...It was going to be the last day of summer-the Sun would be somewhat lower in the sky, and the heat slowly giving way to chill of autumn, as it always must. With neither extreme ruling, it was very pleasant.
Today was the day Tala Alanis and Pasha Dolgrouki were to be married.
In the center of Talama, the altar has been set in the market square-around it, seats for the favored guests. The entire thing had taken on something of a festival like atmosphere...peddlers and cartsmen had arrived days before, claming out choice spots to hawk their flowers, candy, snacks and trinkets. The Guards were out in force-and so were the scoundrels and pickpockets, but today both sides seemed somewhat lax in their endless back and forth troubles. The Inns and Pubs have tripled their usual stock of food and drink, and dusted off their best vintages, knowing this day is an opportunity for brisk business-and not to be missed.
Next would come the people of the city, in all their colors and hues-priests, brick layers, soldiers, bakers, stablers, traders...no one is barred from entering today. There are some even more exotic guests, most likely friends of the soon to be wed.
Notable among them would include who most assume the recently exiled William Varaum and his retinue of Crimson Guards (and a pretty blonde woman who is assumed to be his consort), a probable Udanese Noble, a swaggering Pirate captain with one eye and a charming wit, an abnomally tall man who seems to bear a permanent scowl (rumored to be Matthew Turin), a silent swordsman from the East and a shockingly pretty woman in a scandalous silken black and dark red dress and a plunging neckline (all the better to accenture her decollage), with long black hair in five braided tails and cold blue eyes-the Bandit Queen Baroness De Plume, who most are quite shocked showed up in the midst of her likely enemies with no visible bodyguards. That's her style, though.
A few brave diplomats are also attending-some from the Hacturi Empire, seeking to restablish ties, but most from the Storm Coast itself-it seems every lord managed to spare a second cousin to serve as representive. Even a cringing ambassador of the Marlax Estate will show up, but be swiftly rejected from the gates before being allowed to enter, for reasons known only to a few.
On the other side, a surprising number of prominent military commanders of the Storm Coast are showing up-some to congratulate Pasha, their former captain, others to perhaps seek employment, forge alliances under the new regime..most of them are in full kit and with their own squadrons of personal guard-Julian Pyre with his constant good cheer, Jonathan Allworthy bearing his limp with pride, Sir Terryn-commander of the Hedge Knights, and the Milia Don Wells-Daughter of the honored Vander Don Wells, now deceased-Gods rest his soul. A suprising number of somber women from out-of-town have also shown up, those who can say they laid claim to the heart of Pasha Dolgrouki, if only for a short time, each wishing him to see him off in their own personal way...
Some distance away, in the central park, Hugo's Pavilion was being prepared for the after wedding feast-Notably absent today was the Queens statue, battered into rubble by an angry populace with hammers and pickaxes, and dragged away to be remade into cobblestone for the roads. All that remains now is the base-her two stony boots, covered over with a shabby tarp.
For most, the clear blue sky to come will surely be a good sign-for many young lovers, taking advantage of the pageantry to have something truly memorable, have decided to also be married today, and extra priests of the various religions and shrines that dot the areas around the square have already begun practicing their sermons. A second noble marriage, later in the day is taking place-after the crowds have thinned-of Erin Antalagila and Becca Spring, both having recently recovered from a shocking and dastardly murder attempt...
A day of rebirth for Ligoria, perhaps-talk of expansion into new lands, of changing ways and good days ahead. The bleakness that had descended over Ligoria is lifted, if only for awhile. Everyone knows it will take more than the tender hearts of starcrossed lovers to make the Homeland strong again.
But, that's all later.
For now, it is still mostly dark-and a few miles away, Pasha and Tala stand on the battlements of the castle in each others arms, watching the Sun come up in all it's resplendent glory.
Filiusnox already told me his char is heading to Ligoria in chat, so I've cleared that potentially sticky bit.
Not sure if Thatkid is following exactly, but it seems very likely.
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Topic: You Are King II: Tales of the Storm Coast (Winter 416a) (Read 238306 times)