27

Blessings for fertility always seem a bit strange to you, seeing as the couple is sure to try their darndest regardless of your intentions. But you never knew. A wife who couldn't bear children in these days was not looked highly upon by herself nor the community. You don't want her to go through something like that, and you recite the prayer as they smile.

Your stomach growls as the rest of the families carry on with their blessings. A feast the likes of which your stomach has never digested awaits you just several lengths away, but this ceremony is barely half over. "To those who wish to read along, open to Municipalities five, chapter fourteen." Ah yes, the reading section of this ordeal. You grab one of the books from the back of the pew in front of you, as do many others in attendance. For the majority of them, it is just for appearances sake; the ability to read is not terribly common as of yet. You should count yourself lucky!

Let's see…Municipalities…you flip through pages quickly until your eyes freeze.

Protations IV.

Silvanus's words—whispered just as soon as you had left him—resound within your mind. This morning seems like forever ago, with all the fuss about wedding preparations. He was trying to tell you something, something written on chapter seven in sentence ten! Your eyes scour the pages until you come across the correct set of words.

"And it was then known that which was spoken is falsehood; let truth then be revealed under the moon's light whence paths first crossed."

You aren't sure how many times you read and re-read that phrase. Falsehoods and moonlight…if your interpretation is correct, something isn't right, and Silvanus wants to meet you at midnight where 'paths first crossed.' So that means…

"Ronald Dunhall! Git yer head out of the book, I swear. A growin' girl who'd rather read scribbles then eat a feast…" Your mother snaps you back into reality, and you notice that the chapel is now mostly empty.

The ceremony has ended, and a far more joyous and drunken celebration has taken its place. You enjoy the food and drink as best you can, but that passage remains stuck in your head. Why did Silvanus have to lie? What was he hiding? A slap on the lower-back area breaks you out of your thoughts. A drunk Bregan is to blame.

"Aha! Ronald Dunhall! Ah been lookin' for yaaaaaa…hahaha…" You find your personal space to be invaded; your childhood friend's face now hangs but inches from yours. It is brimming with boyish chuckles, no doubt the effects of merriment. It is safe to say he has had one too many ales to drink. "*hiccup* Ah heard from tha smithy what ya offered for my—*hic*—birthday. And here ah thought you'd forgotten 'bout me, hehe…" Curse that Gundrik, couldn't keep a secret if his life depended on it.

The redhead wraps a friendly arm around you, perhaps more than a little friendly. Night is falling quickly, and your head is in a completely different place. It is probably best you start heading home. Bregan doesn't quite like the idea of you bailing out early, however. "Y-you can't leave yet! Have some more ta drink, have some fun!"