The Quantum Wanderer

I was having some water that went down the wrong pipe. I would expect something like that from Cecilia, not Opal. The other girls stopped eating as well, and they were all focusing on me. I coughed a couple of times.

I started thinking about this. I already call them wives, so there is not going to be much change there. We could have some small ceremony somewhere. The girls don’t have a lot of people to call to the wedding, it is not like we are nobles.

They want a party to show off. I had offered them balls if they wanted, they never really shown any interest. If it is something that will make them happy and it has no downsides…

“Hum…  I think we can. We just have to plan it.”

The girls’ faces shine.  They all come towards and hug me. I hug them back. They slowly get back to their seats.

“Who would you like to invite for the wedding? As far as I know, we don’t have many friends around…”

“Actually, we already started the planning. Aisha is helping us. Having your decision on it was the important thing.”

“Oh. Ok. Who are you calling?”

“For the wedding and the party, my parents, Anthon, Edward, Davrin, Brokkr, Leopold, Andrew and their families. Opal suggested that the elders could watch the ceremony.” Cecilia answers.

“What about Akiko?” Shandon asks.

Apparently Akiko caused an impression with the whole son in law thing. I turn to Cecilia.

“Do you think she can handle it? Besides Davrin, Rajesh and Anthony, she is going to be in the middle of dragons.”

“I don’t know. Let’s put a pin on it for now.”

I remember about the dwarves that almost rebuilt this house.

“What about the dwarves the worked in the renovation?”

Opal makes a face like she had tasted something bad.

“Do you think they are worthy, my lord?”

“They worked for free…”

“Not really, my lord, we provided them a city for it.”

“We didn’t build the city, we just exterminated some insects.”

“Yes, but it was lost nonetheless.”

“I don’t know… I would like to invite them…”

Opal sighs.

“Of course, my lord. We can talk to Aisha tomorrow.”

I smile at her, and she blushes. I wonder how much of her changing her mind was because of their customs of males being in control. But I am not going to push my luck.

“Is the wedding going to take place in Drakonia? If you intend on inviting the elders…”

“Yes, my lord. We are getting Troggar to build a chapel of glass, just to keep most of the wind and sand away.”

“When is it going to happen?”

“Next month, on the 25th.  One month from today. It should be time enough to prepare everything.” Cecilia answered.

“When are the invites going to be ready?”

“The ones that we listed to Aisha should be ready by tomorrow, they are not that many. By the end of day, of course. It makes no sense to send an invitation to the elders, nor to the dwarves that worked here. I think we should treat the closest people with some additional value.”

“Ok, that makes sense.”

We talk about some more issues, and then retire for the night.

Next morning, when we come down for breakfast, the girls are excited.

I summon Rudolph.

“Rudolph, I have some news.”

“Yes, lord?”

“We are going to have a wedding!”

The girls all around me are smiling, with a satisfied expression. Rudolph fakes surprise. I giggle.

“There is a lot that needs attention, lord. The place, the invitations, the crew for the place.”

“Most of it is solved, but yes, I am going to need some of you to help me on the day. After the ceremony, we are going to have a party. This is going to be volunteer work, though. It is going to happen on the 25th of next month. Can you please check with the others who would like to go? I want also to be sure that whoever goes is completely trustworthy, they are going to see some stuff that is not quite… Public.”

“I will have that arranged by noon, lord, and then you can provide further information.”

“Great. That will work.”

After breakfast, I portal the girls to the school. They are a little too anxious to actually pay attention to classes, but I tell them that there is nothing for them to do right now. They might as well try to get distracted.

Rudolph is walking all over the house, talking to a lot of people. I go outside, to my spot under the tree, and lay down looking at some clouds at the sky. I wonder if people here also has the custom of having rings on their fingers for engagement and or marriage. Of course, even if they do, this would be something only nobles would have, but perhaps Rudolph would know the rule of the thumb.

When noon arrives, I go inside, to see who Rudolph put together to help. Everyone is in the living room. All 25 people.  Actually, all 24, the gardener’s assistant is not among them.

“Rudolph, if you were going to talk to everyone, why didn’t you call the gardener’s assistant as well?”

“We all thought he might open his mouth, lord. Besides, we need someone to look after the children during the day, right?”

“You can take the kids if you want, I wouldn’t mind.”

“That’s not a good idea, lord. Children talk about stuff.”

“Ok. I am going to explain the situation, and then I will give you the option.”

“As you wish, lord.”

My initial idea was to have a group of 5 at most, I didn’t expect everyone to want to come. I was going to have the meeting with them in the study, but 25 people in the study is going to be crammed. I just go a couple of steps up the stairs in the living room, and then I cast a silence spell around us so that what I am going to say doesn’t get out. It is time to be sincere.

“Alright, everyone. Rudolph mentioned that there is going to be a wedding, right?”

“Congratulations!” “Finally! Poor lady Cecilia-“ “Making lady Opal honest-“ “What took so long…?”

The reactions were not quite what I expected.

“Anyway, I have to come clean about a couple of things. Do you remember the dragon parade that happened some time ago?”

Everyone nodded.

“I was in that parade.”

