Tainted: The Life of Uktesh Book 2

by Aaron Hicks

  Esolc said, “Slow down and enjoy today as much as you can. I get the feeling you’ll only be doing this once. Try to remember as much as possible. Although certain aspects of today will fly by, try to remember the important bits.”

  Uktesh nodded even though he was sure that he would remember everything that happened today. They turned off the main path and headed to the gazebo. When they arrived Uktesh saw that half the seats were already filled, so he asked, “How much time is left until we’re supposed to start?”

  Esolc said, “About twenty minutes.”

  Utkesh nodded and greeted Dayho and the other four grand masters, “Grand masters, I thank you for coming, but I thank you more for deciding not to kill me.”

  Dayho shook his hand and said, “It was never really up to us. Once we calmed down and remembered that the Grand master had chosen you we had to respect his decision.”

  That’s right!

  Uktesh shook, Wyde’s hand and said, “Thank you for coming.”

  Wyde smiled and said, “My pleasure.

  Next he shook Dusyd’s hand, “Thank you.” Dusyd just nodded. He next shook Ryth’s hand and said, “I’m surprised to see you on my side of the aisle since you’re Laurilli’s mentor.”

  She smiled and said, “We didn’t want to give the impression of a less than united group.”

  Uktesh then shook Mycha’s hand. He just nodded and Mycha did likewise. The grand master of the air still thought Uktesh needed to die. Uktesh moved on to Holyt and said, “Thank you for coming to our wedding.”

  Holyt smiled, shook Uktesh’s hand with both of his, and said, “I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Literally the world! This is my lovely wife Dyala. We were most grateful for an invitation to such a prestigious wedding.”

  Uktesh gapped at him in shock, “Prestigious? How? We’re not famous?”

  Holyt said to his wife, “I told you they didn’t know. Son, you are one of the Five. The whole island knows that you each have more money than you could spend. And then there are the hundreds of people you’ve helped through your Heroes for Hire board. If that weren’t enough, your stunt at the play was witnessed by no less than eight hundred people. You’re the youngest person ever to become a dragon, much less a grand master.”

  Uktesh opened his mouth to argue, but Holyt continued, “I don’t want to hear it. You have mastered the Shadow Walk, which we all know is the step before you become a grand master and gain power over an element, and you’ve demonstrated your affiliation with fire several times. Your guest list includes all five grand masters, who by the way, almost never leave the mountain. So yes, this is quite the prestigious wedding.”

  A stunned Uktesh thanked him for coming, and thought. We should’ve invited Cimmie and that group too, and some of the people from the play. But it was too late. Uktesh took his place at the front and to the right with Esolc and Repus. It was a perfect day, not too hot, with a nice breeze, bright, but with enough puffy clouds to ensure some shade. Uktesh realized the time had come when the harpist started the traditional wedding march and Pippy came walking down the aisle sprinkling flower petals. In the distance Uktesh saw Larut turn onto the path to the gazebo. Larut came back! A large woman and a man with black hair and graying temples turned onto the path with him. Then Uktesh saw distinctive red hair and thought, Tylor! Laurilli then came out of the bridal tent and Uktesh lost track of the group heading toward them.

  He saw her walk toward him and he had to admit that the ta’ovala was spectacular! It was a dress literally woven of grass! He hadn’t needed to worry about anyone getting an eyeful of her body because it was woven from just above the swell of her chest to slightly below her knees. The ta’ovala was green, but he realized that it complemented his slightly darker green dumpra.

  The new comers reached Laurilli and Heathyr, who both shrieked and hugged the black haired man and Uktesh realized Tylor and Larut and brought Thulmann with them! He kissed his wife and held his arm out to Laurilli, to walk her down the aisle to her husband.

  As Laurilli moved toward him he saw that there were flowers woven into her dress too! Her golden hair shown in the sunlight, her blue eyes were bright with unshed tears, and her smile was radiant. When she was in front of him, he saw that there were small white flowers woven through her hair. The Justicer asked, “Who gives this woman away?”

  Thulmann said, “Her mother and I.”

