Once I would have marveled at these images and assumed that they thrilled me because of the story they represented.He glanced at a corner painting depicting David beheading the slain giant Goliath. Seeing that picture on a holodisk about Michelangelo inspired me to become a MechWarrior. Even now, it still has the power to take my breath away.
Justin studied the stained glass windows in the exterior walls, his gaze lingering on the huge rose window above and behind the ornate marble altar. I know the Church built this Cathedral from the rubble of churches destroyed during the Civil War started by Stefan the Usurper. But instead of it being a curious collection of unrelated styles, the unity of a theme binds everything together. Like the shrine back on Sian, this is a place of peace.
Justin smiled to himself. Be careful, warrior. If you begin to think like a philosopher, you will lose your edge. That edge is the only thing that keeps you alive.Justin chewed his lower lip. Grant the ceremony and the Prince the respect he and it are due.
Seeing Ardan Sortek escort the Archon to her seat in the front row on the left side of the aisle, Justin smiled slightly. Interesting to see the Archon in civilian dress instead of the paramilitary uniforms she normally wears. She is, indeed, a beautiful woman.
Another usher guided Marie Davion, the Prince's half-sister, to a spot of equal importance on the Davion side of the aisle. Michael Hasek-Davion, his hair in its characteristic braid, joined his wife. Justin narrowed his eyes. The Duke seems ill at ease. I suspect he sees this marriage as the destruction of his chances to take the Federated Suns throne.Justin caught himself. Still, as long as Hanse has no heir, Michael's path to the throne remains open. And as long as Michael is alive, he will aspire to the throne.
Moments later, the six ushers filed up the aisle and seated themselves further along in the front row. As members of the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, all wore dress uniforms decorated with gold braid, medals, and campaign ribbons. They sat tall and proud, and for the barest of moments, Justin envied them.
Through a side door behind the altar, Morgan Hasek-Davion led the Prince to his place a third of the way down the aisle. Both men wore the deep blue uniform of the Davion Heavy Guards, but aside from the insignia of rank, neither had added any medals or ribbons to their jackets. Justin admired that. Neither of these men needs trinkets to remind others of their bravery. Anyone with eyes to see can read it in their stance and in their eyes.
As the organ music shifted smoothly to the familiar tones of a wedding march, all the guests rose as one and turned to face the rear of the Cathedral. Justin strained unsuccessfully to see through the crowd, but the growing wave of hushed whispers proceeding from the rear told him the procession had begun.
Finally, he saw the first members of the wedding party. Two young girls, nervously glancing back over their shoulders to make sure they were not outstripping those who followed, scattered rose petals along the aisle. The Prince smiled at them as they drew close, and the one nearest him giggled as she moved past.
Next came the bridesmaids. All tall, slender beauties, they wore matching gowns cut from a deep green silk. In their hands, they carried small bouquets of mycosiablossoms that matched the color of their gowns.
Justin licked his lips. He knew that the mycosiaflowered only once a year on Andalusia. The Prince must have set up a Command Circuit of JumpShips to get the flowers here in time for the ceremony. The image of one DropShip passing from JumpShip to JumpShip along a string of jump points to reduce a long interstellar journey to mere hours sent a shiver down Justin's spine. Hanse honors his bride with such extravagant expense.
Behind the half-dozen bridesmaids came Misha Auburn. Wearing a gown similar to, but more beautifully embellished than those worn by the bridesmaids, she smiled radiantly as Morgan Hasek-Davion offered her his arm. He led her to the foot of the altar, then both of them genuflected and moved in opposite directions. Instead of joining the bridesmaids, who were seated beside the Archon, Misha proceeded on to the altar and stood beside the Cardinal from Tharkad. Morgan took up his place opposite her on the groom's side of the altar.
Justin felt Candace clutch his arm as Melissa drifted into view. "Justin, she is so beautiful!"
Justin nodded. Despite Melissa's veil, he could see the love shining in her gray eyes. Her expression was grave, but it was clearly that of a woman who very much wanted to marry the man waiting for her.
Morgan Kell stopped Melissa a pace shy of Hanse Davion. He enfolded her in a fierce hug, which she returned equally, then he turned to the Prince. Offering his hand, the mercenary Colonel murmured something to Hanse Davion. The Prince shook Morgan's hand warmly, nodding in silent reply to whatever the other man had said.
Morgan placed Melissa's hand on the Prince's arm, then drifted down the aisle to sit directly behind the Archon. Arm in arm, the bride and groom completed the walk to the altar. As the processional's final notes trailed off, and their echoes died in the ceiling's vaults, the bride and groom knelt before the altar.
Both Cardinals stood, but it was the bearded, black-haired cleric from the Federated Suns who came forward first. In a rich, warm voice, he greeted the congregation. "In the names of Prince Hanse Davion and his bride, Archon-Designate Melissa Arthur Steiner, I welcome you here within the sight of the one merciful God. Their wish is that you join them in celebrating this most holy rite and that you add your blessings to this union."
39
ComStar First Circuit Compound
Hilton Head Island, North America, Terra
20 August 3028
As Cardinal Flynn made the sign of the cross, Justin's own lifetime of training started his own hand moving in imitation, but he stopped himself abruptly. He glanced over to see if Candace had noticed but she seemed raptly involved in the ceremony's quiet reverence. You do not betray yourself, Justin, in doing likewise.
Cardinal Maraschal of Tharkad, his hands folded in prayer and pressed to his chin, smiled as the couple rose from before the altar and parted company to come around it. Hanse took his place between Morgan Hasek-Davion and Cardinal Maraschal, while Melissa stood between the Cardinal from New Avalon and Misha Auburn.
Cardinal Maraschal opened and raised his hands. "Let us pray." After a moment of silent reflection, his strong voice rang out through the cathedral. "Father, you have made the bond of marriage a holy mystery, a symbol of Christ's love for His Church. Hear our prayers for Hanse and Melissa. Make their marriage a true joining of man to woman, heart to heart and soul to soul. Bless them and all who love them so that they may serve as witnesses to your divine love for the universe. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Ghost, one Spirit, for ever and ever."
"Amen," Justin murmured. Smiling reassuringly, Candace reached over and patted his right hand. Justin returned her smile, then looked up as Flynn approached the pulpit.
The Cardinal motioned the guests to be seated, then raised the leather-bound red book on the podium enough for the audience to see it. Light reflected from the gold-embossed letters on the spine, but Justin could not read them. "A reading from the Book of Revelations, chapter nineteen." The Cardinal licked his lips, then began in his sonorous voice. "I heard what sounded like the roar of a vast throng in heaven; and they were shouting: 'Alleluia! Victory and glory and power belong to our God.' "