Days 193-202 (171st-180th)

Days 193-201 (171st-179th): 15-7 days until wedding
I was glad the men were focused on the battle part of this event as we had our hands full with the wedding part. The seating was finished, checked, and approved. The magic lights like Raval had illuminated it at night as well as most of the city. Merchants were arriving nearly daily and the tent city we had designated space for slowly grew every day. A few guests had arrived early, one or two confused about the date as fall was already chilling their lands. Others claimed they had to arrive early to "approve" the conditions, accommodations, food, etc. One lady recognized Mara from Lord Carmon's household and flew into a fit. She and her entourage would have left if Gavin hadn't assured her of Mara's heritage and bloodline. Still, she had one of her accompanying wizards confirm her blood tie to the land and throne. These early arrivals became a welcoming committee of sorts for the rest of our guests. We gladly let them have that job.
The finished dress was gorgeous. Simple enough to be elegant with the barest of accents and accessories. The shoes arrived and were perfect. The only payment he asked was to display them in his shop after the wedding as an example of his best work. Mara gladly allowed it and said he would be given the title of "royal cobbler" upon receipt of the shoes. That pleased him as well.
While the florists were apologizing for the lack of flowers, a pixie arrived stating in a note that the fey would be supplying all the flora for the event. Mara thanked the winged girl and slid a string of glass beads around her small body. The back of the note stated that they were to be used afterwards to beautify the city. Mara charged the florists with that duty to which they gladly accepted.
Five chefs and three bakers brought us samples of their skilled creations. Mara chose the menu and gave them some coins to buy what they needed. It relieved them that they were not forced to bear the expense of this themselves.
It suddenly dawned on Mara that she had no attendants and neither did Gavin. We assured her she had nothing to worry about. If she really wanted attendants, we would be happy to fill that spot. She was delighted. Gavin said the soldiers would look like attendants for him plus Kendar would be close by to look like a best man.
We were a week from the wedding, all the big things were finished. A stage ready to receive the Fey's flowers sat in the center of the seating, surrounded on all sides by an open area that allowed all of the spectators to get a good view of the ceremony.
The tent city was up and running nicely.
Mara had been introduced to the leaders as they had time. Some received her warmly while others were either indifferent or down-right cold. We spent a lot of time educating them about the circumstances of her flight and why she had not been "properly educated in matters of state and royalty". We also had to defend our honor from those who claimed we were frauds and the legendary swords as a child's story. Even the dragon riders were harassed by some as "lazy lizard lovers with no useful purpose or service". All of these insults, we found out, came from three lords whom Maalicus had put in power after they killed their predecessors. Their power, with the Baaloc's defeat, had been tested. They hoped to "expose" all of us as frauds to "reclaim" Baaloc Prime for "proper leadership", meaning them or their lackeys. These were closely watched to make sure they caused no mischief.
Rider finders found a total of twenty new riders in the city of Selvis Prime, including the two from the palace itself. Falcon returned to Demagram to begin a true training class. He was so pleased to have found so many. Finders were asked by some of our guests to examine some of their servants, followers, and attendants. Three more were found among them. One unexpected find was a king's second daughter. When it was discovered that she was a rider, it created a talking opportunity between king and riders. He had thought ill of the riders but was not openly hostile. This gave them common ground and, before too long, they were discussing a riders' outpost.
Almost every meal was shared with another ruler, leader, or head of a church or guild. We reassigned one of the servants to keep track so we wouldn't offend anyone by forgetting when we had which meal with them. She had excellent writing skills and a very good memory.
By the last week before the wedding, everything was nearly running itself.

Day 202 (180th): 6 days until wedding
Our chronicler, Mina, awoke us with wonderful news. During the night, plants and flowers began growing on the stage where the place had been made to receive them. I sent Set hunting while we investigated. Flowers that should not have grown in this area or at this time of year were slowly engulfing the arch under which Mara and Gavin would stand, the rails flanking the arch, and the rails on the lowest section of seating separating seats from stage. Mara was beside herself with joy.
Some of our guests were impressed while others spoke of unholy alliances and evil influences. A few asked to be reassigned seating as to avoid being too close to "such unnatural things". Their requests were easily granted.
Our planner asked why one seat, close to the stage, had not been assigned yet left open. I told him we were not sure if a special guest would be attending but wanted a place for her just in case. He understood and wrote "SAG" on his chart for that seat and left.
We returned to the palace to find Set and two other dragons sharing a large carcase. I did not recognize the animal but one of the riders said it was a "moose". Set nearly had his head buried in the beast. I left him to his meal as we were having breakfast with a gathering of clerics. He joined us after washing up.
