27
(Two weeks later)
The sun lingered a handspan above the horizon on a warm early spring beach in Loxos. The spring breezes had calmed and there was a lull before the evening. Even the noisy blue-headed terns flying overhead seemed to be celebrating the return of seasonal warmth.
On the sand, near the water, there was a small group of people assembled. Standing in the middle of the group was a fair-skinned woman with a long purple cloak with the gold fringe of the planet’s abári, Saraca Krijo. Ja’tel, her tall, dark-skinned husband stood next to her with his tribal patterned sienna-and-brown cloak hemmed with a silver fringe which rippled very gently in the sea air.
Before them stood two who wore nervous smiles of anticipation. Yewan Avicent stood clad in his finest tunic and his burgundy ceremonial abári cloak. He held the hands of his bride, Tirry Jelham, who had chosen a white and sea green gown to represent Gaskarii. He kept looking at her and smiling.
“If I had a badge for every man who told me ‘never’ or ‘I’m not looking’ only for me to perform his wedding only a few weeks later, my cloak would be getting very full already!” Saraca began the afternoon on the beach. “Tle-sun knows the truth of this!”
Yewan looked at Tle-sun who shrugged and squeezed his wife’s hand, her other arm occupied by their baby who gazed knowingly at Saraca. Yewan wondered again how much the baby remembered.
Tirry squeezed his hands meaningfully, generally meaning <pay attention!> He smiled at her and returned his attention to Saraca.
“Apparently, Tle-sun wanted to share his wedded bliss to others because he personally requested Yewan Avicent to this forlorn island you call Gaskarii,” Saraca continued.
Yewan looked again at Tle-sun. “You did this?!” he mouthed.
Tle-sun shrugged again with a smile. “It worked!” he mouthed back.
There was a giggle in the crowd.
Yewan looked back at the abári who was clearly waiting for him. Tirry was barely suppressing her own giggle, he could feel. He squeezed her hands back.
Saraca continued, with an amused expression. “As you know, Ja’tel and I agreed to Tle-sun’s request, realizing that it was a growing experience that would do Yewan good and possibly benefit Gaskarii beyond anything we have done here in the past several generations. I think everyone here will agree that Yewan has proven himself equal to every task set before him since arriving in Loxos only a few weeks ago.”
“Am I late?” came another voice. Everyone turned and saw the governor joining them, hurrying across the sands.
“Just in time!” Saraca encouraged.
“I actually have something to add to what you just said, if I may,” the governor said, offering her hand to Saraca. “I’m Sandy Langle, Governor of Gaskarii.”
“Saraca Krijo, the abári of Terrenden,” was the reply.
“I’ve seen you on the holonews, of course.”
“The experience is mutual. What did you wish to share with us, Governor?” Saraca asked cordially.
“I only wish to share that I have known Tirry almost all my life. She is one of the best women I’ve ever met. Although I’ve only known Yewan a couple of weeks, I’ve been incredibly impressed with his professionalism, positive attitude, cheerful and charming disposition. In short, I think he is one of the best men I’ve ever met and I’m so excited that these two have decided to make their vows to each other today. I have more to add, but it can come after the wedding,” Sandy said, stepping back and letting Saraca have the stage again.
“Thank you, Governor,” Saraca said. “Likewise, I have known Yewan most of my life and I can agree with your assessment of him. This is why when Tle-sun requested him here, I was quick to approve. We will be swearing him into his new position in a few minutes after we conduct this life-bond ceremony.”
“You’re going to let me officiate?” Ja’tel said to his wife. “I never get to come to these things.”
The group laughed with him.
“I have to do the pronouncement, but you can lead the vows,” Saraca said.
“Yes, my love,” Ja’tel replied. He looked at the audience with a grin. “Take note, Yewan – Tle-sun too! The secret to long-term marital happiness! Agree to what she says!”
Another laugh coursed the group.
Ja’tel cleared his throat. “I see you’ve already joined hands. Please stay that way, and face each other.”
Yewan and Tirry adjusted slightly, looking at each other with their nervous smiles.
“Tirry Jelham, do you take Yewan Avicent to be your life partner with all the rights and responsibilities thereof?” Ja’tel asked.
“Yes!” she said with overwhelmed excitement.
Ja’tel repeated the question to Yewan.
“I do,” he replied smiling as his bride.
“Then, I declare you to be lawfully wedded under A'mara tradition and Terrenden law. You may share a token of affection,” Saraca pronounced.
Yewan pulled Tirry to him and they kissed eagerly. The little crowd cheered as they continued kissing.
Ja’tel patiently waited for the two to be done.
