Ember Moon RPG

[jessimyre]

Raevyn hurried into the village square, her heart beating fast and her breath coming in gasps. She had run all the way from the bottom field just as soon as she had finished feeding Thoma, her father's cart horse.

She threaded her way through the gathering crowd until she was near her father - a great bear of a man who stood a good head and shoulders above most of the other villagers - and her mother who was as tiny as her father was large.

Raevyn looked around in the gathering darkness. Many torches around the square had been lit to illuminate the gathering. On the platform by Sovereign Michan's home three men were standing, waiting for everyone to assemble. She made out Michan easily, his fine clothes and hat of office making him look a lot smarter than he usually did. Beside him was his son Eathan who - rumour had it - would soon be taking over Sovereignship and finally, a stranger dressed in the black and blue uniform of a servant of the crown. The stranger who bore an important message.

The whole village was squeezed into the square now, fisherman, farmers from the outer-lying steads, vegetable growers, hunters, all had come and brought their families. The small tavern in the village would do a roaring trade tonight, she predicted.

The air was still and a tide of conversation ebbed and flowed around her. Nobody had any idea what the news may be and a message from Erin was so rare that curiosity was piqued.

[twilightblade]

Aidin had just finished washing up after delivering the last of the goats back to their homes and was looking forward to getting a bite to eat before going to bed...and now this summons for the whole village. Everyone was packed into the square with a soft murmuring coming from the many rumours that were circulating. All he had caught was that a servant of the crown had come, and everyone had to hear his message.

Taking advantage of his climbing skills honed in the mountains, he made his way upon onto the roof of Sovereign Michan's home, couting on the many shadows cast by the torchlight to conceal his movements. This would be the perfect place to overhear it all, as well as see what was going on.

[blossom]

Aria was busy preparing dinner when the summons came. She heard raised voices outside, and the sound of footsteps running up and down the wooden stairs. Then her older sister burst into the kitchen, clamouring excitedly about Sovereign Michan summoning everyone in the village to the square. Their parents and the farmhands were already on their way.

Hurriedly, Aria blew out the stove and then ran hand-in-hand with her sister out of the farm and up the hill towards the village square without even bothering to remove her apron. They were breathless by the time they reached the crowd of villagers that almost filled the square. The air was filled with whisperings and everyone people craned to get a view of the assembled nobles on the platform outside Sovereign Michan's home.

Smaller than almost all of the village, Aria could see nothing but the backs of her neighbours. Still, being small had its advantages. Ducking beneaths arms, she threaded her way between the villagers, only using her elbows once or twice to part people, until she was near the front of the gathering. As she came out she caught sight of one or two faces she knew, who smiled in greeting.

As she straighted up, she thought she caught sight of someone crouched on top of Sovereign Mican's roof, silhouetted against the moonlight. But that had to be her imagination, surely? Why would anyone be on the roof?

Her attention was snatched away though as Michan stepped forward on the platform, and the swell of conversation abruptly gave way to an expectant hush. Were they finally to be told why they were here?

[jessimyre]

The stranger beside Michan cleared his throat and the people in the square fell silent.

"Good people of Doorn!" he announced, clearly having briefed himself on the village's name beforehand.

"I am here to bring a proclomation from his Royal Highness King Thaumann The Third of Erindoor." he began. The silence was expectant.

"The King requires an audience with all unmarried young people under the age of 25 and over the age of 15 on the first day of summer. This is a compulsory audience, if you fit this description you must attend.

As the first day of Summer is not more than six weeks away I suggest that the young people from this village leave without delay. That is all."

And the stranger sat down. Voices rose immediately, the hubbub of many confused questions and speculations. What could be the reason for the visit to the King?

Michan remained standing forward and he raised his hands.

"Peace, my friends. Peace!" he called in a booming tone. Silence fell once more.

"We must abide by the summons." he called. "A party will be leaving at dawn tomorrow. I expect to see all our young unmarried folk ready to leave no later than when the first ray of light hits the tower. You may leave."

And the wild discussions and gossip rose again. Many began moving immediately, some to hurry home to pack in excitement, some to spend the last time with their sons and daughters wishing them well and giving advice. Most however headed to the tavern, proving Raevyn correct.

Raeyvin herself didn't move immediately. She stared into her mother's eyes, excitement building at the chance to see something of the world. Her mother's eyes filled with tears and then her father touched both women on the arm, guiding them home to prepare.

[twilightblade]

Aidin didn't waste any time springing down from the roof and hurrying around the back of the house to slip toward his own home. He would get some bread and cheese, then go to see the older man who would have to take over for him.

Questions buzzed at the back of his mind but he shoved them away. Right now was not the time to worry over why the king wanted so many people around his age. Was there a war? No...no... Eat first, see Ezral, then pack. He would find out what was going on later. The important thing right now was to figure out what he would need to take with him.

[blossom]

Aria moved off slowly with the crowd, deaf to the swell of whispers and conversations around her. Her mind was filled with the stranger's speech; what could the king want with so many young, unmarried people? What purpose could they possibly serve? Aria felt a little quiver of fear run down her spine, but at least she would be with friends she had known since childhood.

