one wants it said that they did not fully honor the couple, or the Celestial Actuary,” she explained.
“In Terah, it is the same for my sister as it is for a farmer’s daughter. The priest asks if the parties are willing, and then blesses them. What is important is that the couple wish to make a life together, Lara. Nothing else,” he told her.
“I like it better,” Lara said quietly. “A marriage is not about status or wealth. It is about love, isn’t it?”
He smiled down at her. “Aye, it is about love. Was it that way in the Outlands?”
Lara nodded. “In Hetar they tell terrible stories of the Outlands to frighten bad children into behaving. Threatening a child with exile to the Outlands was sure to turn the most recalcitrant boy or girl into the most obedient of creatures. The Outlands were a wild place filled with savages who murdered, stole, raped and did every kind of violence. They were barbarians of the worst ilk. But then I entered the Outlands to discover a very orderly civilization. It was different from Hetar to be sure, but the clan families live in peace. Their lives are simpler, much like those of the Terahs. That is why I am so certain they will cause you no difficulty when they come.”
“What are you two whispering about?” the lady Persis demanded to know.
“My lord Magnus was explaining to me the marriage custom of Terah,” Lara said quickly, “and I told him how it is done in Hetar.”
“And how is it done there?” Lady Persis persisted.
“With much too much ostentation,” Lara replied. “Having seen both I can tell you that I far prefer the elegant simplicity of Terahn custom, which dwells upon the love between a couple and not the pretentious display by their families. Marriage is a serious undertaking, and not to be entered into capriciously.” She gave the Dominus’s mother a small cool smile.
“Indeed,” Lady Persis responded. The reputation the Hetarians had for luxury was certainly at odds with this young woman. She needed to get her aside so she might learn more about Lara, especially if Magnus was serious about marrying her. “Tomorrow you will sit with me before I return home with my daughter Narda,” she said.
Lara offered Lady Persis a nod of agreement, but said nothing. The important thing in dealing with this woman was to not permit her to gain the upper hand. She now turned her attention to the wedding feast, which had been set out in the garden as the day was fair. There were roasted meats, fowl and fish; late summer vegetables and fruits; fresh breads and cheeses, as well as fine wine. And when everyone was sated, a sweet cake was brought forth for the guests to share in the newly wedded couple’s honor.
As they celebrated, Lara observed the other guests, particularly the family of the Dominus. Lady Persis was a cold proud woman. That she could leave her youngest child for what she deemed the greater comfort of her eldest daughter’s home disturbed Lara. But then, had she not left her own children? Yet, she had not done it for herself as Lady Persis had. She had departed the Outlands because her destiny had called her.
Lara’s green eyes flicked next to Magnus’s two older sisters. Narda, the eldest, was a pretty woman who seemed devoted to her husband, Tostig. Tostig was obviously in love with his wife, and deferential to his mother- in-law. The second sister, Aselma, was plump with good living, and doted upon by her husband, Armen. She appeared to have inherited her mother’s selfish attitude although she was certainly pleasant enough. I shall see them rarely, Lara decided. I have a friend in Sirvat, and she is all I will need.
Corrado’s family, on the other hand, drew her interest. His father, Dima, was a tall and slender old man who had had his sons late in life, but despite his advanced age he still displayed a refined demeanor. His elder son, Ing, was plump and cheerful. He had never had time for a wife, and didn’t seem to miss one. Now he clapped his father upon his back, teasing him that perhaps he would get to see some grandchildren after all.
The day began to wane, and the guests came together upon another high terrace to watch the sunset, which was even more perfect than the sunrise had been. Pink clouds edged in gold and purple floated in the sky above and vibrant colors – scarlet, orange, salmon, lemon-yellow, rose and gold – flowed and pulsed one into another. The air was still and warm and perfumed with late summer roses. Slowly, slowly the sun sank into a horizon of dark violet, and then there was the tiniest flash of green, which drew applause from the spectators. It was considered good fortune to spy that small moment.
“The wedding day is now concluded,” the High Priest Arik said. “Sirvat and Corrado will retire to the privacy of their apartments.”
With a bow to their guests the newly married couple left the garden.
“Lara!” The voice was that of Lady Persis. “Come with me now, and we will speak with one another. Tostig wishes to depart early, and I would not keep my good son-in-law waiting. Besides I am anxious to return to my comfortable home.”
“Ungrateful, presumptuous bitch,” the Dominus murmured under his breath.
“I shall be with you momentarily, Lady Persis,” Lara said. Then she put a gentle hand upon Magnus’s sinewy arm. “I will take care of this matter, my lord Magnus,” she murmured. “Would you like me to turn her into a mouse?”
“Could you?” he asked, his turquoise eyes twinkling. He sounded hopeful.
Lara smiled, but said nothing, giving him a quick kiss, and hurrying off.
She found the Dominus’s mother in the great day room of the Women’s Quarters. Going to a sideboard Lara poured two goblets of wine, and then brought them over to where the Lady Persis was seated. “I thought we might enjoy some refreshment while we talked,” she said quietly.
“Refreshment or support?” Lady Persis asked with some humor.
“Perhaps a bit of both,” Lara replied with a small smile.
“My son says he means to wed you,” the Dominus’s mother said.
“Yes, so he has told me,” Lara answered her.
“You would refuse him?” Lady Persis was surprised.
“Nay, but I would also not be hurried. I am a widow, lady.” Lara responded. “My husband was a great lord. Not as great as your son, I will admit. But a great leader of his clan family, and of his entire world.”
“How did he die?” Lady Persis wanted to know.
“He was killed by his younger brother who was tempted by his foolish wife. She had been inveigled by an ambitious man of Hetar who believed if Vartan were dead, the clan families of the Outlands, a land not ruled by Hetar, would be leaderless and vulnerable to an invasion. He was wrong, of course.”
“What happened to the assassin?” Lady Persis wanted to know.
“I killed both him and his wife,” Lara said quietly.
Lady Persis looked first shocked, then disbelieving. “You killed them? You mean you had them executed, of course.”
“Nay,” Lara replied. “I killed them.”
“How?” Lady Persis had eyes like her son’s, and they were now wide with a mixture of both fear and curiosity – and perhaps even a bit of fascination.
“With my sword, Andraste. I am a warrior, lady,” Lara said simply.
Lady Persis was silent for several long moments. Finally she spoke. “You are a warrior,” she repeated slowly. “Why have you come to Terah?”
“Because my destiny led me here, lady. I do not fully understand it myself,” Lara said candidly. “But it was obviously meant I be here else the curse of Usi would not be lifted.”
Lady Persis nodded. “I will admit that what you have accomplished here has been beneficial to the people of Terah,” she said. “I was taught that magic was wicked, yet yours seems not to be. And my brother, Arik, is favorable to a marriage between you and my son, Magnus.”
“My magic is naught but for good, lady. I do not practice the dark arts although the sorcerer Usi was a man who did. But those who use the darkness eventually fall into it, and are lost. I walk in the light.”
“I have been told faerie women only give children to those they love. Is this true? My son must have heirs.”
“I will give them to him when the time is propitious, lady. I gave Vartan a son and a daughter,” Lara said.
“Where are they?” Persis wanted to know.
“With their father’s people. I could not take them with me on this quest,” Lara said to the older woman. “My son may one day be leader of the Fiacre clan.”
Lady Persis nodded. “You did what was best for them. I can see that,” she replied. “I left Sirvat when she was just a little girl. I know there are those who think badly of me for it, and perhaps they are right. I loved Magnus’s father, Ejnar. When he died I thought I might, too, but I did not. I went on because I was supposed to do so. But
