Holy Matrimony/Wedding of Skye Uceek and Hugues Capet

This wedding took place during the tournament in Ossmat. Lady Skye Uceek, Duchess of Ossmat, Arch Priestess of Old Grehk and Hugues Capet, Royal Treasurer of Old Grehk, were wed by Mikha Tyr-Sog, Blood Feather of the Order of the Golden Feather on the night before the swordfighting tournament.

Hugues I

Hugues paced back and forth in his tent. Already, he saw people passing by on their way to the temple of the Golden Feather in Ossmat. He sighed. His heart beat stronger than usual, and he felt a warmth in his gut he had not felt since Skye accepted his proposal. He dipped his hands into a bowl of cold water, and splashed some of it on his face before looking into the mirror. He touched the scar around his neck and thought of that fateful day when Skye saved him from hanging himself. The day he knew she was the one.

He opened his armoire and took out his banker uniform. He frowned when he held the suit before him and looked in the mirror. He still felt that the damned thing made him look like an idiot, so he threw it aside and decided to wear his battle suit instead. After all, he had fallen for Skye in the middle of a battle... He wondered whether he should have his armor smeared with blood and mud to commemmorate the day, and chuckled.

He put on his finest trousers and shirt, and then started strapping on the pieces of his armor. He started with the chestplate. The dragons engraved in the steel looked prouder than ever. Then, he put on his shoulder plates and his bracers, followed by his thigh plates and his greaves. His back was covered in a maroon cape. Finally, he tied his sword to his belt, and inspected himself in the mirror one last time. He straightened his hair a bit, took a deep breath and put on his gauntlets and his boots, before exiting the tent, mounting his horse and heading towards the wedding, followed by nineteen heavy cavalry in full combat attire. Captain Woldred held up the banners of Old Grehk and Ossmat, while Hugues carried those of Skye and himself. As the knights rode on, Hugues smiled the entire way to the temple.

They passed many foreign nobles heading the same way, but few of them were Old Grehkians. Hugues expected them to be in the temple already, and thought little further of it. He greeted any a noble he did not know, sporting exotic banners from their realms, and thanked them for their presence. Finally, the unit neared the temple. Now, Hugues' heart started beating in overdrive. The cheers of the commonfolk grew louder, as he rode closer to the location of the biggest event in his life, and the woman he loved...

Hugues Capet
Banker of Old Grehk

Mikha I

Mikha travels with great speed on the road towards Ossmat. He already sees the city on the horizon, yet it will be another small hour travelling for him to arrive the Temple. He hopes that he would be on time. Luckily he already had send a young priest to the temple to prepare the small details before the ceremony.

As Mikha came closer and closer to the city he heard the roars of the people shouting for the tournament. He smiled, the Bloodeagle had blessed him and made him came just in time. He prayed that the ceremony would be a good one, the ceremony for his best friends. He just could not be to late.

Then Mikha entered through the gates of Ossmat. There he saw that the priest of the Temple where already waiting for him. Mikha looked surprised. He asked to the waiting priest:

"How did you know I would arrive here? Did the Golden Feather speak to you?"

The priest answered:

"The Silver Feather arrived earlier today and ordered us to wait for you here, great Blood Feather."

Mikha looked surprised to the news. His uncle had even taken the time to come here. Mikha had not expected that. Even though he asked his uncle to attend to the ceremony. Then Mikha quickly followed the priest to the Temple where a lot of people where waiting.

Mikha Tyr-Sog (Priest of The Order of the Golden Feather)

Skye I

The morning passed as though a dream. The maids in waiting scrubbed, polished and scented Skye, before dressing her in her gorgeous gold and green gown. A pretty tiara was secured to her head, adorned with her upswept hair arranged in delicate auburn curls. When she finally saw herself in the mirror she hardly recognised the person staring back at her, and she had a sudden and irrational fear that Hugues wouldn't either.

Skye fingered the chain around her neck and thought of her family on the East Continent. She momentarily felt sad that they weren't here to share the day with her, but then realised how lucky she was with the people she did have around her.

As she stepped into the carriage, she heard bells tolling in the distance. Her heart began to flutter and she looked seriously at the temple spires in the distance, ready for the commitment she was making this day.

