Challenge: Setting pre-1500 AD

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Kata

The sound of hoofs stamping the ground could be heard outside. Nicia's heart sprang into her throat as she heard the approach. While her sisters jumped up and clapped, giggling joyously, she simply couldn't. Such a large party could only mean one thing.

Today was her wedding today.

Not just hers, however, all of her sisters as well. Her father was a powerful man in Argos, and as his daughter, Nicia had a duty to marry whom he decreed. Even strangers from the nobility of Egyptian, all in the name of forging a peace treaty.

"Daughters! Gather around." Father's boisterous voice shouted. The girls flitted and fretted, gathering around. "Now girls, I hope you are prepared for tonight. You are to be wed to the princes of Egypt." Many giggled excitedly. Father cleared his throat. "However, I do not believe that these grooms bode the same unrest and rage that their country does from this war. They mean to murder you, and I will not have it."

With a small flourish of his hands, servants came into the chamber, holding bundles of thick cloth. Carefully, they were unwrapped to reveal hair pins, bronze with simple, yet elegant, designs that came to a deadly point at the end. The giggles died in the girl's throats, and their father continued. "These will be your salvation, should the young man attempt any foul behavior, simply take this and plunge it into his heart. This" he picked one up and pricked his finger. "shall do the rest."

Nicia blanched. She was to be married, to a man who meant her harm, AND she was meant to kill him? Her heart felt threatened to leave her chest in a panicked rush. The two nearest servants caught Nicia as she swayed. Father looked towards her, and beckoned the servants on with a sigh. A bath was drawn for her, and half of her heart and mind hoped to be drowned by the warm water and suds. What else could she do?

When the water failed, she hoped that she would be eaten up by the large fabrics of her new gown. It was glowing and beautiful, everything she would have hoped for. However, the wistful joy she would have felt was lost. Then she wondered if it was possible to be scalped by a hairbrush, but the gods were truly cruel. She wondered if she had done any wrong deed to have Hera spite her so. Finally, a thin veil was pinned to her head, held in place by the deadly bronze pin. Nicia looked at herself in a looking glass, and could only shutter.

In the next room, her sisters were giddy, vapidly admiring each other. Even when Nicia joined them, they discussed her gown, her beautiful hair, but never her sour expression. Nicia supposed they hadn't bothered to notice. One by one, they were summoned by their father into the next room. Before they exited, they pulled the veil in front of their faces, composed themselves with a deep breath, and left.

After an eternity, Nicia was summoned. She followed her sister's example, hoping to find the same odd peace and happiness that they had. The veil first, and some courage returned, then the deep breath, some cold calm came. In the next room, her father sat, next to a perfect stranger. Nicia stifled a small gasp. He was very gorgeous, his skin a dark sandy color, his hair like the noonday shadows. His eyes shifted to hers, and Nicia stumbled. They were warm and lovely, like a fresh loaf of her mother's bread. He was perfect... too perfect.

"Ah, there she is. Admes, let me introduce you to your bride to be, Nicia." Father spoke, with a large prideful smile on his face. The stranger -Admes reached out and took her hand.

"May Isis and Hera both bless us today." His voice was that of the west wind. It could carry any words, and they would still feel fresh and warm, like home. Nicia could only manage a nod.

Admes gave a kind smile, and lead her outside, down a footpath into the sanctuary of Hera. The chamber was vast, and beautiful, decorated tastefully in honor of the Queen of the Gods. In the center was a tall statue, towering over all, of Hera, splendored in power and beauty. Before the two were all of Nicia's sisters, and their grooms, each pair more lovely than the last.

A single blanket was left towards the back of the hall, at which Nicia and Admes kneeled before the Goddess of Marriage. No sooner than their knees touched the ground, did Nicia's father began the ceremony. Nicia began to panic once more. Her father's words blended together, and the world began to sway.

"Easy, my love, I am sure that Hera will not curse you for being relaxed during your own wedding." Admes whispered, his head still bent and unmoving. Nicia dared a glance his way, giving him an incredulous look. She gave an unbelieving laugh.

"Shows what you know of our gods." Nicia quipped back, earning her a few shushes from her sisters. She sheepishly bowed her head once more. Admes reached up and took her hand, and gave it a small squeeze.

The ceremony continued with no problem. Each couple went before the Hera statue, made their vows and promises, then made a small sacrifice to the goddess. The entire event blurred together in Nicia's mind, up until it was her turn. Admes led the way towards the statue. The stone eyes bore down on her, and Nicia feared the goddess herself would make an appearance to scorn her.

"I vow to love you, to protect you, my northern star, until we find ourselves in one afterlife or another. Maybe Isis and Hera bless us both." Admes said proudly, with his head held high.

"I-I..." Nicia began, her tongue stuck in her throat. "I vow to be always faithful, and to be at your side, through the storms and through the stillness that life brings." Admes nodded, and took out a small cloth pouch. He raised it for the crowd.

"A special spice, blended and handmade by my mother, the greatest baker I have ever known. A unique gift for a unique bride." The cloth burned quickly, and the hall began to smell of something sweet, yet bitter.

