***

  They stood facing each other, he with his hands on her shoulders and she with hers on his chest. She was nearly as tall as he was and her bright hair was put up in an intricate style around her head. She wore a long silk-weave dress in pale green, the wedding color in most of the northland. Her smile was wide and joyous, and even though he could not see his own face, he knew his was the same. Finally they realized the music had been playing for some time and laughed. Turning toward the sound of the music, they clasped hands and stepped onto the walkway of polished white paving stones.

  They soon reached their destination, a wide and spacious courtyard. It too was paved but the flat stones weren’t visible because of the people packed onto every inch of space. Despite the size of the courtyard, the crowd had overflowed and many were forced onto the grass around it. The people stood facing the dais at the opposite end but when the couple approached from behind, necks twisted and heads turned until every eye was focused on the young pair.

  As the couple came close, they saw no aisle through the crowd but smiling people began moving to let them pass. Their progress through the gathering was slow, however, because no one wanted to move far from the couple. Every man within arm’s length, and many who weren’t, reached out to clasp his shoulder or pat his back. Women did the same with the bride while young children tried to touch her hand. The crowd held members of every class of society from small-hold farmers to scholars. The edges of the throng were lined with delegates from provinces and lesser cities throughout the Eastern Side, each wearing the colors of his or her own homeland. The center, however, was packed with fellow countrymen, the people who smiled so widely and gazed so fondly at the passing couple.

  Most of the truly important among the high-and-mighty visitors had managed to arrange places near the front, but even here the traditions of the homeland held firm. The Patron and Patroness of Matik wore extravagant robes and the dazzling Title Jewels yet they stood between a young schoolgirl and a carpenter, and the faces of the commoners outshined every jewel on the lord and lady. The eldest son of the Premier and Premiera of Riviarre had made the long journey, and a high ranking delegation from Niazport had traveled even farther for the occasion. Nearby an older woman wearing a pale blue robe was surrounded by three younger ones in white.

  Finally the couple reached the steps of the dais and ascended to where their beaming families waited. The bride’s father stepped forward and spoke the ceremonial first words. The couple turned to face each other and began pledging their promises.