of him that had become well-exercised since his wedding night waking up.

"I do not think it is a malady of the mind, nor indigestion." The Queen said. "Perhaps I have something affecting me physically."

"Yes, that does seem likely." The King replied. "Perhaps, in the morning, I might examine you to see if its source can be ascertained."

"If it will be a trouble my king, I might, perhaps be able to narrow down your search." The Queen replied, then somehow managed to shrug her way out of her dress. The King wasn't sure how that was possible with that particular dress, but then again, The Queen was incredible with a needle. Of course, looking at her, she was incredible in other ways as well.

The King smiled. "I have a very full schedule tonight, but I believe I will be able to make time for such an examination."

She grinned.

* * *

Ethan slowly chewed his breakfast as something hovered at the edge of his mind.

"What?" Alana asked him.

"I feel like I'm forgetting to do something, but I can't remember what." He frowned.

"Well, we keep saying that we need to talk to the luminars about The King being able to ask questions." Selene said.

"That's it." He said. "Damn, you got that fast."

"A sixth wife knows." She winked. "I was going to say 'a woman knows', but there's no shortage of those."

Ethan chuckled. "Well, that meeting with Nakhim isn't until after lunch, so I think I'll head 'round to the Conclave building or Plesius's house and ask him about it."

"If you don't mind, Rachel and I would like to go to the Argo." Alana said. "Mage Weston said that he got inspired about how to make Rachel's ring work by looking at the will-breaker ring's enchantments. I'm hoping it'll do something similar for me, and help me figure out how to get a warding enchantment to work."

"Sounds good, just bring plenty of protection." He replied.

"Boss, she's already pregnant; I don't think 'protection' will help." Selene winked.

Ethan laughed at that, and then they had to explain what it meant to his other wives. After breakfast, Ethan kissed his wives -- Sarah on the forehead -- and then set out toward the Conclave building, since Plesius's house was very close to it.

As he left, a half dozen of the Lightguard fell into step behind him.

"Thanks for guarding my wives and me." He said to them. "I really appreciate it."

"It is our honor, honored Prophet." One of them replied.

"Is there anything I can do to thank you guys?" Ethan asked.

"We do not do this for a temporal reward." Another one replied. "We do it because we were blessed to be in the right place and time with the proper skills. We do not primarily see this as a service to you or your wives, but as a Service to the God of Light. He will reward us at the proper time, whether in this life or the next."

"That's..." He cocked his head to one side. "You all have a very different view of the world, you know?"

Several of them got amused smiles.

"If you do what everyone else does, you will receive what everyone else receives." The first one replied. "We genuinely enjoy protecting your family, but everyone's true goal should be to make Illuminar -- blessed be He -- smile when He looks at the way you conduct your life."

Ethan nodded slowly. "Well, I try to be a good guy; hopefully it's enough."

"It is a good beginning, honored Prophet." Another one said.

Ethan nodded his head in concession, then fell silent. He really thought that his family was blessed to have them. Honestly, they probably would've all died in that ambush if not for the Lightguard. He thought about that for a while, and as they drew close to the Conclave building, he looked at them again.

"Okay, so I realize that Illuminar will reward you in the afterlife; I got that." He said. "But I would like to do something in this life. Seriously, is there anything I can do?"

The Lightguard who were following him looked pensive for a moment, though their heads were on swivels looking for threats.

"Perhaps assist Halasses in his efforts to woo Candice." One of them finally said. "You might not realize how long he has waited for a wife, nor how deeply he longs for one. However, he is willing to let this opportunity pass him by if she declines to reciprocate his interest. He, in many ways, wishes to either have an incredible marriage, or none at all."

"I do believe that the honored Selene would call him a 'hopeless romantic'." Another one explained.

"I never would've guessed." Ethan chuckled, then added. "I'll see what I can do."

He meant it too.

He and his family had received rather a lot of help lately, and now that he was thinking about it, he thought it was about damn time that they started trying to thank people properly. He would've liked to pay them back, but since that simply wasn't possible in most cases, a strong 'thank you' and doing something seemed like a good idea.

*Hey ladies, remind me to give that chess set to Lord Kalus when I get a chance.* He thought to everyone.

*Will do Boss.* Selene replied. *I'll bet you easily win your first game against him, win the second by a hair, and never beat him again.*

*Thanks for the vote of confidence.* He resisted the urge to chuckle or laugh, mostly because he was trying to get better about revealing the group chat in public.

He'd arrived at the Conclave building by now, but wasn't entirely sure where to go. He frowned, then walked up to one of the two guards on either side of the main door. His disguise gem was off, he was wearing his armor, and he had the Lightguard following him, so he thought he'd be pretty recognizable.

"Is Plesius in?" He asked.

"Apologies, honored Prophet." The guard head bowed. "The honored high priest has not arrived yet, and I observed him walking away from the temple toward the palace some time ago; I shall inform him of your interest in an audience when he arrives."

"Thanks, and have a great day." Ethan replied.

"You as well, honored Prophet." The guard replied.

Well, that changed his plans. Still, he supposed he now had some time to see about helping Halasses with Candice. *Hey ladies, so I'd like your help on something...*

* * *

"I miss the Argo so much." Alana sighed as she stepped onto the airship with Rachel right behind her. She slowly spun on the spot, looking at the place where she'd lived for the last few months. For such a short part of her life, so much had happened there that it was almost unbelievable.

"Me too." Rachel agreed, then closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "I miss that smell."

"Yeah, I didn't realize that the Argo had its own unique scent until I wasn't on it every day." The wood elf agreed as she ran her fingers over the railing.

"We should do what we came here for." Rachel suggested.

"Yeah." Alana smiled, and they made their way into the captain's cabin. Once the door was closed behind them, she turned and gave Rachel an impish grin. "You want top or bottom?"

"Both..." Rachel winked back. "... but not right now."

Alana chuckled, took a step toward the large desk in the Argo's captain's cabin, then hesitated. She looked at the bed for a moment, then went over and flopped down on it. It was so comfortable. And that wasn't just because of the softness, or the linen sheets, or the comforter; it was because of the memories. It just felt like home.

A slight shift on the bed alerted her to Rachel laying down next to her. "It smells like home."

"It does." Alana sighed.

They lay there for a minute or two, then Alana managed to force herself to get up, root through the drawer of the desk, and pull out the will-breaker ring that had sat on Rachel's finger for so long.

"The mark isn't completely gone." Rachel said as she looked at her finger.

It was true.

There had been a black mark on her finger where the ring had been, likely a result of the ripper spell that had tried to kill her when they took it off. It had mostly faded, but not completely.

"But now, hopefully, we can use it as inspiration for how to make the warding enchantment fit." Alana said.

Rachel nodded, and they both put a hand on the ring, though they were careful to make sure no fingers ended up inside it. The enchantment inside was incredibly complex. Alana frowned, then pulled out the small piece of warded leather that The King had given to them and held the two enchanted items, one in each hand. A moment later, Rachel also put a finger on the warded leather.

"You're distracting." Alana said as Rachel adjusted her finger, brushing Alana's skin.

"Not as distracting as Ethan would be." Rachel replied with her eyes still closed and a very cute look of concentration on her face.

"True." Alana chuckled.

A moment later, she put a finger on Rachel's arch-mage ring to compare that enchantment as well. She wasn't going to try to figure out how it worked, but seeing how its enchantments were intertwined might help.

"I think I see the common thread." Rachel said about a minute later.

"Yes, the number of times it reuses various parts of the enchantment for other parts is quite ingenious." Alana agreed. It seemed like every single part of the enchantment was pulling double duty, doing two things at once instead of only one. That explained how the warding enchantment could fit inside the 'enchanting space' of dragon leather.

"I wonder how much further we could go with that." Rachel mused.

"You're thinking that we could fold other enchantments in as well?" Alana asked.

Rachel nodded. "So, I mostly know the theory, but generally speaking, most enchantments use the same basic framework, right?"

"Mostly yes; there are subtle differences, but right." Alana cocked her head to one side. "You're thinking that if we did the foundational work to figure out how to integrate different enchantments, we could fit more?"

"Why not?" Rachel asked. "And yes, I realize it would be enormously complex because it wouldn't be interchangeable, so we would need to completely re-do all of the work if you wanted to change one or add something, but it's an option.

Alana nodded slowly. "I'm not sure how large the savings would be, because again the subtle differences between enchantments matter, so the savings would probably be pretty small." She frowned. "But, if there was enough savings to fit a small extra enchantment, then maybe..." Her frown deepened. "Maybe a really small one? I doubt it would be more."

"Fire resistance?" Rachel suggested. "We were already planning two layers of armor for Ethan. His current layer which has a hardening/strengthening enchantment, a self-healing enchantment, the summoning spell so he can get it on, and then you enchanted a thin layer of the outside with a fire resistance enchantment, and then there's room for one more. The strength-enhancing enchantment is on some, and then you were going to put a speed-enhancing enchantment on others."

"Right." Alana nodded.

"Then the second layer was going to have the warding enchantment and a self-healing enchantment, but that's all the room we have because the warding enchantment is so large." Rachel continued. "There wouldn't be room for a fire resistance enchantment, which seems important since I'm sure he hasn't fought his last dragon."

Alana nodded. "If we were careful, we could almost certainly compress the other enchantments so that the fire resistance enchantment could be on everything without losing the other enchantments. It's already a small enchantment, and dragon leather takes it readily."

"Exactly." Rachel smiled. "He'll be armored head to toe, the warding enchantment will provide extra protection, and the whole set of armor will be self-healing and fire-resistant as well."

Alana took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "That'll be a lot of work, but I think it'll be worth it."

"Agreed." Rachel nodded, then cocked her head to one side. "Do you think anyone else has figured this out?"

"I'm sure they have." She replied. "However, I think the space savings per enchantment would be so small that it would only be noticeable on dragon leather or dragon steel. Most people wouldn't need a fire resistance enchantment, and not many other enchantments are that small anyway."

Rachel got a thoughtful frown on her face. "We still have a fairly large piece of dragon leather in the hold that we could experiment on, don't we?"

"We have a whole dragon skin from when Ethan rescued Victoria, which is what we were going to use for the second layer with the warding enchantment." Alana replied. "But, yes, we do have at least one other piece large enough to practice on."

"We should grab it before heading back." Rachel suggested.

"Yes, but first..." Alana nodded to the bed.

