Children of the Wind

by **Dravite** on July 5th, 2015, 12:24 pm

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47 Summer 515 AV
Morning, 10th Bell

Only a few days ago the man had agreed to the strange proposal after running it by his wife, who seemed oddly happy for the binding to go ahead; Dravite couldn't quite put his finger on it but something about that had felt off at the time. Belkaia had never struck him as a jealous woman, and yet is staggered him how she had come across almost eager to share him with another. Of course Trail Riverstone had been over the moon when he heard the news; not only was he marrying his daughter off to a man of The Watch, but a fellow member of the Diamond Clan; something he could be deeply proud of.

It was a small affair, set in the shade of one of the old trees a ten chime ride from the outskirts of Endrykas. Their horses were decorated with ribbons and small bells that rang lightly whenever the animals' shifted their feet. The grass about their feet was littered with wildflowers and children belonging to their friends and families sat picking at the white petals. Members from The Watch stood near the couple, there to support both families coming together today. Belkaia had been upset to find that only one of her sisters had been able to attend, but the excitement of the event had soon cheered her up.

She stood beside her husband with her head bowed, her long brown hair woven into graceful braids that were done up elaborately. Kyanite was on his feet and dressed in white, clutching the fabric of the woman's long, green dress which she wore to represent where she had come from as part of the Emerald Clan, before she had taken the name Blackwater, as a member of the Windborne pavilion.

Dravite too was dressed in the colours of his house, the long sleeves of his white tunic rolled up to sit just below the elbow in an attempt to fight the summer’s heat. He wore dark leather pants and a black leather tabard and riding boots, his hair pulled back from his face and tied with straps. Around his neck he wore a woven, silver torc with the head of a lion on either end, his fingers too were decorated with silver, and coloured beads threaded with wheat coloured hair hung lightly against his back.

Beyond the line of trees lay a tent that had been set up early that morning for Pearl to get ready in. Neither Belkaia nor Dravite had laid eyes on her yet and the man felt his stomach flip nervously. It was one thing to get married to a stranger, but to bind with someone you had never met; to say the least he was apprehensive. What if Pearl didn't like them? What if their children didn't get along? What if he was making the biggest mistake of his life? But then how could taking someone into your family ever be a mistake, if they were genuine, hardworking, and fair; Trail wouldn't have arranged this if he didn't think it would work, after all he only had his daughter's best interests at heart.

A deep, resonant humming sounded as their guests raised their voices together in harmonic chant; the Drykas as a people were very fond of singing; it was a song dedicated to the God Zulrav, favoured among the Diamond Clan. Dravite sang the words softly to still his nerves as Pearl left the tent finally with her father in tow, holding her dark haired, blue eyed son who would be celebrating his second birthday in the fall. The couple did not look up to watch her, but instead smiled and took each other's hand to offer a reassuring squeeze.

When Pearl finally joined them, both Dravite and Belkaia held out their free hands to the woman, watching as Trail placed her son Garrison down beside Kyanite. When they had joined hands the circle was complete and Dravite looked at his new family wearing a warm smile. Garrison looked to be a gentle, healthy little boy, and though he seemed a little confused as to what was going on, he sat quiet and content beside his new brother.

When Dravite finally lifted his gaze to look upon the face of his new bride he swore his heart stopped. Her hand was tender and warm in his own, her eyes were bluer than a cloudless sky, and resonated this deep bedded pride and warmth that shocked him still. Belkaia gave his hand another little squeeze and he looked across to smile at her; it seemed she too was pleasantly surprised by the young beauty. They were unable to speak for only moments after Pearl had joined them her father, Trail, speak up, choosing to oversee the ceremony.
"Children of the wind," he smiled as the singing behind him ceased, "we have come here today to share in a very special occasion in sight of the gods."

The words feel on deaf ears, the world but a blur to the wheat haired man who stood trying not to stare at the young woman to his right. It wasn't until Belkaia gave him a nudge that he realised Trail was looking directly at him and had obviously been speaking; he dread to think much time had gone by. "You said you had a gift?" Trail repeated himself and Dravite stole his hands away from both women to fetch the silver armbands he had bought for each of them, fashioned in the shape of a snake.

