NationStates Jolt Archive

It is odd, reflected Mathonwy Marchocáu, that one could be required to love. Yet the ancient Shessaran charters required just that; that a husband love his wife and she him. Somehow, Mathonwy saw something hypocritical in that; most marriages ancient and modern were arranged by fathers, uncles, guardians or lords. Much as this one.
He'd never even met the Piá girl, and yet he was due to become her husband, and in time the father of her children, the future Marchocáu.
He was angry, and resentful that Cyridd would do something so obviously against his personal inclinations and wishes. Sighing, he tightened the side of his formal tunic, the sword-pin that marked him as a prince shifting where it fastened his long crimson cloak. His Gallic-style leggings, as well, were crimson, contrasting with the green-and-gold of his tunic.
The torches were lit, his honor-bound bodyguards, Sir Aeron and Sir Grigor, stood silent in deactivated battlearmor on either side of the great door, their great machine-guns held upright on alternate sides of their bodies, their chain-halberds ramrod-straight.
A long table was laid out, covered with fine gold dishes, and at its head was the great Throne of Shessara, the seat of the Uniter, where Cyridd would sit. To his left was the seat for Mathonwy, and to his right the seat for Zophra.

OOC: Any foreigners who wish to may attend, especially TNRE members or allies thereof.

OOC: Whoops, that post was supposed to be made by me...

Lady Zophra Piá, Mathonwy's soon-to-be wife, entered, her father, Lord Erun, holding her arm. They approached Mathonwy and his bodyguards, and Zophra curtsied while her father bowed in respect to the prince.

Mathonwy bowed deeply. A slight man, Mathonwy nevertheless carried an aura of great authority... and great sadness. His muscles were honed and lean from many hours of swordplay, but not bulging like those who work for strength.

"My lady Zophra, you are even more beautiful than I have been told."

The lady blushed, her cheeks turning a rosy pink, and she smiled.

"Thank you, my lord, I appreciate it."

may I play?

if so,what kind of stuff I do?

This all character role play,is game countries involved,and what?

please let me know'

"Please," he said, "Come and meet my cousin, the Tywysogion." He offered her his arm.

yes?No?

OOC: Yes.

Tagged

OOC: May I send and envoy to this wedding?

It is odd, reflected Mathonwy Marchocáu, that one could be required to love. Yet the ancient Shessaran charters required just that; that a husband love his wife and she him. Somehow, Mathonwy saw something hypocritical in that; most marriages ancient and modern were arranged by fathers, uncles, guardians or lords. Much as this one.
He'd never even met the Piá girl, and yet he was due to become her husband, and in time the father of her children, the future Marchocáu.
He was angry, and resentful that Cyridd would do something so obviously against his personal inclinations and wishes. Sighing, he tightened the side of his formal tunic, the sword-pin that marked him as a prince shifting where it fastened his long crimson cloak. His Gallic-style leggings, as well, were crimson, contrasting with the green-and-gold of his tunic.
The torches were lit, his honor-bound bodyguards, Sir Aeron and Sir Grigor, stood silent in deactivated battlearmor on either side of the great door, their great machine-guns held upright on alternate sides of their bodies, their chain-halberds ramrod-straight.
A long table was laid out, covered with fine gold dishes, and at its head was the great Throne of Shessara, the seat of the Uniter, where Cyridd would sit. To his left was the seat for Mathonwy, and to his right the seat for Zophra.

OOC: Any foreigners who wish to may attend, especially TNRE members or allies thereof.

The Guilds wishes you the best of luck in your matrimony. We would be willing to send an envoy (OOC: with a single Claw and a single Talon as security) to gift a present to the new couple, as mark of respect from The Guilds.

Pleasant regards,

The Guild of External Affairs,

OOC: Another romance thread?

OOC: Both of you may come.

[[Bump]]

(oh,ok,it this kinda thing.Thanks)

The emperial Goverment of the Alexian Empire would like to send an envoy(with gifts of course) if it is at all possible.

OOC: Come one, come all.

To the State of Shessara;

The UK wishes a long and joyous marriage between Prince Mathonwy and the Lady Piá.

If possible, we wish to send Henry Lowell as an envoy of the Emarian people.

Best Regards,

William Faulkner,
Sec'y Foreign Office.