At any other time, they might've spent some 'intimate' time in the bed. This time, they just spent several minutes lying on it and enjoying the feeling of their own bed again.

It was wonderful.

* * *

"You have eaten very little."

Ethan looked at The King, who had hosted a very small lunch before the impending meeting with Nakhim. It was just The King, Ethan, Halvaer Kalon, Ahjah, and Thea. He had wanted more of his wives at the meeting, but pretty much everyone had pointed out that too many cooks in the kitchen was a bad idea. Even Alana had agreed, and said that she shouldn't be there because she wouldn't actually be able to help, as much as she wanted to.

The luncheon was in a very small dining room in the palace, not far from where the meeting would take place. As was typical, the carvings on the wall were exquisite and so lifelike that the only thing that gave away that they weren't real was the natural wood color and the lack of movement. Even then, he would've sworn that they looked different depending on where you were in the room.

"Yeah, I'm mostly thinking about the meeting." He replied. He had mostly picked at his food, eating little and thinking a lot.

"I think we're as prepared as we can be." Thea said. They had spent most of the lunch discussing strategy, though The King had not taken part. He would be at the meeting, but only as an observer and only initially.

"I agree." Ahjah said, then added. "And some of us are, perhaps, over-prepared."

Thea gave him a look, but he seemed completely unbothered by that.

Ethan chuckled. "I know we talked about bringing up Delilah, but I think I should talk to him about it first, and alone."

"Why?" Thea asked.

"Because with this kind of thing, it's best to handle it straight up." He replied. "There's something of a man's code where you just simply don't mess with another man's girl, or even the girl he's interested in. I realize that Nakhim and I aren't exactly friends, but I don't feel right about anything else other than being upfront."

"Okay." Thea nodded.

"No objections?" Ethan asked.

She shook her head. "No, I don't like using people as bargaining chips."

"That is ironic considering the idea you suggested recently." Ahjah said with amusement.

Thea averted her eyes slightly. "It... well, it might work."

"It might, but I'd rather talk to Nakhim one-on-one first." Ethan replied. "If he's still interested in her, then the last thing I want to do is use her as a bargaining chip."

"That is wise." The King said. "Affairs of the heart are indeed best handled delicately."

"Thanks." Ethan replied. "And I mean that, and not just for this. You've done so much lately that I don't know how we'll ever thank you."

"Endeavour to faithfully serve Illuminar -- blessed be He -- with all your heart, and I shall consider the score settled." The King replied.

They finished eating not long afterward, then Delabor led Ethan to the room where the meeting was set to take place. Ethan thanked him, then found himself pacing the room slowly as he waited. This room was slightly deeper in the palace, and the wood adorning the walls was darker, giving the room a contemplative feel.

As the minutes dragged on, Ethan found himself realizing that Taloni would have a clear suggestion for what he should do while he waited. He hesitated, sighed, then spoke.

"So, Illuminar, if you're listening." He paused. "I guess you're always listening, and watching, which is kind of creepy if you think about it. Maybe I shouldn't think about it. Anyway, Alana really wants this to go well and work. And honestly, I'm not sure why I'm telling you that because aren't you supposed to know everything? Anyway, if you could help this whole thing go really well, I'd appreciate it."

He started pacing again, then stopped. "And if you could make it so that we don't make yet another mortal enemy, I'd really, really appreciate that too."

He resumed pacing.

It was another five minutes before the door opened and Nakhim entered, notably alone. He regarded Ethan for several seconds, then spoke. "The King informed me that you wished to speak to me alone."

"Yeah." Ethan nodded. "So, the other night, my family and I visited a restaurant, really more of a diner, in one of Nalatia's not-so-nice districts."

"I have been so informed." Nakhim replied, though his face was hard to read.

"Yeah, I didn't realize who we would find there, as a friend of mine found out about her and asked us to meet him there so he could tell us the story." Ethan said. "We didn't realize that Delilah was our waitress until after we arrived."

"So I surmised." Nakhim replied, again, hard to read.

"That's it?" Ethan asked.

"Did you expect me to be moved by this discovery?" Nakhim replied.

"Honestly, I don't know." Ethan replied. "I'd guess you heard that I bought out her work contract, and that she's working here at the palace?"

The elf nodded.

"So, I didn't have a plan." Ethan admitted. "I thought that if you were still interested, I could sell you her work contract for a single copper -- as I think that's needed to make it legal -- and you could marry her if you still wanted to."

"I do not." Nakhim replied.

"No?"

The elf shook his head once. "No, I do not."

"Why?" Ethan asked.

"Because I am aware of her character." He replied.

"Yeah, that makes sense." Ethan nodded slowly. "I assume you've had someone keep tabs on her?"

"I orchestrated her employment there, though without her knowledge." Nakhim replied. "I have, ever since, eaten there once every year, using a disguise gem, to see for myself if she has changed."

"And?"

"She has changed, slowly over time, and not for the better." He replied.

"Yeah, I noticed that she's pretty entitled." Ethan replied. "If you would indulge my curiosity, was she always that way?"

"In hindsight, partially." Nakhim replied. "She has worsened significantly over time. Perhaps, if she had been wed to a strong husband, he could have cured her of that before it solidified." Ethan couldn't be sure, but he thought he detected a note of regret in Nakhim's voice. It was hard to tell, but he was pretty sure.

"That's a damn shame." Ethan replied.

"It is a mark in your favor that you did not seek to use her as a bargaining chip." Nakhim said after a moment.

"Like you said, it's just business." Ethan replied, though he didn't mention Thea's idea. He was realizing that if Nakhim had not only kept tabs on her, but also visited her every year, he probably still cared deeply for her. "That seems like crossing a line and making it personal."

"I would have considered it so." The elf replied.

"Fair." Ethan nodded.

* * *

Candice was getting better at walking on her new wooden leg without the cane. She didn't stumble as much, and she was falling far less. Of course, she needed to move slower and more deliberately, but it was progress. Thankfully, the doors in her suite lined up, so she had a fairly long path to practice walking without being seen. That was good, as she didn't want to be seen having trouble walking, especially by anyone who didn't know about her leg.

Knock, knock.

She walked to the door and opened it to see Kendra and Selene standing there. Interestingly, they were both holding training weapons.

"Hello, come in." She carefully stepped back and held the door open.

"Actually, did you want to come with us?" Selene asked. "We're heading to the palace guard's sparring ring to practice, and thought you might like to watch."

Candice hesitated.

"Allow me to rephrase." Selene said. "Ethan suggested that we invite you, and Halasses will be there."

"Okay." Candice replied.

She wasn't sure why Ethan had suggested that she go, unless maybe he wanted her to see Halasses? That made some sense, but she guessed there was more to it. She wasn't sure what though.

* * *

"So, you're pretty sharp; I'm guessing you know what this little meeting is about." Ethan said to Nakhim once everyone -- The King, Halvaer Kalon, Ahjah, Thea, Nakhim, and Ethan himself -- were seated in the small conference room.

"You wish to procure my permission for Navaro to marry your first wife's mother." Nakhim replied.

"Yup." Ethan confirmed.

"You will not succeed." He said. "The only pressure that could alter my decision would come from The King himself--" He nodded respectfully at him. "--and I do not believe that His Majesty would involve himself in matrimonial decisions of this nature."

"You are correct." The King replied. "It is merely my intention to inform you that, following the de-shaming ceremony tomorrow morning, it is my intention to invite the first unshamed person to the palace for a late breakfast in order to signal to all that once shame has been removed, it should be considered completely removed."

Nakhim didn't reply immediately. When he did, it sounded like he was choosing his words carefully. "Your Majesty, your wisdom is -- as always -- reputed to be without equal."

Ethan resisted the urge to smile at that carefully crafted response.

"I shall now take my leave." The King stood up. "I trust this will remain cordial." Despite the phrasing, it was a clear command.

Everyone said and did the appropriate things for when The King left the room, then sat back down.

"I have already considered what you might suggest to apply pressure." Nakhim said, then looked at Ahjah and Thea. "Being disinvited from your wedding will only have temporary repercussions at best." He then looked at Ethan. "You might, perhaps, issue some public denouncement of myself. To which I would reply that you did so in order to pressure me concerning a marriage. The response from the populace would, I think, reflect much more poorly on you than on myself, for -- as The King has pointed out -- interference in matters of a particular marriage is not a typical role for a prophet of Illuminar -- blessed be He."

Ethan frowned as he considered that for a few moments, then spoke. "We're not talking about a father allowing his daughter to marry." He pointed out. "Navaro only needs to get your permission because he's next in line to be the head of House Nalfigar, right?"

"Correct." Nakhim replied.

"So then, would it really reflect badly on me?" Ethan asked.

"More so than you might realize." Nakhim replied.

"Are you sure?" Thea asked, the expression on her face pensive. "Everyone knows that Kalaya and Navaro were in love, and that he would likely still want to marry her. Given their affection and Alana's appearance, I don't think it's a secret who her father is."

Nakhim's mouth became a thin line. "That is quite the accusation."

"Cut the crap." Ethan replied. "It's true and you know it."

"Two or three witnesses." Nakhim replied. "A prophet would know better."

"Here's the thing." Thea began, likely changing topics slightly. "You're worried that Navaro will be unduly influenced by Kalaya, right?"

Nakhim nodded once.

"Then what happens when she's unshamed and free to talk to him again?" Thea asked. "Might she convince him to confess, removing him from serious contention for being the heir of House Nalfigar so she might marry him?"

"I have considered such a possibility, and prepared for it." Nakhim replied.

"You have prepared for the current heir of House Nalfigar admitting to such a grievous sin?" Ahjah asked. "How, pray tell, would one prepare for that, other than preparing the second-born son to inherit in his stead? What defense could absolve House Nalfigar of that stain? It still marks House Kalon, even though it was a daughter and not the heir."

"Arrangements have been made." Nakhim replied, but didn't elaborate.

"Yeah, I think you're bluffing." Ethan said. "I don't think there's much you could do against that, and you know it."

"The Prophet is wed to Kalaya's daughter, and I'm her best friend's sister." Thea pointed out. "I'm pretty sure that if we wanted to convince her to release Navaro from his oath not to say he was involved, I think we could do it."

Nakhim didn't reply.

Ethan let that hang in the air for a moment instead of piling on. One thing he had learned from Sarah recounting the times she'd seen Lord Delmar hold court was that silence could be powerful.

After several long seconds, Ahjah spoke up. "Either you admit that Alana's mother might indeed convince him to confess, or else your reason for objecting to their marriage must be retracted."

