A Way of Honor (Champions of the Crystal Book 2)

Chapter 19.1

Sabrina paced the small chamber restlessly. Imari was busy making Rndara nervous by lecturing her on the importance of her role while Selémahs finished Mara's elaborate coiffure, which included small white ribbons and jewels called watergems. They reminded Sabrina vaguely of opals, but with a more fluid sparkle to them. They were supposed to be enormously valuable and found only on Praxatillus, mostly in the largest principality, Bathir, which Mara had inherited through her father.

"Sabrina, go and see if they are ready yet," Mara said, her voice unsteady with excitement.

Sabrina started to go, caught Imari's eye, remembered to curtsy, and escaped into the larger chamber they had designated as the staging area for the wedding party. The last of the handpicked audience members were filing in; she saw Haaron and Éllina in line and smiled a greeting. The officiant and acolytes were already lining up, ready to go; the first two acolytes carried long tapers made of the unique green gold that she had heard of but never seen. The officiant was in full regalia, in deep purple and royal blue with white, green, and red accents. 

Sabrina had been surprised to meet the equivalent of a priest on Praxatillus and made a note to read some history later to find out how the Miahns had absorbed and transfigured the ancient Praxatillians' religion. She didn't know the officiant's name, but she looked young to be the senior member of her group—another reminder that this world was recovering from centuries of debilitating war. Another acolyte was behind her, carrying a golden cord on a small pillow.

All but the final acolyte had started down the long aisle toward the dais set up in front of the throne when Tirqwin and his attendants arrived. Rayland, Leran, and Scotty were in full dress uniforms with mourning capes; Tirqwin wore a formal Praxatillian long tunic, pants, and soft boots all in white, with a mourning cape to match those of his attendants. Sabrina remembered that Mara had offered to have a replacement made for his Wayfarer suit, but Tirqwin had adamantly refused to go through this ceremony in the uniform of the life he was all but giving up.

There were also two pages, carrying the gifts that Khediva and Sabrina had hurriedly chosen for Tirqwin to give Mara according to Praxatillian tradition. The gifts were covered by white silk cloths; Sabrina wondered if Tirqwin had even had time to look at them. She hoped that she and Khediva had chosen rightly, and that Tirqwin would be able to identify the symbolism enough to make the short speech required in their presentation.

"Hiya, Rina," Scotty said softly. "Ready?"

"I think the question is, are you all ready?" Sabrina replied, smiling at them. Faline led the pages to the door for their part in the procession, then gestured to Scotty and Leran.

Rayland looked after them and said, "I am glad that I lived to see this day. I think my brother and Shariara would have been happy."

"I hope so," Tirqwin said, relaxing slightly as he found he could speak normally.

Rayland clasped Tirqwin's hand, then went to take his place in the procession. Tirqwin took a deep breath and looked at Sabrina. She found she suddenly couldn't speak, but smiled and held out her hands to him. He took them in his.

"Come, my lord," Faline called softly. "It is time."

Tirqwin squeezed Sabrina's hands so hard she feared her fingers would break, then turned, squared his shoulders, and walked out into the throne room. Sabrina watched his first few steps, then turned and hurried to Mara's makeshift dressing room, hurriedly dashing tears from her cheeks.

"It's time," she said as she entered.

Selémahs smiled gently at her, but Imari frowned. "Wipe your eyes," she ordered. "This must be a happy occasion."