Chapter 9
Jubilation and Joining
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Enter into the light!” the white-robed Priestess called out, beckoning all those gathered to enter the circle.
“Hail! Rejoice! The light shines upon us!” the congregation chanted in reply as they filed through the easternmost entrance to the stone circle. They began to sing softly as they formed a circle around the Priestess and the blazing ritual fire.
As the last of the dark-robed congregation entered, the Priestess smiled and held out her arms in a welcoming gesture. “My brothers and sisters, honored are we to gather here tonight!”
“Honored, blessed. So mote it be!” came the answering chant. They bowed their heads and waited for the Priestess to continue.
“So mote it be,” she offered her plea to the moon. “This glorious night, together, we shall bless a most sacred union, binding three souls as one, beyond hand-fasting, beyond marriage, these three have entered into a blood binding, sealed by their offering of heart’s blood, consecrating the Fuíl talisman, forever sealing their own destinies with the power of the Fuíl.”
“Blessed be!” the congregation shouted.
“Enter and be recognized, those who seek to bind!” commanded the Priestess. All eyes turned to the entrance and the three white-robed figures who seemed to materialize from thin air. They entered, the smallest figure leading and the tallest figure bringing up the rear. Their heads covered by the cowls, their hands folded inside the flowing sleeves of their robes, they moved silently. The congregation parted to allow them to proceed to stand directly in front of the Priestess. The smallest figure’s robe was held in place with a green silk cord. A blue silk cord graced the middle-sized figure. The tallest of the three wore a black silk cord.
They moved to stand shoulder to shoulder for a moment then simultaneously sank to their knees.
“Do you enter freely without reservation or coercion?” the Priestess demanded of the three supplicants.
“Yes, Priestess,” they chorused. Someone in the congregation began to cough. The Priestess scowled angrily in the general direction of the sound, causing it to stop instantly.
“Let us begin, children of the light!” she called out loudly.
“Praises, praises into the night!” the entire assembly answered joyfully.
The three supplicants lowered their hands and untied their cords. Each one held the silken rope high enough to be seen, then looped them, ends together. Passing each end through the doubled side, they formed a circle around their right wrists and pulled the cords taut.
“Right hands, together. To comfort,” the Priestess instructed as she began weaving one loose end of the green cord around each of their wrists, joining their hands.
“To nurture!” she called out again, picking up the remaining end of the green cord.
“Blessed be!” replied the congregation.
The Priestess picked up the first blue end, chanting, “To guide!” She wove the blue cords opposite the green cords’ pattern. “To unite!”
Again, those gathered replied in unison, “Blessed be.”
The Priestess picked up the black cord, ready to begin the weaving once more.
“To protect!” she passed the black silk over and around their joined hands. “To sustain!
“Blessed be,” cried the crowd once more.
“Rise, children of light, be joined and blessed,” exhorted the Priestess, motioning upwards with her hands.
The three had to lean into each other to rise as one. The Priestess slowly moved behind them and lowered their cowls, first Sarah, her raven hair spilling free and falling in stark contrast to the white of her robe. Secondly, the Priestess revealed Arn, his light brown hair pulled to a small tail at the nape of his neck. She nearly had to stand on tiptoe to reach Alaric’s, but managed and his wild black mane sprang free. The Priestess moved back to stand in front of the trio, untying her white silk cord as she did.
“Sarah, child of light, do you accept this bond?” the redheaded Priestess questioned.
“Yes, Priestess. Humbly, I accept.” Sarah bowed her head. The Priestess looped the white cord around her wrist. The Priestess then turned her attention on Arn.
“Arn, child of light, do you accept this bond?”
Arn mimicked Sarah perfectly, bowing his head as he answered, “Yes, Priestess. Humbly, I accept.” She looped the cord loosely around his wrist as well. She moved to stand in front of Alaric, once more asking, “Alaric, child of light, do you accept this bond?”
“Yes, Priestess. Humbly, I accept,” he readily agreed.
As the Priestess finished winding the white cord around their wrists, she called out to the brethren, “Is there one among you who will speak for the Fuíl?”
“Yes, Priestess,” a small voice from a small figure called out.
“Come forward, child of light. Come forward and bless this bond,” she entreated. The smallest of the black robed figures stepped forward, wearing the Fuíl in full view of all the assembly. A ruby red silk cord encircled his slim waist many times.