"It is a possibility." Nakhim said after a moment.

"So, picture this." Ethan said. "Your son, the heir of House Nalfigar, confesses to being Alana's father. Then, you're uninvited to the upcoming wedding -- which includes The King's daughter and the 'Prophet of Illuminar' -- in a very public manner. How would that look to the good people of Nalatia? To the wood elves as a whole?"

The thin line that was Nakhim's lips moved downward ever so slightly.

"Oh, and then right afterward, the Prophet of Illuminar comes out and says that while he'll be happy to deal with your newly shamed son, he isn't interested in dealing with you personally." Ethan leaned forward slightly. "How would that look?"

Nakhim narrowed his eyes.

"Your father started Delilah's house on the road to ruin when he publicly cut ties with them." Ethan reminded him. "True, that was a minor house and House Nalfigar is a Great House, but I can't imagine that it would go well for Nalfigar as a whole."

"The amount of honor that House Nalfigar would lose would take generations to rebuild." Thea pointed out. "It might not destroy your House, but it would begin its road to decline."

"Nakhim, you have always been a cautious man." Halvaer said. "It is possible that your house could survive even all of that. However, it would take longer than your lifetime to recover, and you would need to trust that Navaro would guide that recovery... and you know that he would marry Alana's mother the moment the mourning period for your passing has ended."

Nakhim's face got an actual frown on it.

"I am not overly fond of the match either." Halvaer continued. "However, my daughter is -- in this one area -- willful and headstrong. I do not believe that anything other than a personal visit from an angel or Illuminar Himself -- blessed be He -- could entice her to marry another. So while I understand your reservations, if one takes the long view, it would seem to be best for all concerned."

"Do you think your house so strong that it could weather even that storm?" Ahjah asked.

"Do not underestimate House Nalfigar." Nakhim replied. "It has weathered such storms in the past, and it can do so again. Our roots and influence run deep, regardless of public perception."

"But could it survive a scandal from both the House Head and House Heir?" Thea asked.

"Thea." Ethan gave her a look and shook his head; he was having second thoughts about her idea since talking with Nakhim.

"Sorry Ethan, but I think I need to." Thea looked at Nakhim. "I have one witness -- only one, but one who says that there are others -- who says that you swore an oath to Illuminar to marry Delilah."

Nakhim's face suddenly became even more stiff.

"You never did, and still haven't, even though she's currently available." Thea pressed. "How will House Nalfigar survive when its House Head broke such an oath, and its heir has confessed? Will anyone be inclined to trust the House Head of Nalfigar when such a broken oath is confirmed by two or three witnesses?"

"And when you have also been disinvited to the wedding of the century, your son has confessed to being Alana's father, and the Prophet has publicly distanced himself from you." Ahjah added. "Individually, House Nalfigar could weather any of those storms. Cumulatively, it is unlikely."

Ethan thought it had sounded clever when Thea had suggested it. Now, it just sounded a little heartless. Possibly effective, but heartless. He couldn't imagine what it would be like to be forced to marry someone like Delilah while in the middle of that shitstorm.

"Mr. Ejder, as The Queen would say, you are not using your 'indoor expressions'." Nakhim said to him. "Speak your mind."

"I had a conversation with my wives the other day." Ethan said after a moment. "I pointed out to them that the only reason I can handle all the crap life has thrown at us is because my family life is peaceful. I can't imagine what it would be like to deal with marrying Delilah and all of that."

Nakhim inclined his head in concession.

"So, I'm sorry that we're -- as Ethan would say -- playing hardball." Thea said. "I know you think that Navaro marrying Kalaya will destroy House Nalfigar. But if you want to keep House Nalfigar strong, the question is which will be less bad for House Nalfigar?"

He didn't reply.

"Yes, Kalaya could persuade Navaro to make bad decisions that would hurt House Nalfigar." Thea continued. "But do you really think that Navaro would allow Kalaya to persuade him to do more damage than the alternative we've laid out?"

Again, he didn't reply, though something had subtly changed in his expression. Ethan couldn't put his finger on what, but something had.

"It's a cost-benefit analysis." Ethan chimed in. "I'm sure you've done that for businesses you've run or bought?"

"Of course." Nakhim nodded.

Ethan continued. "You have two options that you don't like. The question is which will do less damage."

"If I can add something." Thea said. "I talked to my guardian and he agreed, as a wedding present to me, to have a one-on-one meeting with you once a month if you would agree. Plus, The Queen suggested that we make it a triple wedding; your son could be married at the same service as The King's daughter and the Prophet of Illuminar."

"And, there's one more thing to add to the religious angle." Ethan added. "As I told you before, an angel said that they were going to get married. Promised, actually. This hasn't gotten to the place where you can't come out on top. It's going to happen, one way or another."

"Halvaer said that he doesn't think she will marry anyone else." Thea reminded him. "So that means the question isn't if they'll get married, but when they'll get married. If you agree now, you can be there to help guide him and House Nalfigar, and protect it from any negative effects while you're still living. If you wait until after you pass, your son will marry her anyway. But then, you'll have no say and no ability to guide him because you will have passed."

"As my betrothed says, they will marry." Ahjah said. "You will only be able to prevent that while alive, yet we all must pass through the sleep of death. When you take the final journey, all impediments to the union will be gone."

"I think you have two options." Thea leaned forward. "First, you can refuse now. You can miss out on the great honor of sharing in that wedding, and your house will suffer all those consequences that we've laid out. Further, Delilah will forever be a part of your family, causing trouble where there needn't be any. Even then, once you sleep the final sleep, they will still marry. You can't prevent the marriage; the only question is when it will take place."

"She's got a point." Ethan agreed.

"Or, there's the second option." Thea continued. "You can allow them to marry now, and benefit from the prestige and honor associated with having your son marry in a triple wedding with the Prophet and The King's daughter. Then, you will be able to mitigate any damage that might arise from her influencing your son for many, many years by countering it with your own." She paused. "The second option comes with great rewards in terms of honor, and greatly diminishes the potential risks of a foregone conclusion. The first option doesn't diminish the downside, and adds much dishonor to your House without any benefit whatsoever."

Nakhim didn't reply.

He took a deep breath and then let it out slowly.

"Do you need a minute to think about it?" Ethan asked.

"Consider your mortality, that the years of your life are but few." Nakhim replied, and Ethan guessed that he was quoting the Book of Light. "The life of a mortal is but breath, and their lifespan like the wind. Consider who will be entrusted with the work of your hands, the labor that you strove for. Remember that your time will end, and your influence will pass from the land."

Ethan thought that sounded promising.

"You will accept my original offer for her bride price." Nakhim said to Halvaer after several long seconds, then looked at Thea. "You will endeavor to convince your guardian to announce the betrothal tomorrow morning, at the breakfast at the palace after her shame has been lifted. They will have a place of equal or greater honor at the triple wedding, and the Prophet will refer to me as 'highly honored' at some point before the wedding." He looked at Ethan pointedly. "Publicly."

Ethan frowned. "Counter-offer: Navaro does the rite of adoption on Alana, and you get to call the Prophet of Illuminar your..." He trailed off as he parsed the relationship. "... your grandson-in-law...? sort of; that's close anyway."

Nakhim raised his eyebrow.

"Come on, how much honor would it bring to claim that you have a Prophet of Illuminar in your family?" Ethan asked. "That must help, right?"

"You wish the rite of adoption so your first wife can claim Navaro as her father."

"Yup." Ethan replied. "Look, I realize we're playing hardball here, but I have enough enemies and don't want to create more. Ideally, despite how we got here, I'd rather we parted as friends, or at least friendly."

"You intentionally avoided making this personal." Nakhim replied after a moment. "As I said when we spoke, an honest disagreement caused by crossed purposes is not a sufficient reason for the development of personal animosity."

"I'm glad to hear that." Ethan smiled.

Nakhim nodded once, then looked at Halvaer. "I shall have Navaro deliver the bride price before the evening meal."

"I will tell my daughter." Halvaer replied, a rare smile on his face. "I expect you will be able to hear her shouts of joy from anywhere in Nalatia."

"It is a delight to see one's daughter so elated." Nakhim replied. "Let us hope that her elation will persist, and she will not become the mistress of a declining House."

"You would have no reason to know this about my daughter, and you likely will not believe me." Halvaer replied. "She has spoken of little else except her daughter and your son." He paused. "And her best friend, Sarisa. "She truly wishes the very best for your son because she loves him so. I have no reason to believe that she would ever intentionally do anything to reduce his chances at success, even if I pressured her to do so, which I will not do."

"You said: 'ever intentionally." Nakhim replied. "That is not 'never'."

"As the agreement has been struck, I am now free to admit this." Halvaer said. "I harbor some concern that my daughter will be such a supportive wife that your son might, perhaps, succeed in elevating House Nalfigar above House Kalon."

"I have no such concern." Nakhim replied. Despite his tone and facial expression being quite neutral, he somehow seemed to radiate displeasure. "And, if that were truly a concern of yours, you would not have agreed to this match."

"We place primary importance on different things, Nakhim." Halvaer replied.

"Clearly." The head of House Nalfigar replied.

* * *

Candice managed to keep pace with Selene and Kendra as they walked toward the sparring ring that the palace guards used. She guessed that Ethan's wives had slowed down a little so that she could keep up, and she was grateful for that.

"And here we are." Selene said as the guard let them through the gate into the guard complex.

It was probably the most spartan and utilitarian part of the wood elven palace complex that she'd yet seen. Despite that, it had more subtle and understated beauty than any place she had seen before meeting Ethan. She had been a little distracted the only other time she'd been here, and thus hadn't really noticed.

"He's good." Kendra said.

That statement drew Candice's eyes to the sparring ring where Halasses was sparring against three of the palace guards. Two of them were walking out of the ring, making Candice think that Halasses had just eliminated them, despite being outnumbered five to one.

"Very good." Selene said a moment later after an exchange that happened so fast that Candice could barely tell what happened.

"Halasses versus Ethan?" Selene asked a moment later. "Ethan not using his dragon enchantments, because that's just OP."

Kendra watched as Halasses fought the last two and eliminated them quickly. "Halasses; he's just better."

"Halasses versus you?" Selene asked.

"There is one way to know for sure." Kendra said, then drew her blunt training sword -- which she had been carrying -- and walked into the ring.

"Kendra usually beats Ethan, though he's catching up." Selene explained. "Oh, and apparently Halasses has a surprise for you, which is part of why we asked you to come along."

