The Dragon Swordmaster - 8

The Marriage Conversation

While the servants brought the feast to the table, King Edgar introduced the guests, starting with the most recent arrivals. "Our friends from Alfgard, Lord Greydawn and Lady Nerina,” he raised his goblet, “to their health."

"To their health," a chorus replied.

Lord Greydawn stood. "We are truly blessed by this day. I have come not merely for the naming feast, but to offer the hand of my daughter to Cedric that they may bear a blood treaty between us." At the same time, a servant leaned over Cynara's shoulder to place a silver platter on the table. She smiled as she slowly rotated the head of the roasted boar to face Lady Nerina. Surrounding the head were cooked quail chicks still in their shell. Cynara grabbed two of them, though all of them were likely meant for her consumption.

Cedric turned to Nerina and smiled, "Perhaps we can discuss this further after dinner." Nerina smiled back and nodded.

"Our friend from Arboria within the Great Forest, Sir Linden Arbor, to his health." Another chorus followed, while the serving staff placed bowls of ripe red pears on the table.

Sir Linden stood. "The Kingdom of Arboria pledges its continued support for the House of Gwillam. We will stand for its defense should such a need arise."

"From the Dark Kingdom of the Mages, Lord Onyx Black, to his health." Again, the chorus of voices replied. The servants placed platters of boar meat on the table.

Lord Black remained seated. "There are dark portents ahead, but the Dark Kingdom will continue to strengthen its alliances." He stuck his fork into a thick slab of roast boar and hoisted it onto his plate.

"And last, though not least," the younger son rose smiling at his companion, "we are honored by the presence of a swordmaster from the Eastern Empire, the Lady Cynara."

The revelation so startled Lady Nerina that she poured ale down the front of her frock. Lord Black laughed and winked at Cynara. Cynara rose and lifted her chalice. "Milord, the Eastern Empire pledges fealty to the House of Gwillam and the Principality of Weston for as long as both shall stand."

"Is it true," Sir Linden inquired, "that a swordmaster is never without their sword? If so, I would imagine you to be quite uncomfortable without it."

"We are versed in many forms of combat. Though our swords are never far away should we have need of them." Cynara cracked open an egg and began to peel away the shell.

"It must be hard for you," Lady Nerina spoke as she continued to wring the ale from her frock, "living among those vile creatures. Aren't you afraid of being eaten?"

"I can assure you; I am in no danger among my own kind," Cynara popped the entire chick into her mouth and swallowed. "Does your father have your approval to offer you in marriage? Among the drakon, it would be an offense."

"Although Nerina has a mind of her own, she is most obedient. She would make a good wife. I have raised her well in these matters," Lord Greydawn replied.

Annwyl Gwillam turned to Greydawn, "You speak in contradictions Lord Greydawn. No woman is obedient who has a mind of her own. My beloved Edgar can attest to that."

“As can I,” Gilian whispered to Cynara.

"Tell me, what do the elves hope to gain from such a union?" King Edgar asked. "I have no need of a grandchild as yet. When the time comes, we will invite the eligible females to court. My wife was a stable maid, but she charmed me nonetheless."

 "As I stated earlier, to stiffen the bond between our two kingdoms," Greydawn replied. "A noble cause, is it not?"

"To marry into the lineage, then?" Gilian responded. "I can assure you that it will not gain you the kingdom. It is only with the approval of our people and myself that my father named my brother as successor. Cedric has prepared for this and I will defend his right to rule as I defend our father's. As far as marriage alliances go, we accept them only if the other kingdom involved will honor them."

"My son speaks the truth of the law," Annwyl smiled, "but he leaves out his own betrothal."

"Mother, this is not the time..."

"Nonsense, Gilian! It is exactly the time. When your bride arrived early this morning, you did not recognize her beneath her cloak. Yet you knew her immediately when she fell before you. Both of you are obviously hiding something. If not your betrothal, what then?"

Cynara looked at Gilian. "We should tell them." Gilian shook his head. "They have to be told sooner or later." Again, Gilian shook his head. "We're married," she announced.

"This should have been done in private," Gilian admonished, "not in front of strangers over dinner. I apologize, Father, Mother, for this breach of protocol."

"And yet, you chose to marry in secret," Edgar replied. "I'm disappointed that you thought we would not approve."

"To be honest, we were more worried about her father's approval. He insisted we marry immediately in his presence. I could not refuse such an honor."

"True, it would have been an offense to have refused," Lord Black replied. "But I'm afraid that Greydawn may well have offended Arboria. After all, he travelled here to meet his betrothed, not to hear her pledged to another. Is that not so, Sir Linden?"