Everyone just kept staring at me, as if I needed to provide new information.

“The parade was lead by Opal, Shandon, Aquamarine and Ruby, they are female dragons. That is their true form.”

Everyone is still staring at me, silent.

“So we decided to do the wedding in the land of the dragons, it is a neutral place where even our guests on the more unusual side can go.”

“Do you mean in the mountains?” Roberta asks.

“No, that is just the Nursery. That is the place where the dragons raise their hatchlings. The real land of dragons is in another continent, called Drakonia. The wedding is going to happen on a beach there.”

“How many people are you inviting?” Still Roberta asking.

“Humanoids, we are inviting the people close to me, they have all been in this house already. No strangers. I was thinking about inviting Varr and his crew as well. Plus their wives, of course. That would make around either 20 or 120 people.”

“Are you going to invite non-humanoids?”

“Yes, the elder dragons, but we are not going to prepare food for them. I am going to provide a slab of meat, and they can sort it out.”

“Is there any danger? Anything we have to be cautious about?”

“No. In fact, I was going to tell you that you may bring the kids if you want.”

“Sir, that is not a good idea.” Roberta said.

“Why?”

“Kids are going to want to talk. Now you have a peasant kid, possibly telling the son of a noble, how he enjoyed an afternoon with elder dragons in another land… No one is going to believe, of course, but it is not going to be healthy. It is best if we just let them pass the day here.”

“As you wish.”

“When is it going to happen?” Again Roberta.

“On the 25th of the next month. Almost 1 month from today.”

…

“Any additional questions?”

They all shook their heads, and each went their own way. I gesture to Rudolph.

“Rudolph, is there any symbol of marriage that is used? Rings/necklaces/anything?”

“Lord, among nobles it is customary for the wife to wear a ring, indicating she is taken.”

“Does this ring have any specific detail? Gemstone, format, etc?”

“No gem, lord.  The finger used is the important one. The left pinky, as it is the finger associated with covenants, promises and fates.”

I am thinking that I am going to commission the dwarves. Perhaps I can ask Brokkr to point me a gold artisan when I bring him his invitation.

“Rudolph, we are going to need to acquire liquor, and other food for the party after. I am going to provide the meat, but we are going to need condiments, breads, cheeses, wines, drinks. How much do you need for that?”

“Lord, I already mentioned you the arrangements with the duke. If I take your money for something like this, he might want my head…”

I smile. I can feel some sincere goodwill in Rudolph’s voice. I smile. He continues.

“Lord, what attire are you going to use for the wedding?”

“I don’t know, what are the options?”

“Either some nice clothing, made to order, or some nice armor. Some nobles make some beautiful, although not really useful, armor just for the occasion. What would lord want?”

“Can you give me an opinion on this?”

I show him the armor that Brokkr had gifted me. He looks at it.

“This piece of armor is good enough to make the emperor jealous, lord. It will work very well.”

“Good, thank you. Now what else is there to do?”

“You, lord, nothing. The girls have to choose what is going to be served.”

“Actually, Aisha is taking care of those details.”

“Lord… I don’t think you would want that. Are you sure you are willing to risk Roberta’s rage?”

“Rage? Why?”

“You would be passing the message that she is  only good enough for everyday meals… I would get really bothered if I were her and I got that news.”

“O…k… I will get her in touch with Aisha, then. She is the one that is managing the details, so both of them can get the menu and details straight.”

“Good choice, lord.”

“Oh, I almost forgot. What do people do to show that they are engaged?”

“The women may wear a crown of flowers, lord.”

“Great. How can I get five of them?”

“I will procure them, lord. Don’t worry.”

“Thank you, Rudolph. I must say that you really help me a lot. I don’t think I thank you enough.”

“That’s my duty, lord. I appreciate the sentiment.”

I retire to my study, where I am trying a pet project. I am trying to find a way to create the neutron crystal scales in a way that, if a cell disappears, the grid is not going to get affected. And if the cell reappears, the scales are going to work.

Right now, the way they are covering my skin is in an interlocking scales, so that nothing can go beneath the scales. But I think that in this scenario, this is going to be impossible. But it is still going to provide a lot of protection.

After some time on this, I feel Rajesh’s Comm Gem shake. I start the call.

“Hello, friend. Aisha is telling me that the invitations are ready. You might want to give them away.”

“Oh, this is great. I am going to portal to the room we always use.”

I portal myself, Rajesh is already there. On the table is a pile with some invitations. I reach for them.

“Do you have any open one? I would like to see what it looks like.”

“Sure do…”

He hands me a thicker, nice parchment. On it, in gold, it is written:

“The Great Adventurer and the goddesses Opal, Shandon, Aquamarine, Ruby and Cecilia give you the honor to be present in their wedding, to be held on the 25th of the Fourth month.”

I feel it is a little bit over the top.

“Do all of them say this?”

“Of course.”

I sigh. I look at the invitations. There is even one for Rajesh.

“Why is your invitation here? You do know you are invited, right?”

“Well, friend, even though Aisha is helping organize, we thought it should still be your initiative to invite us.”

“Sure. Here. You and yours are invited.”

I hand him his invitation. I see that Sidhu’s invitation is in there as well.