"He does?" She asked, quite surprised.

"Apparently." Selene shrugged, then started looking intently at the sparring ring.

Kendra and Halasses were facing off, and from what Candice remembered from the things that Ethan had said, they were both master swordsmen. Their first few engagements were tentative, not like Halasses had been with the palace guard.

Then they moved.

Candice could barely track what was happening, and their swords clanged together so quickly it was hard to tell how many times they touched. It sounded like one, but it was probably at least four or five times.

"Point." Kendra lowered her blade, and then rubbed her sword arm with her other hand.

Halasses and Kendra bowed to each other, then she returned to them.

"That wasn't even close." Kendra said, still rubbing her arm. "It would be interesting to watch Serif spar against Halasses; he's that good."

"Serif?" Selene raised an eyebrow.

Kendra nodded once.

"Wow." Selene looked very impressed

"Who's Serif?" Candice asked. She knew that she'd heard the name before, but couldn't remember who he was.

"He basically taught Ethan to fight with a sword, with some help from Kendra." Selene replied.

Candice looked at Halasses, not quite believing it. Though, she couldn't imagine that one of the Prophet's wives would lie, especially Selene. If Halasses could easily defeat Ethan, had defeated Kendra, and would be a good match for Ethan's swordmaster, that was... that was impressive.

Selene gave Kendra a subtle smile, though Kendra didn't return it and Candice wasn't sure what it was about. She wondered for a moment until someone interrupted her train of thought.

"Candice." Halasses said, though she hadn't noticed him approach.

"Yes?" She asked.

"I have an old friend who might be able to assist you." He said.

"Assist?" She asked.

"Come, you will see." He said, and then turned and started walking toward one of the nearby buildings slowly enough that she could keep pace with him.

Candice hesitated only a moment, then she fell into step behind him. After a short walk, he stopped at a door and knocked softly on it. A moment later, it opened and an older elf appeared in the doorway. Notably, he had a wooden leg.

The elf was slightly taller than Halasses and slightly shorter than she was. He looked like he had seen war. Not just a few fights, but actual war. He had a few faint scars, but it was the look in his eyes that gave it away. Her father had once called it the 'thousand-yard stare', and it was something he said he'd only seen on Ivernians who had once been posted at the Wilderness Outpost, or else had fought the orcs.

"That's her?" The man said. Oddly, his voice sounded a little like the crunching sound that gravel made underfoot. She'd never heard an elf who sounded like that. A few older humans who had seen rough times, but nothing like it on an elf in Nalatia.

"It is." Halasses confirmed.

The man looked Candice up and down, but she didn't get the sense it was a sexual thing. He was definitely appraising her, though she had no idea for what.

"He has agreed to coach you on the use of your leg." Halasses explained. "It will not be easy, as he is not known for his gentle training methods. However, you should be able to walk at a normal pace without difficulty when you are finished."

The elf clicked his tongue. "Walking is a start, not an end."

"Thank you." Candice said.

She glanced at Halasses for a moment before looking back at the other elf. Halasses was going out of his way to help her, he thought she was capable, and he was an incredible swordsman. The combination was... interesting.

Maybe even intriguing.

* * *

"I see why no one else does this; this is a nightmare." Alana said as she set down the piece of dragon leather and rubbed the bridge of her nose. "I'm getting a headache."

"Same." Rachel yawned from next to her on a couch in the suite.

Alana glanced at the door for the... she'd lost count.

"He'll let us know." Rachel assured her. "And even if they don't convince Nakhim today, there's always tomorrow."

Alana nodded, then sighed. "It still hasn't quite hit me that my mother's shame will be removed tomorrow morning. It's just... just..."

"Unbelievable?" Rachel suggested.

Alana nodded.

The door to the suite started to open and Alana was on her feet and halfway to the door before the door was half open. At that point, she could see that it was Kendra and Selene.

"Oh." Alana felt her shoulders slump slightly.

"Love ya too." Selene frowned.

"Sorry, I'm happy to see you both, I was just hoping it would be Ethan with news." Alana replied with an apologetic smile.

"How did it go with Candice?" Taloni asked as she hovered into the living room. She had been doing that more lately, hovering to places with her wings, and Alana didn't even think that Tee had noticed she was doing it. She seemed to be doing it naturally, which was good because she was a Fey and flying should be natural. It made quite the contrast to the Fey girl who hadn't even been able to use her wings only a few months ago.

"Mission accomplished." Kendra stated.

"Yeah, she seemed to take to Halasses more after she saw him fight, and especially after we mentioned that he's a better swordsman than Ethan is." Selene added. "I'm guessing that the uncertainty she grew up in, plus her experience at the tournament, has wired her to want someone who can protect her." She paused. "I'm not even sure she's aware of it."

"Should we feel bad about this?" Beth asked, coming in after Taloni. "I mean, we're kind of playing with Candice's life. And our motives are good, but what if it turns out badly? Wouldn't that be our fault?"

"She can't marry Ethan, so she needed to lose her attraction to him." Alana replied. "Halasses is a good guy, and she'll need one of those."

"Translation: it's a risk we're willing to take." Selene said.

"What's a risk we're willing to take?" Ethan asked as he opened the door.

"And?!" Alana exclaimed.

Her husband grinned.

She virtually screamed in joy and threw her arms around him as her heart soared.

"Not sure what you're so excited about." He chuckled in his 'I'm trying and failing to be serious' tone. "It's not like your parents are betrothed and going to get married soon."

She hugged him tighter.

"Can't... breathe..." He chuckled, clearly able to breathe just fine.

She pulled back slightly and searched his face. "And you're serious? It's really happening?"

"Assuming that Navaro isn't late with the bride price, yeah." Ethan nodded.

Alana laughed, and it wasn't because what he'd said was so funny; it was more from relief and exhilaration. Her heart was soaring and she'd never smiled so widely in her entire life. She hugged him again, even more tightly.

"Dang, I guess I know what a boa constrictor's prey feels like." He teased her as he hugged her back.

"Nakhim really agreed?" She asked after a moment; it felt too surreal to be true.

"Yup." He replied. "And Halvaer told me that Kalaya will probably tell The Queen to design whatever she wants for the triple wedding because she will likely want to spend almost every minute with you until we leave Nalatia."

Alana beamed.

"Oh, and I managed to get Nakhim to throw in a rite of adoption, so you'll officially and legally be Navaro's daughter soon."

If someone could've died of happiness, Alana would've been a ghost.

"This calls for a celebration." Rachel said, and everyone else agreed.

* * *

Candice had never fallen so much in such a short time in her entire life. Despite that, Halasses's friend was actually helping. He had shown her a few things about walking on a wooden leg, and then had her walk across a room that had ropes and long, thin sticks on the floor. He would randomly pull them up so she would start to trip on them, hence all the falling. But she was more stable on her feet now.

"That's enough for today." The elf grumped.

"Thank you." She said to him.

He grunted, then showed them to the door.

"Come, I will walk you back to your suite." Halasses said once they were outside.

"Okay." She nodded, then fell into step behind him, which felt surprisingly easy and natural to do.

As they neared the exit to the palace guards' training area, a palace messenger was waiting for them.

"Honored Lightguard Captain." The messenger bowed. "Pelathea Wild Child wished you to be informed that the Prophet is hosting a celebratory get-together, to which you and your companion are invited."

Candice smiled.

* * *

"Check."

Ethan groaned as he examined the chessboard. "I concede." He tipped his king over, sighed, then looked at his opponent, Lucien Kalus. "Damn, you learn fast."

"I believe you misunderstand." Lady Shara said with a smile. "He has studied formations and tactics for a lifetime, this merely simplifies the battlefield. It might appear to be learning at a prodigious rate, but it is more accurately a lifetime of study applied to a new battlefield."

"You have a point." Ethan agreed, then looked around.

Half the people at the party had gathered around to watch the chess match, since Ethan and family had finally remembered to give Lucien the chess set that Selene had picked up on Earth for that exact purpose. All around them were happy people, mingling and talking like old friends. A few of them were, but Ethan and his family were the biggest touchpoint for most of them.

"Strong game." Grobozlesh grunted. "Me would like learning to play."

"The grandmaster here can teach you, I'm sure." Ethan chuckled. "I thought I'd win more than one game." He looked at Selene. "I guess you were wrong; I didn't barely win the second one."

"I bet on my husband, sue me." She shrugged with a smile, paused, then chuckled. "My husband. I'm married, which still seems weird sometimes."

"That takes a few years to go away." Lyra chimed in. "Though having kids speeds up the process."

"I can see that." Alana nodded.

"Well, I've embarrassed myself enough for one evening." Ethan said with a smile as he stood up. "I'm getting something to drink."

"Oh, don't go; we can help you embarrass yourself more." Lyra said with her tongue planted firmly in her cheek.

Everyone laughed.

Ethan went into the kitchen where Sarah and Mirella were cooking up a storm with Sarah's new cookware. Thea was there as well, and was helping, but the two cooks seemed like they were keeping a close eye on everything the elf was working on.

Ethan inhaled deeply, then grinned. "Damn, I think I'll let our enemies get a whiff of that and threaten that if they don't surrender, they won't even get a taste; the war will be over before dessert."

The two ladies beamed.

Sarah gave him a big hug, then hurried over to finish one of the dishes she was working on. He grabbed a glass of one of the drinks they had prepared; it tasted something like an Arnold Palmer, only instead of lemonade it was made with a citrus fruit that grew mostly in the wood elven lands. Surprisingly, it tasted better than an Arnold Palmer.

He moseyed back out to the living room where everyone was talking and just watched from the doorway for a minute. Back on Earth, one of his friends had invited him over for Thanksgiving one year. He had a big family, and it was the best kind of family too. They were all very loving, kind, smart, and enjoyed a good discussion without getting offended.

This felt like that.

Ethan himself didn't have siblings, and neither did his parents, so he had always felt like he missed out on that sense of family growing up. This helped fill that hole for him a little.

"I love it too." Alana said as she came up to him and leaned against the wall right next to him. "I've dreamed about this kind of thing, and this is just like my best dreams." She paused. "Well, except that everyone is speaking the common tongue."

"Huh?" He looked at her.

"I dream in Elvish." Alana explained. "It's my native tongue, and so when I'm dreaming, basically everyone speaks Elvish."

"Huh." He cocked his head to one side. "That's... I never would've thought of that; it makes sense though."