“Get a room!” Betel called from the back. The group laughed and Ja’tel cleared his throat meaningfully.
“Sorry, I thought that’s what you came for!” Yewan said in his charming fashion.
“Maybe they did, but Saraca and I still have some unfinished business with you. After that, you can do whatever you want… though you may want to follow Betel’s advice first.”
Tirry giggled as Yewan stole another kiss.
Saraca came forward again. “Now, as A’mara, we are almost never asked to kneel. Perhaps when dealing with royalty or other local customs, but never because we are A’mara. Today, you get to see the exception.
“Becoming an abári is a big deal. It is reserved for A’mara who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and service for most of their lives – essential, because generally-speaking, an abári spends the rest of his or her life in this position of servitude. It is not a position to take lightly. In fact, if it’s a position you desire, it’s highly unlikely it will ever happen. As such, I ask you to kneel before your fellow A’mara, Yewan.”
He did so, facing the people he was to serve.
“Tirry, as his wife, you will be 1st wife of the Gaskarii A’mara. You will also be in a position of service to the A’mara community. The fact you are not A’mara yourself is immaterial. You and Yewan are to operate as one together. As such, I ask you to kneel next to your husband.”
Tirry knelt with Yewan.
“Yewan Avicent, do you promise to spend your life in service to the A’mara community? Do you promise to lead them, direct them, teach them and guide them to the best of your ability? Do you promise to seek advice and guidance at every opportunity? Do you promise to seek wisdom above everything? In short, do you promise to be a faithful servant to your community and the country in which you serve?”
“I promise,” he said solemnly.
“Tirry Jelham Avicent, I ask you the same thing,” Saraca said repeating the oath.
“I promise,” she said humbly.
“Yewan has already been granted his abári cloak as seemed appropriate in this situation as he was instantly acting abári. A non-A’mara 1st spouse also wears a special signifier,” Saraca explained. “I place around Tirry’s neck a stole. It is in the Gaskarii colors of sea green and sand, similar to Jenna’s cloak. You need only wear it in formal situations, Tirry. However, you may find that informal situations can become formal very quickly and surprisingly.”
Saraca stood back and looked at the pair still kneeling in the sand. “Please rise, Abári Yewan and Tirry Avicent. Together, you are one.”
Yewan took her hand, squeezed it and they stood together.
There was a cheer for the abári and his wife.
“I have one more announcement,” Saraca said. “But I will let our lovely governor go first.”
“Thank you, Saraca,” Sandy said. “I have some great news for the A’mara of our Loxos community.
“You will be very aware that the election gave me significant opposition in the governor’s office which prevented me being able to honor my promise to fund your building project.”
Yewan nodded.
“I am absolutely delighted to tell you that I have been able to secure not only funding, but labor for your A’mara Complex and the public housing project I requested you to take on!”
The applause was almost hysterical.
Yewan almost forgot to close his mouth, but Tirry squeezed his hand to remind him. “Thank you!” he stammered.
“Give me a hug!” Sandy demanded, approaching the abári.
Yewan and Tirry both gave her an appreciative hug. “How did you manage it?” Tirry asked.
Sandy only winked. “We’ll talk later. Nothing for you to worry about right now.”
Tirry nodded as Sandy stepped back again.
“For your honeymoon, I’m giving you an assignment,” Saraca said. “I’ve booked you half a week in every town on this island. I want you to meet people and make them aware that A’mara are on the island again. You are to inform them as to who we are. Maybe there are some with talent who would like to join the contingent here in Loxos – or around the island.”
There was further applause.
“Okay, this may be warm compared to what you’ve been having, but it’s a far cry from Irola spring weather! I know I’ve been freezing long enough!” Saraca said. “I understand there’s a feast waiting for us in the Complex. Let’s go!”
As the sun drooped below the western horizon, the voice of the ocean grew louder and deeper. The blue-headed terns swooped low for their food, screaming sharply as they did. In the east, the blue moon could be seen rising, full, immersing the beach in a deep blue light.
An ancient woman could be seen walking along the shore, scouring the beach for a special seaweed that she suspected the abári’s wife would require soon. It would be good to finally be able to repay the debt she owed the woman’s mother.
The End - stay tuned for the next segment of Acting the Part next time!
Other Chapters of this set
Acting the Part - chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Building on Promise - Chapter 1
Maps and Guides
- continents of Alacantis and Kranisis (five maps)
- continent of Almara (five maps)
- countries of Kri'enden and Yezi'im (four maps plus "other places")
- characters, pronunciation and glossary
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Lori Svensen
author/designer at A'mara Books
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