He slipped the piece of jewellery over Belkaia's right hand and slowly threaded it up the length of her arm where it found its home between shoulder and elbow before he did the same for Pearl. When that was done he took their hands again, closing the circle once more. Belkaia smiled at the sentiment, she didn't realise Dravite had gone to the trouble of buying them gifts. "Would you like to start with your vows?" Trail asked the man and Dravite smiled.
"Belkaia, Pearl" he drew the pad of his thumbs over their hands and paid a smile to his first wife before setting his eyes on Pearl, "I will care for and protect you and our children. I will provide so that the four of you will always be comfortable, and I will love, respect, and honour you this day and every day that follows until my last; these things I promise in sight of the gods, our family, and friends."

Somewhere he felt Trail smile and soon the woman's father spoke up again. "Belkaia?"

Belkaia lifted her head to level her gaze with Pearl. "Dravite, Pearl, in sight of the gods, our family and friends, I promise to love, care, and tend to your needs and those of our children; this I deem to be true this day and each that follow until my last."

This time when Trail smiled, Dravite witness the sight, causing the left side of his mouth to turn up in a slow, cheeky grin. Pearl was the last to speak, and rightfully so; this was a huge decisions for the girl and now that she had finally laid eyes on couple her father intended for her to spend the rest of her life with, if she had decided to back out, now was the time to do it. "Pearl," the man spoke up, looking across as his daughter, "it is time to make your vows."

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by **Pearl** on July 6th, 2015, 4:11 am

Pearl sat in the tent alone now, staring at the same spot on the wall that she stared at while her cousin finished arranging the braids upon her head, three of which were wrapped with silk ribbons and beads. One for her mother, Willow, another for her brother, Rave, and the last for her first husband, Nexus. Fingers tentatively touched each one.

Trail interrupted her thoughts when he came into the tent, Garrison upon his hip. The young boy reached for his Momma and she smiled taking him from his grandfather's arms and peppering kisses to his rounded little face before hugging him close. Garrison giggled and wrapped chubby little arms around his mother's neck. "Wuv you." He said. "I love you too, my little man."

"It's time, Pearl." Trail spoke as he reached for Garrison. Pearl relinquished her hold on her son and smiled as the boy squirmed and wanted to walk along side his grandfather. Tanned hands smoothed down the fabric of the dress she wore. It had belonged to her mother. When she stepped out of the tent, she shaded her eyes from the morning sun, allowing them to adjust. The gauzy white material of her dress blew around her calves in the breeze as she began to walk towards the couple.

She looked everywhere but directly at the couple for as long as she could. Smiles were given to those friends and family when she made eye contact with them. So many had gathered and she was grateful for their support and attendance. The chanting comforting her and making it easier to smile. When she reached the couple beneath the tree, she was grateful for their outreached hands, placing hers within each of theirs. She had not expected Belkaia to be so young, though her father had told her such; it was still a shock. There was an instant urge to protect the younger woman that swelled within her.

The look in the man's eyes, those smokey gray eyes drew her attention next. He looked like a fair man who would do all the things her father had promised. When he spoke, she continued to look to her new husband, hearing not the words so much as she felt them. She offered a gentle squeeze to Belkaia's hand when Dravite released both theirs to slide the gift he'd bought each of them upon their arms.

Their vows to her caused a lump of emotions to rise in her throat. She had not expected to find herself in this situation, and until a few short days ago, she had found every reason to keep herself from exactly this. But her father had been persistent, and she had no heart to deny him what he requested of her. He needed to know she was safely and properly cared for, and she needed him to know that she loved and respected him enough to accept his decision for her. When he looked to her, told her it was time to make her vows, she feared she wouldn't be able to speak.

Pearl looked to each of them, Belkaia, then Dravite before she spoke. "Belkaia, Dravite." Her voice caught in her throat and she had to take a moment; each of their hands was given a squeeze. "Before the Gods, our family and friends, I promise to love, care for and respect you and our family. I will honor you and tend to your needs as well as our children's. These things I vow to you both on this day and every day thereafter, until my last."

