Bethrothed

“An alliance with the orcs?” An advisor asked in disbelief, pushing his glasses up his nose before looking at his king in pure bewilderment.

“Are you sure you want to make peace with those barbarians, king Austen? What could Naryn possibly gain from having them on our side?”

“Many things,” Austen says while leaning back in his chair, “new military methods, new goods and products. That’s not even mentioning how much larger Naryn can get if we join forces with the Spine Collectors.”

He slowly blinks, “Their tribe is larger than my kingdom and, if we were to go to war, we would have to be creative going up against and army ten times the size of our own. That’s another reason why I say we make peace.”

The advisor lets out a sigh as the Naryn council mutters amongst themselves, filling the one silent air of the war room.

“And… how, exactly, should we go about forming this alliance? Should I have the royal blacksmith prepare a special set of armor.”

“No,” Austen smirks softly, “I’m planning on marrying off my youngest daughter, Eglantine, to War Chief Lungab’s eldest boy.”

The room falls silent before noises of shock and more disbelief rise, covering up the sounds of heels swiftly fleeing form the door.

One of the older council members stands up while slamming her hands on the round table, “Your Highness, you can’t seriously be thinking about becoming family with the Spine Collectors! And marrying off princess Eglantine, of all your daughters, is a big mistake! She’s the most devoted to her studies, and the one you dubbed your heir!”

“Which is why she’s the most suited for this.” The king slowly blinks, “Any of you have a better candidate?”

The room falls silent again.

“Exactly.” Austen’s smirk returns, “She won’t like it, I know she won’t, but this is for the further development of Naryn, our home.”

~

Eglantine pants as she runs through the castle, her hands holding the front of her dress up as she moves as quickly as she can.

“Princess Eglantine!” butlers and maids exclaimed in shock as she passed them, guard swiftly stepping out of the way before she bumped into them.

The princess releases her dress to forcefully push open the front doors of the palace, before the guards have the chance to do it for her, swiftly lifting her gown again to continue running. She doesn’t stop until she exits the front courtyard and hurries down the steps. She catches her breath for a brief moment before she bursts through the palace gates then to the Grand Cathedral of Light just outside of them, kicking her heels off before she hurries up the steps. One of the maids she passed by followed her to see if she needed any help, swiftly scooping up the princess’s heels before continuing to follow her.

“Grand Priest Stanwix!” Eglantine shouted once she’s inside the cathedral, “Abramham, where are you?!”

The maid begins to worry more, “Princess, please, it’s the hour of prayer for the priests and priestesses in the cathedral! Grand Priest Stanwix is more than likely with them!”

“I actually decided to end prayer early,” the Grand Priest of Light says calmly from where he’s standing in a nearby doorway, “what can I help you with?”

The princess swiftly looks at him them marches towards him, “Abram, you must stop my father; he’s gone too far this time!”

Abramham folds his lace gloved hands behind his back, “His Highness again, princess? What has your father done now?”

Eglantine puts her hands on her hips, “He wants to marry me off to some Spine Collector brute, just so he can make a treaty with them! I’m not a chess piece he can put into play, and I’ve already promised myself to my lover, you know this! Everyone knows this!”

Abramham smiles softly, “The young lieutenant Knyvet, correct? I remember you telling me that his Highness approved of your relationship with him, when you first revealed it.”

“Which makes this sudden decision all the more wrong! Abram, please!” Eglantine rests her hands on her chest, “Do something to stop this! I can’t… I won’t let my father’s ambitions take me away from Stephen!”

“Princess,” the maid moves next to her, “are you sure you want to meddle with your father’s plans? You know how much he hates having to change them.”

“I don’t care! I hate it when people change my plans too!”

Abramham nods his head, “I’ll see what I can do, princess. Perhaps I can convince your father to find another way to achieve his goals.”

Eglantine slowly blinks then lets out a relieved sigh, “Thank you. I’m always so grateful to Ira that I can rely on you like this.”

Abramham bows his head, “As Grand Priest of the Light, it’s my duty to ensure Ira’s flock are well in any way I can manage. I’ll go see your father after I’ve finished training the new Luminaries.”

~

Abramham bows his head at everyone he passes by, in the palace, on his way to see Austen. All around him are whispers about Eglantine’s possible engagement to an orc’s son, and a few whispers about if poor Stephen’ heard the news yet.

“Excuse me, guardsman.” The Grand Priest smiles softly, “Is the king in his private study enjoying his afternoon tea?”

