A Fool's Blade

Chapter 28 - Wedding

      Jackie strolled into the temple wearing a flower wreath on her head, a red and white gown flowing over her brown sandals. Erik stood before the statue of Mara and Maramal the priest, wearing a matching outfit.

        "Ah, here's the blushing bride now. Let's begin the ceremony. It was Mara that first gave birth to all of creation and pledged to watch over us as her children. It is from her love that we first learned to love one another, and it is from her love that we learned that a life lived alone is no life at all. We gather here today, under Mara's loving gaze, to bear witness to the union of two souls in eternal companionship. May they journey forth in this life and the next, in prosperity and poverty, and in joy and hardship." He turned to Erik. "Do you agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?"

        "I do. Now and forever."

        Maramal repeated the question to Jackie. "Do you agree to be bound together, in love, now and forever?"

        "I do. Now and forever."

        "Under the authority of Mara, the Divine of Love, I declare this couple to be wed." He handed the couple two rings. "I present the two of you with these matching rings, blessed by Mara's divine grace. May they protect each of you in your new life together."

        The temple was filled with clapping as the newlyweds slipped the rings onto each other's fingers, grinning stupidly. The reception was held back at the Ragged Flagon, and congratulations were shared.

        Jade went up to converse with the couple, who were deciding where to live. "Congratulations on the wedding. I'm so happy or the both of you!" She hugged her best friend and went to stand with Brynjolf. "So you have a brother-in-law now. How does it feel?"

        "Like, I'm not going to be able to spend as much time with Jackie anymore. She's been saying for a while that thieving was getting boring and she wanted to try raising a family, but it was all so fast. I feel like I'm losing her all over again."

        "Well on the bright side, you're most likely going to become an uncle."

        His eyes grew wide. "By the Eight. Me? An Uncle? What was she thinking! Do you think it's too late to tell them not to be married yet?"

        "Bryn, we've been at the reception for three hours. I'm pretty sure it's too late."

        "I've missed my opportunity." He stood there quietly before speaking again, "I'm going to need some ale. VEKEL!"

        Jade laughed and worked her way through the rest of the Guild to Delvin. 

        "What can an old man like me do for you, Jay?"

        "I came here for business."

        "Anything for the Guild."

        "Actually, it's not for the Guild. It's for the Dark Brotherhood." Dropping her voice down to a whisper.

        "Oh. Oh I see. So that's where you've been hiding out all these months. Well, you're makin' friends all over, ain't ya? So, uh... how is Astrid doing' these days? Tell her to stop by some time. We can have a drink. Catch up. Ah, but business! Of course. What kind of business?"

        She handed him the amulet, "What can you tell me about this?"

        "Let's see... where oh where did you get this? Don't answer - I don't want to know. This is an amulet of the Emperor's Elder Council. Specially crafted for each member. Worth a small fortune. Ain't somethin' you'd give up lightly. Look, it ain't my business ta tell the Dark Brotherhood its business, but if you killed a member of the Elder Council, you'd better belie-"

        "Will you buy it?"

        "Buy it? This? An Elder Council amulet? Oh yes. Oh yes, indeed. Wait just one moment... here." He handed her a note. "It's a letter of credit. Usable, by Astrid only, for any service or item I can provide. As per our standard arrangement. You bring that back to your lovely mistress. With my regards."