The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into Unwelcome Wedding Crashers

 The Search For Kathea, A Leap Into Unwelcome Wedding Crashers

     Iriisii looks into the souls of these two friends who wish for her to bind them in the 'Mother's Rites of Matrimony'. She sees the depths of love and emotions between them, mirroring those of her own for her mates. And so she begins this ceremony, a special one for them alone.

     "The Marriage Rites of other Gods and Goddesses far too often speak the same words time and time again, until they somehow lose the power in the words that were intended. This is something the 'Mother' has asked me to guard against. For the words of her, 'Rites' are personal and special for each who comes before her. The two who stand before me now, are friends, very dear friends to me. And I am honored beyond mere words to officiate the binding of their marriage to each other.

     I know of the joys they have shared, of the travails they have endured, of the help and hope they have given to so many through their actions, their songs, the inspiration their lives have shown to be possible. Their spirit cannot be dominated, cannot be silenced, cannot be stopped, as some have tried to do and always failed. When one is injured, the other is there to share their pain, help in the healing, share in the joy, and in the sorrow.

     Each lifts the other above themselves, and to unknown heights do they soar together. And this is what the 'Mother' intended marriage to be. Each has asked of me to speak for them their vows, for they could not find the words that spoke properly to that which dwells deep within their souls for the other.

     Dandelion, you have been in love since you first saw her, listened to her sing, heard the words of her poems. You have shed tears at her injuries, raged at those who harmed her, and sought justice for her and others in the only way you could. By seeking one with the skills to do what you physically could not. There is no shame in knowing one's limits and living within those limits. But you did not hide behind them, but rather searched for and found one who could act in your stead and see justice done for the one you loved. That speaks to the depth of the love you feel, the kind and power of a love that overcomes all obstacles, a love that shouts its desires in the day and in the night. The sun, the moon, and the stars bear witness to that love as it shines forth brighter and brighter. Jaskier, known as Dandelion, the 'Mother' asks of you this day, this hour, as you love Priscilla, will you be a husband, a lifemate, a soulmate, to her? From now until  you pass from this life, and then when the 'Mother' reunites the two of you, in the 'Great Beyond' on the other side of the 'Final Gate', to go on to a new life, a new destiny, together?"

     "I will."

     Callonetta, you have known from a young age, from the time your own birth mother told you of what it meant to be a woman. You somehow knew what kind of man it would take to win your heart. Year by year, you went on with your life, learning your craft, as many came and tried to win your heart, and some when they could not win it tried to take it by force. You always knew how to protect yourself in any given trial. And then you met Dandelion. You saw into him clearly, saw how he wanted desperately for the boy inside to grow up and become a man. And so you saw the man he could become and decided to wait patiently and see if he lived up to his potential. Time drew you apart, then together, then apart, and again together. Each time you saw him growing into the one man who could win you above all others. And during your most devastating time, you saw him cross that threshold and become who you had waited so long for. And now you have seen his love for you overcome the fear that still grips this city with an iron fist. The final hurdle has been tossed aside and the two of you stand before the 'Mother', for she watches through me, and 'she' is most pleased with you both. Priscilla, known as Callonetta, the 'Mother' asks of you this day, this hour, as you love Jaskier, will you be a wife, a lifemate, a soulmate to him? From now until you pass from this life, and then when the 'Mother' reunites the two of you, in the 'Great Beyond' on the other side of the 'Final Gate', to go on to a new life, a new destiny, together?"

     "I will."

     "Know then that each will be equal to the other, neither shall stand above or below the other. Do this in all things of your life together, and know the 'Mother' will shower your lives with her blessings. Be there anyone present this day with a divine lawful reason that these two should not be wed according to the 'Rites of the Mother of the Cosmos', let them speak now, or forevermore hold to silence."

     From the back of the room, "I have no objection for these two to wed, my objection is to you having the authority to officiate this union. For only the 'Eternal Flame' can authorize one with the power to join two in wedlock."

     "He who spoke his objection, let him come forward and identify himself to me, then we can go forward and resolve this matter."

