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THE WEDDING Tan gripped the shaft of the spear until his knuckles turned white. He lifted it off the ground and drove the bottom of it back
into the soft dark earth, checking to make sure it was still embedded deep in the ground and aimed straight ahead. He could hear the
beast tearing through the forest in the distance, headed straight for him, being driven into a wild frenzy by his brothers and the other clansmen.
His body tensed in anticipation. * * * * |
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"Her hair is too dark to take the dye, Gompa," the young girl complained. The matron looked up from the scrollwork she was painting on the bride's hand and nodded, saying, "mix it thicker, like a paste, and do the best you can, Shina." The woman painting the bride's feet looked up and asked, "Do you think she knows, Gompa?" "Knows what Geeta?" the matron muttered and she finished the petal on the girl's hand, noting how well the blue dye stood out against her pale skin. "Well, this is the wedding tent," the woman answered as she gestured around, and all the women nodded, "we're supposed to be telling her what to expect on her wedding night, how to be a good wife and such, but she can't understand a word we say." The Matron paused and looked up at the faces of the other women in the tent. They were of varying ages, but all were blond and light eyed. They were all silent and respectful toward her, and waited for her to answer. "I'm sure her mother told her," she replied, and the five women shrugged and went back to work. The bride winced as part of her hair was yanked into a braid, and Shina apologized. They exchanged smiles and the young girl patted her on the head, like one would a dog that had just sat on command. Gompa sucked her teeth, and made a clucking sound, irritated by the entire affair. How was she supposed to prepare a woman to marry her son when she understood no more than an animal? Shina rubbed the thick blue paste into the woman's hair and gasped when it turned a dark purple. Gompa shook her head and went back to painting the ritual symbols on the girl's arms. Soon the dye was set, the paint was dry, and the bride was wrapped in the sky blue wedding dress and escorted outside. Gompa stood at her side, held her arm and directed her with a gentle nudge here and there. They reached the front of the longhouse and she stopped her, waiting for everyone else to assemble. The longhouse, the largest and most permanent building sat at the top of one hill and the village stretched out below it. At the end of the low, empty row sat the wedding tent, draped with blue and white ribbons, softly swaying in the morning breeze. The people gathered on either side of the empty way, dressed in their finest skins and clothing. Her youngest, Tan, stood at the end of the long row of clansmen next to his father, with a huge, broad smile on his face. His sandy blond hair had been cut, as was the tradition, and combed back with the blue dye. Gompa noted the large bruise on his leg and frowned, but she knew from his smile, and those of her |
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first sons and husband that he had done well in the ritual yesterday. She smiled at him and
escorted the bride down the aisle of the longhouse. They stopped just in front of them and she turned the girl around to face the entire village. The girl shot an expectant look at the matron and she patted her arm. Gompa's husband, the chieftain, raised his hands in the air the crowd quieted. "Welcome," he said, with a deep, strong voice that was loud enough to reach the back of the crowd, "let the wedding ceremony begin." Applause rippled through the crowd and when it died off, he said, "Since the bride is new to our village, we need volunteers to foster her family's roles throughout the ceremony. I will stand for her father, and bless this union before the village. Are there any among us who wish to object to this marriage?" He paused and waited, a long silent moment. He glanced at his wife, half expecting her to speak out, but she stood and held her tongue. She had accepted his judgment, it would seem. "Very well, who will stand for her mother?" Gompa stepped forward and said, "I will." Her husband nodded and Gompa took the young woman by the hand and led her away, back down the long row to the marriage tent and took her inside. "Now then," the chief said after they were gone, "as I stand for father, I will give the prospective his first of three tests, as is custom." He nodded to his son, and Tan stepped forward and turned to face him. His father smiled at him and then said to the crowd, "Yesterday, Tan completed his rite and brought honor to his family name. He did not flinch, nor run, nor shy from the beast. It took courage and cunning to do this, and so, I count this as my test of the mind. You have passed, son," he said and he rested his hand on Tan's shoulder. He gave his father a broad and proud smile. One down, two to go, he thought. "Three tests a man must pass in order to marry, and one is complete. The test of strength is next," he said, and he turned Tan around to face the crowd once more, "Who will stand as this woman's brothers?" Gunter elbowed Hosst and they both stepped forward with huge grins on their bearded faces. Tan groaned aloud; this just got much harder. |