The Guild envoy with a security detail, will set off without further delay aboard a Modified Passenger version of the 'Doombringer' Military Transport Plane.

We thank you for extending us an invite to this great occasion.

The Guild of External Affairs,

I can't think of anything to say at the moment.I will think of something at some point.

If possible, we wish to send Henry Lowell as an envoy of the Emarian people.

That would be wonderful.

"I would be honored to meet your cousin," she said, accepting his arm.

Mathonwy guided her gently to the head of the table, and Cyridd. The High Prince surveyed her for a moment, and then laughed gently. "I told you, Matho, there are some wonderful women out there." He smiled at Zophra and bowed deeply. "Cyridd of Eldidd, dy gwasanaethydd," he said, formally and yet warmly.

OOC: If she has been told at all of Shessaran culture, dy gwasanaethydd means "your servant".

Zophra smiled too, and curtised.

"Pleased to meet you, Prince Cyridd."

Cyridd smiled. "While we are waiting for the rest of the guests to arrive, would you like a glass of wine?"

"Ah, that would be quite lovely, thank you."

We would like to send Commissar Henry Omar to attend the wedding, representing the Federation.

The Commissariat of Diplomacy
The Socialist Federation of Hallad

OOC: Come!

“Another wedding, how appropriate.” Said Alek. “Perhaps attending would improve my mood…you servant” pointing at a figure in the corner “assemble my personal attendants and a few trusted guards. I wish to attend the wedding.” After a short pause “bring a gift of my best wine, and the specially prepared crown.”

“Yes my lordship! As you command.” Came the reply from the figure in the shadows.

OOC: With your permission I would like to send High Lord Alek(sander) DomStrod, along with a few servants.
2 Servants
5 guards armed with stun sticks. (tazers)
Arriving on the Saishu, a Rocket propelled transport.
/OOC

OOC: Raider as in Dark Eldar raider?

OOC: Lovely. *Calls in the Imperial Guard*

OOC: I was just kidding. I'm a Guard player. Shessara has Templar.

OOC: Cool! Back to RP?

OOC: I have a Dark Eldar and a Guard (Ph33r heavy weapons) army in RL.

IC:

The Guild envoy stepped out of the modified 'Doombringer' Transport her beautiful purple velvet dress flowing, accompanied by a black cloaked Senior Claw and a Red cloaked Mighty Talon. She twisted her head back to see the Claw initiates sorting out the plane for their return journey, whenever that was going to be. 'A pleasant place so far, I think' she though to herself as she saw the scared faces of her companions scanning everywhere, she hoped their wouldn't be any need for these two to use their much feared skills. 'Now, I wonder where that reception comittee is?' she pondered to herself.

"Where's the plane?"asked the Alexian delegate,having arrived at the airport in Alex City half an hour ago.

"Well,you see,the thing is....."said the airport controller.

"What?You said it was ready before I arrived."

"It was.It's jus'....."

"Just what?Spit it out!"

"Well....."

"What?"said the delegate anxiously.

At this point,the airport controller had begun sweating,and was twisting his hat in his hand.

"You see,well..............We lost it."

OOC: DomSDay, please no Warhammer.

The Guild envoy stepped out of the modified 'Doombringer' Transport her beautiful purple velvet dress flowing, accompanied by a black cloaked Senior Claw and a Red cloaked Mighty Talon. She twisted her head back to see the Claw initiates sorting out the plane for their return journey, whenever that was going to be. 'A pleasant place so far, I think' she though to herself as she saw the scared faces of her companions scanning everywhere, she hoped their wouldn't be any need for these two to use their much feared skills. 'Now, I wonder where that reception comittee is?' she pondered to herself.

Ranks of splendidly attired and battlearmored Knights stood in a fan formation out from either side of the massive steel gates. The stone-and-concrete fortress had no other large entrances or exits.

A tall, blond-haired man, Mathonwy's cousin Owain, stood out in front. At the sight of the Guild envoy, he bowed deeply. "Please, milady, the reception is this way."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cyridd offered two bottles of wine, a red and a white. Seeing her preference, he poured and handed her the crystal glass.
"So tell me, Lady Zophra. What are marriage customs in your lands like?"

Zophra gave a small shrug.

"Some marriages are arranged. Most just marry for love. But in some houses of noblity such as the one I come, it is considered dutiful to marry for the benefit of your house."

