Kestrel-VonRavenHeart Wedding

Here lies an accounting of the marriage of Lady Kureshtal Qattara Kestrel, Royal Treasurer of Wetham, and Lord Wolfgang Constantine VonRavenHeart, King of Wetham.

The cathedral in Hulaferd has recently been expanded to accommodate the royal wedding. Ivy garlands decorate the entryway to the church, which leads to the long vaulted hall. Two rows of pews, cushioned with scarlet velvet, take up the entire length if the hall. The backs of the pews are also strung with chains of ivy. Along the upper section one story up is on the right a minstrels gallery and on the other side is a choirs loft. As the guests enter they can hear soft singing and humming from the loft.

The vaulted ceiling overhead is painted to represent the creation of the world by the Great Spirit and the walls are painted with scenes related to the faith, showing the four elements as both benign and brutal.

To the east is air. A child holds the string of kite. A windmill turns in the breeze. A ship has its sails reefed in a gale. A dust storm buries a small village.

To the south is fire. A woman stirs a pot cooking over a small campfire. A man forges a sword, his hammer held high in the air over the flames. A raging wildfire sweeps a mountaintop. Lightning strikes a tree, splitting it in half.

To the west is water. A child fills an ewer from a stream. A woman washes clothes in a basin. A downpour soaks a small village. A small boat is rocked by a huge tidal wave.

To the north is earth. A man plants seeds in the soil. A woman spins a bowl on a potter's wheel. A great cleft of an earthquake splits the ground. A landslide buries a farm.

The ceiling by the doorway is painted black - the void of space in the darkest night. As the mural passes across the long hall, the land, oceans, and sky are brought out of the void. At the far end, above the alter, the radiant sun is depicted in red-gold paint.

As the last of the guests are seated, Khristina VonRavenHeart, Wolfgang's mother is escorted in by her brother, Connor. She has short salt and pepper brown hair, with blue eyes. She is short but unbowed. Only her hands truly betray her age where her years of pottery making have scarred her hands. Khristina wears all black, as she's done since Wolfgang's father's death when he was still a child.

Wolfgang and Kavish enter from the right side of the Temple. Kavish takes his place in front of the alter and uses these last few moments to review his written ceremony, making sure he has all the parts.

Wolfgang looks both nervous and elated. As he steps up to the alter, he scans the crowd, seeing his aunt hide a smile behind her hand as his mother gives him a glare for the lack of the Cape she had wanted him to wear. He waves his hand in a motion taking in what he is wearing, black cavalry boots, black trousers with red piping, and a Scarlet tunic with black trim. His brown hair held by a simple circlet of gold, set off by the gold torque around his neck. On his right hand are two rings, the one on his ring finger, the seal of Wetham. The other, on the second finger, is the crest of the VonRavenHearts.

Khristina looks around, making sure that everyone is in place before taking her seat next to her sister, Felicity. Felicity is wearing an elegant green silk dress, trimmed with red. She is taller than her sister at 5' 7". her hair is dark brown and down to her shoulder blades her eyes are brown. Slender to the point of frailty she is usually unkempt in appearance, but her artwork commands some of the highest prices in the world.

After all of the family members are seated, the choir begins a traditional wedding hymn, accompanied by several stringed instruments, harp, lute, and lyre.

The first pair down the aisle are Lady Gabrielle Zond, Guardian of Hope and Sir Atticus DragonBreath, Count of Corali Forest.

Usually weighed down in muddy armor, it is quite a contrast to see Gabrielle in a scarlet silk taffeta dress and holding a bouquet of roses instead of a sword. She wears gold jewelry with baroque Z's woven into various patterns and her earrings incorporate the phoenix bird, a symbol of the rebirth of the Zond house. Her hair is a masterpiece in itself. Not only is it missing the usual battered helmet, but it has been cleverly pinned to the back of her head in a pattern of a large Z. The gold hairpins along the edges of the Z are tiped with tiny rubies, making the design sparkle and stand out. She stands tall and proud, full of the vigor of life.

