In Service Of The King (Book 2) (29 page)

“Steward Reeves...” she called, from the doorway. The three people on the stone path turned to look at her. Forester Reeves smiled in, in spite of the visitors. Her father looked a little sentimental at the sight of his daughter as she stepped forward so gracefully, dressed in gleaming white. “I thank you, sir,” Elizabeth continued, halting her step. “They are my mother and father; they may speak with me, for a moment.” Reeves bowed a little and walked a discrete distance away. Lifting her dress slightly off the ground, Elizabeth turned towards her parents.

“My dear... silk!” Mrs. Hays exclaimed, looking at the dress in wonder. “Your intended must be wealthy indeed.” At this Elizabeth sighed a little and looked at her father. Octavian Hays smiled down at her; his eyes held a slight look of sadness.

“I wish you much happiness, Elizabeth,” he said, quietly. “I can see he cares for you greatly.” Mrs. Hays nodded several times.

“Indeed... he is very clever to pretend to be a blacksmith so convincingly,” she said, affecting a wise air. “It is good to have a witty son-in-law.”

The general cleared his throat.

“Perhaps we may go into the ballroom, my dear madam,” he said, coolly. “We sit on the balcony, if I am not mistaken, after I give our daughter away.” Elizabeth nodded and gave him a small smile. Mrs. Hays patted her hand.

“You are a lovely bride, my dear...” she said, pleasantly as they moved away. Elizabeth watched them go, pointing and admiring as they went.

Mrs. Reeves emerged from the cottage a moment later; she aided Elizabeth in keeping her dress off the ground. They walked forward without speaking, taking a side entrance to the castle.

Hundreds of people arrived at Stone Mountain; most came simply to see the mysterious young lord for themselves, regardless of invitation. The farmers from the estate and castle servants were allowed in alongside the noblemen from the surrounding lands. Monks from several abbeys stood in the ballroom, as well as merchants and soldiers. Most notably, two admirals and a marshal--in full dress uniform--strode in, nodding at fellows and inferiors alike. Tyrus came also, in his noble attire with his attendants; it was much whispered that the lord of the Stone Mountain was fortunate in his alliances; the ballroom was soon comfortably packed with guests.

The groom took his place by the archway on the sunlit balcony outside. The glass and metal doors had been removed to allow those within the ballroom to see the ceremony. The favored guests sat on chairs on the balcony, under the shade of the white awnings above.

Joseph waited under the flower-adorned archway for several unsettling minutes, before the crowd in the ballroom began to quiet. The throng of guests parted, letting General Hays through; he walked slowly, Elizabeth on his arm. Mrs. Reeves trailed behind, holding the bride’s train off the round. Joseph felt a little overwhelmed at the sight; he held his face fairly stoic as they neared. Once the general placed his daughter’s hand in his and turned to sit by his wife, Joseph gave his bride a small smile. She returned it with joy.

To the side of the arch, a gray-cloaked minister stood with a monk. Pushing back his hood and removing his cloak the minister stepped forward, amid gasps and looks of wonderment. The king himself stood at the arch with the bridal pair, his rich doublet adorned with his golden crest. A servant drew near, bringing tha golden crown upon a deep purple cushion decorated iwth golden tassles. The king put it on upon his brow. Joseph bowed as did his bride, and every other person within sight.

“Noblemen, senators, soldiers and citizens...” the King began, “I have ruled this Kingdom for these last fifteen years and have followed my father’s instructions... a man whom ruled with justice, compassion and honor. Today, I stand here to honor not only this marriage but also this young man, whom has served me faithfully with integrity. In concordance with his deeds I have bestowed upon him title and land as befits a noble character. His honorable service has reflected well upon myself, the citizens of this kingdom and upon the name of my father.” He looked at Joseph. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Joseph bowed his head briefly.

The king brought out a length of blue silk, embroidered with the seal of the Kingdom. This he wrapped around Elizabeth and Joseph’s clasped hands, resting his hands on top on the binding cloth.

“Before God and in view of all these witnesses, what God has put together let no man put asunder. Until death separates you, you are now man and wife. Lord Asher and Lady Asher; these are your titles, to be recognized as such by every living soul within the Kingdom. Amen.”

With this, Joseph leaned down and kissed his bride. Forgetting his grave air for a moment Dunner tossed up his hat with a cheer, an action repeated by many in the assembly.