She was distracted by a pair of hands seizing her arm in an iron grip, and turned to look into a pair of large, frightened grey eyes.

"Aria," her sister whispered, "Aria, my wedding's not for three more weeks! What do I do?"

"I ... I don't know," Aria shook her head.

Tears were gathering in her sister's eyes. "All I want is to marry Luke and start a family here. That's all I've ever wanted. I can't leave."

Aria paused, biting her lip in indecision.

"Alright. Then you'll have to get married tonight. We'll find Luke and go to the church. Come on."

Squeezing her sister's hand in reassurance, Aria pulled her into the crowd still filling the square. If this was to be the last night she spent with her family, then it should be one of happiness and celebration.

[jessimyre]

Sorry Blossom I didn't know your character's sister's name so I invented one... can change it if you like

Raevyn had packed what little she had immediately, flitting around their tiny cottage and keeping out of reach of her mother's arms. She spent a lot of her time reassuring her distressed mother that she would be fine, and the rest of it taking advice from her father.

She only had a little to pack. The only fine dress she had for their audience with the king, an old skirt, a pair of boys pants cut short to fit her, two blouses and a warm travelling cloak that was coated in beeswax to help keep it waterproof. Her father included a sharp knife in a sheath, a water canteen and a hoofpick. She frowned questioningly at the hoofpick. Her father just smiled. "It may come in handy, you'd be suprised what you can do with one of these." he touched it softly before folding it into his daughter's hand.

At that moment there was a hasty knocking on the cottage door. Her father's forehead creased in puzzlement as he opened it. A boy stood on the threshold, panting as though he'd run from clear the other end of the village. Raevyn recognised him at once, he was Ben, Aria and Arianna's young cousin.

"Come quick!" he gasped, eyes dancing, "To the church!" and without waiting for an answer he dashed away again.

The little family hurried out into the evening, toward the little church in the town square. The candles were lit, but there was only a couple of people there.

Luke and his very best friend Danne who was already married were standing nervously up the front, Danne trying to smooth Luke's hair and sooth his nerves. As Raevyn entered the little building she glanced around and her eyes met those of Aria's.

[blossom]

Fine by me!

As it turned out, Luke had also been searching for Arianna in the crowd with the same thought. Once they were agreed they would marry tonight and had secured the priest's agreement, they had said they would meet in an hour for the ceremony and hurried to their homes to get ready.

Everyone at the farm had gone into a panic of preparation when Aria had told them the news. Her brothers and cousins went to tell all the neighbours of the celebration, and her mother and aunts disappeared into a bedroom to ready the bride. Aria, meanwhile, went to her own room to quickly pack so she could enjoy the rest of the night.

It didn't take very long as she had few enough possessions to take; a couple of spare sets of clothes and her best dress, a blanket and warm cloak and an old pair of trousers that had once been one of her brothers'. Her father came to check on her and gave her a knife, a length of rope and some first aid supplies. "Just in case."

Then it was time to go to the church.

Arianna looked beautiful, in the white linen wedding dress that had been passed down through their family for five generations. Their mother had constucted a wreath of flowers that adorned her head, and her long dark hair fell in loose waves down her back.

A few of their neighbours were already in the church, waiting for the ceremony to begin. Luke was stood at the altar with his best man, Danne, who was already married to one of Arianna's friends. He caught Aria's eye as she entered and she smiled reassuringly to say her sister wouldn't be long.

A few more entered as they waited, and Aria recognised Raevyn, the blacksmith's daughter. She would be one of those leaving the next morning with Aria. Meeting her eyes, Aria smiled and lifted a hand in greeting. She wondered if Raevyn was as nervous as she was now the prospect of leaving the village had become so real.

[jessimyre]

sorry I invented a surname and parents names too... can change them just say...

Raevyn grinned widely as soon as she realised what was happening. She returned Aria's wave cheerfully and she and her parents found their seats. A couple more people entered behind them and then, in the expectant hush the door opened and Aria's mother entered the church. Speaking the age old words, she announced the arrival of the bride.

"My good friends, my family who have honoured us by being here today. In the names of the Gods and with their holy blessing may I bring forth Arianna Thatcher, daughter of Reuben and Mary Thatcher, who comes here to pledge her love and life before these witnesses in good faith and purity of heart?"

The priest, old Kaeburn who had been in the village for as long as anyone could remember smiled happily as he opened his hands wide, palms up and answered her.

"You may, my child."

Mary Thatcher ruturned to the door, opening it wide to reveal her daughter standing on the threshold. She took her arm and together mother and bride walked slowly up the aisle. Raevyn smiled, so happy for her friends who were clearly head over heels for eachother. Even now they never took their eyes off one another as Mary guided her daughter forward. The priest chuckled quietly.

The ceremony began.

[twilightblade]

Aidin had eaten quickly, fast enough that he thought Ezral would still be up, and hurried out the door. Now he stood outside Ezral's small cot and shook his head. The older man wasn't home, and from the way it looked, he was still out and about in the village. He turned away and started back toward the square, then noticed the small stream of people still hurrying toward the church...and the brightly-lit doorway was enough to tell him where most of the village had gone. He crossed the road and leaned against the wall of the church, peering in through the window.

