Caspian took a deep breath, and exhaled. It showed like a fog in front of his face. The ground around him was white, covered in a powdery substance that melted into water in his hands. How very strange this all was.
He stomped his boots and went back inside. The ladies were almost finished getting ready. He was dressed in Klain clothing from head to toe, save for his wedding necklace. There were no Cetoan garments appropriate for such weather as this.
Dr. and Mrs. Sherman had come to accompany them, mostly to help carry the babies, as had Phillip, Finn's father, and Gabriel, her younger brother. The boy shook Caspian's hand with a firm grip and stood stoically beside his father, mimicking the elder man. The formal attire and high starched collar likely contributed to the eight-year-old's compulsion to act more mature than he normally might.
Quilina and Victoria giggled to each other as they whispered back and forth. The former had been loaned a party dress, and they took turns twirling and enjoying the flounces. Finn emerged, as did Jacqueline. The two looked lovely in their fine gowns. The ceremony at the City Hall was a formal one, and everyone was dressed appropriately.
Caspian smiled briefly, wondering what was keeping his wife. Dierdre had assured him that the shopping had gone well the day before, and had delivered the bills from the merchants on Naomi's behalf.
His wife had ducked her head as if ashamed to have spent any money at all. It was silly.
Even if he had no money from his parents, his years of fishing had brought him plenty of wealth. He bought almost nothing; his mother gifted him clothing when she thought he needed any, and he caught or raised his own food.
His share from fishing expeditions was generous, especially when he captained the vessel, and since he had only had his own mouth to feed, he always sold or gave away most of what he brought back. Naomi's expenditures were thus nothing to him.
A rustling on the stairs drew his attention, and he looked up with expectation. The women in the room reacted vocally to his wife's appearance, rushing forward to fawn over the dress and its wearer.
Caspian cleared his throat, and the ladies parted for him to see. Naomi blushed and looked down at her folded hands. On her wrist was the bracelet he'd given her, and around her neck, instead of a simple leather thong holding the seashell, a length of delicate ribbon that matched the color of her sash graced Naomi's throat, supporting the item.
"Is it all right? Is the leather important? I assumed the seashell was the important part of the necklace, but I can change it back–" She began babbling when she noticed his stare.
"The leather is not necessary, I just did not expect you to match your gown so well." He assured her. "You are beautiful."
She beamed at him.
"Look at her hair!" Victoria whispered to Quilina.
Caspian's eyes darted to the girls, who were standing behind Naomi. She smiled slightly, and then turned around for him to see.
The front of her hair was swept up into a delicate arrangement of small braids, more of the green ribbon, and pearls strung on thread the same color as her hair, so that they looked as if they were floating about her head. From the arrangement, her natural curls hung down softly in a cascade down her back.
"The nice jeweler who gave you my bracelet made the suggestion," Naomi explained. "Do you like it? The pearls were some of the first items he bought from Ceto."
"Stunning," Caspian remarked. It was truly amazing. Although he couldn't display Cetoan garb, his wife was showing off some of the most precious things from his culture, enhancing them with her own beauty.
He offered her his arm, and she took it after donning a wrap to keep herself warm.
The group set out into the sunshine, the children doing their best to avoid a snowball fight lest they mess up their fine clothes before the event.
Caspian and Naomi went to the back of the Hall, while the others went to join the crowd in front. This was one of the rare days when non-swordbearers were allowed to be present in the main governmental building of Klain.
The treaty had been gone over thoroughly the day before. The negotiations were fairly bare and utilitarian; there was no real need to broker a peace when there had been no war. The terms of alliance were also straightforward: if one nation was attacked by the Void or any otherworldly threat that invaded, it could call upon the allies for aid.
Caspian doubted there would be too much actual cooperation needed in a war; though he had been apprised that Klain had a manner of navy that patrolled the lake, it was nothing compared to Ceto's forces.
The division of labor, or battle, would be easily defined, in all likelihood. Cetoan soldiers would not be nearly so useful on land as on sea, and Klain and Rhone would be little able to contribute too much on boats that the Cetoans could not do for themselves.
Still, the formalities were a boost to morale. The small cities, towns, and tiny outlying places would be encouraged to join up with one of the three main nations in order to garner further peace and prosperity.
There had been other great nations in decades and centuries past, but they had gradually been conquered by others, torn apart by internal strife, wiped out by natural disasters, or some combination until only remnants stayed in the land.
Caspian was making time in his schedule to study at the library, and had done so while Naomi shopped. Educating himself was an interesting task. Ceto kept records of its own people and events, and records of other worlds, but had not overly concerned itself with people beyond its borders.
Klain had all manner of historical documents and books, as well as geography, arithmetic, scientific theories and findings, horticulture, entertaining stories, and many other manners of books. The sheer volume of reading material was quite startling. Next time, he would have to bring his wife for her to enjoy it.
The signing ceremony was now about to start, and Caspian brought his mind back to the present. Naomi had been positioned behind him, alongside the wives of those Council members who were married.
She stood proudly, and he noted that while her finery was on par with theirs, her beauty made her stand out. He was briefly afraid the other ladies would shun her of jealousy, but they welcomed her warmly, if diplomatically, and settled quietly to their places.
Caspian stood between King Duncan and the General, who were each representing their own nations. He had learned that since this qualified as a peace treaty, the General was the official signor for Klain on such a document. Just before the ceremony began, a soldier stepped up to whisper into the General's ear.
Caspian and Duncan glanced at each other and waited patiently as The General's unreadable face hardened by the slightest degree.
"Thank you." He said to the soldier. "Given the circumstances, I agree. A search would be fruitless and distract from keeping the festival safe."
He waved a hand to dismiss the subordinate, who bowed and stepped away.
The General turned his head only slightly to face the curious faces of the men beside him.
"Do not react. The crowd is already watching." He said, his face as if he were commenting on the weather. "Brenna has escaped into the Darkness."
"Aided by the Void?" Duncan looked down at his hands as if he were not considering anything more distressing than making sure his pen was properly in place on the table.
"It is believed so." The General nodded.
Caspian took a deep breath, and realized he had not actually expected Brenna to be executed, despite the announcement. His knowledge of the woman and her deeds indicated a strong penchant for escape. She had almost been out of the picture, but it seemed that was not to be.
Perhaps his brother would never be free of her spell.
Was she going after him now? Why had she ever turned herself in?
"She must have given up hope of being accepted by us. It is good we did not let a spy into our midst," King Duncan said softly.
"We can discuss this more later." The General said quietly before raising his voice. "Ladies and Gentleman! It is my honor to welcome you to this historic occasion. Not only is this the celebration of the second anniversary of Rhone's treaty with Klain, but now we have a third, mighty nation to add to our alliance against evil!
"Today, Caspian of Ceto, Son of Commodore Haf, joins us to sign a treaty formalizing our united stand against the Darkness, and all other forces that would threaten our world!"
The crowd cheered, and Caspian smiled and held his hand up in a wave to those present. The joy and hope that radiated from their faces was a reminder of the heavy burden of leadership.
And how much he didn't want it.