“To the glory of the noble Soth clan,” Caradoc said, raising his tankard.
Letting out a sigh, Soth raised his tankard as well. “Yes,” he said. “To an unblemished future, for generations to come.”
They clanked tankards, the sound of which echoed hollowly off the cold stone walls.
Chapter 2
The sun had risen several hours ago but was still barely visible over the eastern horizon as the sky over Dargaard Keep was gray and full of thick, dark clouds. Obviously these were not the best weather conditions under which to celebrate a wedding. But as the dark clouds continued to gather and roll across the sky, threatening a downpour at any moment, a kind of reverse optimism began to infect the wedding’s guests until they were all of the opinion that a stormy wedding day could only bode well for the bright future of the marriage.
So, content in the knowledge that the wedding ceremony would go on, rain or shine, the squires and footmen worked quickly to assemble the benches which would seat the more than one hundred invited guests on the grounds just outside Dargaard Keep. The decision to move the day’s festivities outside had been made not only to accommodate the large number of guests, but also to allow everyone who wanted to witness the spectacle a chance to do so.
Those without official invitations would find a spot for themselves on the hills and knolls surrounding the makeshift chapel that had been built on the grounds. In fact, some had already secured a place for themselves on the grassy slopes near the altar even though the wedding itself wouldn’t begin for several hours yet. All this, simply for the sake of catching a close-up glimpse of the regal Lord Soth and his resplendent bride-to-be, Korinne Gladria.
Conducting such an early vigil for something as simple as a good vantage point might have seemed a bit excessive for some, but certainly not to those native to Solamnia who looked upon a marriage between the houses of Soth and Gladria as nothing less than a royal wedding.
Which in many ways it was.
Korinne Gladria was the daughter of Lord Reynard Gladria, one of the most highly regarded and respected noblemen of Palanthas, not to mention a distant cousin to the High Clerist himself. And Soth, although the son of a humble clerk, was also a distinguished Knight of Solamnia and member of the Order of the Rose. And, while all the Knights of Solamnia could lay claim to royal blood, the Order of the Rose was open to only those of the “purest” blood, making it the order of royalty within the Knights of Solamnia.
And so, as the last few benches were set into place, the grassy lands surrounding the altar slowly began to fill up with footmen, maids and commoners from Dargaard Keep, as well as the many farmers who tended the fertile farmlands of Knightlund.
Overhead, there was a slight shift in the clouds, allowing the sun to peek through the curtain of gray for the first time that morning.
“Please don’t worry, Mother. He’s a wonderful man,” said Korinne Gladria, as her bridesmaids attended to her long, flowing white gown.
Lady Leyla Gladria looked into her daughter’s eyes and smiled. “I have no doubt that he is, dear Korinne.”
“Then why do I have the feeling that you are still uneasy on a day which is supposed to be one of the happiest of my life?”
Leyla took a breath and exhaled slowly. “I just wish you were marrying someone more like—”
“More like Father,” Korinne said. “Oh, Mother.”
“Your father might not have been heralded as a valiant and courageous hero, but he was still a very distinguished politician and diplomat, not to mention a good husband and father. There was nothing he liked more than to be at home with his family. Nothing in the world made him more happy.” She shook her head. “Soth is a warrior, perhaps even a great warrior. But that is his life. He craves adventure, lives for the battle. When I think of the violence he’s been a party to …”
“All in the name of justice and freedom.”
Leyla paused. “My dear, sweet, innocent girl. Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it under the guise of doing good.”
Korinne looked at her mother curiously. “Whose fine words are those?”
“It’s a preface to one of the volumes by Vinas Solamnus, volume seven I believe. It is a warning to those who foolishly believe that all warriors who fight on the side of good can do no wrong.”
“Soth is a good man. And he will be a good father, too.”
Leyla sighed. Obviously this was a topic that had been discussed many times before, each time ending with the same result. “I just want you to be happy,” she said, giving her daughter a hug.