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by **Dravite** on July 6th, 2015, 9:02 am

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'There are ways in which we all lie to ourselves,' his mother had once told him, 'first with our eyes, then with our tongue; our hands lie, our faces lie, we lie with our body language and with our unvoiced gestures. But one thing never lies,' he recalled her saying, lowering her voice as she raked her nails gently over the nape of his neck which saw the skin on his arms horripilate, "the skin never lies," she had whispered and raised his arms to point out her observation, 'trust it my son, and you will never lie to yourself again.'

As he looked down at Pearls hand which tenderly clasped his own, his focus turned to the fine, pricked hairs on his forearms, painted gold in dappled reach of Syna's light. He felt a strange energy shoot up his spine and tickle his shoulders, Lazuli had been right, there would be no lying to himself or to the young woman he could now call wife; she was beautiful and the chemical reaction that stirred in his mortal body would not be fooled. He severed his hold and kissed both of Belkaia's cheeks before offering Pearl the same in turn. Trail said something finalising and the crowd that had gathered to celebrate with them cheered.

Instruments were strummed and tapped as people sung and shifted around them to offer the trio all the best in their new life together. Some danced; others drank and laughed with their friends. Dravite crouched down to pick up his son Kyanite and held out his arm to Garrison who had only just found his feet a month or so before and stumbled towards the horse lord bravely, letting the wheat haired man scoop him up. As people came near to fuss and dote on the women, Dravite joined Trail with the boys and felt the man pat him on the shoulder before offering a reassuring squeeze. "Thank you," Trail smiled.
"What for?" Dravite asked.
"Making her smile," the Watchman admitted.

Dravite glanced over at Pearl who was currently tied in a three way hug with Belkaia and the sister that had been able to attend, he didn't catch the woman's eye but could see from where he stood that they all looked content enough. "I hope I can make her very happy," he spoke softly.
Trail took his grandson before asking if he could hold Kyanite too, "he's a healthy boy," Trail admitted, "strong like his father."
"Not strong enough," Dravite laughed, "I swear my arms are still numb from our training session a few days ago."
"And I'll put you through another before too long," Trail smirked.
"I can't wait," Dravite said in jest.
"What are you standing around for," Trail scolded lightly, "you have an animal to sacrifice; to health and good fortune."
"You're all right with the boys?"
"Just fine, you go!"

Dravite left Trail with the boys and went to find Bayon, who was busy sharing a mug of ale with Aris, another member of The Watch. Both men congratulated Dravite and shook his arm, clasping one another about the forearm. "You look after those girls," Bayon smiled, "or I might have to take them off you."
Dravite laughed, "Not likely."
"Is that one of your goats over there, Dravite?" Aris asked.
"Aye, I have to feed you don't I?"
Aris smiled, "I've always been fond of goat."
"A bit of a goat lover are you?" Bayon roared with laughter at his own joke which seemed to go over Aris' head, that or the usually serious man was doing a good job of ignoring his friend.
"I best get it done," Dravite told them.
"Isn't he your buck, what will you cover your herd with next year?"
"He's been jumping on his wives all summer," Dravite laughed, "by this time next year I'll be able to introduce some new blood to the herd."
"Fair enough," Bayon nodded, "you go get your goat and I'll shield poor Aris' eyes over here."

Dravite heard the men laugh as he moved on to fetch the large, black goat, untying him from a nearby tree to lead him closer to the fire pit that had been roaring all night and was now only a simmer of hot coals and smoking, smooth round rocks from the river. It was important that he did not over excite the animal and taint the meat; there was nothing worse than tough goat. As Dravite drew up in front of the crowd, Roan shook his arm before he handed him a polished, steel dagger.

“Friends,” he boomed above the rumble and chatter of the crowd, stealing their attention for a spell, “in honour of my new wife, Pearl and her son Garrison, I have taken the finest animal from my goat herd to sacrifice on their behalf to the favoured god of the Diamond Clan, Zulrav; father of storms, and his love, Semele, the mother. As children of the wind, we give thanks, and ask them that our summers be long and our winters kind.”

