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“Locusts?” asks Scar.

“Yeah,” replies Potbelly, surprised he hadn’t heard of the little beastie. “It’s a small insect that…”

Dressed in the finest attire that could be found, they stand before where the doors to the temple will be placed once the front wall has been made ready for them. Inside, they hear the final words of Miko, as he finishes the ceremony.

“…together. From this day forward, you James, and you Meliana are one. Forever bound to walk through this life together until the end of your days.” Bent over the Book of Morcyth, Miko looks almost comical in the ceremonial robes of the High Priest. He found a description of what they were to be in the Book of Morcyth and had a set made for this occasion. When he put them on, Scar and Potbelly couldn’t stop laughing, which is why they had the honor to stand guard at the outer door.

He pauses a moment as he scans the pages. Silence hangs over the hall as everyone watches.

“Is that all?” asks James him quietly.

Looking up, Miko says, “Hmm?”

“Is that all?” Meliana asks.

“Oh,” he says and looks up quickly at the assembled guests within the shell that will become the temple. “Uh,” then he returns his eyes to the book and quickly peruses the passage on marriage. “Yes, I do believe so.”

Then James turns Meliana toward him and stares at her for a brief moment. Flowers in her hair and wearing a gown of white with small blue dolphins embroidered along the hem, she’s never looked lovelier. “I love you,” he says.

“I love you too,” she replies then their lips meet. The people in attendance erupt in cheers and clapping.

When he breaks off the kiss, James glances to where Jiron stands beside him. A big smile across his face, Jiron gives him a nod.

Aleya stands as Meliana’s maid of honor, though she’s no longer a maid. When both she and Jiron had finally made it back to The Ranch, they wasted no time in getting married. Now she’s several months along on their first child.

James takes Meliana’s arm in his and turns toward the crowd. He takes a moment to meet the gaze of those who came to share this moment with him. Lord Pytherian stands in his finest clothes, the rest of the Patriarchal Council arrayed on either side of him; Illan in his Black Hawk armor that’s been shined to mirror perfection with the surviving members of Miller’s band, including Fifer who’s having to use a crutch due to his lost leg,; Brother Willim and the two remaining members of the Hand of Asran; Delia and Tersa stand with a much improved though still solemn Tinok as well as Shorty, Stig and Reilin; the Recruits, most of whom have their families in attendance; Roland, Ezra, Arkie, and Aku whom they have taken into their family; and finally Ceryn who was the first person he met after coming to this world.

Then he steps forward and the crowd parts, creating an aisle to the front door. James and Meliana walk down the aisle as music begins to fill the air. He glances over to Perrilin where he and several other bards strike up a festive tune. Perrilin smiles and gives him a nod which he returns.

Meliana’s father is there beaming with pride. How many men’s daughters have such important people in attendance at their marriage? James pauses a moment when they reach his side. “Thank you sir,” he says. It took some doing in getting all this arranged in such short order. But when he asked Meliana to marry him, she went into high gear and got it all arranged.

“You do my daughter right now,” her father says.

“I shall,” he replies. With a grin to his bride, he says again, “Rest assured I shall.” Then they resume their trek to the main entrance where Scar and Potbelly stand guard.

“…and that’s why I said they’re like a horde of locusts,” concludes Potbelly. Noticing that the newlyweds are on their way, he nudges Scar in the side and they take their positions to either side of the entrance. Standing straight and tall, they draw their swords and hold them up with the tips touching to form an arch that the couple will pass through.

The courtyard grows quiet in expectation