He gestured at Imprid first, so she motioned to her second, some elvish lady I didn’t recognize, who handed her a ring. Imprid took it, gently put it on Thilos’ hand and then gently kissed the ring and his hand. The priest motioned to Thilos and he turned to me. I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring smile as I passed over the ring. He gave me an idiotically blissful smile in return as he took it, then turned and placed it on Imprid’s hand, following it with some gentle kisses on her hand and ring. I really should have cleaned it before the ceremony.

The priest gestured at them both and handed them a green ribbon that they wound around their joined hands. At this point the elvish ceremony was basically over. Not a lot of talking. None, in fact.

Apparently, Thilos and Imprid chose to include some vows as the only Mindolan part of the wedding, besides Thilos’ clothes. “Imprid, I pledge to love you, care for you, and listen to you, for the rest of my days.” Imprid repeated the same words back to him, but said his name instead of her own, of course. They weren’t the usual vows, but they weren’t a usual couple either, so I figured it was alright.

Servants were passing out tiny glasses of wine so we could toast the new husband and wife. As I was about to raise my glass and speak an amazing toast Pleneth beat me to it. Hey, it was his house, so I let him have it, even though I knew it was going to mean a lot of bowing.

“These are dark times,” Pleneth said as he held his wine glass up high. “Dark times indeed. Yet it is things such as this wedding, uniting two fine people in love, even in the face of such darkness, that reminds us what is worth fighting for. You two, and everyone like you, are why we fight. Your love is an example to us all. I wish you the best.” He took a small sip of wine. Then, of course, he bowed, and this time it was a deep one. As he straightened, he smiled. “Will you all now join the happy couple for our midday meal?”

We all agreed to do that, although I returned to my suite to change into some less formal, and far more comfortable, clothes. I also didn’t want to stain my borrowed finery. As I was finishing up my lunch a servant requested that I attend Pleneth in his study.

“Thank you for joining me, Dirk. I had planned on speaking with you this morning, but happier events precluded it. Are you ready to discuss what you need to accomplish your task of serving as Lord Tarin’s spymaster?”

I nodded as I sat in the chair Pleneth motioned me towards. “I believe so. I have only thought of three things. First, a letter from you suggesting I be appointed to the position.” Pleneth nodded as he handed me a sealed scroll.

“I have already prepared just such a letter. It also indicates you will need a suite of rooms in the palace complex.”

“I figured you would have,” I said with a smile, even though I hadn’t. “I could also use some guards who are not human so I can be certain, or as certain as possible, that they are not Kathaldi.”

He nodded again. “How many do you think you will require?”

I shrugged. “Great question. Not too many or it will seem odd but not too few to be useful. I was thinking that six would be just about right. Three pairs so that I can always have one set on duty. Is that possible?”

“I believe so. What is the third thing?”

I sighed. “Money. I would assume Lord Tarin will provide me with some but I believe it would be quite useful to have a separate fund that I can use at my discretion without having to bother Lord Tarin as to the details of how and why I used it.”

“That makes sense to me. I will see that you have it before you leave for Baneltek tomorrow.”

“That was I all I came up with. Can you think of anything I missed?”

He shook his head. “I cannot. I fear I am not very knowledgeable about what it is a spymaster actually does. All I can do is wish you well.”

I stood and bowed, as did he. “Me either, yet. I‘ll let you get back to work, then, and pack my things. Thank you again, Pleneth, for everything.”

I returned to my suite and finished packing, finding some additional clothing had been provided for me by Pleneth, things more suitable for meeting with Lord Tarin was how the note that accompanied them put it. Since I had plenty of time before dinner, I headed to the garden to work on my knife throwing. I don’t like being out of practice and it also helps burn off some nervous energy.

By the time I was done attacking Pleneth’s garden I needed a bath and a change of clothes. Then it was time for our last dinner before heading back to Ansdron.