“Is there a way to meet with Sidhu? Should we go to the church or invite him here?”

“Going to the church is going to cause a commotion, but other than that it is up to you.”

I think that less commotion is good, and Rajesh sends a messenger to call on Sidhu. We start talking about how married life is like, how his marriage was. Their traditions were completely different before the advent of religion. They did more of a contract thing than having something blessed by a god. He told me that Aisha was positively gorgeous in her wedding dressing.

His parents did not think that he would become the emperor, so they allowed him to marry for love, but his older brother was forced to marry with a noble’s daughter. He said that this was what saved his life, Aisha is way more important in the couple than anyone would guess.

Sidhu enters the room, and once he sees me he kowtows. I turn to him.

“It’s ok, just stand up.”

He stands up.

“Do you know what is going on already?”

“Not really, Great Adventurer.”

“There is going to be a wedding.”

“Who is getting married?”

“The girls and me.”

“What wonderful news! I am really happy for them, your holiness.”

“I have to say that I am the happiest, but ok. Anyway, I have here some of the invites.”

I pick up the one that has his name on it. But then I have an idea.

“Rajesh, can I have a pen?”

Rajesh points to one on the desk, and I pick it up. I take Sidhu’s invitation from the envelope, and I cross his name out. I put it back in the envelope. He is looking at me intrigued.

“This is  the invitation, but it is only for your family to attend. Not for you.”

He is a little shocked. I see that he is sad, and then I complement.

“You are not going to be a guest, I am asking you to officiate the wedding.”

His frown turns to a smile. I can see a tear forming. He kneels down.

“THANKYOU THANK YOU THANKYOU. I will do my best, my lord!”

I am worried that this is a little bit too much, but if it makes him happy, let it be. 

“Well, now if you excuse me, I am going to deliver the other invitations.”

“Of course, my friend.”

I open a portal, and then I go home. It is already getting late, I should probably deliver these tomorrow, probably with the girls by my side as well. I store the invitations in a holding bag, and wait for the girls to get home.

When it is time, I open their portal.  On top of the bed, they see the 5 crowns of flowers.

“What is this?” Aquamarine asks.

“There is a custom, the fiancées are supposed to wear a crown of flowers for a couple of weeks before the wedding…”

I smile a devilish smile.

“Really? Are you going to make us wear those?” Cecilia asked.

“I kind of like them.” Aquamarine adds.

“Aren’t the humans in the school going to keep asking about that? I saw a third year last semester wearing one of those, there was this circle of pests asking all sorts of questions, and making all sorts of squeaks.” Shandon mentions.

Ruby grabbed one and looked at it. She was intrigued by it. I look at her. She puts the crown on her head, and takes a look at a mirror in the bedroom. Apparently she approves it.

“I kind of like it as well. It feels like a complement to the wedding that is going to happen.”

I turn to Opal, that is going to be the decisive vote.

“It is another way to show to the world that you are marrying me… A symbolic crown for my queens…” I smile and plant a kiss on her lips.

She looks at one of the crowns, and put it on her head. Now she is I really satisfied with it.

Cecilia sighs, and so does Shandon. They all put the crowns on the table by the dresser, and we wash up and go to dinner. We talk about the stuff that happened during the day. I mention to them that the following day we are going to deliver the invitations.

After dinner we retire.

The next day, during breakfast, the girls are talking about the invitations.

“Remind me again why we aren’t inviting Akiko? She is a human I… don’t particularly dislike. There are not many of those outside this house.” Opal says.

“Well, she is not in the whole thing.” Cecilia answers.

“But she know enough! I thought she was gutsy for a human.” Said Shandon. “What do you think, my lord?”

“I think we can invite Akiko. She has already seen somethings, and I believe she can keep her mouth shut.  On the note of knowing stuff, I forgot to mention about yesterday. I blabbed everything to the people that are going to work on the wedding. It was a volunteer thing.”

“Who volunteered?” Aquamarine asks.

“Everyone. The only one that is not in on the whole thing is the gardener’s assistant. Apparently the others don’t trust him to keep his mouth shut too much.”

We finish the normal breakfast, and when we are about to stand up, Roberta comes out from the kitchen with several small square cakes on a troller.

“Hi Roberta. What is this?”

“You have to choose the cake for the wedding! I brought some options here, so that you can taste. Also, don’t limit yourselves to just what is here. This can be a first draft, and then we can get to something more elaborate. Like mixing this one cake with some layers of jelly or cream. Remember that the wedding cake is going to be big, so we can even do different cakes if that is the case.”

The girls are really excited, and start tasting the cakes. I am not excited with the cakes themselves, but their excitement fuels my smile.

They do take sometime tasting the cakes and talking to Roberta. I can now even imagine Roberta being promoted to Opal’s second preferred human. I let them have some fun and decide to pay some attention to Muninn and Huginn.

“How have you guys being? I know that you haven’t received a lot of attention lately.”

They actually leave me, and fly over to the table, to participate in the cake tasting. Ouch, that kind of hurts.  I let them have their fun, while I go about my studies. A couple of hours later, they are finally done. Roberta has a lot of notes, apparently.