hope
Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2022 10:43 am
88th of Frost 121 Steel
The bells of Kalzasi rang clearly throughout the skies of the city and extending into the countryside. The streets had been lined with decorations. The Seven Houses had set aside their differences for the moment and put their resources together in order to give all citizens the chance to participate in the celebration. At every corner along the road leading up to the Palace of the First Wind were built small shrines outfitted to honor those who had been lost in the tragedies of the current season. Some thought it was a bad omen to pay homage to the deceased but Talon had insisted. He had spent many hours in days of late coordinating with the palace staff and the staff of even other Houses to compile shrines dedicated to showing not only the fallen but some of their happiest moments. Though they had passed, hope lived on in the memory of them and Talon would not let his people believe he had forgotten about them. The move, while concerning to some, had been smiled upon as a compassionate one by others.
Kalzasi was not a city of easy victories. They lived atop the Yawning Chasm of the cursed Warrens. Theirs were a people accustomed to tragedy and though they weathered great hardships, they persevered in spite of those difficulties. All that they were was only made possible because of the strength they had as a community and Talon, more than ever, wanted to commemorate his people, even as he was readying himself for one of the happiest moments of his life. He wanted his union with Aoren to symbolize a new beginning for not just himself and his family but for his people.
“The Demigod Prince of Kalzasi, the reborn Draegir of Justice, of Light and of Hope, coming together with a wayward fallen Knight of the Imperium.” Talon turned to regard a thin old woman wearing a humble robe of green and gold. Upon her face was etched the story of her years. Her green eyes and steel grey hair only seemed to highlight the fierce intelligence and wisdom that crowned her. She had both hands resting upon a simple gnarled oak cane. Talon bowed to her and she in turn bowed to him.
“You honor me, Daizokura.” Marhda Ahtivin, was effectively the spiritual leader of all Kalzasi. Talon had requested that she be the officiant of his marriage to Aoren and to his surprise, she had accepted. The old human woman was well beyond the years of what most humans lived to be but many attributed this to the fact that she was a high priestess of Ioniri, the Draegir of Healing. A beloved figure by the people given her immense kindness and charity, Talon had though it further symbolic that the Holy Mother of Kalzasi preside over his union in order to further galvanize his people into believing both in themselves and in the hope that came with a new day.
“The honor is mine, Shinsei. It is not often that an old woman gets to see the union between a god and a mortal. The effect this will have on our people is significant but I have to wonder at the rippling effect it will cause with our enemies.” Talon was taken slightly aback at the change in subject from the Daizokura. She assessed him with kind eyes.
“Forgive me, I do not take your meaning.” Talon adjusted the sash around his waist. He was still in the middle of getting dressed for the ceremony. Marhda nodded as though his reaction was to be expected.
“You are a Synnekar. Lord Aoren’s status as a defector from the ranks of the Kathar Legion is not unknown. Symbolic your marriage may be, it is a slight in the eyes of not just Zaichaer but also the Imperium. For our kind, Prince Talon, it is a joining of our people’s cultures. The Synnekar and the Kathar. For them? It is a testament to their failure to control us.” Talon was then reminded that Marhda was the daughter of a Synnekar. He felt a pang of guilt as the wingless daughters of their people were often forgotten and though the Avialae strove to empower their women, there was no avoiding some things despite those efforts. He considered her words as he lifted his coat. The Daizokura nodded to some of the attendants in the room who stepped forward to assist Talon in getting it put in place.
“You are wise, as always, Daizokura. My hope is that we will be able to find newfound strength in this union. I am tired of living in fear of Zaichaer’s aggression and the Imperium’s tyranny. Did we not come to Kalzasi in order to live free of such things?” Talon shook his head. “There will always be those who want to fight us, hurt us, enslave us. I am tired of living as though we must sacrifice small moments of happiness for fear of rousing the monster that lurks in the shadows.”
Talon saw a sad smile cross the old woman’s features. She nodded in agreement but it somehow felt heavy. He finished shrugging into his coat and lifted his wings so that the attendants could put the back-sashes in place.
“Hope, my lady, that is what I want to give us. For it is what we need. So much has happened the past year that I believe it has been forgotten. We cannot let the darkness of yesterday or the shadow of what might happen stop us from moving forward. We must honor our past but not at the expense of living in the present and failing to build toward our future.” With his coat situated, Talon sat down so that he could tug on his boots and finish getting dressed. Marhda continued to watch him, an unreadable expression on her face.
“This, Prince Talon, is why I fear for what may lie ahead.” Talon was taken aback by her statement. He studied her.