Sir Atticus appears to be the exact opposite of Gabrielle. Two decades of active service in Wetham have taken their toll on him. He never quite recovered from the illness that forced him to step down as King of Wetham, and the signs of it show. He wears black breeches with gray crossbands going all the way up the leg. He wears a gray tunic, with a black fur-lined super tunic over it. The focal point of his clothing is his gold torque, denoting his royalty, which stands out in stark contrast to the black. He also bears two rings, one for his current office of Count of Corali Forest and a ring with the symbol of the DragonBreath family.

As Atticus and Gabrielle reach the end of the aisle and take their places, Lady Videra Asgard, Marchioness of Asker and Sir Boswick Biggie, Arch Priest of Wetham appear at the door.

Vidara is not a short woman, but anyone appears so standing next to Boswick, who is over seven feet tall. He, as always, wears stark, unrelieved black. Around his neck is his chain of office with a golden hammer, but even this appears dark on the man. His stormcloud countenance makes it apparent to one and all that he would much rather be involved in something violent than standing attendance for a ceremony, but his respect for the king has brought him here.

In contrast, Videra is both serene and cheerful. She wears a scarlet dress that matches Gabrielle's and also carries roses. She wears the ring of Asker on one finger and her arms glitter with a multitude of thin gold bracelets. She wears a dark ruby pendant and her hair is braided with scarlet ribbons. As she walks down the aisle she surveys the room with calm appreciation.

Next, Diane VonRavenHeart, Wolfgang's sister, enters with Chault, High Marshal of Wetham and Count of Hulaferd.

For the ceremony Chault wears a white uniform. He has black leather boots and white pants with elemental patterns (fire, air, earth, water) in silver thread with other thread of appropriate elemental color (red, light blue, brown, dark blue). He wears a black belt with a silver buckle in shape of a roaring lion. His one-piece jacket is tightly fitted, with silver buttons, which strawberries in the center. The sleeves are also tightly fitted, but they flare at the wrist cuffs, which have silver thread that dangles off them. The jacket has no collar, but the buttons to go all the way to the throat. Medals of rank are on his chest. His hair is cut short and scented, with a spicy, earthy smell.

As usual, Chault is bursting with energy and excitement, so it is difficult for Diana to keep up with him and remain graceful, but she manages it. She has blue eyes and hair so black it appears blue in some light, cut short at collar length. She is a voluptuous women of 5' 6" who looks stunning in her scarlet taffeta dress. She has long, dangling ruby earrings and simple gold necklace. She holds her bouquet of roses with scarlet gloved hands.

After them comes Daphne, Wolfgang's other sister, and her husband, Dieter.

Daphne is a mirror image of her twin, Diana, except she wears her hair long and loose. She has several gold necklaces of varying lengths and ruby stud earrings. Dieter is an even six feet tall. He has red hair worn short, as well as a beard and mustache. He is well formed, strong without being bulky in build. He wears scarlet breeches with black crossbands going all the way up the leg. His black tunic has scarlet embroidery and rubies sewn into the collar. Each wears their wedding ring and the pair walk blissfully down the aisle full of memories of their own wedding day a few years back.

Without waiting for his parents to get all the way down the aisle, Duncan, Wolfgang's four year old nephew appears in the doorway. At only 3'1" he is a small replica of his father, except that he has his mother's blue eyes. He wears black pants with a white tunic that is embroidered with scarlet. He carries a red velvet pillow with gold tassels. On the top of the pillow are two gold rings, sewn to the center of the embroidered VonRavenHeart crest. His eyes are very wide as he walks solemnly down the aisle, intent on carrying out the special task set out for him.

