Spellfire - Ed Greenwood [142]
"Aye!" came the cry from a hundred throats.
"Aye, we have heard ye. We have heard all, save Narm and Shandril. What say ye two? Will ye bleed for each other?"
"Aye," said Shandril, first as was the custom.
Suddenly she was dry-throated.
"Aye," Narm said, as quietly.
"Then let ye be so joined," Rathan said solemnly, and took their left hands in each of his. Mourngrym stepped forward with his dagger drawn.
In the throng nearby, Jhessail and Elminster tensed.
Now their protection on Mourngrym might be tested by someone seeking to compel him to strike at the young couple. Rathan's face, too, was tense as he watched.
Gravely the Lord of Shadowdale reached out his dagger and carefully pricked the upturned backs of the two hands, Shandril's first. Then he wiped the blade upon the turf before them, kissed it, and put it away. He stepped back in silence.
"Now, as we told thee," Rathan whispered to them, and stepped back.
Narm and Shandril brought their bloodied hands to each other's mouths, and then stepped into each other's arms and kissed, embracing fiercely. A cheer arose from those watching.
"Of one blood, joined, are Narm and Shandril,"
Rathan said. "Let no being tear asunder this holy union, or face the dark face of Tymora forevermore."
Above their heads, the spinning disc flashed with sudden, intense light. There were cries of surprise and wonder.
"See the sign of the goddess!" Rathan shouted. "Her blessing is upon this union!"
The disc rose, shining brightly, as Narm and Shandril stepped back, hands clasped, to watch.
From it sprang two shafts of white radiance, with a noise like high, jangling harping. They stretched down, one to touch Narm and the other Shandril.
Narm stood motionless, smiling, eyes wide in astonishment as he felt power rushing through him, cleansing and strengthening him. At the touch of the light, Shandril burst into flames, and as she moved to embrace Narm in wild joy, her spellfire rose above them both in a great teardrop of rising flame. Their clothes blazed and were gone, but their hair and bodies were unharmed.
Elminster clucked disapprovingly and began to move his hands in the gestures of a weaving of art, muttering spell phrases unheard by those around him.
The Harpers stepped from trees all about, then, to play The Ride of the Lion on many harps that shone and glittered in the bright light of Tymora.
For a moment it seemed that another Lady stood with Elminster and the bridal couple on the fire-scarred flagstones, a smiling lady with silver hair. Only Jhessail saw the wraith-like figure before it faded silently away again. "Sylune!" Jhessail whispered, and tears came into her eyes.
Robes of illusion enclothed Narm and Shandril as the flame died down. Rathan shouted, "It is done! Go forth in joy! A feast awaits you at the tower of Ashaba! Dance, all!"
Jhessail came forward amid the happy tumult then to where Elminster, Mourngrym, the clerics, and Storm stood guard about the happy couple, smiling.
"It is done," she said softly, and kissed them both.
"It is time for me to give you what was given to Merith and I upon our wedding day. Foes are gathering even now in the woods to take you, and there will be battle. Mind you fly high, and take no part."
Elminster gravely began the casting of a spell of flight upon Shandril, and Jhessail did the same upon Narm. When they were done, Elminster said gruffly,
"Remain aloft no more than ye must-this magic will not last forever. Go, now!" He guided them into another embrace, and patted Shandril's back awkwardly. "Rise!" he bid them, "before the fighting reaches us!"
Shandril thanked them all, and then, in Narm’s embrace, rose slowly from the earth. Both were silent in awe as they rose up through a clearing sky together. The bright disc of Tymora silently rose with them and followed, leaving Rathan staring up into the sky. "I do hope Tymora sends me back her holy symbol," be said, watching the faint radiance moving eastward over the forest.
"And I hope," Storm said as gently, "that they have the sense