“I will be, Mother,” said Korinne, returning the hug warmly. “I will be.”
“Do you, Lord Loren Soth, take Korinne Gladria, to be your wife, to love her with a pure heart, and honor her as you would the Oath and the Measure?” asked Lord Cyril Mordren. The elderly knight was flanked by two silver-and-white robed Priests of Paladine who had conducted the more mundane aspects of the ceremony before relinquishing duties to Lord Mordren, the High Clerist of the Knights of Solamnia.
Soth turned to his bride and held his breath lest her beauty take it away. She was absolutely stunning in her long white gown, which was highlighted by swirling sky-blue accents that followed the contours of her shapely form like a second skin. Under her veil, her red hair hung down past her waist in thick, full curls. Her green eyes looked up at him, large and alluring, possessing both an innocence and an eagerness, neither of which ever seemed to wane. She smiled at him, and for a moment Soth felt himself grow weak.
He turned back to face Lord Mordren. “With all my heart.”
Lord Mordren smiled and nodded approvingly.
“Do you, Korinne Gladria, take Lord Loren Soth, to be your wedded husband, to love him with a pure and loyal heart, and to honor him and the Oath and the Measure, the knightly code by which he has vowed to live his life?”
Korinne turned from Lord Mordren and gazed upon her husband to be. Her eyes were alight with something akin to pure joy, and her smile was broad, as much from relief as from happiness.
The moment had finally come.
Soth felt his heart skip a beat. Here was possibly the greatest moment of the young Soth’s life. In the span of days he’d been inducted into the highest order within the Knights of Solamnia, had been instituted as the new Lord of Knightlund, and now, he was to be wedded to one of the most beautiful and loving women in all of Solamnia, no, the entire continent of Ansalon if not Krynn itself.
Forgotten were the indiscretions of his father, the murders committed by Caradoc on his behalf.
The past was behind him now and he was anxious to begin life anew as a Knight of the Rose. To start fresh with new resolve to live his life according to the Oath and the Measure. And he was eager to start living his other new life, that of a husband, the head of a family, and a father to the heir of the Soth legacy.
If only she would say the words.
“With all my heart,” she said.
Lord Mordren nodded, then turned to Soth. “You may kiss her, if you wish.”
Soth turned to face his new bride, Lady Korinne Soth, and gently lifted the veil over her head. Her pale skin was soft, smooth and flawless, radiating a vibrant glow full of love, life and happiness. Her copper-colored hair curled and shimmered like flames in the light of the midday sun which had just started to break through the clouds in earnest. He hesitated for a moment, admiring her beauty, then leaned forward, bending at the waist so their lips could meet.
A rousing cheer rose up around them as the guests, some of whom had been waiting for this one moment for months, shouted their enthusiastic approval of the marriage.
The kiss lasted a long, long time, with neither Soth nor Gladria wishing for it to end.
But when the cheering lessened somewhat, Lord Mordren cleared his throat, interrupting the newlyweds’ kiss, and allowing the ceremony to be completed.
“You are now husband and wife. Go forth and live with love, honor, wisdom, an
d above all loyalty to one another, now and forever.”
Another cheer from the crowd.
Minstrels began to play.
The couple turned to face the assembly, then slowly began walking down the center aisle left open between the benches filled to capacity with family, friends and fellow knights. Their path, which led around toward the other side of the keep, was carpeted with multi-colored rose petals.
After they’d passed through the crowd of guests, the rest of their way was lined with Knights of the Sword who’d drawn their weapons and crossed them over the aisle to form a canopy under which the couple could walk.
The gesture was an unexpected tribute, and Soth was both surprised and honored by it. As he walked under the arc of gleaming swords held aloft by his fellow knights, he began to think about how everything to do with the wedding had been so right, so wonderful. It was as if the wedding had been blessed by Paladine himself, perhaps even Mishakal as well.
Soth looked up to offer thanks, and noticed that the sun was finally shining brightly for the first time that day.