Lady Skye Uceek
Arch Priestess of Old Grehk, Duchess of Ossmat

Hugues II

Hugues dismounted his horse on the temple steps, his men followed suit. The ground trmbled slightly as the knights scurried to assume their positions. Hugues thought to himself what a good idea it had been to exchange his infantry for these knights. They were mostly lesser nobility or wealthy commoners, a step up from the usual armed peasants. Hugues nodded to his captain, who barked out the order to assume positions. The ground trembled lighly as the men ran to their places. When they had finally formed two files, Woldred yelled another orders, and the two columns of men turned to face eachother, their spears held upright to their right hand sides. Woldred turned towards Hugues and saluted. Hugues returned the gesture, and entered the temple.

When he reached the inner circle, all of the guests had already arrived. More than fifty nobles from all across the island were present. Standing before the statues of fallen heroes, they formed a half circle around the altar, which had a dragon mosaic on the floor before it. The most prominent nobles, such as Dukes and council members, stood in the front rows, followed by the lesser lords, and finally the knights. Mikha, the Blood Feather of the Order, stood behind it, still breathing heavily from his rush to the temple. Hugues approached him and nodded.

"Ready, sir Hugues?", Mikha asked with a reassuring smile.

Hugues cracked his neck. "I am."

He straightened his collar and closed his eyes. He tried to imagine how Skye would look like, but in the end, he did not care. He would marry her if she came in wearing a torn, dirty dress. In fact, he kind of liked that idea... a torn dress is easy to rip to pieces... his mind started wandering, but he was quickly pulled back into reality, as the heralds announced Skye's arrival. Hugues smiled, and waited.

Hugues Capet
Banker of Old Grehk

Mikha II

Mikha looked at Hugues who stood in front of him. He saw that the man was not totally at ease. Mikha smiled, he would suspect that not even a piece of ice would be calm in a situation like this. Mikha looked up to the statues around them. He knew that the heroes would guide these two people. They would guide them on there new path in life. He smiled.

Then he saw the Silver Feather enter the inner temple. The older man walked silently though the crowd and toke a place close to the Dukes and other higher officials. Mikha saw that some looked strange at the old man who stood between them. Mikha had to stop not to laugh to loud. He saw that Hugues looked at him with a wondering face, Mikha said:

"Nothing to worry about. I just thought of something funny. Most of those foreign officials have never heared of a Silver Feather, our high priest, who now stands among them. That I think is a little funny."

Mikha saw that Hugues smiled also, he hopes that it helped the man to calm down a little bid. Mikha prayed to the Bloodeagle to bless him and to guide his axe and to bring happiness into this temple this day.

Mikha Tyr-Sog (Priest of The Order of the Golden Feather)

Skye II

Skye trembled as she stepped out of the carriage. The honourguard stood straight and at attention, as she walked nervously down the centre of them. She clasped her hand in front of her to try to limits their shaking, but her stomach churned and she had the overwhelming urge to run away.

Stepping heavily and uncertainly over the threshold of entry into the Church, she spotted Hugues standing up the front with High Priest Mikha, and instant wave of relief spread over her. He was wearing his dragon armour, his hair combed, face shaved and she felt like running down the aisle and leaping into his arms.

Those that saw Skye walk into the Church, saw all her fears and doubts visibly disappear. The creases of worry turned into an enormous grin as she walked happily towards her betrothed.

Lady Skye Uceek
Arch Priestess of Old Grehk, Duchess of Ossmat

Hugues III

Hugues gazed at his bride to be. She had spared no efforts to look her very best, and Hugues regretted having to be careful with such an expensive dress later on. With every step Skye took towards him, his smile grew bigger. By the time she stood next to him, he had to do his best not to behave inappropriately, but the onlooking foreigners kept him on his best behaviour. Instead, he took Skye's hand and ran his thumb over the engagement ring he had made her some weeks ago. Finally, he would be able to give her something a bit more fit for a Duchess. He let go of her hand again, and turned to Mikha.

The Blood Feather raised his hands, and the murmurs from the crowd came to a halt. "Lords and ladies and commonfolk alike. Today, this temple welcomes people from all nations and beliefs, as we celebrate the union of Lady Skye Uceek, Duchess of Ossmat, Arch Priestess of Old Grehk, and Sir Hugues Capet, Royal Treasurer of Old Grehk."

Hugues rolled his eyes at Skye, and she smiled, as Mikha continued his speech. "The Golden Dragon smiles upon these two souls, as they commit themselves to one another. Both will now utter this commitment, with the words they have chosen for themselves. Sir Hugues, if you please?"

