Arc 721, 62 Zi'da
She had thought about going to the cove, book in hand, and researching what she needed to know. Books had always been Elisabeth's refuge and respite in times when the young woman felt on the back foot, but as she looked out at the settlement from the door of Haven House, she realized that there was a much better way to obtain the information she needed - a method ultimately more personal.
Haven was a place of relationships and bonds. Its settlement leader was a young woman who felt strongly regarding ties that bound people together and often looked for ways to continue developing such. The community bond was deep, and perhaps what she had in mind would help with that. Plus, why not ask the people who knew?
Storm and Elisabeth set out near mid-trial, knowing most gathered around the large stone fire pits scattered around the settlement at that time, sharing a meal before getting back to work. Picking the right group to stop and speak to would also be necessary. The right combination of people was essential, although any of the settlers would try to help if they could.
Walking near the clam farm, the young woman noted a cluster of people chatting and eating, as she predicted. Sasha and Maris, of course – they worked at the clam farm. Bryn – Sasha's husband – was there as well. Edwin appeared to have joined them, which was a surprise considering he spent most of his time with the hunting teams, trying to document the local wildlife. Another surprise was Jolene and Delilah Munny from the farm, although Elisabeth knew the Munnys to have a close relationship with Sasha and Bryn. The final occupant of a seat around the fire was Balder, who she knew tended to rotate eating midtrial meals with different people, keeping on top of settlement news and such. A smart one he was.
Their voices collectively called out to the young leader as she approached, issuing warm invitations to join them. "Hello, all! Don't mind if I do…." Taking a seat next to Balder, she noted that Storm immediately went to Delilah Munny, jumping up on the log next to the young woman and looking rather intent on sharing her lunch. Balder offered her a bowl of stew, which Elisabeth accepted gratefully.
Elisabeth didn't often speak to Jolene Munny, more often working with her husband Edward on plans for the farm, so it was somewhat surprising when the woman's voice reached out to her. "So, what are you up to today, Elisabeth?" Her question was excellent because it allowed the mage to launch into the subject she sought help with.
"Well, I actually am looking for some help, and I am hoping you all can assist me." The entire group responded with varying means of agreement, giving Elisabeth enough reassurance to continue. "Balthazar and I have decided to have a Scalvorian wedding in late Ashan, here in the settlement. The plan is to hold the ceremony in the chapel once it's built. The celebration will be in and around Haven House after."
It was a good start, but she knew they must be wondering what the issue was. "I'm from Viden, and Balthazar has been a great many places, including Yaralon. We don't know a lot about Scalvorian wedding ceremonies. I was hoping maybe a few of you could help me learn what I need to know?" Elisabeth was aware that the Baron Books had information as well, but learning from the settlers – the Scalvorian settlers – felt more appropriate.
Sasha was the first to speak, smiling warmly at the settlement leader. "Of course, we'll help. We want the trial to be special for you and Balthazar. Let's start at the beginning then. Two ceremonies are common. One is traditional and the other modern. The traditional ceremony is a carry-over from the time of the Pirate Lords, so I strongly suggest just going with the modern take." The rest of the settlers nodded in agreement, so Elisabeth took that as a good sign, scribbling the information down, laughing softly. "We will go with your suggestion then. No Pirate Lords."
A question popped up into her mind. "Is the modern ceremony absolute? I mean, does it have to be followed exactly? I know some cultures are very strict about that, with others being a bit laxer in that regard." Shaking her head, Sasha quickly replied, wanting to reassure. "No, no. There's are, obviously, important pieces that mark a Scalvorian wedding, but there's also room for the couples to include things that are important to them." Elisabeth had to admit that piece of information made her feel better about things.
"Alright," Elisabeth said, wanting to keep the conversation moving, "So the modern version. What can you tell me?" Balder, shockingly, spoke up. "Balthazar already proposed. Normally, he would have had boxes at the proposal, but I'm sure he didn't know. Just tell him that he needs to make or buy two nice wooden boxes – betrothal boxes. They will be keepsake boxes for later. He needs to give you one and keep the other."