“Yes, Your Holiness.” The guard points, “Just down the hall from here, as I’m sure you already know.”

“Yes, thank you.” Abram said before continuing to his destination. He knocks on the silver-lined door, “Your Highness? It’s Grand Priest Stanwix. If you permit it, I would like to have a word with you.”

“… come in.”

Abramham calmly opens the door to the king’s study then steps inside, closing it behind him before making his way to the couch Austen is sitting on.

“Good afternoon, your highness.” Abramham moves to stand in front of the unlit fireplace, “I’ve just been told of the plan you have for making an alliance with the Spine Collector clan.” He smiles softly, “Though I approve of the alliance, I must say that choosing princess Eglantine to marry off is a bit harsh.”

“Not you too, Abram.” The king sighs, “Look, like I told my council and my advisors and

my wife

, if someone else isn’t going to either suggest another woman or offer their own hand for the treaty then it’s going to be Eglantine. Besides, I’ve already sent out a letter to War Chief Lungab, so they’ll be expecting her when I meet with him in two days. My personal servants and guards preparing for the trip, as we speak, so we can head to the border tonight.”

“What about princess Eglantine, your highness? Do you expect to just… Tell her the news and she’ll be willing to go?”

Austen gives Abram a bored look, “Got any better ideas? Orcs don’t make alliances the same way the elves or the dwarves, Hells, any race on this gods forsaken planet, do. I figured marriage is the best way to get them to, at least, think about siding with us.”

“… then use me instead.” Abramham rests a hand on his chest, “Use my hand instead of the princess’s. One of the things orcs value most is strength of all kind, and I believe I check more of those boxes than princess Eglantine. No offense, your highness.”

“None taken.” Austen slowly blinks as he looks his Grand Priest up and down gradually, “I thought Ira didn’t allow her Luminaries to wed… especially her strongest warrior.”

Despite being in his early thirties, Abramham has a rather youthful and beautiful face. His dark brown hair ends just above his shoulders and sits in straight strands, the front parted down the middle to cup his face. He has thick sideburns but a clean shave, his jaw semi strong with hints of roundness in his cheeks. His honey golden eyes seem to glow in any form of light, and sometimes swirl like pools of holy golden water.

He has the physique of a seasoned knight: abs, pectorals, glutes, thighs and calves all hidden under silk priest robes. The robes show off the outlines of his body – every curve, the plumpness and roundness of his rear and thighs, and the outlines of his seasoned muscles.

“That was never something the Goddess of Light proclaimed, nor do any of the gods.” Abram folds his hands behind his back, “A rule like that is only done by the first man or woman a god deems as their Voice. Luckily for the followers of Ira, her first Luminary didn’t believe in celibacy and full devotion.”

“Hm….” Austen gives Abramham one last look over before nodding his head, “alright, fine. You’ll be the sacrifice.” He stands up, “Get your affairs in order and meet me at Azine’s western gates at nightfall. We’ve a long journey to make in two days.” He sighs, “I suppose I should also figure out how marrying you off, without losing my Grand Priest, is going to work.”

Abramham bows, “Enjoy your tea,” he says sweetly before turning to leave. He blinks twice in shock when he sees Eglantine standing closely with sparkles in her eyes, “Well? What did father say?”

The Grand Priest smiles softly, “You don’t have to worry about being married off. Instead, I’ll be offering myself for the marriage.”

The princess got ready to celebrate before she heard the second part, her grin dropping along with her heart.

“Abram, no.” she gently touches his arm, “Was there no other way? Truly?”

The older nods his head, “Your father is convinced that marriage is the only way to get the orcs to consider an alliance, and he believes me to be a passable substitute for you.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Eglantine takes a step back with her hands over her heart, “If I had known… this isn’t fair for either of us.”

“It’s fine.” Abramham gives her a reassuring smile, “I’ve gone this long without thinking about being bound to another. I suppose marriage was going to happen at some point.”

“It’s still not fair you don’t get to decide who you’ll spend the rest of your life with, Abram.”

“I’ll be fine,” the priest says once more before gently petting the top of the princess’s head, “now, I think you should go find your lover. I worry that the poor boy thinks he’s about to lose you.”

“Oh, shit, you’re right! With how everyone gossips in this kingdom, Stephen probably thinks I’m going to break up with him!” she turns to leave, “Thank you again, Abram, and good luck!” The priest smiles softly as he gently waves, watching the princes hurry off. Once she’s out of sight, he lets his smile fall as he sighs, tilting his head back to look up at the glass ceiling.

“… marriage, huh?”