The escort convoy accompaining Commissar Henry Omar came to a halt infront large gates. The wedding was in the keep. Several soldiers got out a BTR-90, and Omar exited his car. They went up to the gate. Looking up at the guards Omar called out, "Oy, comrades! I am here for the wedding. I shall shed my escort, except for a few men, upon my enterance into the keep. I trust you have been informed of this already?"

Owain looked down at the Halladi ambassadors. "Sir, I have been informed of your arrival. You may enter."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cyridd smiled. "Your people are wise. Now, Matho, I have something to attend to, so I'll leave you to it." He turned and walked away, slipping out of the hall.
Mathonwy turned to Zophra. "So... have you seen much of Shessara, on your journey?"

"I thank you." He made a motion. The vehicles escorting him turned around, leaving him witha three man guard.

She shook her head no.

"I have not seen much of Shessara, we flew in and I slept through the drive from the airport."

OOC: I’ll borrow a name now and again but nothing big from 40k.

IC: Watching the castle came closer High Lord Alek(sander), ordered his guards to transmit a hail, telling the guards that he and his servants were approaching.

After arriving in front of the main gate, and getting out with his 2 servants, and 2 guards, he shouted, “I hope I am expected?”. Smiling ever so slightly, he then said to his servant “fetch the gifts and bring them inside… we have much drinking to do.”

OOC: The CSU Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nii Haratuba, sends his greetings. (http://www.pasa.ch/ASA/Pages/PoPo/fun.htm)

IC: CSU would like to send a delegate to this event: Governor Arcan Nardix of the Protectorate State of Lysandoria of the Caldaron Soviet Union

OOC: DomSDay, I don't want anything from 40K. Maybe it's better to stay out of this one...?

Come and be welcome, Caldaron.

IC: "Ah, Shessara is beautiful," said Mathonwy. "Great forest, beautiful plains. Tomorrow we can ride out and I could show you some of them, if you'd like."

"I would enjoy that very much," Zophra told him, sipping her wine from the glass.

OOC: Ooh… can I stay.. I wont use any 40k, ill just go back and change the names! Done that and got rid of anoying posts.

OOC: Well, allright, as long as you've done that.

IC: "Do you like falconing?" asked Mathonwy.

"I've never been falconing, but I did like to bird watch when I was younger," she told him.

"Tell me"asked the delegate with a hint of anger and sarcasm"how does on lose an areoplane?"

"Well,uh,ssss,eh,"the controller was sweating profusly at this point,muttering and trying to find a good excuse.And then,without warning,he keeled over and fell to the ground,unconscious.

"Would you look at that............."said the delegate,somewhat confused as to what to do from this point on.

OOC: DomSDay, please no Warhammer.



Ranks of splendidly attired and battlearmored Knights stood in a fan formation out from either side of the massive steel gates. The stone-and-concrete fortress had no other large entrances or exits.

A tall, blond-haired man, Mathonwy's cousin Owain, stood out in front. At the sight of the Guild envoy, he bowed deeply. "Please, milady, the reception is this way."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Cyridd offered two bottles of wine, a red and a white. Seeing her preference, he poured and handed her the crystal glass.
"So tell me, Lady Zophra. What are marriage customs in your lands like?"

Durina eyed the man, 'Hmm, a fine specimen, shame we don't have more of these back in Vas Urbs' she thought to herself. 'Thank you, sir' she replied, before her and her companions made their way to the motorcade, in which they were to proceed.

After a reasonable period of time, they drew close to the area for the reception... 'Interesting nation this, i'm sure those two will take this opportunity to scope the potential of this nation for their files, but it is beautiful none the less' she ponder quietly. She also noticed the Senior Claw in particular keeping an eye on the driver and escorts... 'I wish these Claw would relax every once in a while, they are far too uptight for someone like me' she quietly thought as she studied the scarred face of the Senior Claw and those deadly dark eyes... 'I wonder what it will be like when we get there?'

The reception was set in a massive, stone-arched hall, with elaborate and beautiful tapestries lining the walls. Knights stood at attention on either sides of each exit- and these were no ordinary Knights. Each was a vassal of Cyridd directly, and all of the Pendefigion.

OOC: Can we just say my delegate has set off.

