Firewalk by Anne Logston

Author:Anne Logston [Logston, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mundania Press LLC
Published: 2013-09-30T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

There, that’s perfect.” Endra minutely adjusted the last jewel-tipped pin in Kayli’s hair. Kayli swallowed a groan. Endra and the maids had braided fine gold chains into each of her thirty-nine braids, which were now unbearably heavy. And then there were the pins, to hold her braids in the complex loops and whorls traditional for a noble wedding in Bregond. Then there was her heavy wedding gown, the petticoats to hold the skirt out, and the jewelry Randon had given her, the oddly long and narrow (and overly tight) gold-embroidered formal slippers—and, of course, the necessary creams, powders, and perfumes. By the time Endra deemed her ready, Kayli felt stiff and heavy and awkward, like a walking doll.

“Where is Randon?” she asked her maid distractedly.

“Likely already down at the entry way,” Endra told her. “There appears to be some ridiculous Agrondish custom that the groom shouldn’t see the bride until the ceremony—never mind that the two of you are already married twice over. I’m to take you down the backstairs and through the kitchens so he won’t catch a glimpse of you, and you’re to wait in the great hall until he’s outside. Then Brother Santee will take you out to him when the ceremony starts.”

The older woman patted Kayli’s shoulder reassuringly. “There, there, this’ll be the last of it,” she said comfortingly. “Why don’t you go have a peep out the window? You’ll be amazed at the front court.”

Kayli tottered to the window and peered out, then gasped. The eastern sky was only just beginning to blush pink, but already the courtyard was filled with tables, and the tables were rapidly filling with food. Some came from the kitchens—Kayli could see baskets and trays being brought out—but more came, apparently, from the city. Carts rattled in at the gate, and small figures below unloaded the carts and wagons onto the tables. Kayli could see Stevann wandering to and fro, probably casting his spells to assure that no poisoned food or drink could endanger the royal couple.

Kayli sighed. In Bregond, noble marriages were not public spectacles, especially when the marriage was made after a child was already conceived, and most particularly when the fact of the child’s prior conception was known outside the household. The very notion was unseemly. Kayli was embarrassed already.

Anida joined her at the window and sighed, too.

“Seems they’ve tried to make it as nasty for you as they could ever since you arrived, lady,” she said, shaking her head. “Wouldn’t surprise me much if they insisted on parading you down the streets in your shift in a few months so the peasants could see the swell of your belly.”

“I have tried to honor Agrondish custom as best I could,” Kayli said, “but I fear I have reached my limits today. What a spectacle I shall be.” She shuddered.

Devra leaned her head in the door.

“Lady, they’re nearly ready,” she said breathlessly. “You’re to come down now.”

Kayli took a deep breath, then nodded to Endra. She followed the midwife down the backstairs, hoisting her heavy skirt higher after she stumbled twice.

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