As the day wore on, the clouds continued to dissipate, leaving the hot summer sun of Fierswelt to blaze down upon the festivities, making it warmer than was welcome. But, considering the questionable weather conditions that had started the day, no one was complaining, especially the women, whose new gowns and dresses would have been all but ruined by any sudden downpour.
That the Vingaard River valley enjoyed some of the most advantageous weather on the continent of Ansalon was never more evident than on this day. After a three month winter in which the fields had lain fallow, there had come the two short months of spring used for planting. Indeed much of the planting this season had been done in specific preparation for today’s wedding feast. And now the people of Knightlund were finally able to reap and enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Strewn across the long tables set out in rows were barrels and bowls full of fresh fruits and vegetables, including four different kinds of apples, three different kinds of squash, two kinds of tomatoes and as many different other “greens” as had ever been grown in the fertile valley to the north and west of Dargaard Keep.
There were even other delicacies from such places as Istar, Silvanesti and Ergoth, all of which had been brought by guests or sent as gifts to the bride and groom by friends who were unable to attend.
At one end of the food tables, several fires were being stoked as many different types of game were being roasted, a process that filled the air with an enticing aroma which promised that today’s meal would be the best many had ever tasted.
At the other end of the food tables were barrels of ale, casks of wine and pitchers of sweetwater, all properly chilled with ice and snow brought down from the white-capped peaks of the Dargaard Mountains especially for the occasion.
And above the tables filled with food and the others lined with guests, Lord Soth and his Lady Korinne sat at the high table set upon a slight rise in the ground, a setup which gave the couple a place of honor and allowed their guests to offer congratulations while the festivities were underway.
“Lord Soth,” said Colm Farold, a young Knight of the Sword who had stepped up to the high table to make his offering of a wedding gift. “While I have not brought a gift I can hold in my hand, I nevertheless offer you something more valuable than any gift of material wealth.” Farold paused. “I offer you my undying loyalty as a Knight of the Sword.” He dropped down on one knee before Soth’s table and bowed his head deeply.
For a moment Soth was made speechless by the gesture. He knew he had the loyalty of many of the knights in attendance such as Caradoc, and Wersten Kern, and could count on several others when their services were required, but to have a knight as distinguished as Farold publicly declare his loyalty was a rare thing indeed.
Soth got up from the high table. “Thank you Knight Farold. I’m deeply touched by your pledge—one that I assure you is priceless in value. My only hope is that I can prove myself worthy of your loyalty.” A pause. “Arise, and welcome to Dargaard Keep.”
A cheer erupted from the guests as Farold rose to his feet. After a nod to Soth and Lady Korinne he returned to his seat, receiving applause and congratulations every step of the way.
The presentation of wedding gifts carried on for quite some time, and after a while it became apparent that many of the wedding guests were of a similar mind. No less than five cradles were set up in front of the high table, ranging in style from simple wooden bassinets made by Knightlund farmers to gilded wood and metal cradles fixed upon wheels to allow them to be easily moved from one part of the keep to another.
But despite the number of duplicates, Soth and Korinne had accepted each gift with the same courteous and gracious “thank you,” and even laughed heartily (if not politely) each and every time the inevitable jokes were made about the number of children the couple would be expected to have considering the number of cradles they now had to fill.
But at last the presentation of gifts came to an end.
Guests finished their meals and suddenly became eager to walk the grounds surrounding the keep, or else loosen the waistbands of their britches so that they might more easily partake in the rest of the day’s planned activities.
But before the feast could be officially concluded, Lord Reynard Gladria and his wife Leyla had to make the presentation of Lady Korinne’s dowry. Rumors had been circulating for weeks about the size and contents of the dowry, but specific details had yet to be divulged.
At last, all would know.
Leyla Gladria stepped up before the table, holding her aged husband by the left arm, while Eiwon van Sickle, a Knight of the Sword from Palanthas who had escorted the Gladrias to Dargaard Keep, held firmly onto the man’s left.
