Emery and Petir both raised their drinks at the compliment and took a sip.
“Those bloody Stonehearts will throw those Imperials back into the sea. They’re rude, they’re violent, but they pack a mean punch. I have certainty that we have nothing to fear from an invasion in the northern kingdoms,” Tobius said.
“Nonetheless, if King Ulmer weren’t so stubborn, I would have sent reinforcements to help aid with the threat,” Emery said. “Alas, the hubris of the man never ceases to amaze. He has denied every one of my offers.”
Tobius chuckled, patting Emery on the shoulder. “Bloody Stonehearts!”
Wesley saw an opportunity and took a chance. “Father, how about we come sit down for a moment, I think you’ve had plenty to drink for the night.”
“Nonsense!” Tobius said sternly. “The celebrations have only just begun!”
“Yeah, Wesley. We are all enjoying your father’s…insights,” Petir sneered, his stoic jaw that he had inherited from his father looking as punch-able as ever.
“Father, we do not want to insult the bride or her family on the wedding night with discussions of invasion and political strife. Surely such matters can wait until the morrow.”
Tobius agreed. “Oh, alright. Very well.”
“Enjoy the rest of your night,” Wesley said to Emery and Petir, bowing to the Blacktrees. He sat his father down at his chair. “Have some venison, father.”
Wesley left his father once he was sure he was distracted with some deliciously juicy venison. He filled another goblet full of wine, the liquid warming his belly, before going back to his new wife. She sat motionless in her chair, watching over the celebrations, expressionless. The silence between them was deafening. Wesley attempted to cut it.
“So, my lady, is this your first time in Andervale?” Wesley asked.
“Um, yes, it is.” Ciana pouted her lips, containing her emotions.
“What do you think of the capital? How does it compare to Dawnhill?” Wesley tried to avert his eyes from Jodie, focusing on Ciana.
“Actually, this is the farthest from Dawnhill I’ve been in my entire life. It’s all so different. The smells, the sounds, the food, the people, it’s quite an experience.” Ciana looked around at all the unfamiliar people in the hall. She took off her headdress and stared at it. “Even this is foreign to me. We do not wear such things in Ashen.”
“I guess it would seem quite odd to an outsider. But such things are customary here. The bridal headdress is a symbol of purity to the Moon Mother. Our festivities must differ in many ways from yours.”
“The Moon Mother? I’ve only read a little about her in my studies. She sounds… interesting.”
“That’s one word for her. Others call her archaic,” Wesley said.
As the couple conversed, an old man strode into the feast hall, wearing a long white robe with black lining and a tall hat. The old man, like all other lumins who worshipped the Moon Mother, had most of his face covered in a four-pointed, star-shaped mask of white. The bottom point of the mask was the longest, reaching down to the chest before turning into a crescent.
His clothing marked him as the True Luminance- the one man responsible for sharing the Moon Mother’s white light in Andervale.
Behind the True Luminance entered a procession of other lumins in long robes, hands clasped together.
“What’s going on?” Ciana asked.
“Speaking of the Moon Mother, the True Luminance is here for our Bleeding,” Wesley said.
“Our what?”
The music died down and the crowd parted as the True Luminance and his procession of holy members made their way towards the high table. The True Luminance held up a glimmering white ceremonial knife.
“Moon Mother, bless this royal wedding with your white light,” the True Luminance chanted with a raspy voice. His followers repeated after him, chanting to themselves. “Unify this couple for life.”
Wesley stood up out of his chair, taking his wife’s hand and walked out in front of their dining table towards the True Luminance. Ciana was unsure; his mask looked alien to her, but Wesley gripped her hand firmly as if to tell her it was all going to be alright. He had seen a dozen Bleedings in his life and knew what had to be done.
The True Luminance approached the couple and shouted. “Bring these two souls together, through life and through death.”
Wesley gave his hand out to the True Luminance and nodded at Ciana to tell her to do the same. “Don’t worry.”
Everyone in the hall was watching. Hundreds of eyes, all on them. The Seynards watched eagerly; the Blacktrees watched with confused looks.
The True Luminance made a slice across the palm of Wesley’s right hand with the ceremonial knife. He grimaced at the sharp pain and felt warm blood flow from the wound.
Ciana looked petrified, but knew she had to do what was expected. The True Luminance then sliced her left palm open in the same manner. Ciana winced but stood tall next to her husband.
Emery Blacktree looked visibly concerned for his daughter. Yet, he said nothing and allowed it to continue.
Wesley took his new wife’s cut hand with his own cut hand, raising them into the air. Their blood flowed together down their arms in rivers of red.
The True Luminance rejoiced. “Hear me, Moon Mother! They have made their sacrifice. They are fit to remain together for all eternity, in the shadow of Rea and Ixo! For nothing is more sacred than blood.”
The crowd applauded and cheered for Wesley and Ciana in a roar of support. Their fathers clapped in approval, Emery not looking as impressed as Tobius clearly was. Both smiled through the pain and kept their bleeding hands locked together.
Wesley knew that once the Bleeding had been performed, that it