So, Arianna Thatcher was marrying Luke tonight? Aidin grinned and shook his head. He should have known. And Danne was there, standing in. He shifted position to see better, deciding against going into the church until the ceremony was over. If he tried to slip in now, he'd only disrupt things. Well, he'd be ready with a little music for them afterwards as his gift.

[blossom]

The ceremony was not a long one, but Aria found its beauty enhanced because of that; Arianna and Luke made the traditional vows to walk together through life, to be each other's companion and confident, to remain true to each other during their trials and share in each other's joys. Arianna's face was alight the whole time with a beatific smile, and Aria couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy amidst her happiness for her sister that Arianna knew so certainly what she wanted out of life.

The priest ending the ceremony with the age-old blessing:

"You have vowed to bind yourselves to each other in love and compassion, to never be parted and to always be true. May God bless you as you begin your lives together, and grant you many long and happy years. By the power invested in me by Him and His church, I now pronounce you man and wife."

The watching villagers clapped and cheered as Luke bent to kiss his bride. The wedding ceremony may have been over, but the celebration was only just beginning.

[twilightblade]

Aidin had started to play softly as the villagers in the church burst out clapping and cheering, then swung into a loud and cheerful dancing tune, letting the notes skirl out into the evening to announce to all that could hear...a wedding celebration was to begin.

Heads began to pop out of doors and windows as he circled once around the square. Torches began to blossom, refilling the square with firelight, a couple set up some tables. A mandolin joined in the music, and another flute added its voice. By the time the happy couple and their family had come from the church, an impromptu band had formed and was playing the wedding dance.

Aidin took his pipes from his lips for long enough to call out, "Heya, Luke! Give the lady a twirl and start the dancing!"

[jessimyre]

Raevyn enjoyed the short, beautiful ceremony and cheered as loudly as any other when Luke kissed his bride. Before long the friends and family, still congratulating the delighted couple spilled out of the church and into the square.

Music was playing - Raevyn spotted Aidin with his pipes seemed to be leading the impromptu band - and up near the tavern old lady Chevington was directing the placing of tables and some cloths. She and her helpers had raided their larders and were putting out some hams, fruits, cheeses and wine for the guests.

It seemed there was going to be a party. Aidin called out to Luke to take centre stage with his new wife and the couple whirled around the centre of the square laughing with hapiness.

Raevyn clapped her hands in time to the music and as the newlywed's parents and best friends took the floor to join them, she looked around for a likely dance partner.

"Come on, Peter!" she cried in delight, grasping the young boy who had run to her door earlier to tell them of the wedding by the hands and towing him onto the dancefloor. Others joined them and soon the square was full of whirling, spinning bodies. The whole town had joined them for one last night of revelry before the real world claimed them in the morning.

Peter laughed, he was only ten years old, but Raevyn was good friends, she had often helped mind him as a baby. Before long Peter bowed out to dance with his mother and Raevyn found herself whirled off by the groom whilst the new bride shared a dance with her father.

The exceitement and festivities lasted long into the night. It was not quite over when Raevyn decided to call it a night. She found the newlyweds back in one another's arms again and congratulated them once more before saying her goodbyes - it was unlikely they would be awake to see her off in the morning.

On her way out of the square, Raevyn wished a good night to all she passed, and waved to Aria and Aidin who were too far away to hear her voice. She made her way home to see that her parents had already gone to bed.

Exhausted, Raevyn washed herself, changed into her nightgown and tumbled into her cot-bed, falling asleep quickly.

[blossom]

Aria clapped along in time with the music as the young people of the village took to the square and began dancing; tonight was not just a celebration of Luke and Arianna's wedding, it was a farewell to all those who would be leaving in the morning. Aria kept to one side to begin with, but Harrin, one of her new brother-in-law's friends, soon persuaded her to join in the revelry.

"Come on!" he appeared at her side, eyes bright and smiling, clearly having been drinking. "Dance with me!"

He grabbed her hand and pulled her into the square. They whirled about, spinning around the other couples. Aria found herself laughing along with Harrin, and as the traditional dance dictated they passed from partner to partner until the music ended.

When the next song struck up, Aria's hand was claimed by Luke for a dance. She congratulated him on his marriage, and he wished her luck for the journey she would take the next day. Aria had always been glad that she liked the man her sister loved; she would have hated to feel Arianna had married someone unworthy of her.

The night stretched on. Aria eventually felt tiredness pressing down on her shoulders, and thought it was probably time to go home for the evening. She saw Raevyn waving on the other side of square, obviously having come to the same conclusion.

She bid goodnight to her family and the newlyweds, and waved to her friends before returning home. She was the first one back to the farm, and made her way through the dark house to the room she used to share with her sister.

Eyes already closing, she pulled her nightgown on and fell onto the bed. She whispered a quick prayer for the journey ahead and for her sister, and then sleep claimed her.

[Kage Chaos]

WAIT FOR ME!!! lol

[twilightblade]

lol. You said it. We/they work too fast!