Knife of Rebellion: Battles of Eyenwar, Book 1

Chapter 43- Won and Done

The weather in Cantabrar as winter transitions to spring is a delightful change from the frigid air of the northern climates. The sun shines unobstructed and the air is so fresh that even the oppressive walls of the sprawling city can't dampen the excitement of the day.

All the Skevetics and Gricadans marched back here to Cantabrar, while all Torranians save for Cairo, Diona and myself took the route north through the mountains back to Torrain, including Maso, who amazingly was absorbed into Diona's forces almost the second they arrived at Sandalone. Emilio's body is being carried back in one of the manny carriages designated to the dead.

Cairo walks next to me down his old street. We've come back from a visit with Jin, Gan, Ren, Hilna and little Mika. They look much better fed, and apparently their mother has begun working as a message carrier between the church and the palace.

"Are you packed?" Cairo asks.

I link my arm through his, "I've been packed since we got here."

He laughs, "I know, you've been itching to run home since the second we left the gates of Sandalone. However may I remind you that you are the one who insisted we stay for the wedding?"

"Yes yes, I know. But if you had seen Mirabel's face when she invited me you would have done the same." I insist.

Cairo brings my hand to his lips and kisses my fingers, "Just promise we won't be staying the night."

Our walk brings us back to the palace, where there is a flurry of visiting nobles, merchants, and dignitaries. Including a recent Duke-made-King. Hallistead, as the last remaining blood relative of the Gricadan royal family took the mantle immediately after the treaty was signed. He was, of course, cordially invited to Garen and Mirabel's wedding.

While I make my way to the bridal chamber, Cairo hides in his room to practice his miranga. Mirabel begged him to play for the ceremony.

When I arrive at my cousin's room, several maids a whirling around in a flurry attempting to make Mirabel into the perfect Skevetic bride. Shockingly, brides here wear red to signify the strength of blood.

I must admit, it suits her very well.

The dress is long and modest, with simple wrist length sleeves and the usual full skirt of Skevetic fashion. A long scarf is wrapped around her head, hiding all of her hair under the crimson fabric. Her face has been done with kohl and red paint. Rubies inlaid with gold hang from her delicate throat.

"You look beautiful."

Mirabel smiles, "I wish I could say the same for you, but I see you have yet to change into appropriate attire."

I look down at my dusty clothes. Mirabel motions to the dresser, where the traditional white and gold robes of a Spirit Bridge hang. I take them into the bathing room adjacent to the bridal chamber to change. When I emerge, only Perdy, our loyal servant, remains in the room.

"I am ready." Mirabel stands near the door, waiting patiently for me to accompany her.

I do so, and together we walk through the hallways, across the foyer, an out the giant palace entrance. Waiting on the outside is a large crowd of the wealthiest nobles in middle Eyenwar. Diona waits patiently in the front row, dressed in the formal Torranian dress, representing our family.

A priest stands next to Garen on a platform in the center of the courtyard. On two pillows are two crowns, gold and glittering in the sunlight. I walk Mirabel down the long aisle built from the doors to her future.

The ceremony, like all the others I have seen in Skevet, is a dramatic and opulent affair. Each vow is a promise of power, not of love. Each says I do, and Garen slowly unwraps Mirabel's scarf, removing it from her head. The priest then ties the cloth around their bound hands, all four of them. I bless them both with a kiss to the forehead, and then the priest and I declare them husband and wife.

A crown is lifted from a pillow, and placed on Mirabel's head. A smattering of cheers and applause ripples through the crowd.

Then Garen is crowned, and every voice in Cantabrar cheers.

The celebration moves into the ball room, where Cairo plays with a Skevetic band. Everyone is dancing as if there never was a war and never will be again. Alida and Finn are celebrating their recent engagement, as well as Alida's acceptance into the military. The first women ever to join the Skevetic army, a fact that has been kept very quiet so as not to ruffle any important feathers before or during the wedding.

I stand against a wall, close enough to Cairo to hear the music play. Diona joins me, leaning casually against my shoulder.

"I have elected to stay in Skevet for the time being. Please inform my mother of my intent and convey my regrets." She whispers.

"What?" I ask, "Why would you stay here? You have to return to your command."

"I don't trust the stability of this country. The nobility were watching their new rulers like vultures. The second they get the chance, they will betray Garen, and perhaps even turn their attention toward conquest once again. Mirabel needs someone here." Diona launches herself off the wall, and into the crowd.

Guilt worms it's way into my heart, but only for a moment. The sense of urgency and purpose I've had since leaving home is gone. I've done what I can, and my presence here won't do Mirabel any favors. Spirits know I'm not very political, and magic can't really solve mistrust.

It is time for me to go home.

I spend the rest of the night dancing, largely with Branon or Garen. Cairo stops playing after a while and dances with me, but only for a song or two before we quietly slip out the side door and into the stables, where Heartfire and our travel packs are waiting for us.