She shrugged. "I guess there is more to learn about each other after all."

"Yeah, and the older we get, the more we'll change, so there will always be more to learn." He replied with a smile.

Alana smiled back, then sighed and looked around the room. "That's part of the reason that I always wanted sisters; I don't want to have a small family. I want to have a huge one. I want to be able to fill a house with all of them, and I'll need a little help getting all those kids out." She rested her hand on her stomach. You still couldn't see her baby bump with her dress on, but you could from the right angle when she was naked.

"I'm sure we'll all be happy to help." He grinned.

Alana replied with a smile and a twinkle in her eye. After a moment, she looked around the room again. "We should do this more often. Celebrate our wins, I mean."

He nodded. "Agreed."

A minute or two later, the door opened and Navaro came in with the largest smile Ethan had ever seen on his face. Right behind him was Sarisa, who looked equally elated, though she wasn't quite as expressive about it. Alana grinned at Ethan, then rushed over to give her father a hug.

"I don't know how I will ever be able to thank you." Navaro said to Ethan once he made his way over.

"Make sure that you take care of Kalaya and the rest of the family you'll have, and I'll consider us even." Ethan replied.

"I will." He nodded. "A question of timing though; the bride price is officially paid and thus she and I are betrothed. However, a date must still be set. Would one week from tomorrow be sufficient time?"

Since Ethan was still at the door leading to the kitchen, he turned and called out. "Sarah, Thea; how does a week from tomorrow sound for the wedding?"

The dazzling smiles and vigorously nodding heads were a clue.

"They're on the fence about that." Ethan said to Navaro with a wink.

Everyone chuckled.

Thea's dazzling smile appeared at the door a moment later. "The Queen has been preparing everything, so that should be enough time, and I know Ahjah would be happy to have it soon."

"Good, I've waited long enough." Ethan said with a glance at Sarah.

"Agreed, but this would be a very short time on Earth." Selene said as she arrived. "Six months to a year is considered normal there."

Everyone except for Ethan stared at her.

"I will never understand the customs on Earth." Alana said after a moment. "Between two weeks and two months is a more normal period for a betrothal."

"Normal here." Selene replied.

Alana inclined her head in concession.

Word spread throughout the party quickly, and everyone came up to Ethan to congratulate him, or else poke their heads into the kitchen to congratulate the brides. Ahjah seemed like he was getting a similar treatment elsewhere in the room.

A few minutes later, the brides and Mirella announced that dinner was ready, and everyone gathered to eat.

*Sir, everyone will expect you to pray before we eat.* Alana thought to him.

*Okay, will do.* He replied.

He did.

He still felt super awkward praying at all, and doubly so in front of people who weren't his wives, but he managed. After that, everyone tucked into the food. It was exactly as one would expect and the heavenly scent promised: divine. Sarah, Mirella, and Thea had cooked up a meal that billionaires would probably wait in line for, and food critics could only dream about.

"So, Ethan, what'll you do when you get fat from all of Sarah's good cooking?" Victoria asked as she sat down with her second full plate. Notably, there seemed to be a lot less friction between her and Colonel Forsythe. There was definitely still tension, but it was the good kind of tension.

"Have my armor adjusted." Ethan winked back.

Everyone laughed.

The table was that perfect type of noisy; it was the rumble of a bunch of people who all got along well together talking all at once. Even without the triumph of the day adding to the atmosphere, it would've been a wonderful party. With that element, it might've been the best party he'd ever attended.

* * *

"It doesn't feel real."

"What do you mean?" Rachel asked Alana as they and their fellow wives got dressed the morning after the party. It was still dark outside, but the sky had just barely begun to lighten in the east. Most of them were bleary-eyed and one of them would regularly yawn, which of course set off echoing yawns from the rest of them.

"We've been working toward this for a long time, and now it's finally here." The wood elf replied as she adjusted her dress so that it wasn't slightly twisted on her small frame, as it had gone on funny that time. "It's just so hard to believe. Two days ago, we didn't know if Nakhim would let them get married, and now it sounds like the betrothal announcement is happening this morning. It's just so fast, and I feel like it hasn't really hit me yet."

Rachel nodded slowly. "Well, if you ask Beth, I'm sure she can hit you with it." She winked.

Alana rolled her eyes.

"Rachel, I like being hit, not hitting." Beth replied, then added. "Well, spanked, but you know what I mean."

"I will never understand that." Rachel replied, paused, then cocked her head to one side. "And I don't think Sarah will either. I would bet that a gentle or playful smack is as much as she'd ever want."

"One week." Alana said to Ethan, who had just summoned his armor since they would be leaving the suite. "Do you have any special plans for Sarah's wedding night?"

"I have some thoughts, but nothing concrete yet." He replied, then yawned, setting off yet another round of echoing yawns. "We should strategize later and see if we can't come up with some more ideas."

Everyone agreed, then they left the bedroom and entered the living area to see that someone -- probably Thea or The King -- had sent some servants with a light breakfast.

"Than... Tha..." Tee yawned. "Thank Illuminar."

"Amen." Ethan and Selene said at the same time, then everyone tucked in.

* * *

"If we ever stop fighting for our lives, or practicing for such a fight, we're all going to get fat." Ethan said as he and his wives walked toward the place where the un-shaming ceremony would take place. With the large dinner he'd eaten the previous night plus breakfast this morning, he was feeling rather full.

"Perhaps we should always be in danger then." Kendra said, and it wasn't immediately obvious if she was joking or not.

"Kendra." Sarah admonished. "That's not nice."

"It depends on how much you enjoy combat." Kendra replied, letting enough emotion show to make it obvious that she was teasing.

Sarah rolled her eyes and they kept walking, the Lightguard all around them since they were outside the palace complex. It wasn't a long walk to the large temple of Illuminar, but it was nice. It was easily bright enough to see, but still pre-dawn.

"I wish I could've been with my mother this morning before the ceremony." Alana said as they drew closer.

"From what I hear, she'll be stuck to your side like Velcro until the wedding." Ethan replied.

Everyone but Selene looked at him.

He explained, then looked at Selene. "I wonder if we'll ever have used all of our Earth expressions and idioms often enough to stop getting strange looks."

"No idea; as they say: When in Rome..." She winked.

Ethan shook his head, and then of course they had to explain that reference too. When they arrived at the temple grounds, they saw a small trickle of important-looking people arriving, Nakhim and his immediate family among them.

Ethan waved.

None of them waved back, though Nakhim did change course slightly so they would meet at the entrance.

"Good morning." Ethan said with a smile.

"It is indeed morning." Nakhim replied.

"You know, we're going to be related by marriage soon." He paused. "Well, semi-related. We could try to get along, given that we're both going to be around for several decades."

"You are not incorrect." Nakhim replied. "We should, perhaps, share another cup of Sajoia tea, as I said that I would share another one with you when the matter was concluded. Perhaps this afternoon?"

"Sure, sounds great." Ethan agreed.

They walked to the entrance, where a guard directed them inside, and then another one directed them to a side hall that led through the building and then out the back. Behind the temple was a courtyard area with a carved wooden fountain. It looked a little odd to Ethan, since he'd always seen them made of stone. However, with their self-repairing enchantments making things mostly waterproof, it kind of made sense in their culture.

The scenery was beautiful, with lots of low hedges, flowering trees, and many bushes with various flowers on them. There were fewer flowers than he might've expected, though it was autumn, so that wasn't very surprising once you thought about it. Still, it was incredibly nice.

There was a small tent nearby that was made from what looked like undyed linen. He guessed that Kalaya was in there, but obviously wasn't sure.

"Don't." He said, just a split second before Alana started to take a step in the tent's direction. "You'll have plenty of time to spend with her after the ceremony until we leave Nalatia."

She stopped, sighed, then nodded. "How did you know?"

He raised his eyebrow at her. "I suppose it was a lucky guess; it's not like I know you well or anything." He winked.

She chuckled and then rolled her eyes.

The King arrived with Ahjah and Thea not long afterward, though Ethan didn't see The Queen; she might be with Kalaya? He looked around but didn't know anyone else, though, he thought he might've seen some of them at The King's court before. Hmm, he wished he could remember...

Huh.

*You know, it occurs to me that there's no reason that I couldn't enchant my memory to be better.* He thought to everyone.

*That's a good idea my lord, but I would be more careful than my father was.* Rachel suggested.

*I will be.* He replied. His only real question was if he should do that before or after he finished enchanting his joints to withstand the extra forces from the speed-enhancing enchantment that Alana was going to put on his armor. He thought about it for a moment, then decided that if he forgot someone's name, it might be embarrassing; if he needed to move like the wind and couldn't, it might cost someone's life. In a worst-case scenario, maybe one of his wives.

That made it an easy choice.

"The best things in life often await us on the other side of a great deal of patience." The King said, though Ethan hadn't noticed him approach. "This event has required much from all involved."

"It's true." Ethan nodded. "By the way, I tried to talk to Plesius yesterday, but missed him. I'm going to see what I can do about getting them to reconsider the whole 'King can't ask questions' thing."

The King smiled. "That is appreciated."

"Good, because you've done a ton for us, and I'd like to say 'thank you' as best I can." He said.

"Again, that is appreciated." The King replied.

A few minutes later, Plesius entered the courtyard from the temple. He had two other luminars with him, and he looked quite somber for the occasion. Ethan didn't think it was a somber occasion; maybe 'serious', but certainly not somber. Still, he supposed that this was a pretty huge change for the wood elven culture. Any change like this in a culture was nigh-unto a miracle, so he'd take it.

Hmm.

*So, ladies, I realize that no actual miracles happened, but this feels like a miracle to me.* He thought to everyone. *Maybe not a real one, but like a real one.*

*Why not a real one Master?* Tee asked.

*Uh, because?* He replied.

*I suppose it would depend on how you define a miracle then.* Rachel pointed out. *If you require a miracle to break some natural law, then no, it wouldn't qualify. But if you define a miracle as something that could never happen without divine intervention, then it certainly would qualify.*

*I think we can call it a miracle then.* Selene pointed out. *There's zero chance this would've happened without Illuminar getting involved.* She paused, then added. *Oh my word, I've become a religious nut. When the hell did that happen?*

*Maybe when you had a conversation with an angel who convinced you to move to another... I think the word was 'planet'?* Beth replied.

*Fair.* Selene replied.

*It's starting.* Alana thought to everyone, excitement palpable in her tone.

