Kristabel's wedding gown was a gold-cream drosilk creation with royal-blue trimming that twinkled with emerald gemflowers, its train seemed to stretch back halfway down the aisle. He saw her head turn inside the veil, her eyes shining through the lace. Then the Pythia was standing in front of them, her smile gentle and commanding. The organist ended his thunderous anthem.
'Welcome to you all on this happiest of days, the Pythia said to the congregation.
Julan and Kristabel lifted the veil from her face. Her hair flowed out like ripples of gold silk. Edeard couldn't believe anyone so perfect was facing him at his own wedding ceremony, this surely must be some dazed fantasy from his last night in Ashwell, a moment of blissful delusion after the bullets struck and before death.
Kristabel took both his hands in hers, and squeezed reassuringly. 'Been waiting long? she teased.
'My whole life, he told her truthfully.
They honeymooned at the Culverit family's muroak lodge on the coast, spending half a month there by themselves. Twenty days of delight.
A lot more staff accompanied them this time, providing them with excellent meals and unobtrusive service. The end of summer was approaching, but it was still hot. Humid air above the cove barely moved the whole time they were there. As before, they took lazy walks along the coast; swam in warm water and sunned themselves on the beach until both of them had tanned a deep honey-brown. Edeard tried his hand at fishing, but lacked the patience. Both of them learned to sail in a small yacht that was a wedding gift from Charyau. They even managed a couple of trips sailing to nearby fishing villages in thankfully calm waters.
'I think it will be some time before we venture that circumnavigation I mentioned, Edeard admitted the evening after their first big voyage two miles along the shore.
On the other side of the table, Kristabel laughed agreement, backdropped by a golden blaze of the setting sun. Both of them were determined from the outset to have the time for themselves. They avoided talking about city life and its politics. Too much of the last four months had been spent establishing Finitan as the Mayor, persuading the old guard to adopt his consolidation policies, strengthening the judiciary and reinforcing the determination and effectiveness of the constables. It seemed to be working. Everyone reported good business. With the shadow of fear and uncertainty lifted, people were spending with confidence again.
Finitan's first few months were already judged a success. In Makkathran. Out in the provinces, things were not so agreeable. The news Topar had brought back at the start of the year was becoming common knowledge. Even his ominous predictions now seemed optimistic. Bandits so long confined to the westernmost provinces were making long inroads to the east. Back in the springtime, Rulan province faced a huge ongoing exodus as raids became a weekly occurrence. Then Worfolk province reported caravans being ambushed on previously safe highways. The numerous mountains of the interior were ideal refuges for the roaming bands to strike at villages and towns. After a raid they would ride into the tricky inhospitable terrain and vanish from the sheriffs and militiamen sent to hunt them.
What worried Edeard most was the long distance these episodes occurred at. Makkathran only ever got to hear of a bandit incident months after it actually happened. They had no idea what was currently going on beyond the Iguru Plain, how close the raiders were venturing to the city.
A mere two months after the election, the first refugees from the Ulfsen Mountains had trickled into Makkathran, whispering about strange, powerful guns. Guns that could defeat an entire cavalry platoon. Official casualties from the militia regiments Owain had dispatched to help the governors began to rise. People started to notice the number of lavish memorial services which Grand Families threw for the officers increased sharply. Nobody blamed Finitan, but he was starting to face questions about what he intended to do about the worsening circumstances out beyond the Iguru Plain.
All that Edeard had put behind him in favour of sunny days lounging on the sands drinking cool wine; and equally hot nights making love to Kristabel. Then the day came when the staff and ge-monkeys packed the huge pile of bags and crates, and they began the carriage journey home. He fell silent as they trundled along the broad coastal road, contemplating what news he would be accosted with as soon as they reached the city once again.
'You'll still have me, Kristabel said adamantly.
Edeard broke out of his revere. 'Huh?
'You haven't spoken a word for the last two miles. Was it that horrible a time?
'No! That's the problem, I wish it could have gone on and on. There's a big part of me that doesn't want to go back.
'Me too, she attempted a smile, but her usual contentment was missing. 'I don't think I'm pregnant yet.
'Ah.
'They say vinak juice lingers in the blood for a while after you stop taking it. Another month would see it gone, and us successful.
He put his arm around her. 'I promise to redouble my efforts when we get home. He stopped abruptly, then smiled. 'Home.
'Yes, she said with equal glee. 'The two of us together.
'Alone, apart from your family and two hundred servants. But what the Honious, we'll try and make the best of it.
Her third hand pinched him hard. 'You feel so guilty about that, don't you?
'Not guilty… just unaccustomed to it. He remembered what Kanseen had said on the balcony of Bea's Bottle. 'I'm sure I'll get used to it eventually; it can't be that difficult.
'You know, if Finitan had lost I really would have followed you to a village on the edge of the wilds.
He kissed her. 'And Mirnatha would have become Mistress of Haxpen.
'Oh Lady, Kristabel's hand flew to her mouth. 'I never thought of that. Off to the wilds by yourself you go then.
They clasped each other tighter.
'I wanted to be pregnant, she said. 'It would be so nice for Kanseen's boy to have a playmate. Our children would grow up together.
'Kanseen still has another month and a half to go. And you will be pregnant many times. Our children will play with those of the Sampalok Masters' family.
She nodded, allowing him to convince her. 'What will happen with the bandits and the provinces?
He sighed. 'I don't know. We still don't know where they get their weapons from. That's the true cause of all this strife.
'Finitan's going to ask you to go out there, isn't he?
'Probably.
'You must go if it's the right thing.
'I don't want to leave you.
'I know. But, Edeard, don't you want our children to live in a safe world?
'Of course.
'So really, there's no choice to be made, is there?
Edeard said nothing. She was right of course, which made arguing futile. Given the path he'd chosen for himself, some events were inevitable.
At least nothing about the city had changed when they got back. The carriage and horses were led away to the Culverit stables in Tycho, and they took the family gondola back to the ziggurat mansion. Julan and Mirnatha were waiting for them on the mooring platform, both equally excited.
'I missed you so, Mirnatha squealed, hugging her sister.
'And I you, Kristabel promised.
'What was it like?
Edeard and Kristabel managed to avoid looking at each other. 'A nice restful holiday, Kristabel explained to her little sister.
'Really? I always get fearfully bored after just one day at the lodge. What did you do all that time? She gave Edeard a wide-eyed look of innocent interest. It didn't fool him for a second.