     The crowd was beginning to get hostile, for they liked and respected both Dandelion and Callonetta, and very much knew exactly who made the objection and where their loyalty lay.

     "Let him and those with him through, no one raise arms toward them. The 'Mother of the Cosmos' will send her agents to resolve this dispute. No one else needs to get involved. Stay if you wish to bear witness to that which happens, all of you are invited to do that."

     The crowd parts to allow the High Priest of the Eternal Flame and his company to go forward. Iriisii motions for Zoltan to move Dandelion and Callonetta to the side, out of the way. As he does so, she hears Zoltan tell the pair that this was expected and that Iriisii has things well in hand. Once this was over, the ceremony would continue and the festivities would go on as planned.

     As the High Priest and his retinue stop a short distance from Iriisii, he attempts to rebuke her for performing the wedding without the participation of the 'Church of the Eternal Fire'.

     "And why would your 'Church', have anything to do with what the Gods have ordained, other than to fill its pockets with your own greed?"

     "How dare you accuse the 'Church' of greed!"

     "I will see this 'Church' face the truth of its actions. It has committed 'murder' most heinous, burning innocent people at the stake simply because they are different, and so you make it easy for people to hate, to blame their own circumstances on others. And yes your greed enters in when the lands and possessions of the people you execute are confiscated and added to the coffers of your 'Church'."

     "Who are you to make such accusations?"

     Iriisii smiles, "I do not have to speak to who I am, I will let the 'Soul Hounds of the Mother' speak as to who I am, and dare you to let them speak as to who you are."

     The High Priest looks around to see who Iriisii means and is shocked to see four double-winged male figures standing around his party.

     The Lead Hound opens his voice and proclaims, "the 'Mother of the Cosmos' is she who stands at the pinnacle of all who call themselves Gods, she is the holder of the 'Mantle of the Mother', taking the 'Mantle' when the Creations were but only a few million years old. She has held the 'Mantle' ever since, unbroken in time for billions upon billions of years. There are no other Gods higher than 'SHE'. 

     This one before you is Iriisii Dovahkiin, avowed 'Daughter' of the 'Mother of the Cosmos', chosen by the 'Mother' to be the next holder of the "Mantle of the Mother'. This one is now one of the Greater Gods, the first of the Gods of Eld to reach this place, acclaimed of the Gods of Eld to be their Leader, their Harbinger, and now newly reborn as 'Child of the Infinite'. To recite all of her accolades and honors earned would take days. 

     Yet the 'Mother' wishes this to be settled quickly. 'Daughter of the Mother' what is your wish?"

     "Zu'u laan wa bel faal Challenge se Rahhe!"

     "What words does this gibberish mean?"

     "She speaks in Dovahzul, the language of Dragons. For she is the 'Mother of Dragons' and no false word can be spoken by her in that speech. She calls for the 'Challenge of the Gods.' We as the 'Soul Hounds of the Mother', will stand as arbiters."

     "We do not acknowledge any of this, as far as we are concerned it is pure drivel and you are

in league with her in this farce."

     "This is a matter not for you any longer, the challenge has been issued. The Eternal Flame must answer the Challenge or face summary judgment. Such is the 'Law of the Mother' in challenges between Gods."

     "What do you mean the Eternal Flame must answer the challenge?"

     "The Eternal Flame must appear here, before all who stand as witnesses and answer the charges that brought this challenge. If he does not do so, we will ascertain if he deliberately will not answer or if he is a lie that you have perpetrated. If he is truly a God, he knows of the 'Law of the Mother', and the consequences of ignoring a challenge. And if he is proven to be a lie, you and those others who have acted in his name will bear the punishment deemed proper by the 'Mother'."

     The faces of the High Priest's retinue are beginning to understand what is going on and they are starting to sweat profusely. The High Priest is using his righteous anger to shield himself from losing his composure. Meanwhile, his people are wondering if they can sneak out of town in time to get away with their skins. They look around and realize the wedding crowd will not let them slip out, they are here for the entire show now, especially as they notice some particularly dangerous-looking warrior types standing on the outside of the crowd just waiting for any one of them to try and leave.

