Luther's Pride - Part 24

The servants filled the dining hall with more food than Luther thought possible to acquire and cook in so short a day. Wulfric must have planned for the guests to remain for dinner and planned accordingly. That showed a certain amount of wisdom. Luther didn’t know how long the celebrations would last, but he hoped not too long because he was eager to work with his new partners and determine their strengths and weaknesses for the inevitable challenge. 

Goose served as the main course, with dark and white meat carved from the bird and vegetables, primarily squashes of different types and potatoes. The wine flowed as well, emptying his father’s cellars through the sheer number of guests. Usually, union celebrations were family affairs, but the pantry emptied faster than usual with so many guests. 

However, Luther did not let his smile falter as he sat between Eira and Rhosyn on his left and Jo and Helena on his right. He sat at the head of the long table, and across the sea of families and faces, Emily sat at its foot. Her brother Lucas sat beside her, and Branan’s family cut them off from the others. Luther regretted that, but he ate and noticed that Emily did not join the conversation happening around her.

Luther was also cut off from most of the conversation as the meal progressed. With his partners surrounding him, he wasn’t within comfortable speaking distance of anyone else and was left alone with his thoughts. Eira and Rhosyn ate silently or spoke to each other through Rhosyn’s gift. Helena and Jo were still angry with him, letting it show in their silence. It was almost amusing that Eira and Rhosyn seemed warmer to him now than Jo and Helena. Hopefully, they would come to terms when they sparred and took the opportunity to vent their frustrations.

Luther’s gaze flicked about his guests, watching them and guessing what they discussed with their neighbors. Raucous laughter from the far end of the table cut through the room a few times before the meal drew to its close, and Luther had yet to finish his first glass of wine. Yet his stomach was full, and he was satisfied. He knew he had work and training to complete tonight. 

“Friends and family.” Luther said, standing and raising his glass at the far end of the table. “Thank you all for attending my dinner party last night and our weddings.” 

Some laughter rose from the far end of the table, and gentle elbowing between the Feothe clan distracted some of the guests. 

“It has been an honor to meet all of you, yes, even you.” Luther said, laughing as he did not single any particular person out, which caused a ripple of polite laughter through his guests. Oddly, the Feothe clan didn’t laugh at that, nor did Lucas, though it put a smile on Emily’s face. “I think it is time that we retire to our chambers. Please eat and drink your fill, and I wish each of you a safe journey home. Thank you, each of you, for coming, and may the gods above bless you.” 

He added that last part for Jo’s benefit, but she didn’t smile. Emily’s smile faded as well, and Holly looked at her parents with confusion. 

“To our might!” He downed the wine in his glass, and his guests did the same. Most gave answering cheers of “To your might!” But some remained silent. He knew his dismissal had been too abrupt, but he was eager, and hopefully, a quick end would prevent anyone from doing anything they’d regret. Bertilak hadn’t leveled his challenge, and if they went their separate ways, they might escape without conflict. 

Luther gestured, and his partners rose, taking his hands as the five of them departed. Luther stopped by Wulfric at the door and leaned in to whisper to him. “Fetch Criella again. And let me know when the last of them has gone home.” 

Wulfric nodded and left the room. The other servants remained, and the guests cheered the newlyweds on as they departed for their apartment upstairs. The laughter and partying continued, the noise following Luther and his wives into the hallway as they strode toward the stairs. 

“Are we going upstairs to spar?” Helena asked. “Or to celebrate?” 

“Spar, of course.” Luther said. “Unless you’d rather celebrate?” He waggled his eyebrows in a mischievous fashion, but Helena only frowned. 

“I could do with some celebration.” Rhosyn said, wrapping her fingers over part of Helena’s arm. “It is our wedding night, after all.” 

Eira nodded. 

Jo rolled her eyes. “Do you want to live past tomorrow?” She asked. “Then we need to study. You know Branan is going to level his challenge as soon as the sun rises. That gives you a maximum of one day if you set the terms of the combat. Even if you’ve kicked him out tonight.” She said the last bit to Luther.

“Oh, you caught that, did you?” Luther asked as they ascended the stairs. “I thought it prudent for us to gain some privacy. The only way to do that is by sending our guests home rather than hosting everyone here.”

Helena nodded. “It’s a good idea. And no one can fault you. Emily and Holly seem to have decided not to join us, so it’s best not to waste more time. You’d invited your guests to dinner, not a three-day celebration.” 

Luther nodded, appreciating the support. Jo said nothing but followed on the stairs and through the hallway as they reached the top. Thankfully, Luther’s apartment was large enough, and the room was prepared for them. The beds were made, the fire roared in the fireplace, the bathroom shone, the sparring room stood ready, and the main common room held more chairs than before. A circle of five armchairs semi-enclosed the grand fireplace against the wall. 

Luther’s wives walked forward, looking around the room. 

“We should change into our sparring clothes.” Luther said. 

Helena frowned. “No distractions?” 

“Surely some distractions would be okay…” Rhosyn said, her eyes pleading for her. “Right?” 

Jo huffed. “Helena and I will be in the sparring room. You three spend some time distracted if you must.” 

“But…” Eira hesitated. “We married you too, not just Luther.” 

Jo softened at that, looking at Eira’s graceful, pleading face. “Survival first.” Jo said. “Distractions later.” 

“She’s right.” Luther agreed. “We should summon the maids and change into our gear.” 