Slowly, he unwound the silk, offering it to the Priestess. The gold and ruby talisman seemed to burn on his chest, glowing, alive with the reflection of the ritual flames.
The Priestess wrapped the red cord over the white cord, three times. She stooped to pick up one of the white candles burning near the base of the fire. Softly, she tipped the candle so that the wax dripped onto the cords, sealing them. The Priestess then lifted the golden goblet and fresh baked loaf of bread from their resting place near the fire. First, she offered the bread to Sarah at the center. Sarah took the loaf with her bound hand, chanting, “Praise be the gifts of the field!”
“Blessed be those who eat this gift.” Her voice rang out, loud and clear in the cool night air. Alaric broke off a piece of the loaf and offered it to Arn, who accepted it, never touching it with his fingers. Alaric repeated the process with Sarah. Arn broke of a piece to offer to his partners as well. Then, the Priestess took the bread from Sarah and handed it to the nearest congregant to pass through the crowd and share. Next, she lifted a golden goblet, raised it high, singing out, “Blessed be the fruits of the vine. Blessed be those who drink from the cup!” She placed the goblet in their joined hands and all three had to maneuver carefully so that they could each drink the wine, sipping carefully. Again, the Priestess took the goblet and passed it to the congregation.
She nodded to the boy. Bren dipped his head, reverently lifting the talisman over it to offer to the Priestess as well. She smiled, held it as a gift for all to see before laying it gently on top of the three joined hands.
“The blood offering made has been accepted. What man has joined, may the gods bless!” she shouted, face upturned to the starry heavens, arms outstretched.
“Praises! Praises! Glory to all three!” the congregation rejoiced, beginning to dance slowly around the fire.
“A kiss to seal your bond publicly. You know what you must do to seal the bond completely?” the Priestess whispered to the trio.
“Yes, Priestess,” Sarah answered solemnly. Alaric and Arn tipped their heads to kiss her chastely on the cheeks. They maneuvered around so that each one might enjoy a kiss from the other two.
Arn used his free hand to return the Fuíl to the safety of his neck. He smiled warmly at Bren, who beamed up at him.
“Young Bren, you have served well. Go now, feast, dance and enjoy!” Sarah exhorted him, grinning her approval of the new mage apprentice.
“Thank you, Lady Sarah!” he chirped, running to find his mother and father among the crowd.
The celebration began in earnest with the trio attempting to feast with their hands still tied in knots. As forced by the nature of the bonds, they fed each other, leaning companionably against each other’s strength. Alaric passed the wine goblet across Sarah to offer a sip to Arn. Alaric’s chocolate eyes glowed as the wine stained Arn’s lips red. Sarah sighed contentedly as she watched them tease each other before playfully leaning in to lick the excess from Arn’s lips.
“These cords grow tiresome,” Arn observed dryly as he plucked at them with his free hand.
“Mmmm, imagine them secured around your wrists, binding you as both Alaric and I mount you.” Sarah daydreamed of the other activities as she fingered the smooth silk longingly.
Alaric groaned, falling backwards into the many pillows and cushions, dragging his partners down with him; Sarah laughing, Arn grimacing.
“Indeed,” scoffed the ever-impatient Arn, mildly irritated. “How long before we can return to the keep?”
Sarah and Alaric grinned at each other before attacking, smothering Arn in kisses, hands roaming, bodies writhing, striving for more contact.
“Sarah, your chambers are ready,” Iccios interrupted, placing a distracting hand on her arm to garner her attention.
“Praise be!” she exclaimed, urging her companions to their feet. “This night, you shall own me, both at once.” She made her demand with a wicked grin.
“And if I should desire to be owned by both of my lovers as well?” Alaric posed his question slyly, watching for Arn’s reaction.
Arn swallowed, eyes wide at the thought of turning the tables and owning Alaric. “The night is long,” Arn replied huskily, tugging on the binding cords to lead them both towards the private chambers. “And our wife is very creative,” he paid her the compliment with an appreciative leer.
“She is an inventive witch,” Alaric agreed, eying his witch appreciatively.
“I must be. I have two men to entertain, after all,” she added with a knowing smile. One-handed, she pushed the door open, stepping onto the meadowsweet, releasing its soft aroma welcoming them home.
Hastily, Arn tore at the silk cord bindings as Alaric guided them towards the waiting bed.