* * *

Candice was having the most pleasant dinner at sundown on the veranda of her house. She wasn't quite sure what a 'veranda' was, but she knew that hers was very nice. This veranda, like every other room in her house, also had a fully stocked pantry.

"Stop running in the veranda." She called to her... oldest? Yes, her oldest child, who was running with her hair flying loose and her pointed ears showing. She wasn't sure how many children she had, but they always had enough to eat, and that was the important thing.

She sat down in a rocking chair and realized that she was visibly pregnant, which was odd because she hadn't been a few minutes ago. Still, she didn't mind.

The day just flew by. After dinner, they had to eat breakfast before bedtime of course, and then she put the children to bed. Each in their own room of course, complete with the most important thing: a fully stocked pantry.

Then, she went into her bedroom, checked its pantry, and then slipped out of her clothes and into the bed. Halasses was there reading a book. He had a little gray in his hair, and she liked that; it made him look distinguished.

She snuggled up against him, fully naked, and he put his arm around her.

It felt wonderful.

She enjoyed it for several long moments before she became aware of birds singing, which was odd for late at night. Then she noticed that everything was getting brighter, which was also strange. It took a few moments for her to realize that she was waking up from a dream, and she fought desperately to stay in the dream. Just as the dream ended, Halasses leaned over her, cupped her naked breast tenderly, and began to kiss her.

She woke up.

She blinked a few times as she realized what she had been waking up from. After a moment, she moved her one hand to cup the breast that Halasses had cupped in her dream, and then touched her lips with her fingers.

Unbidden, a small smile came to her face.

* * *

Ethan saw a luminar nod at Plesius, and then that luminar also nodded at another luminar who was stationed by the linen tent. The luminar by the tent said something in Elvish while facing the tent. A moment later, the tent flap was flipped aside from the inside and The Queen -- wearing a simple but absolutely magnificent dress -- came out first.

Kalaya Kalon was right behind her and was wearing a radiant smile and a much simpler dress made of undyed linen. It seemed like it was intentionally made to project an understated air of humility, but it also looked very good on her. The moment she was outside the tent, her blue eyes scanned through the assembled elves quickly and then stopped abruptly as her smile became ear-to-ear.

Ethan followed her eyeline and was utterly unsurprised to see that she was looking at Navaro and Sarisa, who were standing next to each other. It occurred to Ethan that she hadn't seen either of them for over twenty years. And actually, it was almost twenty-five years if his math was correct.

Apparently, time hadn't diminished a single thing.

Ethan had seen Alana happy before. He'd even seen her overjoyed before. However, he supposed that nothing could quite compare to the joy on her mother's face as she saw her best friend and the man she loved for the first time in almost a quarter century. All three of them were all smiles, and the two women looked like they were getting choked up.

Behind The Queen and Kalaya, Railen and Halvaer Kalon came out of the tent as well. The four of them walked up to Plesius, who was waiting by the fountain. Kalaya almost walked into The Queen because she was so distracted by her best friend and betrothed.

"Honored guests to this momentous occasion." Plesius began, thankfully in the common tongue. "While future performances of this ritual will, and should be, without such an introduction, it is only fitting and proper that this first occurrence of this ritual be preceded by a brief word."

Everyone except for Kalaya, Navaro, and Sarisa appeared to be paying very close attention. Ethan noticed that Sarisa had even clutched Navaro's arm, possibly to prevent herself from running to Kalaya.

"This ceremony is intentionally to be kept simple." Plesius continued. "While the results are joyous, and should be treated as such, the fact remains that the reason for this ceremony is that a grave sin was committed. It is fitting and appropriate to celebrate once the ceremony has been completed, but solemnity is appropriate until then."

There was a general nodding of heads and murmur of agreement.

"Will the applicant step forward?" Plesius said, and notably he hadn't looked directly at Kalaya, nor spoken directly to her.

Kalaya tore her eyes away from Navaro and Sarisa, then she stepped forward.

"Before the purification can be completed, an admission of guilt is required to establish that the applicant is indeed truly repentant." Plesius said, still not speaking directly to her.

"I sinned." Kalaya said, speaking loudly and clearly. "What I did was wrong, and while I cannot be sorry that it resulted in my daughter--" She glanced at Alana. "--I am sorry that she was conceived outside the bonds of matrimony. That is my sin, and I am guilty of it. I have already asked Illuminar -- blessed be He -- to forgive me, and I now ask the same of you as well."

"Are there witnesses who can testify that her repentance is genuine?" Plesius asked.

Halvaer Kalon stepped forward. "My daughter has, on many occasions, expressed deep and heartfelt regret for her actions. This has held true over many years, and now more than two decades. While she is grateful that it resulted in the most precious gift that she has ever been given--" He indicated Alana. "--she recognizes that the gift was conceived in her sin, and regrets that."

"My husband speaks the truth." Railen Kalon added. "Many tears were shed the day she confessed to me, and she confessed without prompting or pressure, before anyone knew. While she treasures the wonderful life that resulted--" Railen indicated Alana. "--she deeply regrets that she did not conceive that treasure inside a marriage."

"My sister has many faults, as do we all." The Queen said. "However, a lack of remorse is not among them. There are bonds that sisters share that other familial relationships simply do not. And despite the difference in our ages, she has confided in me since her youth. Her remorse was, and is, utterly genuine. And not merely that the act was discovered, but that it was performed at all. She loves her daughter dearly, more than her own life, and her only regret as it concerns her daughter is that she was not conceived inside the bounds of marriage, and that she was not able to raise her."

Ethan looked at Alana, who was wiping her eyes and sniffling at this point. He put an arm around her and pulled her close, and she relaxed into him.

"The Book of Light tells us that every fact should be confirmed by the testimony of two or three witnesses." Plesius said. "The applicant's repentant disposition is thus confirmed."

A luminar came up to Plesius holding a large wooden pitcher and offered it to the high priest, who took it.

"It is the forgiveness of Illuminar -- blessed be He -- in response to a repentant heart that removes guilt and shame; here today, we merely recognize what has already taken place."

He dipped the pitcher into the fountain to fill it, then turned to face Kalaya directly, but still didn't look directly at her. Kalaya knelt down on her knees and bowed her head as Plesius raised the pitcher of water above her head.

"This water symbolizes the washing away of shame." He began to pour the water on her head. "Let this serve as a reminder that while you have erred, you are clean and forgiven in the sight of the Great God of Light."

He finished speaking just as he finished pouring, and somehow -- probably a lot of experience doing things at dawn -- the first rays of sunlight appeared in the sky. Ethan had been too preoccupied to notice the sky before, but he was now.

It was the most beautiful sunrise he had ever seen.

Easily.

The early morning sky was covered with soft, pillowy clouds, except in the very east where the sun was rising. The underside of the clouds was a sublimely magnificent mosaic of reds, oranges, pinks, and purples. The white of the clouds could also be seen, giving the whole sky a depth of color that was frankly hard to believe, even though he was seeing it with his own two eyes.

For some reason, he got the impression that this might be Illuminar celebrating the ceremony. He had no objective reason to think that, but he got that impression.

Plesius spoke again. "Rise, Kalaya Kalon, called 'First Unshamed'."

Everyone clapped as Kalaya rose, smiling ear-to-ear. Her hair was drenched, though her dress must be self-cleaning because it wasn't even damp. That was good because it was very light in color, and thus she would've been rather exposed if it had gotten properly wet.

"Everyone, please welcome her back into elven society." Plesius said.

"Welcome, Kalaya Kalon, called First Unshamed." Everyone said, mostly in unison.

The moment they had finished speaking, Railen and The Queen enveloped Kalaya in a hug, which was joined a moment later by Halvaer. Ethan was pretty sure he could hear Kalaya's parents and sister using her name repeatedly.

"Go." He nudged Alana, who took off like a shot.

Kalaya almost seemed to have a sixth sense because she made room for her daughter before she had arrived. Ethan watched with a smile on his face for several seconds before he realized how this wonderful scene might be affecting another one of his wives.

He took a small step closer to Rachel and took her hand. She jumped slightly at the touch, but then smiled at him. It had a tinge of pain in it, but it was mostly joy.

*One day, I'd like to see you have that with your father.* He thought to her privately. *Hopefully after he stops trying to kill me.*

*Hopefully.* Rachel nodded, her eyes rather watery, probably for both good and bad reasons.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze, and she responded by giving his hand a squeeze back and holding on tightly. He really wished that he could help more, but he couldn't make her father change his mind. Since he couldn't do more, he just held her hand.

After a very long hug, Kalaya extracted herself and turned toward Navaro and Sarisa. Ethan thought he heard Railen whisper the word 'decorum', and then Kalaya did that thing where you walk toward someone far slower than you want to, but as fast as you think you can get away with.

Then she hugged them both.

She threw her arms around both of them, and they both hugged her back tightly. None of Kalaya's family or close friends had dry eyes, and a few of them were openly weeping in joy.

Ethan happened to glance up at the sky, and to him, it seemed like it had gotten just a hair more beautiful. He wasn't sure how that was possible, but it seemed like it had.

* * *

Fiona stopped outside the door to her husband's office and was about to knock when she noticed that he had his head slightly bowed and his hands steepled together. It looked like he was concentrating, though she didn't know on what. She waited there for almost a minute, trying to decide if she should interrupt him or not, and finally decided not to.

She had just started to turn to leave when he spoke. "Fiona, enter."

She did, closing the door behind her. "I'm sorry milord, I wasn't wanting to disturb you."

"You have not." He replied. "Did you want something?"

"I was just hoping we could be eating lunch together today." She replied.

"We can." He nodded once.

"Wonderful." She smiled, then turned to leave.

"I was working on your request regarding memory." He said.

She turned to look at him. "You were?"

He nodded once.

Fiona beamed.

* * *

Ethan supposed that it made sense that Kalaya spent almost the entire walk to the palace after the ceremony talking with Navaro and Sarisa, after making sure that Alana was right there with them. Kalaya saw her parents and The Queen regularly, and had seen Alana recently, but hadn't talked to either Navaro or Sarisa -- outside of letters -- in almost a quarter century.

Alana was clearly very interested in watching her mother and father interact, and she had a shit-eating grin on her face the whole time. She was hanging on their every word and occasionally asking questions. Or at least, Ethan thought she was judging by the tone since they were speaking Elvish. Still, he could see why Alana would love this so much.