“I do not fear the shadows of Zaichaer or the Imperium, my lady.” And it was true. Talon felt it in his bones. Those places were terrible but he would die before he let them take away the life that his people had worked so hard to build. Marhda was shaking her head.
“It is for Zaichaer and the Imperium that I fear, my prince.” She stepped forward, setting her cane aside. As she neared, she reached out and took Talon’s hands into her own. Her hands were rough, the hands of a woman who had worked hard most of her life and who continued to do so in the aftermath of the tragedy her family had suffered. She looked into Talon’s eyes steadily.
“For you do bring hope, my prince. More than I think you realize. I fear for those who would work to take that away from us, for the wrath that would follow is one, I think, not even you could stop.” Marhda reached up and took Talon’s face into her hands. He leaned forward allowing the Holy Mother to whisper a blessing upon his brow before she stepped away and turned to take her leave. In the silence that followed her departure, Talon was left wondering at what the future would hold. He could not see the future at least, not at will. For a moment though, the icy touch of dread filled him and he thought he could see something on the horizon. He shook that off however and finished dressing himself. It was as he was strapping his ceremonial sword to his hip that the knock upon his door came. As the door opened, his family stepped inside and Talon banished the thoughts that swirled in his head. He hugged his father. He squeezed his mothers. He embraced every sibling that he had.
“My Prince?” Talon looked up from setting down one of his younger siblings. One of the ceremony attendants bowed low. “It is time.”
Talon nodded. He smiled at his family and then, with them, began making his way toward the ceremonial chamber.
---
“You have chosen well, my son.” Talon bowed his head to his mother as she placed a kiss upon his brow. Sahfri framed his face with her hands and Talon saw a welling of emotion inside of his usually reserved mother. He brought his hands to her wrists and gave them a gentle squeeze. When she released him, his father stepped forward and rest his hands upon his shoulders. Dressed as they both were, standing side by side, the resemblance between them was more clear. Talon saw pride in his father’s eyes as he squeezed his shoulders.
“The start of a stronger family. I still expect grandchildren, you know.” Talon chuckled, blushing slightly.
“Of course, Father.” The two shared a laugh as the Shokaze stepped away and ascended the steps of the nearby dais so that he could seat himself upon the throne of the sovereign. His mother made her way down the aisle so that she could escort Aoren to the base of the dais where Talon stood. As was Synnekar tradition, it was only with the mother’s blessing that a marriage could be given. It still made him nervous even though he knew that his mother viewed Aoren as a worthy match. Across the chamber, the grand nobility of Kalzasi was gathered to observe and a section had even been granted to members of the common populace. Lorestone projections had been set up so that those outside the palace could still see the ceremony unfold. Standing just behind him and slightly off to the side was the entirety of his family with Rien and of course his beloved wolf being the closest.
“Are you ready, my Shinsei?” Marhda Ahtivin took up her place as officiator of the marriage. She smiled at Talon. Talon took a deep breath. He calmed his nerves. Across the bond he felt Aoren’s warm presence wrap around him. He felt Rickter give him a mental hug. Talon let out his breath and nodded.
The song that began was not the traditional Kalzasi marriage hymn. It was a song much different than that. It was sung without instrumentals and done entirely by a choir of Synnekar warriors. They sang of the bravery of Kalzasi’s people, not merely the Avialae. They sang of the bounty and strength that sprang forth from their city. They sang of the resilience of a Kalzasern’s spirit and of the ingenuity of their minds. As it rang through the hall, Talon could hear other voices joining it both among the nobility and from the crowds outside the palace. He hummed it softly to himself as he let the veil of his mortality fall away. The silver-white light of his nimbus shone softly at first but grew brighter and into it, Talon poured his belief in the unquenchable strength of his people. He filled it with his sound belief in Justice. He filled it with his belief that their people could be a Light against the darkness that sought to swallow them.
This moment was not just for him, it was for Kalzasi.
They had weathered many storms. They would weather far greater ones than what they had suffered this past season.
Aoren appeared at the end of the aisle. He took Sahfri’s arm and together the two of them began making their way toward him. Talon’s breath held as he saw his beloved bondmate walking toward him. Aoren was dressed in the attire of a Knight of the Imperial Legion but with the colors of House Novalys. That surprised Talon. He remembered helping Aoren pick out his outfit, get his measurements and even doing the rehearsal in the chosen attire. He felt a sliver of mischievous humor from both Aoren and Rickter and it warmed his soul. They had done it as a surprise and to further reinforce the gravity of this moment. It felt as though he blinked and suddenly Aoren and his mother were standing in front of him. He locked eyes with Aoren. He heard Marhda Ahtivin speak, asking for the blessing of his mother. There was not a moment’s hesitation as Sahfri gave her blessing. Talon watched as his mother stepped away to join his father upon the dais.
