Shelby watched Cavin pace the room, full of nervous, boyish energy, looking like he hadn't slept a single wink that night. The day hadn't yet begun to dawn but he had known his friend would be awake early on the morning of his wedding and so had arrived, slipped into the room, where Oliver dozed half dressed on a gilded chaise and both of them were only able to stop Cavin's pacing long enough to hand him the next bit of clothing to put on.

"It'll turn out beautifully." Shelby offered to Cavin, helping him tie his cravat, holding the other man still for a moment, meeting his eyes, "You made it all this way, its just a short walk, a couple hours and then a whole night of feasting."

"I'm pretty sure she'll even show up." Oliver said sleepily, sitting up at last and moving to start pulling the rest of his clothing on, ignoring the pained noise from Cavin and the glare from Shelby.

"She'll show up, Cav. " Shelby said reassuringly to his friend, giving him a pat on the shoulder and releasing him to continue pacing.

"Yeah, with all the guards, dignitaries and spectators in the city, it would be impossible for her to leave undetected. If she were gone, we'd be hearing about it by now." Oliver, smirked to his friend, though a worried expression came over his features as there was a knock at the door, announcing the unexpected presence of Sir Benchan.

"Let him in." Cavin said tightly, moving to sit down on a chair, though he was up again as soon as the door closed behind Shelby's Knight, pacing away from Benchan, barely noticing the man's bow, or the ornately carved boxes in his hands.

Shelby raised a brow, nodding to his master at arms, watching the man eyeing up the king with gentle amusement. The old dog had seen many a Lordling and friend through their wedding days, and this was apparently not a new reaction.

"Your majesty, a gift arrived for you." Benchan paused, glancing down at the box, then back up at him, "Well, I was out for a ride this morning and I was given them, for you and your betrothed. By Shaktay."

Cavin turned at that, his eyes widening, striding across the room but pausing before taking the box, looking over the workmanship of the lid with appreciation, though he frowned softly after a moment, "Amiya will be so disappointed, that Verana was not here to bring it herself."

"Apologies were conveyed. Shaktay did not think he would manage inside of the city but he travelled a couple days nonetheless to bring these to you. He said if it quiets down, he may chance it. But... forgive me, let me remember this properly." Benchan frowned, looking up at the ceiling for a moment, before stumbling through the beginning of what he said next, "Nama Veranandein Neeria, sends her regrets and wanted to you have your gifts and to remind you that you stink of love for one another, so it would be silly to be nervous on such a wonderful day as this."

Cavin watched him for a long moment, before smiling and taking the top box, moving to place it on the table, gingerly opening it, letting out a soft whistle at the gold bracelet and mantle that was carved out of disks that contained the crests of every noble house in Clairval, with the major thirteen larger ones that flanked the Royal crest in the centre. The back was scribed with a language Shelby assumed was Feysha, and hidden off to the side were a set of gold buttons and cufflinks, sparkling with precious stones so small it took him a few moments to realize where the colour was coming from.

"I will take Lady Amiya her gift now, if that is all, My Liege." Benchan said softly, as if afraid of interrupting the moment, then he paused and, pulled two cloth bags from one of his pockets, putting them down on the table, "One for each of your men. Shaktay said traditionally the Feysha's brothers would wear them, they match your bracelet, show your bond. Those are from him and Sencha."

Cavin nodded, at that, offering the old sword master a smile, "Thank you Ben. Maybe if we get a moment, I will go out for a ride with you, to see if Shaktay is still near by."

Benchan gave him a grin before offering a careful shrug, "Today will be fine, Regency. Just focus on enjoying it."

***

The room had been a flurry of activity for hours by the time an unexpected knock drew a moment of silence, allowing Reyani a moment to catch her breath and take a step back from everything she had been doing to help her friend prepare for her wedding day.

Reyani turned from where Amiya was being dressed by the dozen royal servants, walking to the door, opening it just enough to see who was outside. Benchan stood there awkwardly with one of the Royal guards, holding a wooden box, looking embarrassed and apologetic. Holding up one hand to forestall him, she turned back into the room, "Sir Benchan is here." It wasn't the normal thing to do, but after that summer, some formalities had gone by the wayside in favour of friendships.

"I'm decent enough, let him in." Amiya stood up, frowning down at the elaborate gown that swished and fluttered around her as she stood and walked, taking a few steps across the room as the man stepped in, offering a bow, Amiya looking down at the box in his hand as she inclined her head in acknowledgment of his respects.

"My apologies, M'lady. Ah... his majesty sends his love, but my real reason for being here... a gift, from the Feysha." Benchan blushed and Reyani grinned, taking the offered box and putting it on an empty table for Amiya.

Amiya watched him eagerly, "Verana?"

Benchan, offered a shrug and shook his head, looking up to his future Queen, "She is well... from what I understood from Shaktay. He doesn't even seem to limp anymore himself But... all he would say about it, is that receiving your Path from the Council is transformative, sometimes more so than others. Verana has a great deal to do, to come to terms with all that is. And all that will be. He called her Nama Veranadein Neeria though, made a point of saying it that way. I think that... is one of the changes?"

Amiya thought about his words for a moment, her expression crestfallen, though understanding, nodding finally, "thank you Benchan. I appreciate all that you've done for me. For us."

"And this is for you, Lady Reyani." He pulled a cloth bag from his pocket and handed it to her, pausing for another moment, "A word of wisdom from both me and Shaktay, I suppose. Cavin loves you, he's near sick with apprehension because Oliver has him thinking you're trying to run out of here, but you are lucky, in that a marriage like this, is started in love. Don't worry about any of that."

Amiya smiled, nodding, "Thank you. I'm not running anywhere."

Benchan bowed and left the room, leaving them to look down at the box for a long moment. Just when Reyani couldn't stand it any further, Amiya opened it up, exposing a delicate gold chain necklace, with dangling charms that contained the tiny etchings of all the noble houses surrounding the Royal Crest in a larger charm. On the back though, was the ancient version of her family's motto, where it would settle against her heart. There was a set of earrings containing the royal crest, highlighted with faint precious stones, and a gold bangle bracelet, containing Feysha script around the outside.

Reyani opened her bag, finding a bracelet that matched Amiya's, with a hand written note from Verana.

I know I should be there. And perhaps I am a coward for not making it.

I think you'll understand come spring.

You are sisters, as the Feysha know it.

These bracelets are how we show it.

This is a wondrous day, and we are watching, celebrating for you.

-Verana

"I'm going to wear them." Amiya said suddenly, looking desperately to Reyani, her expression in askance, as if wondering if she were crazy. Reyani smiled to her friend, nodding and moving to take the other jewelry off and help her friend put on the delicate gold, slipping her own bracelet on with a thoughtful smile.

"You know, maybe it means something differently for the Feysha and I know you always thought me crazy for studying the Old Tongue, from before we all arrived here on the island. A dead language no one realistically would ever need anymore, is I think what you said..." Reyani said softly, grinning to her friend, giving her a gentle hug before they started towards the door as a knock announced that their time was up.

"Yes...?"

"Nama ... its old-speak for Princess."

"That's interesting." Amiya's expression was still as she thought about that. She paused, looking to her friend, then taking a deep breath, as they started down the hallway, towards the Palace gardens, where the wedding was being held. 

End of Part I of Elemental Witch: Child of the Earth. To be continued in Part II: Princess of Wind.