  He kissed her on the cheek and she walked forward until she stood next to him. Uktesh barked a laugh, and couldn’t help smiling when he said, “I love you.”

  Laurilli said, “I love you too.”

  The Justicer said, “We are gathered here today in the presence of these witnesses to join Uktesh Marrion and Laurilli Barlow together in holy matrimony, not to be entered into lightly, but reverently, passionately, lovingly, and solemnly. If any person can show just cause why these two should not be joined together let them speak now or forever hold their peace.” Uktesh swallowed, having not heard about that part. He looked at Thulmann, who was grinning at Uktesh’s discomfort.

  The Justicer let the silence stretch until he said, “A wedding is simple. It is a time to celebrate two people in love as they move toward a deeper love. It is a time to stand before friends and family and declare that until you die there will be no other that you will love more. It is once the two have become one in the eyes of the law that trouble can arise. Those who are married know, as you will soon learn, that there will be strife, anger, and misunderstandings. In those times remember all the love you hold for each other today. Hold on to your love for each other; strengthen it, build it, and nurture it.”

  He turned to Uktesh and said, “If you will repeat after me.”

  Uktesh said, “I, Uktesh Marrion, take you Laurilli Barlow, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish you. From this day forward until death do we part.”

  The Justicer turned to Laurilli, who had unshed tears in her eyes, and Uktesh felt his own moisten in response, “Repeat after me.”

  Laurilli said, “I, Laurilli Barlow, take you Uktesh Marrion, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish you. From this day forward until death do we part.”

  The Justicer said, “May we have the rings?”

  Pippy stepped forward and handed Uktesh the rings. Uktesh said, “I, Uktesh, give you, Laurilli, this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you.”

  He slid the ring onto her finger with shaky hands. He wiped his eyes as Laurilli held his hand, “I, Laurilli, give you, Uktesh, this ring as an eternal symbol of my love and commitment to you.”

  She pushed it onto his hand and he squeezed hers in response. The Justicer said, “It is now time for the sands.” Uktesh was handed a large glass vase of black sand and Laurilli was handed a large glass vase of white sand. As they took turns pouring the sand into a tall cylindrical vase, the Justicer said, “As difficult as it would be to separate the sand as it is poured together, so too shall it be to separate these two.” When they finished emptying their vases into the central vase the now merged sand vase was capped and both Uktesh and Laurilli held it between them.

  The Justicers continued, “Love is that immutable force that makes the world go ‘round. Love, true love, does not come by finding the perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly. By the power vested in me by the Isle de Tramonto, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”

  Uktesh handed the black and white sand vase carefully to Esolc and kissed Laurilli tenderly. When he pulled back he wiped a tear off her cheek, and felt her hand caress his. “I present for you, for the first time ever, Mr. and Mrs. Uktesh and Laurilli Marrion.” Everyone stood and clapped as they made their way to the bridal tent.

  Once they were under the tent and hidden from
view, Laurilli turned and kissed him a kiss to make their kiss during the play pale in comparison. “Finally,” she breathed against his neck. He held her close, closed his eyes, and swayed back and forth with his wife. Heathyr came in to the tent saying, “Let’s get you two changed, carefully in your case Laurilli.” She looked at them and sighed, “Aww, you two are too cute. Quit dancing, there’ll be dancing later.” Uktesh kissed Laurilli again and let her go to the ministrations of Heathyr, Leilani, and Pamfilo. Uktesh Walked out of the tent to his house where he changed into a semi-formal skirt with no shirt, called the gho. He’d had it tailored to match Laurilli’s wedding kiekie.

  Both his gho and her kiekie were red with gold embroidery. The sash across her chest was orange and was also embellished with gold embroidery. Uktesh Walked back to the gazebo and went straight to Larut, Tylor, Sarah, and Thulmann. He shouted, “Tylor!” and crushed him in a hug. He hugged Larut too, although less intensely. He said, “When you left early I thought that maybe you had left to get Sara, but I didn’t expect Tylor and certainly not Thulmann.” He hugged Sara and said, “I’ve heard all about you, but your beauty outshines even Larut’s description.” She blushed and Uktesh turned to Thulmann with his hand out.

