In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 949):

"I'm respecting her wishes," Aron replied.  "I'm not going to force her to do something she doesn't want to do."

In reply to Bai (msg # 950):

Sileas had seen her uncle had returned alone. She shook her head sadly. "It doesn't look like it. Uncle Aron went to get her but came back alone."

In reply to Aron Buckley (msg # 951):

Liadan rolled her eyes. "She wants to be here, she's just scared from all this nonsense about demons. C'mon, I'm going to get her."

In reply to Sileas Spenser (msg # 952):

Wulfsen frowned, he knew Sileas was disappointed that her best friend wasn't there.

"Wait- maybe you should try talking to her?"

In reply to Liadan Buckley (msg # 953):

Aron sighed. "We're holding up the ceremony," he grumbled while following her out.

In reply to Wulfsen Thornblade (msg # 954):

"I could try. I don't know if she'll listen, I think I really hurt her feelings last night."

In reply to Sileas Spenser (msg # 956):

"If you're going to get her go and get it over with." Bai said impatiently. "I might need magic for something more dire than a wedding someday so if we could wrap this up today..."

A not so friendly thought passed through Sileas's mind as she left the hall, trailing behind her aunt and uncle.

"Millie! Yoohoo!" Widow Calm called to the seamstress from a few rows back. She was dressed up in one of the dressed Millie had made for her before the village was raided, a bright red dress. Apparently her granddaughter was not with her. "I love the bride's dress!"

Millie blushed, embarrassed by the outburst. "Excuse me," she said to her parents before getting up to go to speak to Mistress Calm. "Thank you very much. I thought it should reflect the bride."

"But where has the bride gone?" Fortune asked. "Lord Thornblade does not look jilted."

"She probably went to find our cousin. It doesn't look like she's here yet."

"If the marriage falls through I would be interested in that dress. It is beautiful." Fortune said.

"I doubt the marriage will fall through," Millie replied, trying to keep an implication of anger from her voice. "Sileas loves Lord Thornblade very much."

"Oh, I can see for myself how much they're in love. Especially last night." Fortune laughed. "I just wanted to make sure that dress doesn't go to waste in the unlikely event that the wedding doesn't go through today."

Millie gritted her teeth. "The wedding will go through. Excuse me." Millie walked away from her customer and then hurried out the door, heading toward Sileas's room.

The gloomiest wedding guest followed Sileas into the hall.

Sileas paused to speak to Bai. "As soon as Uncle Aron and Aunt Lia return, you can finish." She looked toward Wulfsen. "What would happen if they return after the wards are set and they try to come through?"

"They don't get in. That's the point." Bai said. He twisted his staff in his hands.

Sileas wanted to get married. She wanted to be Wulfsen's wife and she was tired of waiting. "All right. Give them five minutes, then finish. As long as they won't be injured."

Liadan tripped into the hall, hanging on Aron's arm.

Aron steadied her.

"Now!" Bai said, striking the floor hard with his staff. The air around the hall glowed blue. Bai flopped down in a chair. "If anyone went out use the privy they're staying out."

"I didn't see anyone else out and about in the keep," Sileas reported before hurrying to the front and Wulfsen. Finally!

"What the hell was that?!" Liadan demanded, squeezing Aron's hand.