16.5
Once again Jewel was at a wedding in Kaeketeh, but unlike her own so many years ago she now found herself in Bathory’s place. Overseeing a seemingly endless number of people who had to all be informed and invited and properly welcomed to the event.
Her vassals and their families had poured into the city, their households, those that yet lived in the opulence of middle town, relations from outside of Viznove itself. Again two youths from the twin cities of Bledaten & Pyrenean were sent, although it was a different pair then had come to the Capital of the Realm.
Jewel leaned on the experience of the staff of the Kaeketeh Manor to manage the exorbitant insanity of the event itself, Dariusz of course was involved in the kitchens but Jewel’s kitchenmaster and his family were only one small part of the festivities that were being arranged.
But no one but the Countess could take the role of this responsibility.
“The honorable house of Rochford and the Shining Countess of Viznove welcomes the esteemed guests.”
The Crier was a new voice and face for Jewel, risen up from the Kaeketeh Guard, he spoke with an intensity and fervor Jewel had seen grow in Viznove’s capital year after year until it was stranger to see a native of the city who didn't speak her name in the same tones as the gods.
“Lord Mertod of of Ox glen”
The man who entered the feasting hall was much as Jewel remembered from her tour, he only had finery in so much as he wore wyrmspun wool with the colors of his house on display. Her plans to direct laborers from other vassals to help enrich him and aid in developing the densely forested hill-land surrounding the Ox Glen had been utterly waylaid by the war with Magarska.
He bowed to her deeply and spoke the proper words for propriety before taking his place at the feasting table with those of her direct vassals that had already arrived, a number that Jewel had still failed to properly consolidate.
Again due to the tumult of war.
“Lady Petra of Ostara”
The woman that entered had finer weaving on her dress, embroideries of some quality and cost on display, she seemed more wizened then Jewel remembered, more years then the six that had passed seemed to have etched their way onto the Lady’s face.
Jewel acknowledged her bow, although there was a slight echo of pain that Jewel caught from the woman’s back and hips. As a non-martial lady Petra had by the last letter Jewel read managed to find laborers to reopen and expand the mines of her demesne while so many men were raised.
Light’s End was easily accessible to her via the Ogien and well tread roads and unlike most of Viznove during the war the port city where the Vah left Jewel’s county had men to spare to work those lands.
Even in the years since the war Ostara was thriving. She unsurprisingly took her place at the table next to the current Lord Mayor of the River City. Jewel expected she would be hearing whispers of what future deals Light’s End would offer for Ostaran Copper.
“March Watcher and Lord General Sergej of the Juhvizvah Pass”
For all that the title would one day pass to the young Kliatbatrn the honor and glory won by following Jewel into the battle that had seen Murad and all his princes dead had enriched the March Lord, among her Vassals that had gone to war Sergej was now very well liked.
Among those that had paid their obligations in war with silver Jewel’s apparent favor in granting him the position did the rest.
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He arrived in finery that while not strictly show armor still had lines of silver accenting the rich blacks and reds of Viznove. The Heads of her vassals turned to him and he, like all those before him, bowed to her and offered the expected courtly statements.
After her immediate Vassals then came those guests which were due honor but not immediate acknowledgement. Second and third sons of Vassals that would not attend, even the guild head of the Tanners guild.
But finally the most honored arrival of the day was announced.
“Countson Imre of House Thurzó, Heir of Arva, Friend and Ally of Viznove!”
Neither High King Mathias or the elder Thurzó were well enough to travel, but her friend, neighbor and ally was represented by his son.
Which was one welcoming Jewel was more than happy to make!
Little Imre had grown into quite a fine young man, wearing his house’s colors well, white and blue with silver and gold thread to detail and interweave their family crest into every inch of the garments upon him.
He walked up to her and even offered a quarter bow of respect, before standing with the straight posture of one ready to make an announcement, after a brief pause to quiet the hall’s murmurs he went into his speech, the awkwardness and fear of the child was gone from him, a fine close cut beard on his chin, dark curly hair hanging down to either side of his jaw.
“Shining Countess of Viznove, on behalf of Arva and my Father and House Thurzó, I Imre, Heir of Thurzó formally request the right to court your sister Gwenn of Rochford. As a sign of my sincerity in this effort I offer up this token to you.”
with all the grace proper of a countson Imre undid the clasp of a medallion around his neck. Jewel’s nostrils flared ever so slightly as the hated whiff of saffron struck her in the nose. But she held back all disgust from her face as the man then raised up a familiar medallion towards her for inspection.
“In a foolish and fearful boy’s youth this was given by the Countess in her patience and mercy, a sign of protection against childish terrors and good will to me and my father. I now offer it back, for there is no such fear to be had between our families or myself with her, a proof of my sincerity in seeking the hand of your sister, to hold and treasure for however long we both should live.”
It was little Imre’s keep sake, his childhood talisman that helped him conquer his fear of her as a child!
Jewel considered the man now offering the gift to her, a towering wyrm, the very thing that had required the farce of it. She smelled no true fear on him, just a trickle of nervous sweat and worry, nothing like the terror of a stranger facing a Wyrm large enough to bite down on the root of his thighs without his head meeting the back of her throat.
She shifted in her elegant posture, belly on the stone of the feasting hall, rolling to the side as her arm came out from under her chest. Foreclaw reaching forward to gently pluck the medallion between thumb and pointer claw. The trinket reeked of fresh saffron. Just as it had that first day he’d been given it.
Jewel clasped it gently in her palm and settled with it safely tucked against her side then nodded to him.
“I hope that my sister finds you fitting, for it will be her heart you must win, but I am honored to be given such a gift in all the valor and sincerity it was given, be welcome to my hospitality Imre of Arva, friend of Viznove.”
She really did hope that Gwenn took to the boy, the way his face lit up with hope and nerves left a warmth in Jewel’s chest that only peripherally had anything to do with her flame. His face was so much like his father’s but softer, less sharpened by the trials of office, or etched with wrinkles of worry.
It seemed like he genuinely wanted to make her sister happy.
With the most honored guest for the evening’s feast acknowledged the meal could begin, Jewel nodded to Imre and he walked up to take his place (at Gwenn’s insistence) on her sister’s left. Well within reach that Jewel could lower her head down to whisper in his ear if it was called for.
Also well within reach of throttling by Alexander if the letters of Imre’s character proved to be exaggerated. Not that Jewel expected her sister would need either of her siblings to intervene, she was more than a match for either of the Twins on their own in a spar.
After he was settled she shifted, raising her head high, the slight ruffle of her wings enough to signal for silence.
“Guests of Viznove, Vassals, Allies, Family and Friends from distant lands, I welcome you to my table and to the upcoming wedding of my Brother Lord Alexander of House Rochford to the Barondottir Monika of House Kliatbatrn may the stars bless their union Tommorrow!”
And with that Jewel began yet another welcoming Feast in the hall of Kaeketeh Keep.