Chapter 130 That Which Binds
In the mountains of Pegasi.
The three of them exchanged thoughts easily in the nest.
Pegasus: Sister of the same mother, do you feel the change of the moons?
Sister: Yes, my older sister. The sea and the air are moving with great force. The world is turbulent.
Young Pegasus: Mother, sister of my mother, I have never felt this power before. Something touches my mind from far away.
Pegasus: Magic is very powerful when the moons are almost aligned. Extraordinary things can happen on nights like this. We will fly to the land where the nest of the bipedal creatures has been destroyed. I feel a call coming from there. It is like something we have been missing.
Sister: Yes, I feel it too. I do not know what it is, but the pull is very strong. My daughter, you need to fly behind us in the pure air that we will create. Preserve your strength because the flight is long.
The three of them took off from their nest high in the mountains and flew through the icy air in a gentle snow. Behind them, another figure emerged from a hidden place. This figure concealed itself among the snow and clouds as it followed them. The calling was strong and the creature followed despite great fear.
In the Colinas Gemelas castle.
The couple sat in the room for more than an hour talking about baby names, plans for the future, and all the happy things that lovers like to think about. Amidst war and uncertaintity, a new life brought new hope.
The elegant maid entered and made a deep bow. The man looked at her with an inquisitive gaze, and the woman with an expression of complete happiness.
Patricia: Excuse me, my Lady, but the captain needs both of you for an important matter related to the defense of the castle.
Marisela smiled at her and stood up: Of course. Our happiness will have to wait a little longer. Approximately seven or eight months.
The two women exchanged a knowing glance and a smile. The relief on the face of her lady was evident.
Heinrich stood up and offered his forearm to the woman, who took it: Please, guide us to where we need to go.
The servant turned around and walked slowly down the corridors, followed by the two nobles. She took a somewhat unusual route, which surprised the lady of the castle. When they arrived in front of the doors of the great banquet hall, the woman decided to ask a question.
Marisela: Patricia, we should have entered through the smaller door on the other side of the room, and we would have walked much less.
The maid: Yes, my Lady, but it was necessary to enter through these doors.
She approached the doors and knocked softly three times, with precise pauses between each knock. The doors opened and the lady saw two rows of twelve knights dressed in ceremonial armor. They drew their swords and formed an arch with them in the air.
She looked at a group of people standing in a clear area of the hall. Captain Sigard was on the left, wearing a black and gold cloak. He was holding a finely crafted box made of precious wood. To the right was the knight Felipe, wearing a green and white cloak, who was also holding a similar box. In the center stood a priestess of the goddess of the air along with a priest of the god of the sea.
Marisela leaned towards the man as if she were about to fall: Heinrich... how?
Patricia: The captain told me his plan when we left. The Lord decided he wanted to marry you on the ship. He asked for this to be arranged before he knew about your condition. I hope we have fulfilled his requests adequately.
Heinrich: We can wait for a more opportune moment for a formal ceremony. But I have realized that I want to be united with you before the sun rises again.
The petite woman had tears in her eyes. She could not speak. She simply looked up at her man and nodded with a smile. They walked towards the group, with the young woman following closely behind. Upon arriving, they took the traditional positions for the ceremony.
The priest opened the box held by Sigard and took out a delicate black and gold cord. The priestess opened the one held by Felipe and took out a fine green and white cord.
Both: Join your hands as a sign of your oath.
The man offered his left hand, and the woman took it with her right hand. The priestess placed the small rope in a spiral around the forearm of the man, with the end resting on their joined hands. The priest then placed the cord around her forearm, so that the end overlapped the other.
Both: Who will unite this woman and this man?
Patricia approached slowly and tied a delicate but strong knot with the strings over the hands of the couple.
Patricia: Two strings become one string. Two hearts become one. Two lives become one.
She made a graceful bow and returned to her place to the side. The man took the loose end of the cord from his forearm. The woman did the same with her cord. They separated their hands and withdrew their arms from the spiraled cord. She brought the end of the cord to her chest, and the man did the same. The cord now connected their hearts.
Heinrich: This cord was used at the wedding of my grandparents. My nephew brought it to me recently. It will connect my heart, my mind, and my body to yours when we are apart.
Marisela: This cord is new. Someday, our grandchild will inherit it. When we are apart, it will connect our thoughts, feelings, and spirits.
The priestess: This man is yours.
The priest: This woman is yours.
The man took the cord and placed it around her neck, then hugged and kissed her lovingly.