  Thulmann looked at the hand and said, “We’re huggers in my family!” He enveloped Uktesh in a crushing hug and lifted him off the ground. When Uktesh was set back down Thulmann said, “If I’d known that sparing your life would lead to the corruption of my daughter, I may have made a different choice!” He put a hand on his hip and one behind his head before he roared with an infectious laugh.

  Uktesh said, “Yeah, but then we both might not be here today!”

  Thulmann roared another laugh and clapped Uktesh on the shoulder, “Now that’s the way to take some good-natured ribbing, boy! These three kept looking at me like I was insane for the first few days!”

  Uktesh said, “That’s probably because you are! Who else would dare-”

  Thulmann joined him in finishing his sentence, “To attack the Beletarians!” Thulmann clapped Uktesh on the shoulder again and said, “A year ago and you remember that! It’s strange, though, that you’re living in the home of a man who attacked your country.”

  Uktesh shrugged, “For days after my village was destroyed I had visions of your group being the attackers, even though you weren’t there. Then I met you and even though you’d just killed my people I didn’t feel malice from you. I felt some from those in your group, that’s for sure, but not from you. Then when I travelled to a different country and the first person I met was your daughter, I knew it had to be fate.”

  Thulmann said, “That seems strangely dispassionate. I know several people who, had they been you, would’ve killed my family because I had taken part in the war against your country.”

  Uktesh frowned and thought about it, “I guess we’re trained early that in war loses are expected. That crying about it wouldn’t accomplish anything. That quarter is to be given to a defeated soldier because he’s just doing his job, most of the time against his will. So when I lost my dad, I did morn, but I didn’t let it consume me. When I met your family I had no thoughts of revenge, not even after I learned you were their husband or father. Does that make me broken, a bit? I care that my dad died, I care that my people were killed by you, but I rationalize that he died in war and that you too were fighting a war. You didn’t kill me when you had the chance, but let me go.”

  Thulmann put his hand on Uktesh’s should and said, “No you’re not broken, just more capable of reasoning than I would have thought. But this is a wedding! Such thoughts can be discussed later!”

  Pippy ran into Uktesh’s arms and he lifted her off the ground, “This is Pippy, Leilani’s daughter, Leilani is one of the people in the tent disrobing my wife.” Uktesh continued the conversation with Thulmann. “Of course I’d remember. You make a strong first impression. Speaking of first impressions, may I introduce you to Holyt and his wife Dyala.” He’d noticed the couple edging toward him. The group widened to include the two new comers. Uktesh caught Dayho’s eye and nodded him over.

  Thulmann laughed and said, “You’re the one who kidnapped my wife!” Then he glared so ferociously at poor Holyt that both he and his wife paled. Thulmann broke the sudden tension that he had caused by laughing again and saying, “I’m just kidding you! Thanks to that play I gather my daughter got to learn more ways to defend herself!”

  Uktesh punched Thulmann in his arm as Holyt and his wife started to breathe again, “He’s in his seventies! Don’t make his heart work overtime for a joke!” The grand masters joined the circle, and Uktesh introduced them as well.

  Thulmann said, “Five of the greatest hand-to-hand fighters in the world gathered right here! Anyone up for a fight?”

  Dayho and Ryth smiled, while Dusyd and Mycha looked ready to take him up on his offer. Before anyone could answer Heathyr said, “No rough housing at a wedding my love.”

  Thulmann waved away his suggestion and said, “Some other time then! You look good enough to eat!” He picked up Heathyr and spun her in a circle as Pamfilo, Leilanni, and Laurilli joined the circle next to their respective man.

  Heathyr was flushed when her feet returned to the ground. She leaned against Thulmann and said, “Shall we move to the feast?”