"Boxes. Got it." She furiously tried to keep up with the information given. "Keepsake? What's stored in them?" Delilah, who happily stroked Storm's head, answered that particular question. "The ropes and ribbons. One of you is responsible for procuring the ropes, and the other the ribbons. The only requirement is that the ropes and ribbons are meaningful to you both, and represent a memory, wish or promise. One trial, exactly, before the wedding will take place, you'll trade betrothal boxes with the ribbons or ropes inside and tell each other what the meaning of them is. Then, you two get to braid the ribbons and ropes together into one long piece for the ceremony."
The mage quickly scribbled what the farmer's daughter said, looking up when Balder added a quick addition. "A copy of the vows too. Those go in the boxes too, I think. You'll burn the paper you both read the vows from. Those ashes go in there too, but also, a separate copy that doesn't get incinerated." A glance around the fire pit told Elisabeth that the consensus agreed with the guard, so she added that little tidbit to the notes about the boxes.
"Do you know who's performing the ceremony yet?" The question came from Maris, who smiled as Elisabeth looked up to reply to her. "We've decided on who we wish to ask but haven't done the asking part yet. I need to take care of that soon." A thoughtful expression crossed Maris' features as spoke again. "As I recall, the custom is to eat a simple meal the night before the wedding, just the couple and the person that will perform the ceremony. After, the three stay up all night, and talking about the wedding is bad luck, so you'll have to talk about anything but. At dawn, you and Balthazar are supposed to exchange small, personal gifts."
At the mention of gifts, Delilah popped in another piece of information. "Oh! Don't forget that the couple gives the first guest at the wedding a gift." That prompted a follow-up question from Elisabeth. "Do we have to give it right then? I had thought that perhaps Balthazar and I would stay separated until the ceremony began." Shrugging her shoulders, Delilah smiled. "I don't think it matters when the gift is given, only that it is given to the first person to arrive, and it's done by you and Balthazar together. Oh! And you must invite 'Jon.' I remember that for sure. It's good luck to invite a stranger to one's wedding. You have to write 'Jon' on the invitation and then give it to a stranger."
Elisabeth had opened the proverbial floodgates in asking the settlers for information, but that was a good thing. Well, good as long as her writing hand held out. "Invitation to 'Jon.' Duly noted."
Flipping the page of her notebook, Elisabeth laughed softly as she glanced around the fire. "Alright. What about the ceremony itself?"
There was some brief discussion about how to describe the ceremony. In the end, the group picked Bryn to explain to her the intricacies of the modern ceremony, expressing its highly symbolic nature. As he described it, it sounded beautiful – the giving of body, mind, and soul. There seemed to be another point where the couple exchanged small gifts, so Elisabeth made a special note of it so that she could send a list to Balthazar of things he would need to take care of in-between catching bad guys.
Bryn explained the significance of the rope and ribbon hand-fasting. They would have one hand tied together until the following morning? That was going to be interesting. Fun, beautiful, significant.…but interesting.
The group spent several more bits discussing the celebration. It seemed it wasn't frowned upon to ask people to contribute food and drink, but before Elisabeth had a chance to expand on that idea, Jolene spoke up again. "Don't you go worrying about that, Elisabeth. We'll all chip in to help with food and refreshments for the celebration. I've never been to a wedding that didn't ask people to provide food, and I'm sure that's true for most of us. I'm positive I speak for everyone in Haven when I say that we will happily step in and help plan. It's just like a potluck bonfire night, with a lot more people."
The mage gave her a warm smile. One less thing for her to worry about, and Elisabeth was grateful to Jolene and the others. They were helping her feel less stressed about the wedding, even offering to help. For all the words Elisabeth knew, there were only two she could find to fit the moment.
"Thank you."
Edwin arched an eyebrow, leaning forward a bit as he looked across the fire at Haven's leader. "Did you think you were going to be doing this all alone?" While he asked a question, the man didn't wait for the answer. "We are all happy for you and Balthazar and will do whatever it takes to make the trial memorable. All you need to do is ask."
He was right - Elisabeth had been feeling like she needed to do everything independently. Especially with Balthazar away at work most of the time. That was something she struggled with, but at least in the case of the wedding, the settlers were stepping in to show her that no, she wasn't alone. They would help her with Haven preparations. Two seasons is really all the time they had, and one of those seasons was Cylus, but it would be enough.
They'd get there. Together.
