Tryss saw only one. Drilli, wrapped in a yern pelt. His heart flipped over as he saw her face. Her eyes were wide. Her expression... hesitant. Anxious.
“Are you sure—”
“- about this?”
They’d spoken the same words, together. Drilli grinned and he found he was doing the same. He stepped forward and took her hands, then touched her face. She closed her eyes briefly, smiling blissfully. He pressed his lips to hers. Her answering kiss was strong and confident. He felt his entire body flush with heat. All the chill of winter seemed to retreat from around them. When they parted, his heart was racing and every doubt had evaporated.
He turned to Sreil.
“Where now?”
Sreil chuckled. “In a hurry, are we? I still think Ryliss is the best choice. He has camped a little farther from the Open than everyone else. You know what these Temple Mountain types are like. All serious and seclusive. Follow me.”
Tryss took Drilli’s hand and they followed Sreil through the forest. It was a long journey; they had to skirt around the top of the Open. The dark shadows of the trees blocked the moonlight and snow blanketed all. Tryss and Drilli tripped over obstacles.
Drilli made a small sound.
“What’s wrong?” he whispered.
“My feet hurt.”
“Mine, too.”
“Couldn’t we have flown?”
“I’m sure if we could have, Sreil would have chosen to.”
“I guess this is hurting him as much as us.”
She fell silent, then after a few minutes squeezed his hand.
“Sorry. How romantic of me to complain about sore feet on my wedding night.”
He chuckled. “I’ll give you a romantic foot-rub later, if you like.”
“Mmm. Yes, I’d like that.”
When a bower appeared among the trees ahead, Tryss felt a surge of relief. Sreil told them to wait while he checked to see if Speaker Ryliss was alone. Tryss felt his stomach beginning to flutter. Sreil moved to the entrance of the bower. A shadow within came to the doorway. The hanging was pulled aside, then Sreil turned and beckoned to them.
Drilli’s hand was tight around his as they hurried toward the bower. They stopped just outside the door. Speaker Ryliss regarded them thoughtfully, his eyes shadowed by thick gray eyebrows. He waved a hand.
“Come in.”
They went inside. A fire was burning to one side, the smoke rising to a hole in the roof. Its heat was welcome. Ryliss gestured to log seats, and as they sat down he settled into a hammock chair.
“So you two want to get married tonight,” he said. “That is no small thing. Are you both sure of it?”
Tryss glanced at Drilli, then nodded. She smiled and murmured a “yes.”
“I understand this is against your parents’ wishes.”
“Drilli’s parents,” Tryss answered. “Mine wouldn’t protest.”
The old man regarded them soberly. “You both should know that while you may choose to marry each other without permission from your parents, doing so means your tribe is not obliged to provide a feast or give you any gifts. Your parents are not obliged to accommodate either of you in their bower.”
“We understand,” Drilli replied.
The Speaker nodded. “I cannot refuse you this rite, if you request it formally.”
Tryss rose and Drilli stood by his side. “I am Tryss of the Bald Mountain tribe. I choose to marry Drilli of the Snake River tribe. Will you perform the rite?”
“I am Drilli of the Snake River tribe. I choose to marry Tryss of the Bald Mountain tribe. Will you perform the rite?”
Ryliss nodded. “By law I must grant your request. Tryss must now stand behind Drilli. Please take each other’s hands.”
Drilli grinned as they did as they were told. Her eyes were bright as she looked over her shoulder at him. She looked both excited and a little frightened.
“Last chance to get out of it,” she whispered.
He smiled and tightened his grip on her hands. “Only if you can get loose.”
“Quiet, please,” Ryliss ordered. He frowned at them both. “This is a serious undertaking. You must remain together for the next two years, even if you come to regret your decision. Raise your arms.”
He opened a small pouch strapped to his waist - the pouch all Speakers wore - and drew out two brightly colored pieces of thin rope. He began to tie one pair of their hands together.
“I am Ryliss of the Temple Mountain tribe. I bind Tryss of the Bald Mountain tribe and Drilli of the Snake River tribe together as husband and wife. Fly together from this day.”
He moved to their other clasped hands. “I am Ryliss of the Temple Mountain tribe. I bind Drilli of the Snake River tribe and Tryss of the Bald Mountain tribe together as wife and husband. Fly together from this day.”
Tryss looked at their hands. If they had been flying this close together, they’d have to be conscious of each other’s every movement.
Ryliss stepped back and crossed his arms.
“In choosing to bind yourself to each other, you have committed yourselves to a partnership. You are responsible for each other’s health and happiness and for the upbringing of any children produced from your union. As this is your first marriage, you have also chosen to step into the responsibilities of adulthood. You will both be expected to contribute to whichever tribe you choose to live with.”
He paused, then nodded. “I declare you married.”
Sreil cleared his throat. “There remains only one last step.”
Tryss looked up at Sreil in dismay. What could there possibly be... ?
“That is true.” The corner of Ryliss’s mouth twitched, the closest he had come to a smile all night. He looked at Tryss, then Drilli. “I will be back in the morning. Please do not make a mess.”
With that, he strode out of the bower and disappeared. Tryss looked at Sreil, confused.
“What step?”
Sreil’s grin widened. “I don’t believe you asked that.”
“Oh!” Tryss felt his face beginning to heat as he realized what Sreil had meant. Drilli giggled.
“Sometimes I wonder how someone so clever can be so silly,” she said.
“Me too,” Sreil agreed. “Well, then. I’m sure you’ll have no problems finishing off the ritual. You don’t need my help, so I’ll head back.”
“Thank you, Sreil,” Drilli said.
“Yes. I owe you,” Tryss added.
Sreil feigned innocence. “I had nothing to do with all this.”
“Nothing at all,” Tryss replied. “Go on, then. We won’t say a word.”
Sreil chuckled, then backed out of the bower and pulled down the hanging. Tryss listened to his footsteps crunching in the snow. They faded into the distance. Drilli lifted a hand and regarded the ropes, then raised an eyebrow.
“I do hope Ryliss hasn’t tied these too tightly.”