The crowd gave a cheer as Dravite took the buck by the horn and drew the sharpened dagger across the throat. It was a good, clean killing; the goat bowed forth on his knees as if to accept his fate, spilling his life blood on the earth for Semele to drink before buckling sideways to finally close his eyes. Roan took the dagger and cleaned it, returning it to his belt, and Dravite used his hunting knife to start butchering the animal. He skinned the goat first, moving it onto a tarp to keep it clean with the help of one of the men.

The skin came away easily under the cut of the blade and the hot, red muscle beneath the black sheath was tender and forgiving; the knife going through it with little resistance. A delicious smell hung in the air as the horse lord placed the first cuts of meat onto the hot rocks to watch them sizzle and cook. The blood that ran off the meat onto the stones blackened and bubbled where it met the scorching coals. Soon the meat changed colour, was turned, and two chimes later, was ready to eat. Dravite cut a small mouthful away and carried it over to Pearl, holding it up for her to take. “For you, my love.”

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by **Pearl** on July 7th, 2015, 2:28 am

Belkaia was enthusiastic to introduce Pearl to her sister and led her to the woman almost immediately following the close of the ceremony. The warmth the two women shared had Pearl smiling even though she was having trouble keeping up with their chatter. It wasn't entirely their fault, for Pearl found that she continued to steal away looks towards Dravite. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Garrison toddle into the man's arms. When she gasped, Belkaia quickly drew her into a hug. "He loves him already." She whispered before kissing Pearl's cheek. The sister joining in the embrace. "It is good to see such strength in family." Pearl held to them a moment longer, kissing each of their cheeks in celebration of her own heartfelt joy.

"I'm starving. When's this new man of yours going to feed us?" The voice spoke from behind her. Pearl couldn't contain her delight and turned to wrap her arms around the man's neck. He whisked her off her feet, with arms around her waist and twirled her around.
"You're always starving." She spoke in jest. "Last I heard you weren't going to be able to make it in time." When he set her back to the ground, she introduced him to Belkaia and her sister. "My cousin, Thorn."
"Near broke my neck, but the smile on your face is worth it." He said before he turned his charms upon the ladies.
"Be nice." She tried to say with more threat than came out though that smile. "I'm going to see father."

Pearl approached Trail and the boys. Garrison giggling and reaching for her with both arms. She scooped him up and hugged him as she knealt down upon the grass, tucking her feet beneath her and sitting back on them. She settled Garrison upon her lap and smiled to Kyanite, holding an arm out to him. "Hello, Little Man." She addressed Kyanite using the term of endearment that she so often used when talking to Garrison. Garrison's little hand waved about in Kyanite's direction. "Bubba Ky." He said, as if introducing the two. Kyanite stepped up to Pearl and leaned into her side, wrapping both small arms around her neck and kissed her cheek. Little fingers touched the wraps in her braids. "Momma Pearl's hair is pretty." Pearl pressed her lips to the boy's forehead and drew him in for a hug. She kissed Garrison's head too and held them close, her cheek resting to Kyanite's head while she looked over their heads to her own father. "Thank you." She mouthed at him. Trail stood; kissed his daughter's head and stepped away.

Dravite's voice caught her attention and she pressed another kiss to the boys' heads and directed their attention to their father. "Listen." She urged. "To Zulrav; father of storms, and his wife Semele, the mother. As children of the wind, we give thanks, and ask him that our summers be long and our winters kind." She repeated in reverence. When everyone clapped and cheered, she and the boys joined in. Pearl stole a moment to gaze upon her new husband; watching as he began to butcher the goat.

The boys wouldn't be contained for too long. Soon Pearl was teaching them how to tie the wild flowers into knots. Each of the boys running to gather more wild flowers and bring them back to her. Kyanite holding his brother's hand and helping him pick the brightest of the flowers. Once the headband was completed Pearl leaned in, whispering to the boys. "Take this to Momma Belkaia and put it on her head. Be sure to tell her how pretty she looks." Both boys took off, Kyanite again helping Garrison. Pearl stood and watched with a smile.

It was a rare moment that she found herself alone that day; standing beneath the old tree in nearly the very spot where the three had pledged their vows to one another such a short time ago. When Dravite approached and spoke, her smile softened as she greeted him. "Husband." Was the simple word she spoke; yet it held more meaning than a sonnet. The morsel of meat he offered smelled delicious and she realized she hadn't eaten all day. Pearl's hand came to rest just below Dravite's wrist as she leaned to accept the bite; lips grazed his fingertips as she took the meat into her mouth.