     The High Priest continues to try and bluster his way through. The wedding crowd, at first thinking this was staged for entertainment now are beginning to see this is for real and could very well spell the end for the 'Church of the Eternal Flame', not just in Novigrad, but when word spread, all of them would be hunted for the atrocities they committed.

     The level of nervousness has raised until one of the priests is about to wet his robes, when the Lead Soul Hound announces, "the Eternal Flame has not answered the challenge. All efforts to locate him have proven fruitless. It is then decided that he is nothing more than a lie perpetrated by these and others for personal power and greed. These here and all others associated with this 'Church' will be taken before the 'Mother' for judgment.

     "The 'Mother' gives thanks to her 'Daughter' for putting a stop to this abomination."

     The Lead Soul Hound then turns to Dandelion and Callonetta, walks up to them, and kneels saying, "for your forbearance in allowing this to be dealt with inside of your wedding ceremony, the 'Mother' gives you this", and he gives them a small crystal token on a silken lead. "On the day your firstborn arrives, place this on the child's chest. From that day forward, all who know that child will be blessed. And may that child's 'Path of Destiny' lead to Godhood."

     The Soul Hounds vanish as fast as they appeared, then it is noticed that the High Priest and his people are gone as well. Some asked if they got away, but the two 'Dragons of the Balance' legionnaires on either side of the door said no one got past them. It would take a few days but it would be determined that every last one of them across Novigrad disappeared at the same time.

     Iriisii got back on the stage and motioned for everyone to return to their positions and she would finish the ceremony.

     "The one who made the objection has been proven false, is there anyone else who would object?"

     You could hear a pin drop and hit the wood floor from a hundred paces it was so quiet. And so Iriisii looks at the loving couple with a gleam in her eyes and a smile on her lips.

     "As the two of you have declared your love for each other to all present as witnesses. It is my profound pleasure and duty in the name of the 'Mother of the Cosmos' to declare you wedded according to her 'Rites' and may no one, mortal or immortal, seek to undo what she has done this day", she looks to Dandelion and says, "will you seal your wedding vows by kissing your new bride now?"

     Dandelion wastes no time taking Priscilla in his arms and kisses her as her own arms lock around him, to the cheers of the crowd gathered in the Cabaret.

     The food is piled on the serving table as fast as it is piled on plates and consumed. The casks of drink seem to be brought up from the cellar in an unending flow. For the food and drink is also going outside to feed the ever-growing crowd gathering who could not get inside. Iriisii hears Dandelion ask Zoltan how is all of this going to be paid for, as Zoltan tells him it has all been taken care of by an anonymous donor. Dandelion looks toward Iriisii, who gives him a 'wink' and he stares a few seconds then bows deeply to her. Priscilla asks him why did he do that and he whispers in her ear that Iriisii just picked up the bill for the entire wedding, reception, everything. She looks toward Iriisii who gives her the best motherly smile she knows how to give. Priscilla silently mouths, 'Thank you,' to Iriiisii, who nods her head in response.

     Atticus walks up and says, "Damn that was the best finale to a wedding I have ever seen, been in, or heard about. This is going to be talked about for years."

     "If it keeps players from trying a repeat performance it will have been worth it."

     "I certainly can not argue with that."

     "Can I ask you a question?"

     "Your Ladyship can ask me anything, she desires."

     "Have you ever thought about hosting a Dragonsoul?"

     Atticus goes pale and looks around for a clear path to run.

     "You do not have to if you do want to, you do have the right to refuse."

     "I do?"

     "Yes, you do. Besides I have something else to talk to you about that I think you will enjoy."

     "Then please tell me, the sooner I can think of something else more pleasant the better."

     "I will have to go to Nilfgard, to the capital city, the Palace there, after the newly wedded couple are safely away on their honeymoon. I want your advice on whether to take all of the 'Dragon Legion' with me when we go or add my 'Hand of Blood' with them and make a real show of it."

     "What is up?"