IC:Prince Rupert's plane, Air Force 12 touched down in the airbase. He summoned one of his slaves to do his hair and then stepped onto the ramp that led down into the airfeild. He looked around breifly, seeing that this city was no where near as large as Aust City, (population 1.4 billion) and then went down the ramp, trying not to trip on the long sword that hung awkwardly at his side.

A Shessaran lord, in a long black coat, stood on the tarmac to greet him. "My lord Rupert, we have a groundcar for you." He gestured to where three black, silver-ornamented cars sat idling, about twenty-five feet away. "If you will but step this way."

Henry and his guards walked into the keep. They took pride in representing their nation, one of the men was clearly in the Republican Guard, carrying a huge banner. Inscribed on them were "For the Greater Good" which was bellow a marching hammer emblem.

The Commissar, not known his way about the Shessaran keep waited for a guide.

"Hawks are beautiful creatures," said Mathonwy, "So fierce and plumed."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Quickly a young man in the uniform of a page hustled up to them. "My lords, please, straight through the guard hall. The main hall is beyond, in the inner keep." He turned and began walking.

"Lead the way, comrade!" He and his guard followed the man.

OOC: Hawks eh? Shessara have many? We would strike a deal to buy some.

"Yes," Zophra said, nodding. "I've seen them, they look amazing when they fly. It can be breathtaking to watch such amazing creatures."

OOC: Almost all nobles keep mews. Any one of them could be approached to buy hawks.

OOC: Well, the government would want to buy them, as the Hawk is our national animal. And according to NS it's on the brink of extinction in Hallad. Even though hawks can thrive in a desert.

A Shessaran lord, in a long black coat, stood on the tarmac to greet him. "My lord Rupert, we have a groundcar for you." He gestured to where three black, silver-ornamented cars sat idling, about twenty-five feet away. "If you will but step this way."
Rupert bowed low, almost tripping in the high heeled cavalry boots he had to wear. "Thank you, sir. I shall" he began to move towards the cras, butiful cars, he noticed. He climbed in and prepared for the off.

Mathonwy smiled. "Shessara is full of beautiful creatures. It would be my deepest pleasure to show them to you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The car pulled away from the curb and in a short time delivered its passengers to the gates of the great palace, where Owain hustled up to them. "Greetings, my lord Rupert. Please come this way." He gestured toward the castle gate.

"It would be my deepest pleasure to be able to see them," Zophra told him, smiling broadly.

The reception was set in a massive, stone-arched hall, with elaborate and beautiful tapestries lining the walls. Knights stood at attention on either sides of each exit- and these were no ordinary Knights. Each was a vassal of Cyridd directly, and all of the Pendefigion.

After exiting the motorcade, Durina and her two companions made their way to the hall at a leisurely pace, when they got there Durina was visibly impressed. She hadn't seen anything like this outside the Guildlord's Palace of Meeting, and she had only been there once. Her companions looked as bleak & unreadable as ever, cold eyes scanning the length of the hall, particullarily fixing on the knights. Durina sighed... 'These two are real party animals... why couldn't I have some young soldiers or something...' she thought to herself.

They slowly made their way in stately fashion towards, whereever their guide (OOC: I presume one is showing them the way) was taking them, Durina assumed either sleeping quarters or to see the couple.

Mathonwy smiled. "Shessara is full of beautiful creatures. It would be my deepest pleasure to show them to you."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The car pulled away from the curb and in a short time delivered its passengers to the gates of the great palace, where Owain hustled up to them. "Greetings, my lord Rupert. Please come this way." He gestured toward the castle gate.
"Ah, Owain," Rupert said, "I reconise you from the intel pictures, a pleasure to make your aquatence." He stepped towards the castle gate, "Is this where the berothed couple are staying? It looks much like the Imperial PAlace at Aust's outer defences."

The guide led Durina to where Mathonwy and Zophra sat. As they approached, Mathonwy rose and bowed deeply. "My lady Durina of the Merchant Guilds, I presume?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Owain nodded. "Why yes, this is where Mathonwy is staying. Now please, step this way and a page will lead you to the festivities."

Zophra rose and curtsied deeply as Mathonwy bowed. "Please to meet you."

The guide led Durina to where Mathonwy and Zophra sat. As they approached, Mathonwy rose and bowed deeply. "My lady Durina of the Merchant Guilds, I presume?"

