116. The Wedding

The rest of the morning was one thing right after another up to the point that Novum had to go and get changed for the ceremony. The weather could not have been more perfect as Novum stood by the lake with Theren, Rurik, and Earl Lyons beside him. Crystal was standing at the front to perform the ceremony. They did not need to have a person form the church to do it, but it was a tradition that they thought would be important for the locals.

Novum checked to make sure that Theren still had the ring on him and was not going to try and prank him at the last minute and then blew out a long breath. He was probably more nervous with this wedding that his last one. It was not very often that a man got a second chance to marry the woman that he loved more than anything. And without the books and other distractions he was sure that he could get it right this time. Although some people might be a little concerned about the war that he was in, but that was probably a shorter term commitment than the books that he wrote.

Just a few minutes after he checked the ring a man that Melissa recommended played a tune and everyone stood up and turned to watch as Shannon walked down the isle. Aureus, Jane, and Melissa were standing at on her side and Lady Aureus was walking her down the isle. Since she did not have anyone they felt that this was the best course of action. It did go against a lot of traditions but no one was willing to say anything to Novum or the Lyons family about it. They had already learned these two men that both started as commoners did not and would not bow to them and their traditions.

When he saw her, much like in his last life, Novum went a little weak in the knees and Theren had to put a hand on him to keep him stable. "Thanks brother. Same thing happened last time as well."

"Can't say that I blame you. I had the same reaction to two of my five wives. Happy for you, young man."

Shannon made her way all the way to the front and stepped up in front of Crystal. Lady Lyons flipped her veil and gave her a gentle hug and then went and sat on the seat that was reserved for her. Shannon turned and looked at him with a huge smile on her face. "Glad we get to do this."

"Me too. I was worried someone would attack during the ceremony."

"Only if they are after a short life." While the two whispered back and forth Crystal went through all of the formal stuff and the two of them provided the right answers at the right times. They had timed it perfectly and they shared their first kiss just as the sun set over the lake. There was a collective sigh and awe of contentment that went through the audience. There was no doubt that there were a lot of younger ladies that had already planned an entire wedding around the view that they just saw.

Crystal stepped forward and did the formal introductions of the now married couple. Novum suddenly felt that something was wrong and quickly put himself between Shannon and the crowd. A few people in the crowd screaming in fear and confusion as an arrow appeared in Novum's back. Before anyone else could day anything Theren had his bow out and had locked onto the target. Novum grunted through the pain. "Cripple don't kill."

"I know that dumb ass." He released the arrow that he had at full draw and a split second later a man screamed in the distance. "Svety go and fetch that please but do not kill it just drag it back kicking and screaming."

Rurik nodded towards Crystal who nodded back at him. Without any warning he jerked the arrow out of his back. Novum grunted even louder as the arrow came out. Crystal hit him with a cure poison spell as well as a healing spell. A purple smoke floated up from the wound as the poison on the arrow was destroyed and the hole in his back quickly closed back up.

Novum kissed Shannon on the cheek. He could see that not only was she not afraid at the moment but she was really pissed off. He turned to the crowd and gave out a shrill whistle. "Sorry for the interruption people. Go on inside and find your seats and try some of the amazing dessert tasters that have been put out. They will hold you over until the meal starts. I need to get this matter cleared up and then we will get dinner started. Also, if you do not feel comfortable staying here that is fine just be careful on your trip back home."

The members of the crowd seemed to calm down as his words and headed into the dining area of the manor. They were all mumbling and freaked out by the entire situation but they had all learned that when Novum said something that it was the truth as far as he knew it. Once the crowd was gone a few of the people joined the couple.

"Baby, would you like to head on inside?"

"Nope, this asshole almost ruined my wedding. He and I are going to have some words." Novum was suddenly wondering if his conscious would have been better off killing the guy and not turning Shannon loose on him. But then he felt the tight skin on his back and remembered that it was aimed at her and he got over it.

When the group got to the where Svetlana was sitting on the back of a bleeding man with one of his ankles in her mouth Shannon seemed to loose what little restraint she had left. Lightning was coating her hands as she marched forward.

"Svety come over here." The cat jumped off the man and ran to Theren's side. She could sense the killing intent that Shannon was giving off and it made her a little uncomfortable.

The man rolled over on his back and it looked like he was reaching for something but before he could mount any type of defense, Shannon reached out with her lightning covered hand and grabbed the man in his most sensitive point. The man screamed and tried to curl up in a little ball. Even before he got that far he threw up all over himself.

"Who sent you?"

"I am not going."

Before the man could even finish his thought she grabbed him in the same spot and fed more and more energy into his hand until they could all smell the burning. "Crystal would you be so kind?"

"I will do it, though I am not sure it could be considered kind."

Once he was healed Shannon started the lightning once again. "Okay wait. The earl hired me. Ten thousand gold for you. And he said he would double it, if I killed you during the ceremony."

"Is that so." The lightning started getting bigger and bigger again.

Novum reached out and pulled her close. "It is fine beautiful. We will send this one to the capitol for the Duke to deal with as he sees fit and then after the honeymoon we will take a few of our colleagues and take a short trip and deal with the source of the problem."

"Can I roast his chestnuts as well?"

"I will not promise you that. I can only tell you that if the opportunity comes up I will not deny it to you."

"Thanks babe. Your the best."

"Okay everyone I am going to get changed out of this bloody shirt and then we will be down. Your four take him to the cells for holding. He will be dealt with tomorrow. Oh, if you try to run, when you get back I will let her roast them a few times before I send you to the capitol. You might not want to even think about it." A few outfit changes and the couple entered the reception area. A few of the local nobles brought gifts as was tradition. The nobles had learned a long time ago that Novum would be happy with practical things that did not cost a lot than showing things like a lot of other nobles. The gifts this time were all practical but none of them were cheap.

There were a few bottles of wine and barrels of ale that showed that a lot of the nobles had learned quickly. More than likely they listened to the younger generation when it came to the gifts and they were all very thoughtful. The Earl and Lady Lyons presented Shannon with a set of armor and sword that went with the new fighting style that she was learning. The Earl also presented Novum with a few pouches of exotic smokes that he might enjoy.

When the line finally ended the Duke stood up. "First off I would like to congratulate the young couple on their marriage. You are both huge assets for this region and give us all hope for a more prosperous future. And for my gift to you all the lands and people in your care will have half taxes for this year." This got a huge cheer from the crowd. The Duke raised his glass. "To Baron Novum and his beautiful bride."