"They're reminiscing about childhood stories and catching up on current events." Thea said to Ethan with a glance back at them. "Alana regularly asks for more details on the stories, and generally is having exactly as good a time as it looks like she's having."

"Good." Ethan smiled. "You know, I should probably enchant my memory to be better and then start learning Elvish."

"I think that's a good idea, and I'm sure Alana would appreciate that." Thea replied.

He nodded slowly, then looked at her. "You really went for the jugular with Nakhim."

Thea averted her eyes, then nodded. "I did."

"You're feeling bad about that?" He asked.

She hesitated, then nodded. "I... I think you were right; I shouldn't have used Delilah as a bargaining chip."

"Well, the good news is that I doubt Nakhim will hold it against you, mostly because you're a woman." He resisted the urge to roll his eyes at the Head of House Nalfigar.

"I hope not." She replied quietly. "I... I went too far."

The way she said it made Ethan scrutinize her. "You had more ways to pressure him in mind, didn't you? Things that you didn't share with the rest of us?"

She bit her lip, then nodded. "I... I told Ahjah what I had been thinking after the meeting and, well, I think that's the first time he's ever been disappointed in me."

"Should I ask?"

She shook her head. "Um, I'd be too embarrassed to say. Ahjah, well, he was really good about it. He gave me a good talking-to; enough that I felt terrible and wouldn't even consider going that far ever again, but he was kind about it too." She got a tiny smile on her face. "I'm so blessed to have him."

Ethan smiled. "He seems like a really good guy. I don't know him well, but he does."

"He is." She confirmed without a trace of doubt in her tone.

"One week." Ethan said with a smile. "One week and then you can thank him in a way that he'll definitely appreciate."

"I will." She said, her smile getting slightly wider as a tinge of pink appeared in her cheeks. "Um, I don't know how to ask this without being... uh, since you're married and..." She bit her lip, then looked around. "Um, without being... uh, 'detailed', is there anything you can suggest so I can make sure he'll enjoy it?"

"Yeah, and it's the easiest thing in the world." He replied with a smile. "Let him know that you want to be there, doing that with him, and only him."

"That's it?" Thea asked. Judging by her tone, she thought there would be more to it.

"Well, not 'it', but the biggest part." He replied. "Look, it'll be a little bit awkward the first time; expect that. You'll figure out what he likes, and he'll figure out what you like, but that takes time. If you want to make sure he enjoys it thoroughly, just make it clear to him that you want to do it with him, and only him. Trust me, he'll love it."

"Okay." Thea smiled. "That... that'll be the easiest thing in the world." Her tone was utterly genuine and her smile widened slightly. "Thank you."

"You're welcome." Ethan smiled back.

The rest of the walk to the palace for the promised breakfast was mostly uneventful. At one moment, Ethan looked at Nakhim, and the elf glanced pointedly at where his son, Kalaya, Sarisa, and Alana were clearly in their own little bubble. The look on Nakhim's face was stony. Ethan didn't think the elf was mad at him, but it seemed like he was trying to say that his concerns were valid. Ethan just shrugged in reply, figuring they could talk about it later over Sajoia tea.

The breakfast at the palace was excellent, as expected. Though, with dinner the previous night, the light breakfast before the ceremony, and now a full breakfast, he ended up feeling rather full. Unusually, Alana wasn't sitting next to him right now. She was sitting next to her mother, Kalaya was next to Navaro, and Sarisa was on Navaro's other side. They were so busy making up for lost time that they'd barely touched their food.

"I think I'll be down a wife for a week." Ethan said to Beth, who was sitting next to him.

"Only a week?" Beth chuckled, then cocked her head to one side. "If the wedding is in one week, then when are we leaving for the Wilding Lands?"

"Good question." He frowned. "I was thinking soon after the wedding, maybe the next day, but..." He trailed off as he looked at Sarah, who was on his other side.

"You want to wait?" Sarah asked him.

He leaned in and spoke quietly. "Since we're headed to dangerous country, it might be best to wait until you can hear the group chat properly. That shouldn't take more than a day or three."

"Oh, that makes sense." Sarah nodded, then she cocked her head to one side and smiled widely. "I just realized: we'll be married in one week."

"Yeah." Ethan grinned.

*Dominus, what did you say to Sarah?* Beth asked the group chat a moment later.

He told them, then added. *That seems like the smart move.*

*I agree Drago.* Kendra thought to everyone, and most of his other wives did as well.

*I love that idea; I can spend more time with my parents.* Alana thought to everyone.

He glanced at her, and you would've never known that she was involved in two conversations at once. He and his wives were getting pretty good at that.

"Dominus, could we do something of a going-away party before we leave Nalatia?" Beth asked. "Maybe something like last night?"

"Yes, but we'll also have some receptions to go to." Ethan pointed out. "We have a few couples that wanted to get married before we leave, like Victoria and Colonel Forsythe, and maybe even Candice and Halasses."

"You think so?" Beth asked. "Candice seems awfully hung up on you."

"Maybe." Ethan shrugged. "But you ladies came up with some pretty effective ways to detach her from me and attach her to Halasses, so we'll see."

"One week." Sarah said from beside him, though he didn't think she was talking to anyone in specific. There was also a note of wonder in her tone.

That made him smile.

When the breakfast was over, The King stood up. "One of the greatest joys of the high position that Illuminar -- blessed be He -- has conferred on me is the announcement of glad tidings. Many of those present here will remember Kalaya Kalon and Navaro Nalfigar from their youth. Despite the long rivalry between their respective Great Houses, their affection for each other produced no small quantity of gossip that, perhaps, the two Great Houses would be united by something more than constant rivalry."

There were a few chuckles at this.

"On that subject, and due in no small part to the efforts of Kalaya's daughter, the Prophet himself, and my own ward--" He indicated each in turn. "--something of a minor miracle has occurred." He smiled. "If you will indulge a proud father for a moment, my ward and soon-to-be daughter after the Rite of Adoption, Pelathea Wild Child--" He paused, and Ethan thought that it must be for effect. "--though, perhaps that is not the most accurate title for her in this new season of life that she is about to enter."

*Thea is going to get a new title!* Alana thought excitedly to everyone. *Probably at the Rite of Adoption.*

*Good.* Ethan replied, as 'Wild Child' really didn't describe her well anymore. Maybe when they'd met, but certainly not now.

"But as to that minor miracle, it concerns these two." He indicated Kalaya and Navaro. "As you can tell from their interactions since the de-shaming ceremony, Kalaya and Navaro no longer appear to harbor any affection for one another." The King said with a twinkle in his eye.

Everyone chuckled.

"Much negotiation took place recently, with the result that Nakhim Nalfigar and Halvaer Kalon have come to an agreement regarding the future of their children." The King continued.

There was a collective intake of breath from almost everyone there.

"Despite Kalaya's shame and her having given birth to a child whose father's identity is still unconfirmed, Navaro's affections have not changed over these many years." The King smiled. "Thus, it is my joy and pleasure to announce the betrothal of Navaro Nalfigar, called House Heir, to Kalaya Kalon, called First Unshamed."

There was a moment of stunned silence, then applause broke out. Curiously, while some of it seemed genuinely happy, some of it was definitely perfunctory and accompanied by a few frowns.

*Their marriage has the potential to change the balance of power in wood elven society.* Rachel thought to everyone. *I would guess that's why some people don't seem happy.*

*Sadly, that makes sense.* He replied.

"Additionally." The King continued when the applause had died down. "My ward and her betrothed, plus the Prophet and his betrothed, have extended an invitation to turn what was already sure to be the wedding of the century into the wedding of the millennia."

A flurry of whispers broke out.

"Instead of a double wedding, it shall be a triple wedding, with Navaro and Kalaya joining the others in front of the luminar to be joined in holy matrimony." The King announced.

All at once, the whole room was suddenly filled with the sound of everyone talking to everyone else. Some of them seemed genuinely excited, especially the women, but again, some frowned or slowly shook their heads. Ethan wondered if some of them objected because of Kalaya's newly unshamed status.

It occurred to Ethan that Kalaya having breakfast at the palace right after the de-shaming ceremony, and then her getting betrothed to the heir to a Great House only hours afterward, and then being wed in a triple wedding with The King's daughter and the Prophet of Illuminar was a clear statement about de-shaming. That would make it abundantly and perfectly clear to everyone that once shame was removed, it should be considered fully removed.

"Further, such an auspicious event demands an equally auspicious venue." The King continued. "Thus, for the first time in our history, the glorious and magnificent Hanging Gardens will be the venue for this triple wedding."

That was met with stunned silence.

"This is indeed a departure from tradition, both the venue and the removal of shame." The King continued. "It has long been held that shaming is permanent, and the recent change has been resisted by many."

He didn't single anyone out, but several elves in the room adjusted uncomfortably in their seats.

"This change was not undertaken lightly; it was done with the full support and unanimous vote of the Conclave, in addition to the repeated claims by the Prophet of Illuminar -- blessed be He -- that it is not in keeping with the God of Light's character, nature, and revealed will contained in the Book of Light." The King continued. "I suspect that opposition to this will remain for many generations to come, for what doctrinal matter is ever truly 'settled'." He smiled knowingly.

There were several chuckles and much nodding of heads at this.

"I believe that Illuminar -- blessed be He -- will smile on this marriage and bless it as only the God of Light can." The King continued. "And I ask that He will, in His own time and own way, make it clear that this is indeed the preference and will of the all-wise and all-loving God of Light, and that He will shine the light of His divine favor on this marriage."

At that exact moment, something happened.

The clouds outside shifted.

The cloudy sky of the morning that had produced such a beautiful sky had also obscured the sun since soon after it rose. However, at the exact moment that The King stopped speaking, the clouds had shifted and sunlight started streaming in through the enormous window that was set high up in the room. Despite the window being so large, the beam of light that came into the room was quite small.

Extremely so.

In fact, it streamed in through the window like a spotlight and was exactly large enough to fully and completely engulf exactly two people in the bright morning sun.

Kalaya and Navaro.

By some miracle of nature, definitely with divine intervention, the sun's light completely engulfed and covered Kalaya and Navaro. They both shielded their eyes because it was so bright, and it honestly looked like a spotlight from heaven itself was shining on them.

The mouths of everyone in the room collectively dropped.

The light stayed on them for about seven seconds, then the clouds outside shifted and the light disappeared.

*Master, say something.* Tee urged. *You're the Prophet of Illuminar.*

Ethan stood up and spoke loudly. "Show of hands, how many of you think that was just a coincidence and it means absolutely nothing whatsoever?"