When they were in place, a chair was brought for Reynard Gladria while Lady Gladria made the presentation standing up.
“Dearest daughter,” she said, then turning to Lord Soth. “And my new son …”
Soth wasn’t sure the woman was saying the word affectionately or sarcastically, but he nevertheless nodded graciously.
“My husband and I have awaited this day for many, many years. And I know I speak for my husband when I say that we couldn’t have wished for a more suitable man for our precious daughter than the heralded Lord Loren Soth, Knight of the Rose.”
Lady Gladria reached over and took Soth’s hand in hers, squeezing it tight.
“And with our daughter married, we find that we are no longer in need of much of our holdings. Therefore, it is with great pleasure that we present to you the deeds to the lands surrounding Maelgoth as well as those spanning the northern edge of the Plains of Solamnia. This will extend Knightlund’s western border across the Vingaard River, bridging much of the gap between Palanthas and Knightlund, and making the distance between our homeland and the new home of our daughter a much shorter one to traverse.”
For the second time in a very short while, Soth was at a loss for words. So too was Lady Korinne, for all she was able to offer in response to her parent’s gift were tears of joy.
At last Soth got up from the high table and walked down the slight slope to thank his new in-laws for their extremely generous gift.
He approached Reynard Gladria first, kneeling by the seated man and bowing his head deeply. “Thank you milord,” he said, using the word somewhat improperly in order to show the extent of his gratitude.
The elderly man smiled, exposing a gap-toothed row of teeth. He placed a frail and bony hand on Soth’s shoulder and said, “Quite all right, my boy.” His voice wheezed out the words like a steelsmith’s bellows clogged with coal dust. “There’s no one I’d rather see have it than a Knight of the Rose.”
Soth nodded again, then stood up. He waited for Lady Korinne to finish thanking her mother, then he moved over and knelt before the woman. “Thank you, milady.”
The elder Gladria remained stern faced. “Treating my daughter well will be thanks enough, young man.”
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Soth looked at her, realized that she was now his mother-in-law, and simply said, “Yes, milady.”
Leyla Gladria nodded her approval.
A breeze blew down off the Dargaard Mountains, cooling the early evening air and making it more comfortable for the assembled knights to continue their games and amusements.
At the foot of the mountains, on the south side of the keep, several knights were busy testing their skills against one another by fighting mock battles commonly referred to as “friendlies.”
“Knights prepare!” cried Oren Brightblade, the honorary referee for the evening’s contests.
The two opponents stood up and entered the large circle drawn upon the ground. Wearing a red sash on his right arm was Meyer Seril, a Knight of the Crown. Wearing the blue sash was Caradoc, also a Knight of the Crown.
Although the winner and loser of each friendly neither gained nor lost any standing in the order, the Knights of Solamnia were a proud group and none took losing such contests lightly. As a result, many of the friendlies between knights were as fiercely contested as many of the battles they fought against their usual foes such as the ogres or minotaurs.
“May the best knight win,” said Seril, smiling at his opponent.
Caradoc nodded and smiled politely. “May the winner be the best knight.”
The combatants touched swords and stepped back so that their footmen could give the lightweight ringmail and leather armor covering the upper parts of their bodies a final check.
A moment later, the two men stood at the ready.
“Hup!” cried Oren Brightblade.
Suddenly the air rang with the clink and clang of steel against steel as each of the knight’s thin, lightweight practice swords slashed through the air in search of a weakness in their opponent’s defenses.
Whether Caradoc was tired from the long day of ceremony and festivities, or Meyer Seril was a more nimble fighter, was unclear. What was clear however, was that Seril was by far the better swordsman. He was able to block most of Caradoc’s attempted blows and easily knocked Caradoc off-balance by slapping him gently on his arms and legs with the flat side of his broadsword, which was the primary object of the whole contest.
Lord Soth Page 4
