Michael
Wisdom Serafina
The Throne Room, Vallen

Serafina walked briskly to the throne room after conversing with the cooks in the kitchens to ensure the feast after the wedding would be appropriate. As appropriate as possible given where they were. After surviving veiled threats and interrogation Bradai had cornered her with, the Wisdom spent the remaining time preparing for the wedding by directing servants to adequately decorate the throne room and then taking time to prepare herself and ensure the wedding had the blessing of the gods. 

Though she had intended to be at the Northern wedding, the Wisdom felt it was more respectful to allow it to occur without her and gave Anna permission to do so. Her presence may have soiled the moment. Anna had to renounce her faith in the Frozen Gods. The least the Wisdom could do was let the last ritual to them be performed quietly, in private. 

Letting a group of servants carrying bog flowers - surprisingly beautiful given their environment - up steps before following, she asked. "Did you find everything?" One of the male servants towards the back replied. 
"Yes, Wisdom, the last few decorations and furnishings are being brought up now." Serafina nodded. "Excellent. The wedding will happen begin soon."

As she ascended the remaining steps, a floral scent accosted the her nose and she smiled, satisfied that the scent of bogland had been somewhat masked. A few rearrangements later, the Wisdom stood at the alter and glanced through the room. The chairs had been split and the front of those on the right marked for Lord Pinewood's guests, while the left were reserved for Lady Barrmount's guests. The others would be filled by the remaining raucous nobles who would attend out of curiosity, gossip, and wine rather than support of the marriage. 

———————————————————————————

Serafina made her way down the steps for what felt like the thousandth time that day. She was exhausted and had barely eaten. If she were to be interrogated by one more person or asked a ridiculous question about whether the Gods cared about a change of profession, she might lose her calm demeanour. At the bottom, the woman let her head rest against the cold stone wall, forcing a few deep breaths. As her eyes closed, she sent up a silent prayer for patience, kindness, and wisdom to be imparted to her so she would not stand in the way of the Gods will.

Laughter and conversation bounced off the corridor walls as Serafina arrived at the dining hall to begin directing guests to the Throne Room. Standing at the entrance, the cleared her throat loudly, but gracefully all the same, and waited for people to give her their attention. As she waited, her eyes fell upon the newest addition to the group. Ice Lord Marshall Carter. "Your Majesties, Lords and Ladies. If you would kindly make your way to the Throne Room where the Council was held earlier today we will celebrate the marriage between Lord Kirk Pinewood of Ibethiel and Lady Anna Barrmount of the Iron Plaines. The wedding will begin shortly." Finished with the announcement, Serafina bowed her head respectfully before glancing back at Marshall Carter, a triumphant smirk flitting across her face before directing herself towards Lord Pinewoods chamber to inform him it was time.
Lawrence
Lady Adelhayd Wrencrest
Castle Grunewald, Vallen, Taemar

Adelhayd fixed a stray lock of Anna's pitch hair and smiled as she held the girl's face. "When that Ibbishman sees you like this, I've no doubt that he'll whisper a prayer of thanks to his gods." A bead of a tear glinted in the recess of her eye. She snuffed it out with a hooked finger and sighed. "When I was being dressed for my own wedding, I had a deep sadness in my heart. I'd barely met Bennard beforehand, and the thought of moving so far from home was desolating." She gripped Anna's shoulders. "These things can seem very impersonal, but that doesn't mean they can't lead to good things."

She pursed her lips. She was going to call herself the 'luckiest woman in the Witherlands' as she lived now. But that wasn't true. Over the past few years, she'd been anything but luck. "This isn't how things were ever meant to be, but we can make it better over time. I'll help you as much as I can, even though we may not be able to ... See each other as often as before."

There was little she could do for her own children, she knew. But she was determined to do her best for this one. "Her dried eyes began to glisten again, and she leaned closer. "I love you, Anna. We all love you. And if that man does *Anything* Less, don't hold your tongue about it. Promise me that."
John
**Lord Kirk Pinewood, Verina Crowe, King Dennon Bigsby, and Queen Lucrezia Scheer
Kirk's room, castle Grunewald**

Once all present had come to terms with the inevitability of Kirk's marriage, they began to get ready. The tailor soon returned with Kirk's clothes, but Kirk felt as though he was going to be buried in them.