Next are Annalise and Ellsbeth, Wolfgang's two nieces. Annalise is seven years old and her hair is as red as her father's, tied with black ribbons. Ellsbeth, six, is a near copy of her older sister, but she has her mother's blue-black hair, which is tied with scarlet ribbons. They both have their father's green eyes. They have matching scarlet velvet dresses and each carry a basket of rose petals, which they scatter as they walk down the aisle. They are clearly enjoying their role, and smile and giggle as they go.

Finally come the maid of honor and the best man, Kurewylle Kestrel and DeForest McGowan.

DeForest is 6' 1" and thin, but wirey. He has short brown hair and brown eyes. He wears black pants and a gray tunic, both of simple and assuming design. Not much is known of this quiet man who has served Wetham for longer than anyone aside from the king. He walks down the aisle with solemn dignity and gives his best friend a firm nod when he reaches his place beside him.

Kurewylle wears the same scarlet dress as the other bridesmaids, but she added a long slit along one leg. It is not a fashion statement; if she needs to run or kick, she is not going to hampered by a skirt. Her tall scarlet boots make no sound as she stalks down the aisle, scanning the crowd for anyone who does not belong. Her dark hair is pinned tightly to her head, decorated by three gold stars, which sparkle as light reflects off their razor sharp edges. Those with a trained eye for it can see where she's hidden knives under the dress and can guess there's a few more they can't see. Something in the way she holds her bouquet of roses suggests she's hidden something there too. The only part of her costume that does not seem to be dangerous are her small ruby earrings, which stand out for their subtly. When she reaches the end of the aisle she gives the alter a quick once over, as though checking for poisons or explosives.

After DeForest and Kurewylle have taken their places, the eyes of everyone in the church go to the back of the room, waiting for the bride to appear. The seconds trickle by as the suspense builds. Has she changed her mind?

Then, just as the noon sun shines down from a cleverly placed skylight, Lady Kureshtal steps into the bright beam, which reflects - yes, reflects! - off her gold dress. Gold fabric is a rare thing to see, and entire wedding dress with an eight foot train of it is an impressive sight. She holds a bouquet of dark red roses in full bloom that cascades nearly to the floor. In the middle is a solid gold rose with jade petals, an engagement present from Wolfgang. Her long dark hair is held back with a crown of rose blossoms. Her earing are simple gold studs, but she wears an elaborate gold necklace that sparkles with dozens of rubies. The one in the center of her throat is the size of a robin's egg, a rarity that likely cost more than the gold dress did.

Lady Kureshtal walks down the aisle with serene grace. Her bright green eyes scan the crowd, not with suspicion like her cousin, but with gladness to see her friends and realm mates in attendance. Reaching the front row where the twins, now two and half, are seated with their governesses, she stops to give them each a quick caress. Kurecalle wears a red dress that matches the flower girls and ruby earrings that she keeps touching, still getting used to having pierced ears. Elijah wears red pants with a white velvet tunic embroidered with gold, which he has already managed to get dirty. They are excited to see their mother and call out to her, reaching out their arms. Kureshtal smiles at them and motions for them to stay as she turns to the alter.

As Kureshtal approaches, Wolfgang's breath catches in his throat at how beautiful she is. The dress serving to highlight her own beauty perfectly, and he falls in love with her all over again.

Kavish begins by addressing the assembled crowd, welcoming them and explaining the purpose of marriage.

Today King Wolfgang and Lady Kureshtal proclaim their love and commitment to the world, and we gather here to rejoice, with and for them, in the new life they now undertake together. We are deeply grateful to them for opening their hearts to us as well, mmm, inviting us to witness and share in this precious moment. It is a time of celebration, for two people have come together and found mutual joy.

Marriage is an act of faith and ever-deepening commitment, as well as a loving union between a man and a woman. It has been described as the best and the most important relationship that two people can share, the creation of a single growing energy of spiritual life. Happiness in marriage doesn't just, mmm, happen. A good marriage must be created, nurtured, and worked at. Marriage is never being too old to hold hands. It is remembering to say, "I love you" It is not taking each other for granted. A solid marriage is having a mutual sense of values and, mmm, common objectives; it is you two standing together facing the world and all it offers. Marriage is a supreme sharing of experience, and an adventure in the most intimate of human relationships. It is the joyous union of two people whose comradeship and mutual understanding have flowered in romance. Mmm, perhaps most important, marriage is not simply marrying the right partner; it is being the right partner.