     Iriisii shows him the letter Emhyr var Emreis wrote to her just before she exiled him.

     "But this means!"

     "Yeah, I know."

     "You have some way figured out to deal with this?"

     "Yes, I do."

     "Ok, then. Considering what I have heard overhearing the conversations about the Nilfgard Army, I would say the more the merrier. They will only accept you from a position of overwhelming strength, then you likely will have to hang some of the Generals as an example to the others. I would suggest those most likely to cause trouble. Hmmm, four thousand of ours could wipe the entire Nilfgard Army into the nearest mass grave, but this is for a show, not an actual battle."

     "What are you thinking?"

     "All of our warriors in our best armor and weapons, you and say, Reaper, Dettlaff, Rigmor, any other you think appropriate to come flying in on Dragonback, emphasize your titles of 'Mother of Dragons' and 'Dragon of War'."

     "I see, yes, I do see where you are going with it. Let me see, Alduin, Varthlocuur, Durnehviir, Odahviing, maybe one or two others."

     "Sounds good to me, should put the fear of the 'Goddess' into them for sure."

     "I do like the way you think. I am very glad I decided to ask you about this."

     "I am just glad to be of assistance."

     "Ok, go get some food, and get drunk, we will not be leaving for a few days so you have time to sober up before we go."

     "YES MAAM" and salutes Iriisii before turning and heading for the nearest keg.

     Rigmor comes up and puts an arm around Iriisii's waist, "I heard what you did for Dandelion picking up the bill for the wedding. Thank you for that, it helped him out a lot."

     "I think of both of them like family, and there is nothing I will not do to help the family."

     "Where are they going on their honeymoon, the only thing Dandelion said was that you and Ciri had it covered?"

     "I am going to take them to the house in the Shire. I have already spoken to Tonas about getting things ready."

     "You mean.."

     "Yes."

     "That is a wonderful idea. They will be safe there and can relax, enjoy the Shire and its people."

     "I asked Tonas to have his wife bake a fresh apple pie and have it sitting on the table when they get there."

     "That was so sweet of you, I know Dandelion will enjoy it. Anything else?"

     "After they have had a few days alone, I told Tonas to let the children play in the orchard, you know, chase the sheep and goats. I told him to make certain they did not get too loud. I remember sometimes I would stay there for a night or two, sit out on the front veranda and watch the children play. I think if it were possible, I could live out my life sitting out there at sunset, our children or grandchildren playing with the neighbor children in the orchard, chasing the sheep and goats, climbing the trees."

     "Listening to you say that, Gods, I wish we could too."

     "Tell you what, just keep that idea in your heart, and I will too, someday, it just might be possible to arrange it."

     "You mean that really mean that?"

     "Yes, I do."

     "But..."

     "I know, but there is nothing that says where I have to manage things from."

     "Before I forget, what were you talking to Atticus about?"

     "Damn with everything else, it slipped my mind."

     "What slipped your mind, and do I want to know?"

     "Read this."

     "You have got to be kidding me!"

     "Sorry, it is deadly serious, I promise you."

     "What are you going to do?"

     Iriisii explains what she has planned to attempt.

     "You really think this will work?"

     "Worth a try, don't you think?"

     "You did run this by the Krang didn't you?"

     "At first it was hesitant, but I linked it into me since I have absorbed the 'Wisdom of the First Ones' and it says everything should work fine. The added information allowed it to resolve the issues it had so now the computations balance out and it is satisfied it will work."

     "Good, that is a weight off of my mind. You are sure about using the dragons?"

     "Yes, Atticus is right, an overwhelming show of force right from the beginning will get their attention, and the letter will seal it."

     "What if Ciri ever changes her mind?"

     "Then Throne of Nilfgard is hers, period."

     "Where did you put him, by the way?"

     "Somewhere a very long way from here. He can live his life comfortably, hopefully, reflect on where he went wrong, maybe one day mend fences with Ciri."

     "You think so?"

     "Maybe, worth hoping for anyway."

     "Time will tell."

     "Yes, it will."