As they waited, Kirk paced the room nervously, Dennon and Verina sat around sullenly, and Lucrezia smiled as she watched all three, feeling pleased with her political handiwork.

Eventually, there came a knock at the door.

"We'll find out seats if the wisdom has arrived to take you." Lucrezia said. Kirk nodded and opened the door.
Michael
Wisdom Serafina 
Kirk's Room, Castle Grunewald

Serafina waited outside Kirk's room for only a moment before the door was opened and the Queen's face appeared. "Your Majesties." She began, stepping aside to let them pass. "People have already begun seating themselves in the Throne Room. I've marked seats for you in the front row on the right side. If you need help finding them, a servant can point you in the right direction." She smiled and waited for them to leave before entering the room, leaving the door slightly ajar. 

"How are you feeling, Lord Pinewood?" She questioned, moving forward to hand him the blue glass bracelet to wear on his right wrist.
John
**Kirk Pinewood
His room, Castle Grunewald**

Kirk accepted the bracelet and slid it over his wrist. "How do I feel?" He paused. "Nervous. How do I look?"
Michael
Wisdom Serafina
Kirk's Room, Castle Grunewald

"Nervous." Serfina chuckled before studying him more closely. "You look very handsome, Lord Pinewood, and I'm sure Lady Barrmount will look stunning as well."

 "Did you have time to read over the vows I sent you? They are rather impersonal and I know that you and Lady Anna don't know each other well, but feel free to include some of your own thoughts and words." She paused and rested her eyes on his own, feeling sympathy for him. "I'm sorry you are being used as a pawn in all of this Lord Pinewood." She sighed and shook her head. "I consulted with the Gods and they assured me that this marriage would be a happy one despite the circumstances. Fulfillment of your life and Lady Anna's includes this marriage now." 

Serafina made her way back towards the door and held it open for Kirk, gesturing for him to leave the room. "Meet me at the entrance to the staircase leading up to the Throne Room. I need to fetch Lady Anna and we'll meet you there."
John
**Kirk Pinewood
His room, Grunewald Castle**

At the mention of the vows, Kirk looked around for the piece of paper he had been ignoring and pocketed it, thinking he'd have time to look it over at the stairwell.

When the wisdom spoke of the assurances that had been given to her, he chuckled. "I'm glad *The Gods* Think so." Kirk said, thinking about Lucrezia's scheming.

"See you there." He said before leaving the room.

**. . .**

Kirk paced near the bottom of the staircase. It was the first time had been truly left alone the entire day. The wisdom was fetching Anna, and Lucrezia was yelling at Dennon and Verina to help her climb the stairs a few flights ahead. No one would notice if he walked out the castle doors. He had said that he would stay, and he meant it at the time, but knowing how easy it would be, the temptation to flee had a momentary resurgence.

What would he do if he left? Lucrezia would surely send a raven that would arrive at the castle in Hexrakes before Kirk ever crossed the border. She'd have his entire shop surrounded if not destroyed by the time he got there. He'd have no chance of collecting his possessions. He'd be running away with nothing. His uncle would likely kick him out. His father probably wouldn't be able to help. Kirk had long since soured his relations in the trade of black market antiquities. Was the marriage really that terrible? Everyone seemed to like Anna. She had always been kind when she spoke to Kirk. Sure, the Witherlands war to the North might make them political targets, but he had no intention of leaving Ibethiel until the conflict was over anyway. He'd be lying to himself if he said that was his main objection.
** **

The thought of family was one thing that worried him. With his business, he had never had the time to worry about his future beyond work. One needn't worry about siring a child in the warm embrace of a passionate, but a wife? If he and Anna truly got to know and love each other, children would likely come eventually. Would he be ready?

What bothered him most was his lack of choice in the manner. The arrangement was made before he had ever spoken to Anna, and it was made by the person who hated him most in the world. In so many ways, it felt like an embarrassment of riches. Lucrezia gave him a title and land to make his social status more official. He was marrying a beautiful and kind woman, and everyone in his life seemed supportive of the union. Perhaps Lucrezia had a point. Sure, it wasn't his choice, but did he really need to be so bitter about such a wonderful thing?

After glancing one more time down the hallway that led to freedom, he turned away and let out a sigh, not one of longing, but one of peace as he accepted what was to come. Kirk pulled out the wisdom's paper and began looking over the vows.