Dungeon Walkers 3, page 36
“Indeed, he’s not. He has three women marrying him today,” Suzana smiled, winking at Stern. “Well done.”
“Behave,” Melia, Suzana’s angelic lover, laughed. Her voice was light as she rustled her white wings. “You are advancing quickly, and with so many souls saved.”
“Doing what we can,” Stern said. “This is Jon, one of my crew. He and his wife joined my wives to fill out the crew.”
“You look like a fighting man,” Gustav chuckled, stroking his dwarven beard. “Their bulwark?”
“No, I’m a middle ground: part bulwark, part damage. Trish, one of his wives, is the bulwark,” Jon said. “My wife is our caster specialist.”
“Ah, you always need at least one caster,” Stella, the elf in Gustav’s crew, grinned. “I do hope she isn’t throwing everything into a single element. So many make that mistake.”
“She has fire and ice.”
“Balanced, as you can never have a dungeon where both would be bad,” Stella nodded. “She chose well.”
“Pup… sorry,” Gustav said when Stella slapped the back of his head. “Stern. Heard a rumor that irregulars can tweak the chance of perks. Do you know if that’s true?”
“It is,” Stern nodded. “We’ll be leaving our findings with the Walkers. By myself, the perks would skew, but with Nicole, Jon’s wife, they really skewed.”
“Your wife is an irregular, too?” Stella asked.
“Yes. With the two of them, the perks can get strange in a hurry, but good strange. I have Iron Mind.”
Gustav whistled. “Good perk for later dungeons. Always useful to anyone going to go up the tiers.”
“It’s why the majority of my perks have been summoner-based,” Stern added. “Pawly is up there, by the way.” He pointed at the floating cat.
The crew looked up with surprised eyes.
“She flies now?” Suzana asked breathlessly.
“She’s shifted to air affinity, and yes, she can fly.”
“That’s why her color changed?” Melia asked.
“Yup.”
Zasha woofed at them.
“And this is Zasha. He’s another one of my summons, and he’s earth based.”
All eyes jerked toward the dog.
“Two summons, and both out with elemental affinities?” Jaq asked in shock. “Goddess, your perks really did skew.”
“They really have,” Stern agreed. “Zasha, these are friends.”
Zasha sat down, grinned, then waved a paw at them.
“And as smart as Pawly,” Suzana said with bright eyes. “Stern, we should talk later. I want to hear about all your runs.”
“She’s had a song about how being irregular is good,” Melia giggled. “I think she wants to add to it.”
Stern shifted a little uncomfortably, but nodded. “Okay... If it helps even one other person like me, then it’s worth it.”
“We were shocked when Frank found us and brought us with him,” Gustav said. “He knows you better than I thought he did.”
“He knows my parents, it turns out, and was playing it off,” Stern snorted.
Suzana looked around the park slowly before her eyes grew wide. “Your family?”
“They’ll be here soon. I was doing it without their support to try proving to the world I could, but with my wives beside me, I didn’t feel the need to hold as tightly to that. I don’t need outside approval anymore.”
“What is it, sweety?” Melia asked.
Before Suzana could answer, a couple of carriages came rolling up. Bedecked in black and red, everyone turned to look at them, and Suzana gasped as her theory was proven right.
Seamus was the first one out of a carriage. He looked over the crowd, who began to chatter rapidly when they saw who he was. As the entire family disembarked from the carriages, the crowd grew louder.
A wyvern landed at the edge of the park. Its barding was black and red, but the man on it was wearing gold and silver as he got off the mount and dismissed it. A second later, an angelic woman flew down, her gold and silver dress accenting his suit perfectly. The pair caused even more discussion.
“Excuse me,” Stern said softly. “I need to say hi to my family before my brides show up.”
The entire Mixed Heritage crew gaped at him as Stern walked away with Jon trailing him.
Seamus gave Stern a grin as the pair met in plain view of everyone. Seamus hugged Stern, disdaining the attempted handshake. “If they can’t accept my love for you, they can get bent, Son.”
Stern swallowed the sudden lump in his throat, hugging his father back. The hug then passed to his mother before Karen and Julia got theirs. From there, Stern greeted each of his siblings, then hugged both Gerald and Marysue.
When it was clear who Stern was, the crowd became even more animated. Stacia led Stern to the acolyte, thanking her for officiating the wedding and making sure Stern was ready.
Stern’s hands felt clammy when everyone drifted over toward the stage, as the wedding would be beginning soon. He noticed that the crowd was growing larger and that more tables were being set up.
Just breathe, Stern... just breathe, he told himself. This is what you’ve always wanted. They love you, and you love them. Ignore the crowd. He was managing to calm down when a carriage rolled to a stop across from the stage, down the clear, empty lane. This is it... the start of a new family... He smiled fondly as the door opened.
