Al-Andalus 1183. Lluna Valentia bint Al Mualim De Bosch is a Spanish/Moorish noble, fruit of an interfaith union that hoped to unite two conflicting faiths of the Iberian Peninsula.
However, hope is a dream and the reality is that the family's influ...
there will be some "musical page breaks" along this chapter, to indicate the sort of music that may accompany a scene or might actually be playing in it. It is a lengthy chapter (8k+) but I hope it is not too ugly and distracting nor breaks the pace/immersion.
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"What is that muddy substance you're covering her with?"
Balian d'Ibelin, who had finally arrived just in time, was acting as master of ceremonies as his first task. He scrunched his petite but obviously sensitive nose at the strident scent straight after inviting himself into the haima.
The circle of women sitting and crouching around Lluna all tilted their heads up at the neat-looking lord at the same time.
"Alhinna," the mother responded patiently. "It is tradition to decorate the bride for her wedding. Surely you must have seen it before? It is but a paste of powdered leaves, my lord."
The early sun rays dispersed around his lean form and between his arms as his hands settled over his waist—appearing as though he carried vases of sunlight. His brother stood discreetly behind him, causing no interference, but taking skittish glances inside, seemingly toward the princess dabbing henna on Lluna's left hand.
Even with the sun's gracious vibrancy filtered through it, both their heads of hair remained a rather dull black, almost a blueish grey.
The tent had been erected outside, just at the edge of the royal gardens, where seemingly hundreds of banners and other decorative elements, such as blooming wreaths and laces, had been put into place as in the rest of the palace.
The opening was left wide so light could reach them not just through the translucent nature of the textile. They needed sunlight to work better, but also some shelter from it. Lluna wished they had begun even earlier, before sunrise. Now she would have to bear these muddy markings throughout the night too, for a darker stain, and lie completely still in bed. Was she not supposed to have a good night's sleep?
Balian's expression adopted an understanding mien, remembering that he had indeed seen it before. He brought his arms behind his back and balanced his weight on his heels, clearly trying to adjust to his role, and this one extraordinary posting he'd been given so hastily.
"I am not sure it will be viewed as neat, appropriate."
"If anybody has a say in what is appropriate in my own wedding, that would be me, would it not?"
Lluna wore a sleeveless red gown from the East, Hindustan, as its scarce covering would ease their work on exposed skin. Sibylle had ordered several goods to be brought straight from the marketplace, as she did quite often, and this dress had been amongst them. It consisted of two pieces, leaving the belly exposed too, where they also planned on drawing a design, and one to match it on the back, along her spine. The skirt was flared in a semi-circle, leaving her legs from the knee down out while they decorated them.