  Pippy jumped out of Uktesh’s arms and into hands of both Repus and Leilani, and they swung her as they walked. Weddings were celebrated by the entire island, so the amphitheater had been transformed into the sight of a feast literally fit for a king. The next several hours were a blur of greeting people, accepting gifts, kissing Laurilli when everyone started stomping their feet, and trying to get some food when there was a chance

  By the time the food was moved to the side and the dancing started, Uktesh felt like he’d shaken every man’s hand, been kissed on the cheeks by every woman, and held every baby on the island. Laurilli pulled him into a shadow and for a time he forgot his hunger for food, as she ignited a hunger of a different sort. Sometime later they left the shadow and made their way to the food, where Uktesh began stuffing his face with meat. He sighed with pleasure at the wonderful taste, and continued to eat. He made sure not to spill on his skirt after a piece of meat fell from his hands to his mouth and stuck to his chest. He ate the meat and saw Laurilli looking at his chest and got the impression she wanted to lick the remaining juices. He nodded to her as he wiped off the juices; silently agreeing that they’d bring back some food to their house.

  A man Uktesh recognized as Pamfilo’s father put his arm around Uktesh and said, “Yer a’right! Jus’ remember marriage ‘as laid up more men in bed than any sickness!” He stumbled away laughing.

  Laurilli looked at him and smiled in shock.

  They joined the dancing and Uktesh made sure not to tire himself out. He could tell Laurilli was also not dancing quite as often as she normally would. Uktesh noticed when Heathyr and Thulmann snuck back into the party and thought, those two are going to be as, “laid up in bed,” as Laurilli and I will be. Plus they got a head start!

  Much later, Heathyr took Laurilli aside. Uktesh saw Laurilli nod vigorously. When she came back to Uktesh she said, “Mom says we’ve met the required amount of time we have to spend our party before we can sneak away.”

  Uktesh pulled her to the food table and put several pounds of meat on a plate while she grabbed two cups and two pitchers of juice. He put his free arm around her and Walked into their home.

  She kissed him passionately and he set the food on one of the chairs. She broke away and put her burdens on the other chair as Uktesh rearranged his plate so the juice didn’t drip on the floor. He lit a single candle with a wave of his hand and placed it in one of the candle holders. He started to light more candles, when Laurilli stopped him and said, “Let’s keep it dim tonight.”

  Uktesh could tell she was nervous so he said, “Okay.”

  She tugged at his skirt and said, “Time to unwrapped your present from me.” She lifted her arms out t
o her sides and Uktesh quickly but gently pulled her kiekie off her. He almost threw it into the corner, but instead he folded it, and put it in his dresser. He then pulled her undershirt over her head, and kissed her as he unclasped her bra.

  He took a step back and sighed, “Heaven.” She pulled his skirt down and suddenly they were both wearing only their underwear. He swallowed, suddenly nervous and pushed her backwards onto the bed. He slowly pulled down her panties. Once they were off he moved on top of her and kissed her then he quickly removed his own underwear.

  Their first time as man and wife was slow and tender, awkward and unsure, and quick and breathless. Uktesh caught his breath and said, “Sorry, after months of controlling myself, I lost control when it counted the most.”

  Laurilli murmured, “Practice makes perfect,” and grinned at him. Their second time was far more heated and passionate. When they were done Uktesh left the bed and brought some food to the bed and hand fed Laurilli, purposely dripping juice on her face, neck and body. He took his time licking it off her and soon they were together for their third time.

  Uktesh lay on his back on the bed, drained and breathing hard. He turned his head and looked at Laurilli who rolled out of bed. Suddenly Uktesh couldn’t look away. She brought back some meat of her own and gave Uktesh the same sensual feeding he’d given her. Before she was finished, he took the food from her hand, threw it to the ground, and she shrieked in mock fear as they came together for the fourth time.

  He blinked several times when they’d stopped. Laurilli’s head rested on his chest, and both of them were breathing hard. He ran his hand over her skin. She kissed him, tiredly, and said, “Goodnight, my husband.”

  Uktesh smiled and said, “Goodnight my wife.”

  VII. A Honeymoon in the Life of

  Two weeks and six days left.

  Uktesh woke up slowly and smiled as the memory of last night came flooding back. He looked at Laurilli’s naked form lying on top of him and sighed with pleasure. He put his arm around her and fell back asleep.