“I am happy for you, lad,” Dunner said some moments later, to Joseph; the sailor’s unabashed grin provoked one from Lord Asher as well. “I am also happy you served good ale. Not as good as the Paludosus brew... but adequate.” Standing nearby, Hezekiah snorted.

“I should thank Lord Asher for excluding the swamp ales entirely, thus sparing us all the indigestion.” Dunner glared at his fellow Shamar, taking a drink of his ale in liue of an answer.

“I would be more concerned about court martial than indigestion, if I were you...” the aging sailor drawled, fixing his eye on Hezekiah. “Did not they find Count Beckenridge at a dueling field a few weeks ago, his own sword stuck into his heart?” Hezekiah nodded, gravely taking off his plumed cap.

“Yes... a tragic death,” the Marshal said, theatrically. “Regrettable, but necessary...” Dunner mumbled something into his ale at this. Joseph chuckled under his breath, leading his bride around to greet the other guests.

Brother Bernard, Joseph’s first tutor, had travelled from his monastery. Though gray-haired the monk gaze remained keen; he seemed well pleased his favorite pupil had done so well in life.

“A lovely bride,” Bernard said, nodding at Elizabeth. “May your life here be happy, my dear.” The monk fixed his steady gaze upon Joseph. “I expected great things of you, Joseph, though… I did not ever expect to be addressing you as ‘Lord Asher’.” At his words, Joseph smiled at the monk warmly.

“You taught me well,” he said, evenly. “It is an honor to your methods of training.” Bernard threw back his head and laughed.

“Ever the diplomat,” he said, shaking his head. “You are an asset to the Kingdom, young lord. May God cause His face to shine upon you.” Joseph clasped hands with the man warmly before leading his bride onward.

A boisterous merchant with white hair found the happy pair not many moments after.

“Young Joseph!” came a cheerful voice, causing Lord Asher to turn; he smiled in recognition at the speaker.

“Kosti,” he greeted, shaking hands warmly with the man. The merchant nodded at him and kissed the bride’s hand, his smile radiant.

“A most lovely girl... you are a lucky man,” Kosti said, happily. “Beautiful wedding... and a short ceremony for a lord, which is good. More time to eat, yes? I brought wine...” Joseph introduced his bride to the man whom had brought him as a boy to the Capital City, so long ago. The merry merchant appeared unchanged as he talked vigorously with the bride and groom of his home and warehouses. Some moments later, the royal entourage made its way over to them. Kosti stopped talking and dropped in a low bow along with Joseph and Elizabeth.

True to his word, the king had brought his Queen, a woman who rarely made public appearances; she preferred being at the Citadel--in the company of her husband--to social obligations. However, she did not seem displeased at all to be attending their small wedding. The elegant lady extended her slender hand to Elizabeth and smiled at her with kindness.

“A blessing on your marriage, my dear,” said she. “Such an enjoyable ceremony. The flowers are simply beautiful.” Elizabeth thanked her in her quiet way, earning another smile from the Queen. “They are well suited, my lord,” she said, to her husband.

The king smiled, his eyes twinkling.

“They are,” said he. “I am told Lord Asher is an excellent master of his estate and keeps a well-stocked larder.” Joseph bowed, and did not hide his smile.

“Sire, I am honored with your presence at my table,” he said. The king nodded, leading his queen towards the banquet hall. As the monarch passed, Kosti bowed at the waist several times, his smile undiminished.

“I shall bring up my best wine from the cart for you and his majesty!” he boomed, walking quickly away towards the atrium.

“I am quite amazed at all the many different people who have befriended you,” Elizabeth remarked. Joseph smiled down at her.

“It is God’s doing,” he replied. “He put them in my path; they gave me aid and I where I could, I returned it.” Looking up at her husband, Elizabeth felt content. She could see that Lord Asher would run his lands well, having won the hearts of his servants, of citizens, of generals and of noblemen alike. Arm in arm, they walked through the ballroom towards the dining hall.

For a few brief moments, amid the merrymaking and feasting, the music and dancing, Joseph grew quiet; he thought of his father, wishing the man was alive to see him married, and sitting at his own table as a titled nobleman. Looking down at Elizabeth Joseph felt as if his future would be far different from his darkened past. He leaned back in his chair, enjoying the site of the guests celebrating this day in his own hall. The marriage of Lord and Lady Asher was much talked of after and touted by most of the varied attendees as the loveliest wedding of the decade.

Coming soon ~ Book Three in the Series: In Search of the King

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