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by **Dravite** on July 7th, 2015, 9:09 am

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It was a defining moment, one he would think back on in years to come only to recall that the second her lips had caressed the tips of his fingers, he would there on out have no power over the woman's physical touch; with that alone she could rule him, day and night. With Belkaia things had been different, they were children who had grown up in the same pavilion, the woman much younger than the horse lord at the time of their binding; forced together after her father Belhaur had recognised Dravite's longing for the girl's older sister, one he hadn't seen since he was sixteen, when she was married off to another man in an attempt to form a more political alliance. With Belkaia love had come gradually and friendship even slower. From the outside everything seemed wonderful, they were a normal, loving couple; it was only when one scratched the surface that they might begin to uncover Belkaia's unease and disdain for the man she too called husband.

Was she flirting? Dravite asked himself, the art of seduction a skill he sorely lacked. The horse lord smiled slowly, the left side of his mouth curled higher than the right as if it were some kind of secret grin worn just for Pearl. When he lowered his hand, he turned it on the woman gently, closing his burly fingers about her slender wrist to offer a reassuring squeeze before he let go; fingers brushed against Pearl's. She was shorter than him, though not by much, three or four inches separating the pair in height. Her hair smelt like sunshine and her smile could light up the dark. Dravite knew things would be slow between them, there was eighteen years of history waiting to be told behind those blue eyes, and already the man looked forward to hearing it.
"You look beautiful," he told her, "like a summer flower." Admittedly, the man's attempt at flirting had a long way to go.

Pearl wasn't even afforded a moment to reply when Belkaia started singing the high-pitched praises of Garrison and the crown of flowers the two boys had delivered to her. She was usually such a shy young woman but after a mug of ale and in the company of her sister, that all changed. "Oh Pearl you shouldn't have, this is just too sweet," the auburn haired woman sang, "Come Pearl, we must talk."

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Dravite was kept busy most of the afternoon, talking with the men from The Watch and feeding his guests, making sure people were comfortable and indulging in light conversation. He hadn't been able to speak with Pearl yet, but knew there would be plenty of time for that in the coming weeks. Belkaia was a box of birds, chatting away and keeping everyone entertained; it was nice to see, Dravite thought, though he couldn't help but feel perhaps the woman was a little concerned about her position as first wife now that things with Pearl were official. He had rubbed salt into the goat’s pelt, working the granulated substance right up into the corners to see that the days sun would help cure it well. By the time everyone had decided to call it a day, the flesh looked half cooked and dry; he would hang it out at home to finish what he had started and maybe even find a use for the horns later on in the season.

It must have been strange for Pearl, returning home with them in place of traveling back with her father. The trip was relatively quiet, both children fast asleep in Dravite's arms while the woman chatted; did they ever run out of things to talk about, the man wondered. Belkaia's sister pecked him on the cheek before she left, disappearing into the depths of the city of tents. The sun was setting and Pearl’s things had been delivered to the campsite while they had been gone. Dravite hung the goat pelt up inside the tent; something in the air and the way the wind swept through the tall grass told him there might be rain coming, and by the gods they needed it.

The man worked hard to see that all of Pearl’s things found their place in the four man tent. He rolled her bedding out alongside his own on the waterproof tarp and put down the grass-bear fur he had acquired late in the spring. Belkaia changed before the last of Syna's light sunk away from the darkening sky and Kyanite was tucked in beside his new brother, the two of them covered with a light, summer blanket. Once Belkaia was dressed she helped Dravite out of the black, leather tabard which was warm and smelt of his musk. She hung his tunic up outside to air and pulled the man's leather riding boots off once he had sat down on the bedding. They had come from nothing at the beginning of the season, travelling even without a tent until they passed through the wind-knotted gates of Endrykas, and Dravite had worked hard to make sure they were a lot more comfortable now.