Durina smiled and stepped forward, with her two companions staring in a rather bemused fashion at the couple. "Yes, your highness, that would be me. My companions are representatives of the Claw" indicating the scared man in the Black cloak "and the Talon" indicating the man in the Red cloak, "they are my escorts and represent those two principal agencies here" she said. Both men gave perceptable nods of greeting before resuming their scanning...

"The GuildLords would like to extend their most sincere congratulations to both of you in your upcoming marriage, they would also like to offer you their friendship in the future, should you need it you may call upon us to aid you in any way. They would like to present you each with a present, to wish you both good luck and a long life." she carried on. She gave a nod to the men either side of her both them, momentarily dropped their guard to retrieve different things from hidden pockets in their clothing. The Claw drew out a solid silver ring with swirling patterns & runes engraved expertly upon it, carefully studed with high quality diamonds diamonds with the brides name, engraved into the inside of the ring. The Talon drew out a similar rine but with slightly different engravings and the groom's name upon it. Both men waited for servants to come and collect the gifts from them to the royal couple, since Durina and they realised it might be interpreted badly if two trained killers were within arms length of the couple...

Durina smiled 'With Lord Stra'coth's personal compliments' she said through that bewitching smile.

"Thank you" The Prince nodded and followed the man.

Two servants came forward and collected the rings, bearing them to Mathonwy. "You have my deepest thanks," he said, and bowed.

As the afternoon sun cast it’s warming rays through the western window, Whetherby Sneed, First Speaker, allowed his mind to wander over the implications of the message that now sat on his desk, idly twisting at the goatee he had recently cultivated.

“Farthingsworth is always the last to get these notifications,” he mused. “Rather unlikely that the blessed union will have any direct bearing on our nation, but it would be poor form not to take note of the occasion, none the less.”

The chime of the audiocom brought him back from the momentary distraction. Emperor Torkleson will want the opportunity to choose an appropriate gift, he thought as he reached for the button on the desk.

“First Speaker,” came the voice form the tinny little box, “the courier has arrived.”

“Very good, Monica,” he said into the box. Please send him in.

The courier, dressed in the standard blue and gold livery, entered smartly. “Sah,” he snapped, “you have a message for the Emperor, Sah?”

“Yes. Please see that he gets this document immediately, and stand by for his reply. It is of international significance that I receive his response quickly.” He took the document from his desk and passed it to the courier, who instantly placed it in the ceremonial document pouch, spun on his heel, and made a hasty exit.

OOC: I hope I haven't joined in too late. If so, I will have a nice fruit basket sent over. :)

OOC: Of course not.

A conference, a courier, and day’s travel later, the Farnsworth Delegation is preparation for their first meeting with Prince Mathonwy of Shessara.

First Speaker Sneed tied his bow tie as the attendant applied the last minute efforts to his glossy shoes. “I know I have always protested wearing the official tuxedo for these social events, but I must admit I look damned splendid when get out of the Speaker's robes and play the dapper sophisticate,” he said to no one in particular. Speaker Antferious, a tall man with a rather military bearing, stood to his right, reviewing the Diplomatic Briefing.

“Arranged marriages, indeed. Beastly, if you ask me.”

“Marcus, you are never going to get anywhere in the world of diplomacy if you don’t keep an open mind. Where are those cufflinks? Maria?”

Maria Sneed had little enough patience for her husband’s inability to keep track of his personal effects, but, honestly, when we are traveling as Official Representatives of the Emperor, couldn’t he just have one of the attendants look for them, not to mention that they were, if she knew him at all, in his vest pocket.”

From the next room, he heard her raise her voice. “Did you look in …”

“Never mind, Dearest,” he interrupted. “I found them in my vest pocket.”

The gyrations of costumery now complete, the party and their attendants gathered in the garden for a bit of refreshment and fresh air prior to the arrival of their transportation.

“Marvelous lemonade they have here,” Maria offered.


“Indeed,” replied Marcus. “The competitive nature of those enterprising young men on the street corners seems to have produced a superior vintage. One hopes that the rumored impending crackdown on them won’t reduce the quality.”

“Marcus …,” warned Whetherby.