"I offer a Hyacinth from my garden, grown from care and love, as I hope we shall be." Nicia placed the small purple flower upon the flame. Her offering elicited a few gasps from her sisters, and a few chuckles from their grooms. As she was led away from the statue, Nicia gently touched her hairpin, and made one last prayer to not have to use it.

After the ceremony, Admes lead her back to her home, and into one of the many guest rooms. The time had come, and Nicia felt ill to her soul. The marriage would be considered null and void unless it was consummated. It was her duty.

But that didn't mean she wanted to fulfil it.

Nicia stood in the doorway, frozen and still. Suddenly, warmth spread across her back, and she eased to lean into it. Admes held her, resting his head atop her own, and holding her body flush against his. He smelled of the sun, of summer days and even faintly, of cinnamon. It was mysterious as it was alluring to Nicia, and her heart yearned to know him.

"You seem frightened, my love." Admes deep voice resounded.

"Wouldn't you be?" Nicia's voice squeaked out. Admes simply laughed, and let her go. The room instantly felt cold and bleak. Admes walked around to face Nicia, and her heart stammered in her chest, begging for him to be pleased with her appearance. With deft, yet delicate, fingers, Admes gripped the veil at the bottom, and lifted. Nicia flinched, squeezing her eyes shut, unable to bear the thought of him seeing her so soon.

She heard a small gasp. She dared a small glance, and what she saw was pure adoration and wonder on Admes' face. He whispered something under his breath, something deep and wonderful in his own tongue, before reaching up and cupping her face in his hand. A deep blush rose onto her face, and Admes chuckled, brushing a lock of her hair out of her face. He leaned in close, his breath grazing against her face in small warm puffs.

"Do not be afraid, my love." He whispered, before closing the distance in a warm kiss. Nicia's entire being exploded with warmth and joy. Her once shaken hands reached up and placed them on his shoulders, unsure on what to do, but knowing she wanted to be closer to him, to drink in this beautiful warmth. Admes ended the kiss too soon. Their eyes locked.

"You are the sun over the Nile." Admes whispered. "Stunning and radiant."

"I-if this is how it begins, I suppose it wouldn't be so bad." Nicia blurted, and immediately covered her face upon realizing what she had just said. Admes burst out laughing.

"Ah, you Greeks and your traditions." Admes wiped a tear away from his eyes. "Nothing is expected of you tonight, my beautiful bride, just that you stay by my side."

Relief came crashing down upon Nicia in a devasting wave. Her knees gave in. Admes was quick to catch her, sweeping her up off her feet.

"Careful now, my love." He murmured into her ear. A smile broke across her face, as he held her close. With careful steps, and sure arms, Admes moved them to on top of the bed, never letting her go. They shared a comfortable silence, not moving, not speaking, and Nicia felt as if she wasn't even breathing. She didn't need the air, she had him.

Nicia would have loved to stay that way forever, to be eternally in that moment. However, like many happy moments, it came to an end.

Down the hall were screams, the screams of the dying and dead. Icy fear shot right through Nicia, and not even Admes could make her feel warm. Admes frowned, and looked down at Nicia for answers. She could provide none.

"You must go." Nicia said in a panic, trying to push away from his grip.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"I can't explain, but you must leave." Admes sat up, and leaned away from her.

"What is the meaning of this?" In his eyes there was fear, and pain. Nicia's heart broke at the sight.

"My f-father.." Nicia began.

"Ah." Admes answered, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I didn't want to, my love. I swear it!" Nicia desperately tried to copy Admes' own words, yearning for him to understand.

Admes sighed, breaking away from the bed. He went to the window, and threw the shuttered blinds open. He looked back, his eyes misty, yet determined, and reached out to her. "Come with me."

Nicia hesitated, in years to come she would hate herself for doing so. Admes took that moment for her answer. "My ship will leave at dawn for my homeland. If you..."

He didn't finish. He simply jumped out of the window and ran off into the dark of the night. Nicia wept, freezing tears stung her eyes, and froze on her cheeks. Her heart felt icy cold and she feared the worst when someone burst through her door.

"Nicia, my girl. What is the matter?" It was Father. "I heard the screams, in all but your room."

"I-I couldn't do it Father, I'm sorry." Nicia managed between sobs. Her father cursed loudly.

"Damned girl! Now he shall return home and tell his kingdom of what we have done, you have brought war into our home!"

Father stormed out of the room.

This was all her fault. She had every opportunity, and she had failed her father, her family, her kingdom. They would spurn her, and they would hunt him down. They would capture him, torture him, kill him. The thoughts of the many horrible futures filled Nicia's head.

Then.

A sudden calm. A breeze came through the window, calling her to the outside world. If she couldn't belong here, where she had failed so many, then she wouldn't stay. With Hera and Isis alike as her witness, she would go to the one who saw her for who she was, and never asked for anything else.

Nicia climbed out of that window, and ran.

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Jacob

DID NOT HAND IN