<br/><div class="floatright">(https://img00.deviantart.net/9350/i/2013/067/7/5/prince_ivan_wolf_by_mad_sama-d5xbtav.jpg)</div><br/>Auren's initial surprise was quickly replaced by a look of bemusement, especially when Serana began her introduction with a putdown of his clerical brother.  He returned he elegant gesture crossing an arm over his chest and giving a short, stiff bow, holding his posture and  rising back up slowly.  He didn't return her introduction--her own had been quite unnecessary, only the slowest peasant could have not known immediately who she was.  As for the Crown Prince, he'd already discovered about two months ago that they were already putting his likeness on silver dinars across the continent.<br/><br/>"Although there certainly is something to say for the old traditions."  Specifically, there was something about her charming tilt of voice that made him wish he'd had the religious bathing they were both supposed to be subjected to before they met.  He'd been riding all morning... at least it had been a cool day, so he wasn't sweaty.<br/><br/>He took her cold steel gauntlet and pressed it softly to his lips.  On the one hand, there was no denying how offputting that helm was, particularly when it simply appeared from the shadows.  And the way she had said "face to face" had sounded totally sincere, but could have only been meant with irony.  Couldn't it?  But she spoke so smoothly, with a comforting, feminine voice.  Marion had a reputation as an isle of witches.  Perhaps she meant to put him under some kind of spell... words were the weapon of many of magical practicioner.  Still, her accent, eloquence, and bearing made her frightening appearance almost seem soothing.  And the bold way she'd introduced herself... along with declaring her desire that he be ambitious.  It was held to be axiomatic that a wife who wished to see her husband be great was the surest guarantee he would be so.<br/><br/>"Your manners and breeding are every bit noble as I've heard," he said.  Allaran, whose face had gone stern and pale at the sudden strike from the blue, showed signs of life at the word "breeding" and gave Auren a sly look, which the Crown Prince returned as if to say<em>'Didn't you say they were all being washed, dressed, or blessed?'</em>"Already I feel we owe Marion a debt.  Might we go arm and arm as my brother escorts us through the temple?  We only have a few moments for each other's company, and once we've wed you must share me."<br/><br/>"Yes," Allaran said reproachingly, his eyes widening like a schoolmaster threatening a little pest.  "The both of you must be stripped and then scrubbed!"  He clicked his heel awkwardly as he turned and led them through the chamber, stained glass letting the sun stream through holes in the ceiling high above and illuminating the massive room.  This temple wasn't full of Gods, but rather statues of the ruling family themselves, 9 Emperors and 2 Empresses, each towering and more magnificent than the last.  The years of their reign--the first lasting two decades and the rest slowly growing longer as the mix of races began to give the monarchs stranger appearances and longer lifespans, were inscribed first on the dias supporting each.  Below that and wrapping around the pillar shaped stands were enscribed the names of the spouses of each, with not a one leaving room to spare and some of them requiring text so small one had to lean in to make out the words.