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Gunter spoke first, slapping his chest and saying, "We stand for her brothers." Hosst spoke next, to Tan, and said, "Our test is simple. If you wish to wed our sister you must prove you are not just strong of mind, but strong of body as well." Gunter raised his arm and pointed to the wedding tent at the far end of the clearing and said, "Touch the tent flap, and you pass." They both grinned at him, wide, toothy, miserable grins through their thick blond beards, and Tan sighed and untied the wedding sash he had around his waist. The crowd murmured, some laughed, and Gunter and Hosst stripped off their fine clothes as well, until the three of them stood in pants and fur boots only, their chests bare. "We're her brothers today, Tan," Gunter said with smile, "we won't go easy on you." "As if you would have anyway," Tan muttered, and then he crouched down in front of his brothers, tensed his body, and leapt, screaming in rage. Daria, the bride, sat on a small stool and let Gompa unbraid her dyed hair. She had changed her clothes, from the stiff wedding gown into a softer shift that was low cut with thin straps. Outside, the crowd suddenly cheered, and she heard a man scream and another one grunt. It sounded like someone was fighting just outside the tent. She shot a puzzled look at Gompa, who made a clucking sound at her and shook her head, unconcerned. Gompa rose and came back, handing her a wooden bowl full of warm water and a thick, soft washcloth. Daria soaked the water into the cloth and was about to wash her face with it, but the matron stopped her and shook her head, pointing to the tent flap. The bride shrugged and put the cloth back in the bowl. She was positive people were fighting outside now, and they were getting closer to the tent. Outside, Tan was again pulled through the mud, away from the wedding tent, and Gunter slammed an elbow into his back and let out a victory cry. The crowd gasped, some cheered. Tan wriggled free of Hosst's grip and kicked his brother Gunter in the stomach. Hosst punched him in the face before he could avoid it, and for a moment, Tan saw a shower of brilliant stars flash across his eyes, before Hosst heaved him onto to his feet and shoved him backwards. Tan took a deep breath, fighting back the pain that seemed to come from every part of his body, ducked a punch from Gunter, and slammed one fist against his head and another in his gut before he could recover from the miss. Then he dove at Hosst, scrambling between his legs through the mud. Hosst reached down to grab his feet again and Tan kicked hard, landing one strike on his brother's nose. |
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Hosst stood, cupping his bloody nose in his hands and bellowed for Gunter. Tan flipped in the mud, taking a shower of it in his mouth, and
kicked Hosst's rear end with both feet, sending him stumbling into the rushing Gunter. Gunter shoved him aside, but it was too late,
Tan crawled up the hill through the mud, raised a trembling hand, and slapped the tent flap hard, leaving a muddy handprint on the soft blue
cloth. The crowd erupted in joy, and Gunter threw up his hands in frustration. He helped Hosst to his feet and they both walked to a gasping and muck-covered Tan, still laying on the ground. They each grabbed an arm and yanked him up, clapping him on the back and congratulating him on his victory. "Tan has passed the test of strength," Hosst yelled, and the crowd clapped and cheered. Inside, Gompa heard the declaration and got to her feet. She moved to just inside the tent opening and waited. Daria looked at her, but she put her hand up and shook her head, and Daria relaxed again. A gasping, bloodied, half-naked and mud-covered Tan stumbled into the tent a few moments later. Daria's eyes shot open and she rose from her little stool in alarm. Gompa sucked her teeth again and waved the girl back down. "So," the matron began, looking at Tan, "two tests you have passed, and you think mine will be easy, yes?" Tan was still gasping for air and he shook his head at his mother, but his eyes were focused on Daria, and hers on his. He smiled at her, and she at him, but both smiles disappeared when Gompa slapped him hard across his face. She snapped, "Pay attention! The test of the heart is the most important. And believe me, Tan, if you fail to answer my questions correctly this is as close as you will ever get to my foster daughter!" Tan cleared his throat, tore his eyes away from the bride and nodded at his mother, saying, "I'm sorry mother, I mean Gompa, I'm sorry." Her expression relaxed and she said, "You have proven your strength and your cunning, but is it with those gifts alone you will rule your house, your wife, and your marriage bed?" Tan looked puzzled and his eyes searched for an answer, "I, I..." he said, stumbling over his thoughts. "Well good," Gompa remarked, "I have your attention. Now at least you must realize there is more to marriage and family than your brain and your brawn," as she spoke she thumped his forehead and then his arm. Tan nodded and relief flooded over his face, grateful he didn't have to answer. |