They were all eager to find out who would be officiating and what kind of ceremony it would be. Mara and Gavin stared at each other. Neither had given any thought to that aspect of the ceremony. This opened an all out shouting match over which of the assembled clerics would perform the "best" ceremony for the couple. Before too long, Mara was crying, Gavin was red with anger, and several clerics were close to blows. Kendar was trying to intervene, but soon he was overwhelmed. I took Anna's hand, as she was closest to me. She took Lisa's, and down the line until all seven of us were physically linked.
"ALL SILENT!" we ordered in unison.
Even though they were still fighting, the room was dead silent. Set tried roaring, but no sound came out.
"Wow! Can I do that?"
"With practice, dear one, with practice."
"I'm glad you made it quiet. That shouting was hurting me."
"How long do we keep them silent?" Gretta asked the rest of us.
"Until they agree to be civil," a couple of us responded.
We all agreed to that. We watched as they slowly realized no sound was coming out of their mouths. They snapped fingers and clapped hands to assure themselves they had not gone deaf. Mara clung to Gavin as he tried, in a silent way, to reassure her.
"Gavin, hear us," we mentally began, " We had to silence you as well as them to get everyone's attention. When they have stopped fighting, we will restore speech."
"Wise move, sisters, taking their primary weapon away. Others would have harmed them. You continue to prove your character."
He conveyed to Mara that we had silenced all to stop the arguing. She smiled and settled into her chair. Gavin also got comfortable and watched. We alerted Kendar and he returned to his seat. Finally all of the clerics calmed down and looked at our group.
"Now that you are settled," Sarah addressed them, "Mara and Gavin will listen, one at a time, to you present your reasons why you and your faith should conduct the ceremony in your style. Only the one presenting will be able to speak. Any interruptions from any other will result in that person being frozen, unable to see, hear, or move. Gavin, Mara, and Kendar, you are free to speak. Choose who goes first."
"Set, you are free as well."
The trio huddled together and began selecting. The clerics began orderly, but a few had to be frozen when something was said with which they adamantly disagreed. After each presented his case, he was rendered silent again. I saw Gavin and Mara writing names, crossing out, and marking them as this process continued.
After the dishes were cleared and the last had spoken, they were thanked, freed of our magic, and dismissed. Kendar thanked us for making an unpleasant chore almost bearable. Gavin summoned the religious council for other faiths not spoken with here to present their side, including other races. They dispatched quickly and, before long, Mara and Gavin were holding their first court to interview clerics. We were off to the side in case they got unruly.
Human clerics sneered at or ignored centaur, elf, dwarf, gnome, and other race clerics. They were all clearly informed of the consequences of rude behavior.
By lunch, the pair had clearly defined the style of ceremony they wanted. Those who could or would not do that style were dismissed before they got to speak. It became obvious that many of the human faiths were too rigid in their dogma to bend and perform any style other than their strict ceremonies.
By evening, the couple had it whittled down to a centaur, an elf, and our dragon rider cleric. They were asked to assemble at the stage. Seeing the setting, our rider cleric said he doubted, even with magical enhancement, that his voice could carry to the back and highest tiers. In appreciation for his honesty and time, Gavin asked him to stand with him and Kendar as an attendant of sorts. He gladly accepted. The elf went through a portion with some of us in the highest tiers. His voice carried well, but some of the words were hard to understand. The centaur's voice carried full and strong, every word clear to not only the farthest parts of the seating, but others outside said they could hear and understand him as well. Mara and Gavin, being closest to him, said he was not shouting or uncomfortably loud. The elf was awarded with giving the opening blessing when everyone would be silent enough to hear him clearly. He thanked the pair and commented on the judgement and fairness of them and their future rule.
Since we were all there anyway, we went through a practice run of the ceremony. As we were, a gaggle of human clerics arrived to protest two human rulers being wed by a "beast of the filth". Gavin reminded them that his mother, Queen Darla of Raval, was a full-blood Faerie who had become mortal for the love of his father. This stopped a few, but others argued that Selvis was a human bloodline pure and free of non-human influence.
"On the contrary," Alice informed them, " King Maldaran was half-elf and his wife was one-eighth mermaid."
"WHAT?!" came the response from many.
One pulled out a book and flipped through the yellowed pages. He reached about a quarter way through it and began reading:
"'King Maldaran, third child and first son of King Marcucian, bore to same by the second wife Queen Lunara of the Brimgrove elves, ascended to the Selvis throne upon his father's official abdication due to his poor health. Maldaran took as wife the Lady Shandon of Sea Watch, who was mixed of human and merfolk descent, upon the third moon of his reign.'"
Many had to examine the old book to prove to themselves he had read true. Realizing their error, the human clerics left silently. As it was getting dark, we made our way back to the palace for dinner with seven guild heads and discussed the future prosperity of Selvis Kingdom and Selvis Prime.