No one raised their hands.

"Yeah, I agree." He said. "Now, show of hands, how many of you think that seemed like a sign from Illuminar -- blessed be He?" He was actually pretty pleased with himself that he'd remembered to add the usual honorific for Illuminar.

There was a pause, and then Taloni raised her hand, followed almost immediately by The King and Plesius, and then everyone else.

"Okay, now, show of hands." Ethan said when everyone had put them down again. "How many of you think it's a sign that not only should Kalaya and Navaro get married, but also that the God of Light agrees that once shame has been removed, it should be considered gone for good?"

Tee's hand went up first again, and again that was followed almost immediately by The King and Plesius, then almost everyone else. Notably, even Nakhim raised his hand at this, though he did it later than most, and clearly reluctantly.

"Now that we're agreed, let's do a favor for every shamed person in the whole kingdom." Ethan continued. "Please, tell everyone you know about this. We have at least two or three witnesses, and this event could make a huge difference for everyone who will be un-shamed in the coming days and weeks."

Most of the people in the room nodded, and most of them still looked a little stunned.

"Thank you." Ethan said, then sat back down.

The King had a large smile on his face as he spoke. "Now, there is but one thing necessary to conclude this wonderful moment." He looked at Kalaya and Navaro. "The betrothal kiss."

They didn't waste a moment.

In fact, it looked like The King was going to say something else, but before he had, the betrothed couple turned to each other and kissed like... well, like they had been waiting almost a quarter century to do so. It was a passionate kiss full of longing and deep emotion, but also entirely innocent and non-sexual.

After several long seconds, Halvaer Kalon cleared his throat.

Loudly.

Ethan smiled; the long-standing Ten Kingdoms tradition of betrothal kisses dragging out a bit longer than was considered proper remained unbroken.

* * *

"You're sure you don't mind?" Alana asked, her heart soaring at having her parents behind her. It was just after the breakfast had concluded and her heart felt full to bursting.

"I promise I don't mind." Ethan assured her. "Go, have fun. Spend as much time with them as you can until we leave; make up for lost time."

"I love you." She kissed him, putting all her affection for him into the kiss. "I love you so much, and I promise I'll make up for any lost time after we leave." As much as she was going to miss her husband during the coming week, she didn't want to miss the time with her parents. Plus, she would still sleep with him and her fellow wives, she just wouldn't be around much during the day.

"I'll hold you to it." He raised both his eyebrows at once.

"That way too." She chuckled. "Now, I won't actually be alone with them, since both Nakhim and Halvaer insisted on assigning a guard to them for every moment of every day until the wedding, but it'll still be wonderful."

"I can't understand why they would even think of such a thing." Ethan winked.

At that moment, someone from Nakhim's entourage approached Ethan and bowed. "Honored Prophet, the highly honored Nakhim Nalfigar requests that you join him for a cup of Sajoia tea in the same location as your first cup, at your earliest convenience."

Alana suppressed a smile. That was a very different kind of request than the ones they had ever received from Nakhim before; it was much more a request and far more polite. Both Ethan and Alana looked around, but Nakhim seemed to have already left.

That was also telling.

*Ethan, he already left, which means that he's planning to wait for you.* Alana thought to him. *That's pretty telling in the wood elven culture. It means something for someone as powerful as Nakhim to intentionally set a situation up where he would wait for you.*

"I guess I shouldn't keep him waiting then." He replied to the member of Nakhim's entourage, and probably Alana too, then he turned to her and kissed her tenderly. "Have a wonderful time."

"I will, and you too." She beamed, then turned to spend the whole entire day with her parents and their mutual best friend from childhood.

She couldn't wait.

* * *

Ethan arrived at the House Nalfigar Sajoia tea... complex? No, that wasn't the right word. It was somewhat unique in that it was an immense floating platform that had high hedges and flower gardens. It was connected to the rest of the city by rope bridges, and honestly the whole thing seemed to be there for the spectacle since there was no reason it couldn't be more like the other buildings in Nalatia.

"Honored Prophet." An elderly elf who looked quite well dressed bowed to him. "I am the steward of the highly honored Nakhim Nalfigar; I will guide you to him if you follow me."

"Happily." Ethan replied, remembering that the last time, Nakhim had chosen to intentionally insult him in a uniquely wood elven way by sending a messenger to greet him instead of someone more important. Ethan didn't really care, but the contrast to the insult the previous time and the steward this time was noticeable.

The steward led him up to the main area of the platform where the tea was prepared. Nakhim was sitting in a chair and clearly waiting for him, because he stood when Ethan arrived.

"Honored prophet." Nakhim head bowed.

"Honored Nakhim." Ethan head bowed back, figuring that when in Rome...

"Come, we shall share our finest tea." The elf said.

He made good on the promise.

The sign with prices was in both Elvish and the common tongue, and Nakhim ordered two cups of the most expensive option, which cost a whole gold coin per cup, though of course Nakhim didn't pay since he owned the place. Personally, Ethan thought the price was excessive, but he also knew better than to object because that would probably be an insult.

Nakhim led him on a very short walk to the same enclosure in which they had talked before. It was surrounded by a hedge that definitely had material with a sound-dampening enchantment concealed inside the hedge.

Once inside, Nakhim looked at Ethan for a long moment before speaking. "I was mistaken."

You could've knocked Ethan over with a feather.

"It is, of course, possible to assert that the curious emanation of light from the heavens at breakfast did not come from the God of Light." He continued. "However, it would require a denial of basic facts about nature and the laws of probability to come to that conclusion."

"No lies detected." Ethan nodded.

Nakhim scrutinized him. "Many rumors are circulating which concern the strange manner of speech you have inherited from the place from whence you hail. The reports have not been exaggerated."

Ethan outright laughed at that. "Guilty as charged." He then took a sip of his tea, which was fantastic, even better than the previous time.

"I find myself in an uncomfortable situation, where I must concede that Illuminar -- blessed be He -- wishes for my son to marry Halvaer Kalon's daughter."

"Kalaya." Ethan said gently. "She has a name, and she'll be your daughter-in-law soon, so you might want to start using it."

"Kalaya." Nakhim said. After a moment, he spoke again. "It was, perhaps, unwise to engage the Prophet of Illuminar -- blessed be He -- in a contest centering on religious matters."

Ethan didn't know how to reply, so he took another sip of his tea.

"It is, perhaps, ironic that I have spent so many decades praying that Navaro would marry the correct wife, yet I myself was the chief impediment to that marriage." The elf seemed more pensive than anything else, and certainly less guarded than the previous time they'd shared tea.

"A year ago, I would've laughed in your face if you would've told me that I would believe that God exists." Ethan replied. "Life is strange."

"It is indeed." Nakhim took a sip of his tea.

"Can I make a suggestion?" Ethan asked.

"Proceed."

"Why don't you invite Kalaya, Alana, and Sarisa over for dinner with just your immediate family?" Ethan suggested. "Nothing huge, no fanfare, just genuinely try to get to know your future daughter-in-law. I think that might help."

"Perhaps." Nakhim replied, and he didn't sound dismissive.

"I'm guessing there's something else that you wanted to say." Ethan said after several seconds of silence.

"The Book of Light tells us that confession of sins is an important part of repentance, especially for a sin long concealed." Nakhim said after a moment. "As I would not wish to share this with another, and as you are both a Prophet and already informed, I would wish to confess, if you would hear it."

"Uh, okay?" Ethan said, not sure where this was going.

"Pelathea was not incorrect; I did make a vow concerning Delilah." Nakhim said. "I have knowingly been breaking that vow every day since the mourning period for her first husband ended."

Ethan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I'm honestly not sure what to say to that."

"No response is needed." Nakhim replied. "Of those who know, you were the least objectionable to confess this to."

Ethan inclined his head in concession. "Fair."

"On this topic, I also must relate my appreciation that you attempted to dissuade Pelathea from using Delilah as an item for bargaining." Nakhim said.

Ethan considered that very carefully. Interestingly, it seemed that Nakhim's objection was less about the attempted blackmail, and more about Thea using Delilah. Interesting. Not for the first time, Ethan wondered if Navaro and Nakhim weren't so different, except in the quality of the particular woman they were attracted to. That, of course, led to very different outcomes because of how those women had behaved.

"If I'm being honest, I thought it was a pretty clever idea until our talk before the meeting." He replied, figuring that honesty was the order of the day.

"What one plans beforehand is of less significance than what one chooses when the time comes." The elf replied. "Regardless, the oath remains because of the particular wording that I intentionally chose at the time, though regret now."

Ethan nodded. "So, what are you going to do about that?"

Nakhim closed his eyes for a moment, then looked at Ethan. "Reclaim my integrity; marry her."

Ethan winced. "Oof, sorry."

"You did not make the rash vow." Nakhim replied. "There is nothing for which you should be sorry."

"That's one of those strange manners of speech from whence I hail." Ethan replied with a smile.

Nakhim didn't reply, and instead took a sip of his tea.

Ethan did the same. It still tasted a bit like matcha, but better.

Nakhim spoke after a moment. "I am aware that your first wife wishes to learn how to create a warding enchantment. I shall instruct my best master enchanter to teach her at her earliest convenience."

"Really?" Ethan asked.

"I long harbored doubts that you were a prophet." Nakhim replied. "Now that the matter has been settled, my duty is clear."

"Thanks." Ethan smiled, then took another sip of his tea. "You know, now that you realize that Illuminar wanted Navaro and Kalaya to get married, maybe consider that it might not be the disaster you thought it would be."

Nakhim subtly inclined his head in concession.

"Give them a chance." Ethan suggested. "A real, live, honest chance. They might surprise you."

"I will endeavor to do so." Nakhim replied after a moment, and he sounded sincere.

"I'm glad to hear it." Ethan smiled; that felt like another small miracle.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Note: This chapter began on day 150 of Ethan's life in the Ten Kingdoms and ended on day 152. I submit new chapters on the last Wednesday of every month, and they usually drop after the 2-3 day review process. Thus I'll submit the next chapter on November 25th, and it'll probably drop on the 27th or 28th.

I'd like to extend a very special thanks to my editors, and also several of my patrons, one of whom didn't want to be credited by name. So, to the Anonymous patron, Joseph, Waniel, David, and "Veron De La Morte": thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it.

STORY TAGS: dragon, magic, elf, teen, romance, virgin, harem, blonde, brunette, redhead