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The woman took a step forward and placed her hands on Tan's shoulders, "What kind of husband will you be? Will she cower at your voice,
will she dread your shadow at the tent door? Will you beat her?" His eyes bulged and he replied fast, "Never! I would never hurt her." Gompa took her hands away and stepped back, saying, "Never?" Tan nodded, and said again, "I will never hurt her." The matron lifted her hand and slapped Tan on his face, saying, "Even if she strikes you first?" Tan rubbed his cheek and shook his head, saying, "I will not hit her, a man's strength is for the protection of his family, not their harm." Gompa nodded and opened her mouth to say something else, but instead she slapped Tan hard across his face again, stunning him. "Then perhaps," she said, and she slapped him again with the other hand, "it will be you who will cower at her voice," she slapped him, "the women will laugh at you behind your back," she slapped him again, and both sides of his cheeks were flaming red, "and the men will spit your name in the longhouse," she said, and she raised her hand to slap him again. He caught her wrist before it struck him again, and she raised her other hand. He caught that one too, and held both his mother's wrists firm. He took a deep breath and said, "I will not hurt her. Nor will I allow her to abuse me or others." Gompa relaxed her body and smiled at her son and said, "Better." He released her and she reached up and smoothed his red cheeks and clucked at him, like a mother hen to a chick. Tan shied away, glancing at his bride and complained, "Mother, please." "Oh posh," Gompa replied, patting her son's cheeks, "she can't understand us anyway. Let a mother dote one last time on her youngest. You've grown so fast." He fought the urge to roll his eyes and he let her smooth down his muddy hair and pat his shoulders. He shot another glance at the quiet woman on the bench, feeling more than a little embarrassed. She gave him a little smile before casting her eyes down again. Gompa sighed and said, "Very well, I know you are excited for your wedding night, but you must let me give you one last piece of advice before I go." |
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Tan nodded to his mother, eager for this to be over. "Patience," she said, and then again, "patience, Tan. She knows nothing of our world. You will have to teach her everything, show her everything, even how to speak," he nodded and tried to speak and she interrupted him, "the men will tease you for it, especially your brothers, do not let their bullying become resentment against her." Tan listened, and understood, for the first time, just beginning to understand how hard this was going to be. No wonder his mother had not approved. Did this woman know how to tan leather, or jerk beef, or preserve the wild berries that grew by the stream each spring? "I understand Mother, I will have patience, I promise." She nodded to him, gave a curt nod to the woman, and then left the tent. They heard her voice from the other side shouting, "He has passed the final test, let the marriage feast begin!" The people outside cheered, but Tan barely heard them. He went to his bride and dropped to his knees, wincing from the fresh bruises. She gave him a very confused, very concerned look, and then took up the warm washcloth and began to bath his face. He winced and she winced with him, stopping. He took her hand in his and looked deep into her eyes. They were green, like the summer grass that grew on the steep hills. "You must be so confused. I wish I could you explain things to you," he said, and she tipped her head. He let her take the washcloth and remove the mud from his arms, and then his chest as he spoke, saying, "I wish I could tell you how beautiful you are, or how I couldn't breathe the first time I saw you." He took the washcloth out of her hands and put in back in the bowl. "But I can't, I can't tell you anything," he said, and he put his hands on her bare shoulders. Her skin was smooth and so soft that he had nothing to compare the feeling to. He leaned toward her, "Since I cannot tell you, I will have to be to content, for now, to show you instead," and he pressed his lips against hers in a kiss. She kissed him back, and they wrapped their arms around each other. * * * * |