Eira sighed, but Rhosyn took her hand and nodded. Eira relented, gesturing for the others to get ready as she inspected her new bed chamber. “Can Rhosyn’s bed be moved into my room?” She asked. “Or mine into hers?” 

Luther nodded. They each had separate chambers for their personal use, with beds in them, but the main bedroom had a bed large enough for all of them.

“I don’t expect us to sleep separately.” Luther said. “But if you’d like, we can arrange for that. Your room in this apartment is yours to do with as you’d like.” 

Eira smiled. “That’s good news. I like the idea of not sleeping alone.” 

Rhosyn eyed Helena. “Me too.” 

Helena blushed. “No distractions. Yet.” She said. She had already removed her white silk robe from the union ceremony to change into her gear. 

Rhosyn blushed, her pale cheeks turning a blushing pink, but she did not stop watching Helena undress. Jo undressed as well, and so did Luther, stripping naked and hanging their robes by their doors. 

“I’m afraid we don’t have our gear with us, but we can send for it.” Eira said. “Our parents are probably already making the arrangements.” 

Luther nodded. That made sense. 

“I have some clothes that are more suited to sparring than nude, anyway.” Helena said. 

Jo donned her priestess’ garments, which flowed and made it easy for her to move in. She wore no armor, but Luther donned his, put his rings on, and otherwise looked fit and secured for battle with an army when he was dressed. 

Rhosyn and Eira watched, both in their robes from their union but not making an effort to close them or keep themselves presentable as they did at dinner. Rhosyn’s hung off her shoulder, showing one pale breast and pink nipple before Helena fixed it for her. 

“No distractions.” Helena said, winking at her. 

Rhosyn blushed again, and Eira giggled. 

“Don’t beat each other too badly.” Eira said. “You’ll need your strength.” 

The three turned to look at her. 

“Oh, not a prophecy.” She raised her hand in front of her and waved away their worry. “Just a promise.” She winked at Luther. 

Luther kissed her, then Rhosyn, who waited her turn patiently beside her sister. 

“You look ready to fight a war.” Rhosyn said, admiring Luther’s etched leathers. 

“Well, I want to wear something protective if Helena is going to pummel me for a while–” Luther’s explanation was cut off by a frantic knocking at the door to their apartment. They all looked at the door and then at each other in confusion. 

“Lord Le Fey!” Will’s voice called from the other side. “Come quickly!” 

“I hope not.” Eira said, giggling. 

Luther shook his head and opened the apartment door to see a ghostly stricken Will on the other side. “Sir, Lord Bertilak…” 

Luther understood immediately. He’d hoped Bertilak had abandoned his idea, but no. “What happened?” 

“After you left the dinner, the Verdell family prepared to leave, but the Feothe clan remained after some of your guests departed, and they… Branan was making comments that Lord Bertilak felt could not go unanswered.” 

Luther looked behind him to Eira and Rhosyn. Rhosyn looked worried, but Eira appeared resigned. 

“Did he challenge them?” Luther asked. 

Will nodded. 

“Are they fighting soon?” Luther asked. 

“In a few minutes, in the arena.” Will answered. 

Luther looked behind him, and now Eira looked worried. He sighed. “Okay. We’ll be down shortly. Please have one of the maids bring up Eira and Rhosyn’s normal clothes. They shouldn’t attend in their union robes.” 

“Oh, of course.” Will said. 

“Do not let the fight begin until we get there.” Luther said. “I’m the Lord here. I should oversee the challenge.” 

“Yes, of course.” Will nodded. “That’s why they sent me to fetch you.” 

Luther sighed. “Go.” He said, and Will took off running through the hallway. Luther closed the door. 

Rhosyn looked at Eira. 

“I don’t want to look.” Eira said, shaking her head. 

“You have to!” Rhosyn said. “If… we might be able to dissuade him.” 

“The challenge has been laid.” Helena said. “If the Verdells forfeit, they lose everything.” She glanced at Luther, who grimaced. 

“I’d hoped he changed his mind.” Luther said. “They seemed to make it through dinner without anything happening.” 

“You knew he was going to do this?” Eira asked, her voice angry. 

“Didn’t you?” Luther asked, surprised. “I didn’t know for sure. He asked my permission to challenge Branan, but I’d hoped he’d talked himself out of it.” 

Rhosyn crossed her arms, grimacing at the prospect of her parents fighting Branan’s union. “They might win.” She suggested to Eira. “Papa is practically unkillable.” 

“But can he overcome their defenses?” Eira asked. “It’ll be a long battle, regardless.” 

“You have to look.” Rhosyn insisted, shaking her with her hand on Eira’s arm. 

“I don’t want to look!” Eira said. “If I look, then it becomes… whatever I see happens. I don’t want to have to watch something like that twice.” 

Luther frowned. He didn’t know the exact details of how prophecy worked, but from what Bertilak said, Eira had been wrong before. Still, if he had a daughter with the ability to glimpse the future, he might have asked her before laying a challenge at Branan’s feet. Whatever Branan had done to provoke the challenge, it must have been an insult beyond what Bertilak could bear. 

Luther sighed. “Is there anything we can do to help?” He asked. 

Rhosyn sighed, shaking her head. “Can we go see our father?” She asked. 

“Of course. I sent Will to fetch your clothes if you want to change first.” Luther said. 

“Let’s see him first and change after.” Rhosyn said. “Come on.” She tugged Eira with her, and Eira followed, holding Rhosyn’s arm as they walked together. 

Luther, Helena, and Jo followed, dressed for battle.