When he lay back against the furs in his black, leather pants, he closed his eyes, too hot to get under the covers, and summoned the women. Belkaia soon joined him and waved Pearl over, "don't be shy," she cooed, "make yourself comfortable; what's ours is yours."
Dravite opened one eye and smiled at Belkaia before finding the strength to sit up. "Is there anything I can get you, did you eat enough?" He asked.
Belkaia whacked him with the back of her hand playfully, "never mind her, what about out? I didn't see you drink anything today."

The horse lord licked his lips; come to think of it he was rather thirsty, but water reserves were low and he would be all right till morning. "I'm fine," the man waved half-heartedly as if to tell her not to fuss, "we should all get some sleep."

With that the man lay down and closed his eyes, feeling the familiar weight of Belkaia shifting beside him to rest her head on his right shoulder gently. He folded his arm around her, not sure that he would be able to sleep any time soon; there was still so much he wanted to say to Pearl, things he wanted to ask her, but perhaps they would have to wait.

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by **Pearl** on July 8th, 2015, 5:50 pm

Was she flirting? It had all come so easily when he'd offered her the meat. Immediately following, she felt shy and awkward; averting her eyes from his and looking at her hands. His compliment brought her gaze back up to his and the words were upon the tip of her tongue to speak, when her attention was drawn to Belkaia and the boys.
"Forgive me." She said apologetically before she stepped away from him. Though it was uncertain what she was seeking to be forgave.

Pearl was swept into the sea of family and friends once again by Belkaia. The rest of the afternoon consisted of mingling and polite introductions, getting to know the people she would be close to day in and day out. She couldn't help but like them. They were kind and caring people. So why by the end of the evening, when people were disbursing and heading back to their own, did she find her smile fading? Why did she find herself avoiding looking to Dravite? Why did she find herself, more often than not, away from Belkaia?

Trail walked with Pearl, taking her aside and explaining that he'd had her things delivered to Dravite's earlier that afternoon, that Knox was there and cared for, waiting for her. Pearl did what was expected of her. She nodded her understanding, but the smile on her face wasn't the same smile as it was before. "Don't do this, Pearl." Trail scolded.
"Do what?" She asked, trying to not to be ambivolant.
"What you're doing." He said as he took her hands in his. "The brave face. The polite smile. Stop fighting the ghosts. Live in the present with those that love you."
Pearl nodded as he pulled her into in hug, holding her there. "You wouldn't love a second child any less than you do the first, would you?" The question rhetorical, but it hit the mark with Pearl, and Trail knew it. "You wouldn't have denied Nexus a second wife, and you wouldn't have treated a second wife as a lesser individual. Live your life, Pearl, with your family, as you were meant to live it." Trail kissed his daughter's forehead, squeezed her hands before he let go and took her by the shoulders, turning her so that she faced Dravite, Belkaia, Kyanite and Garrison as they gathered to make the trip to their home together. Garrison was snuggly in Dravite's arm, sound asleep already, trusting in the man he would call father. Belkaia lifting Kyanite and settling him into Dravite's other arm. "I love you. Go home, with your family." Trail whispered at her ear, kissed her hair and gave her a gentle nudge.

The trip home was spent in silence by Pearl. She listened to Belkaia and her sister continue their chattering, finding it oddly comforting along the way. She thought of the words her father spoke to her.

Once they arrived at the campsite, Pearl had made peace with herself. It wouldn't always be easy. She knew that. But what marriage ever was? Each set about readying their home for the waking of tomorrow, making room for her, for Garrison. Adjusting. Accepting.

Pearl changed along side Belkaia as the last of Syna's light sunk away, choosing to remain in her undergarments; still slightly shy. Belkaia offered a quiet understanding and a gentle touch to Pearl's arm. "The marks are lovely upon your skin. Welcome home." She had said when she saw Pearl's Lacun mark.

When it was time for rest, when she was called to bed by her husband, and he inquired about her well-being, she smiled. It was no longer the guarded, brave smile. "More than enough, thank you." She said to Dravite. The smile turned to Belkaia for a tick as she settled herself upon the bedding. "You have two to fuss over you now, husband." Pearl lay on the opposite side of Dravite, upon her side, an am curled beneath her head, the curve of her hip barely touching his thigh; too shy for more than that this night.

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by **Nivel** on October 7th, 2015, 6:02 am

Dravite :

Pearl :

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