Again, Hugues took Skye's hands, which he brought up to his face. "My love, I will never forget the day these hands saved my life. In my darkest hour, you were the only ray of light. When I was new to these lands, you took me under your wings, and in more than one way, you have left a mark on me. Almost immediately, I felt an attraction I had never felt before, and will never feel again. No one has meant more to me, and no one ever will."

He paused for a moment, thinking of more nice things to say. "I have never been a great speaker, so I will not ramble on much longer. All I want to say is... Whatever fate has in store for me, I know I will be able to take it. As long as you are standing there with me, I will have all I will ever need... I love you, Skye Uceek, and I cannot wait for the moment I can finally call you my wife..."

Hugues went silent, and looked at Skye. She did not say anything, but in her eyes, Hugues saw that she was yearning to speak.

Hugues Capet
Banker of Old Grehk

Skye III

Skye felt her eyes fill with tears at Hugues' words and she wondered if she could speak. She felt him squeeze her hands reassuringly, so she took a deep breath. Her voice cracked when she first spoke, but she continued on,

"Hugues, the day you burst into my life, literally knocking me off my feet..." she grinned a little, "was the best moment of my life"

"Before I met you, my life was empty. I had my Ducal Castle, my retainers and jewels, but I didn't know what it was I was missing until I met you. I would give everything away without a thought if you asked it, because to me you are worth more than anything else in this world."

"Hugues Capet, I pledge myself and my life to you. I want to be your wife."

She smiled happily at Hugues and he smiled back. They both turned to look at Mikha.

Lady Skye Uceek
Arch Priestess of Old Grehk, Duchess of Ossmat

Mikha III

Mikha looked at the two lovers in front of him. They had exchanged there vows of trust and love. He smiled and looked up to the statue of the Golden Feather, who stood in the middle of the statues in the inner temple. Then Mikha turned back to the two lovers and said:

"Then, may the Golden Feather smile upon you. May the Fearless one streghten your will in times of need. May the Poet bring the words of love in your speach. May the Beacon of Hope enlight the path of the two of you. And may the Golden Dragon shelter you two in his wings.

You are now, with the blessings of the Godlen Feather, officially man and wife. You will be together, as long as your lives will be. When the Golden Dragon calls you, then he will bring you back together. Your souls are one. The pieces of the Golden Dragon inside you two will become united."

Mikha signaled two young novices to enter the inner temple. The young boy and girl both carried a burning torch in there hands. Mikha toke the torch from the boy and said:

"This fire is the signal of your love. The trust you place in the other. The love that burns deep in you. This fire will signal the beginning of your souls to unite."

Then he gave the torch to Hugues and toke the torch from the girl and said:

"This fire is the signal of protection. The sign that you will take care of each other. You will be there for each other when the other is sick. You will protect each other. You will be united as one soul."

Then Mikha gave the torch to Skye. He then walked around then and signaled them to follow him. The two lovers and the nobles who had gatehred in the temple followed them outside. The choir sang a song to thank the Golden Feather for her love. Mikha saw that has uncle, Silverhawk, stayed behind. He saw that Silverhawk had tears in his eyes and that he carried a small box in his hands. Mikha hopes that he was right as he guessed what could be in the box. Then Mikha walked through the door and he no longer could see Silverhawk. He walked towards the big doors and walked outside the temple. In front of the temple a large pile of wood was gathered. Mikha turned around and nodded to the two lovers behind him. Then he stepped back and watched the two.

Mikha Tyr-Sog (Priest of The Order of the Golden Feather)

Hugues IV

Hugues looked at the pile of wood before him. He found it a strange ritual, as he was used to seeing stacks of wood used as pyres, with the bodies of dead heroes upon them. Then again, there were many strange things about these lands, and partaking in odd rituals was a price he was more than glad to pay. He looked at his wife and winked.

"Let's get this over with, shall we...", he murmured. "I've got fires of my own that need to be extinguished..."

Skye blushed, and turned her head away. "I'm ready when you are."

They both raised their torches, before tossing them onto the wood. In a matter of seconds, the fire engulfed the entire pile, and a warm glow radiated from it. Hugues closed his eyes and let the heat burn onto his face. Skye did the same. Hugues could still not believe he could now call her his wife... it felt as if it was all a dream, and he would be rudely awoken any moment now. Instead, he kept feeling the soft touch of her hand, as it held his own. Not caring about whether or not it was appropriate, he pulled her against him and kissed her lengthily and passionately.

"Let's get out of here, my love.", he whispered to her. "Before I rip this dress off your back right here..."

Hugues Capet
Banker of Old Grehk