“I kid! It was a mere bit of sport! I have nothing but the greatest respect for Shessara, and you know that’s true. My Master’s thesis revolved around the marvelous work they have been doing in balancing the needs of the economy and the environment. We would do well to follow their lead on that.”

“I swear,” Maria stopped the obviously emerging debate. “Do you two ever stop antagonizing each other? Our transportation has arrived. Now behave!”

OOC: Do you want to pick us up, or should we arrange our own transportation?

OOC: Sit back and relax...

IC: Three sleek black groundcars slid up to the garden entrance. A tall man in the livery of Clan Pendefigion exited through the passenger's side shotgun door. "First Speaker Sneed, sir? Come this way." He indicated the parked groundcars. Three men in black coats stood at various points around the cars, all armed.

As per the dictates of Farthingsworth tradition, the trio travels under the sole protection of their host, and a brief but comfortable ride brings them to the magnificent structure.

The sounds of controlled revelry could be heard echoing through the great hallways as their escort brought the trio to the betrothed couple. First Speaker Sneed, true to his nature immediately began to assess his surroundings, as well as the young couple seated before him.

Prince Mathonwy appeared to be in peak physical form for a man of his age, with the build of one who has spent countless hours at swordplay. Out of pride, duty, or as a release of his frustrations, Whetherby could not say. Dressed in a green tunic, embroidered with gold thread, and leggings to match his crimson cloak, his countenance belied the joy of the gala beyond him, as his eyes betrayed a secret sadness held within the stoic exterior.

Lady Zophra Piá, in contrast, was the very picture of the blushing bride. She seemed a bit insecure, as was appropriate for one of her relative youth, but nonetheless pleased with the arrangement, outwardly.

Maria and Marcus awaited Whetherby’s introduction. It was his responsibility, as First Speaker, to begin the conversation. Indeed, it was his only responsibility, as First Speaker was no simple title, but the summation of his responsibility; to be the first to speak on behalf of the Monarchy.

Whetherby bowed low, the others following his lead. “Your Highness, please allow me to introduce you to Speaker Marcus Antferious of the Emporer’s Council, and to Mrs. Maria Sneed, my wife. We bring you greetings on behalf of the Righteous Emperor Torkleson I, Supreme Patriarch of The Constitutional Monarchy of Farthingsworth, and congratulations on the occasion of your nuptuals.”

“It is an honor to make your acquaintance,” said Marcus. Maria briefly bowed her head in silence.

“Lady Piá, Lord Erun, it is also with great honor that I extend the Emperor’s greetings to you, along with his congratulation, both to Lady Piá on her impending nuptials, and to Lord Erun, on the excellent task he has accomplished in raising and training such an honorable daughter.”

Marcus clears his throat, and prominently displays an ornately carved wooden box as the trio awaits the response of the couple.

OOC: I love your roleplaying style :).

Mathonwy rose, and gave a deep bow to both Marcus and Sneed. "It does me honor to finally meet you, milords Sneed and Marcus, and your beautiful wife." He knelt, gracefully, and kissed Maria's hand. "You and your Emperor have been wonderfully kind. I trust that my men have been helpful?"

OOC: Actually, this is my first RP in character. Never done this kind of thing before.

IC:“Wonderfully helpful, your Highness,” First Speaker Sneed replied.

“A-HEM!”
Marcus cleared his throat again, more forcefully.

First Speaker Sneed shot a quick glance, and a slight scowl, at Speaker Antferious, who smiled to himself in response, and stepped forward. Kneeling before the Prince, he proffered the wooden box.

The box was ornately carved and inset with a variety of emeralds, sapphires, and rubies. In the center of the top was set a large topaz, multi-faceted and oval-shaped.

“Righteous Emperor Torkleson I, Supreme Patriarch of The Constitutional Monarchy of Farthingsworth, offers, with a great deal of pleasure, this humble gift. Carved from the wood of the Farthing Willow, a symbol of undying devotion in our culture, the music played upon opening this box was specially commissioned to celebrate the union of these two in holy matrimony.”

Click this link for Music (http://hsss.net/EPoet/wp-images/Wedding.mp3)

OOC: I hope the link works. Yes, this is an original I wrote about 6 hours ago, just for this occasion. I hope you and the Lady Piá enjoy it.

Servants approached, bowed, and carried the gift over to Mathonwy, who smiled. "I thank you, my friend."