Talon then joined Aoren’s side as the two of them went into a kneel before the Holy Mother of Kalzasi. He heard her speak upon the significance of this union. He heard her speak blessings from the gods upon their marriage. He heard her invoke even his own divinity to bless the union. Then came the moment. The moment that the two of them rose to their feet and spoke to one another. Talon kept his gaze focused on his partner. He looked into the fire that burned brightly in his eyes. There was only one other person in the room with them and both of them tugged him close to the warmth that dwelled in their hearts.
“Talon.” His attention was focused completely on Aoren as his bondmate spoke. “You are the Light in my life and the Hope that brings fire to my soul. I came to this city trying to escape a life plagued by demons, filled with fear, and bitterness. I was ready to throw my life away. I met you and suddenly I had every reason to live. I had a reason to fight for more than just myself. I had a reason to believe in goodness again. You saved me. So I promised, I would give everything I am, everything that I have, to you.”
Aoren swallowed against the emotion building up inside of him. It was hard for Talon to offer much because he was feeling the exact same.
“I am better because of you. I am stronger because of you. I am made whole because of what you bring to my life. I ask you now, will you have me? Will you spend your life with me? Will you stand with me, knowing that I can never rest while the evils of the Warrens and those that threaten our people yet thrive? Will you calm me when I am ready to give in to the fire of my anger? Will you stand with me when the nightmares of my past return to haunt our present?” Aoren looked at him so sincerely that Talon had to realize that, even as they stood there, ready to devote themselves to each other, there was still doubt about all of this being real for the Kathar. Talon softened his gaze. The urge to pull Aoren into his arms and brush away his fears was strong.
“Yes.” Talon felt relief wash through Aoren. It was then his turn to speak. He was silent. He was filled with so many questions. He was filled with so many uncertainties. There in the quiet of it all, he felt the enormity of everything that was ahead of them. Quietly, Aoren spoke just loud enough for only the two of them to really hear each other.
“I love you.” Those three words. Those three simple words loosened the tightness in his chest and Talon could breathe again.
“Aoren.” His partner stood a little taller. Those raven wings fluttered lightly. “You have stood by my side as my Knight and Protector for so long now. You were there when I would have lost myself to the cold dark. You were there when I was ready to throw away all of who I was to the shadows of the Warrens in a bitter attempt to forget my pains. You taught me that pain is not forever and that a heart is only broken so that it may know the joy of being healed. You are the fire that burns in my soul, bringing warmth and light to all that you touch. I would give my life again if it meant saving you, just as you have helped save me.”
A single tear rolled down Aoren’s face as both of them remembered the events leading up to his ascension. Talon reached up and brushed it away.
“Will you have me? Will you stay by my side knowing the duties I accept as a servant of our people? Will you humble me when I am blinded by my own stubbornness and pride? Will build a family with me and allow our circle to grow?” With every word, Aoren’s eyes grew brighter and he felt their bond, if possible, cement itself deeper.
“Yes.” Talon felt relief wash through his body. The two of them brought their brows together, closing their eyes and just breathed. They then looked to Marhda who appeared somewhat misty-eyed herself.
“If it was hope you sought to give us, my prince, you have succeeded.” She cleared her throat and spoke clearly.
“Mighty Shokaze, First Wind of Kalzasi, Sovereign of Our Home.” She turned and bowed to Savien who was beaming with pride as he looked upon both Talon and Aoren. “The gods smile upon this union and it is blessed by our highest Queen. Before the Law of Kalzasi and beneath the grace of your Draegir son’s light, I ask of you, do you see this union as worthy? Will you bless this marriage as true?”
Savien smiled, emotion clear in his expression.
“As King, I give this marriage my solemn blessing. As a Father, I have only one thing to say.” He let out a breath. “It’s about time.”
There was a collective chuckle in the chamber that even Talon and Aoren partook of. Marhda turned back to them and spread her arms wide.
“Let the whole of Kalzasi rejoice! Before the gods and our sovereign, let it be known that Prince Talon and Prince-Consort Aoren are now wed. Blessed be this day! Blessed be the Light of Kalzasi!” Dimly, Talon heard the thunderous applause and joyous shouts breaking out all around them. But all he could hear was the beating of not just his heart but the heart of his bondmate, his beloved, his husband. Reaching up he cupped Aoren’s face and slowly brought their lips together in a gentle kiss. He felt Aoren’s arms around him and after all of the trials of the season, Talon let the guarded walls that he had built up for so long, fall away.
In that moment, there was only joy. In that moment, there was only hope for the future. In that moment, there was only love and light and happiness.
Talon would take it and he would live, if only for a moment.