Three Oracles, A Dance, & A Song, part II

... from The Vitmar Chronicles, Volume II

The Vitmar Chronicles, Volume II: Three Oracles, A Dance, & A Song is out now! As a thank you for the support, I am currently running a discount on yearly subscriptions, which is valid until September 22nd, 2025! Paid subscribers will have full access to The Vitmar Chronicles as well as its deleted scenes and extended tales. Thanks for giving my writing a chance!

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Part II: Light 6th, 233; 3rd Era

“The children that survive us carry our love through generations.”

—Ilynikan proverb

The Span of Joining was a ritual developed early in the 3rd Era, when settlers wanted to distance themselves from the oppressive practices common in Andranei. Rather than having a superfluous spectacle, the ritual’s goal was to pass on knowledge, to seek approval and guidance from trusted friends and family, and to both forge and test the couple’s bond.

Kaldor awoke on the second day of the ritual with Aelwynn entangled in the bedsheets with him, their wrists gnarled in between them. He groaned and tried to stretch out his arm without disturbing her. Shortly after, he realized that he was going to have to disturb her anyway, as he was fairly sure she wouldn’t enjoy waking up in a wet bed.

“Aelwynn,” he whispered and kissed the apple of her cheek. “Nature calls, as does duty.”

“Snrrt,” Aelwynn replied with a chuckle. “Can I sleep while you do it?”

“I might prefer it if you did,” Kaldor said.

Aelwynn blinked her eyes open slowly and log rolled obnoxiously over him while he laughed into her hair. “Off with us then,” she said, sliding off the bed and tugging on his wrist. “I may as well go while we’re at it.”