Kavish now addresses the couple specifically.

May it be a path of blessedness, bright with flowers of prosperity and spiritual awakening; a path of ever deepening, ever broadening love that they will travel, arm in arm, through out eternity.

Wolfgang and Kureshtal this celebration is the outward token of your, mmm, sacred and inward union of hearts, which the church and temple may bless, and the state make legal, but which neither state nor church can create nor annul. It is a union created by your loving purpose and kept by your abiding will. It is in this spirit and for this, mmm, purpose that you have come here to be joined together.

Kavish then begins the traditional wedding blessing of Via of Filiolus.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East and the element of Air,
for openness and breath, communication of the heart,
and purity of the mind and body.
From the east you receive the gift of a new beginning
with the rising of each Sun, and the understanding
that each day is a new opportunity for growth.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South and the element of fire,
for energy, passion, creativity and the warmth of a loving home.
From the fire within you generate light, which you will share
with one another in even the darkest of times.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West, the element of water,
for your capacity to feel emotion.
In marriage you offer absolute trust to one another,
and vow to keep your hearts open in sorrow as well as joy.

Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North, the element of earth,
which provides sustenance, fertility and security.
The earth will feed and enrich you, and help you to build a stable home
to which you may always return.

Kavish pauses for a moment of silence, letting everyone reflect on the blessing, before moving on to the next part of the ceremony.

Wolfgang and Kureshtal, you are about to make vows and promises to one another. Today, these vows are beautiful words, mmm, representing even more beautiful intentions. As you live these vows over the years the meaning of these words will deepen. As it is your intention to join in marriage, will you now please join your hands as well as your hearts?

Wolfgang takes Kureshtal's hands into his own, looks into her eyes, and recites the vow he has prepared for this. He is clearly nervous, but his voice can be heard strongly all the way to the back of the church.

Kureshtal, I promise to be a good and faithful husband to you, and also a patient, loving father to Elijah and Kuracalle caring for them and providing for them as my own. I promise to be their strength and their emotional support, loving them with all my heart forever.

I will cherish our friendship and love you today, tomorrow, and forever. I will trust you and honor you I will laugh with you and cry with you. I will love you faithfully Through the best and the worst, Through the difficult and the easy. What may come I will always be there. Our miracle lies in the path we have chosen together. I enter into this marriage with you knowing that the true magic is love.

I humbly give you my hand and my heart as a sanctuary of warmth and peace, and pledge my faith and love to you. Today, as I give myself to you my mind is clear and my commitment is strong and without reservation. I take you to be my life's partner. I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will spend all my days at your side.

By this time there are tears in Kureshtal's eyes. Wolfgang takes a deep breath before continuing.

In the presence of our families and friends, I claim you, Kureshtal, as my lifemate. I belong to you. I offer my life for you. I give to you my protection, my allegiance, my heart, my soul and my body. I take into my keeping the same that is yours. Your life, happiness and welfare will be cherished and placed above my own for all time. You are my lifemate, bound to me for all eternity and always in my care.

I acknowledge my love for you and invite you to share my life as I hope to share yours. I promise to walk by your side, to love, help and encourage you. I vow to take time to share with you, to listen and to care. I will share your laughter and your tears as your partner, lover and friend. I promise always to respect you and honor you as an individual and to be conscious of your needs. I shall seek through kindness and compassion to achieve with you the life we have planned together.

You are the Great Spirit's precious gift to me, my springtime, my hope and my joy. You are everything that's good and pure and true and I worship you with my mind, body and soul. How blessed I am to be able to say that you are mine, to be able to love and cherish you for the rest of my days.

Kureshtal's vow is much shorter, but is difficult for her to say through her tears. It takes her a while to get through it, since she keeps needing to regain her voice.

I, Kureshtal, take thee, Wolfgang, to be my lawfully wedded husband, the father of my children, and my constant friend, to have and to hold from this day forward. In the presence of the Great Spirit, our realm mates, and our families, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in good times and in bad, in times of failure and in times of triumph, in times of change and in times of stability, in times of joy and times of sorrow, and in all the trials that may come. I promise to be true to you, to honor and respect you, to support you in your goals, to laugh with you and cry with you, to grow with you through the years, to always remain by your side, and to share all that is to come with you and our children.

After he is sure they have finished, Kavish continues to the next part of the ceremony.

I understand you have brought rings as a token of your, mmm, sincerity?

Kureshtal takes a ring from Kurewylle and Wolfgang takes a ring from DeForest. They each hand the rings to Priest Kavish, who holds them up to receive his blessing. The matching rings are traditional bands, yellow gold with a strip of white gold inlaid. The names of the couple are engraved in the white gold.

Bless these Rings, O Great Spirit, that those who wear them, that give and receive them, may be ever faithful to one another, remain in your peace, and live and grow old together in your love, under their own vine and fig tree, and seeing their children's children.

Kavish then returns the rings to the couple. Wolfgang places the first ring on Kureshtal's finger.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, pledging all that I am, all that I may become, to Honor you, and keep you in my Heart always.

The lady takes a moment to admire the ring on her finger, then returns the gesture, with the same words.

I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow, pledging all that I am, all that I may become, to Honor you, and keep you in my Heart always.

Kavish is about to continue the ceremony when there is a small flurry of activity in the front row. Elijah has had enough of sitting still, especially when parents are receiving shiny gifts. He climbs out of the pew and runs up to his mother. Kureshtal picks him up and lets him admire her new ring. Kurecalle will not be left behind and follows her brother up to the front of the church where she is scooped up by Wolfgang. She suddenly realizes that dozens of people are staring at her, and she buries her face in his neck where she, of course, cannot be seen.

Kavish tries to act as though this was a planned part of the ceremony and addresses the crowd.

Not only are Wolfgang and Kureshtal, mmm, creating a marriage today, but they also, mmm, are forming a family with Elijah and Kurecalle.

At a nod from Wolfgang, Kavish begins the prayer.

Eternal Great Spirit, creator and preserver of all life, author of salvation, and giver of all grace: Look with favor upon the world you have made, and especially upon this man and this woman whom you make one flesh in Holy Matrimony. Give them wisdom and devotion in the ordering of their, mmm, common life, that each may be to the other a strength in need, a counselor in perplexity, a comfort in sorrow, and a companion in joy. Grant that their wills may be so knit together in your will and their spirits in your Spirit, that they may grow in love and peace with you and one another all the days of their life. Give them grace, when they hurt each other, to recognize and acknowledge their fault, and to see each other's forgiveness and yours. Make their life together a sign of your love to this, mmm, sinful and broken world, that unity may overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal guilt, and joy conquer despair. Give them such fulfillment of their mutual affection that they may reach out in love and concern for others. Grant that the bonds of our common humanity, by which all your children are united one to another, and the living to the dead, may be so transformed by your grace, that your will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In as much as you, Wolfgang, and you Kureshtal, have, mmm, consented together in the union of matrimony and you have pledged your faith each to the other in the presence of the Great Spirit and this company, now by the authority vested in me as a minister, I now pronounce you HUSBAND AND WIFE!

You may now kiss the bride!

With the twins involved, it is more of a group hug than a traditional wedding kiss, but there is definitely a kiss in the center of the family.

At the end of the kiss, the four go up the aisle together, with the rest of the wedding party following in the reverse order from how they came in. Outside the church a scarlet carriage baring the royal crest is waiting, with a team of jet black horses to pull it to the reception at Serenus Vigeo.