Chapter Forty-eight
Trish was the first one out of the carriage. Her cream-colored dress was fit for her personality. It stopped just above her knee and clung to her fit figure, lacking arms and shoulders. She wore a few pieces of ruby and sapphire jewelry that complimented her hair and eyes. Her smile was bright as she stepped aside to allow the others out.
Cammie was second, which surprised Stern; he’d expected Cyra. The same cream fabric had been used for Cammie’s dress. This one went to mid-calf, but had small slits up to her knee to allow better movement. Short sleeves helped really make a difference from Trish’s dress. Her blonde hair was done in a braid that draped over one shoulder, dotted with sky blue ribbons that matched her eyes. She also wore a few pieces of pale gold and light blue sapphire jewelry that accented her eyes and hair. She gave Stern a dazzling smile as she moved to the other side of the door.
Cyra was the last one out. She was wearing the same-colored dress as the others, but this was a long, flowing gown. The sleeves went all the way down to her wrists and the skirt trailed to her ankles, a loose flowing gown that swayed as she moved. Her hair was styled up so only her rabbit ears hung down. Emeralds in platinum settings dotted her neck and rings, bringing her green eyes into greater focus.
With all of them out of the carriage, they began to approach Stern, but they did it in single file. After a few steps, Cyra was joined by Seamus who walked beside her, smiling broadly. Karen went to be beside Trish, leaning in to whisper to the redhead. Lastly, Urika, Cammie’s mother, took her side.
Soft conversation picked up as people commented on how beautiful the brides were. Even more chatter started over the fact that two of Darkhand were acting as parents to give away the brides.
When Seamus reached Stern, he spoke clearly, but loud enough that the crowd stopped talking, “You seek to marry this beautiful woman?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Take good care of her. I might not yet be her father, but I will treat her as my daughter.”
Stern took Cyra’s hand, smiling. “She’ll be your daughter soon.”
Seamus nodded, moving aside, letting Karen step forward with Trish.
“I’d ask if you’re ready, but we both know she’ll be the one to lead you,” Karen said.
“I’ll gladly let Trish lead me in all things, be that running or life,” Stern said simply.
“The best men know how to let their wives lead,” Karen chuckled.
Trish winked as she took Stern’s hand, standing beside Cyra.
When Karen moved aside, Urika took the spot with Cammie beside her. “Stern, you have done much for my family. My dearest daughter wishes to join your family. Will you treat her equally to your other soon-to-be wives?”
“We’ll all be equal to each other,” Stern said softly. “I will never willingly hurt them.”
“I know,” Urika smiled as she handed Cammie to Stern.
Stern gave Cammie a smile as she stepped into line with Trish and Cyra. The three of them faced him, standing in profile to the crowd and the priestess.
“Ladies, gentlemen, and children,” the acolyte said, her voice projecting to everyone, “we are gathered here today to see four people brought together in sight of the Goddess. Alistern Masterson, Cammie Urs, Trish Moxxy, and Cyra Walot have faced many trials together in and out of the dungeons. The four of them have asked to be wed as a single family. They also have asked the temple to preside over this union so that the Goddess might bless them with love. Let us all bow our heads for a moment in silent prayer for their wish to be granted.”
Everyone bowed their heads for a few seconds before the priestess spoke again, “Cyra Walot, do you wish to bind your life with the other three before me? To have and hold, to treasure and love, through sickness and health, for as long as you draw breath?”
“I do.”
“Trish Moxxy, do you wish to bind your life with the other three before me? To have and hold, to treasure and love, through sickness and health, for as long as you draw breath?”
“I very much do.”
“Cammie Urs, do you wish to bind your life with the other three before me? To have and hold, to treasure and love, through sickness and health, for as long as you draw breath?”
“With all my heart.”
“Alistern Masterson, do you wish to bind your life with these three lovely brides? To have and hold, to treasure and love, through sickness and health, for as long as you draw breath?”
“To my very soul,” Stern replied.
“May the Goddess bless this union,” the acolyte announced. “You may now face the…!”
She trailed off as a pressure grew over everyone present. The feeling of a mother holding them, unquestioning love and support, and deep friendship seeped into everyone in the park.
“Y... you may now face the world as a unified family, with the Goddess’ blessing,” the acolyte stammered.
Stern stepped forward, kissing each of them lightly before stepping back. “My lovely wives, may I escort you to our table?”
All of them agreed with bright happy smiles.
~*~*~
The feast took over an hour, but no one was in a hurry to finish, as the food was exquisite. In time, the majority had finished eating, which signaled the next part of the wedding.
Seamus stood up, clinking his glass with a spoon until the crowd settled down. “Thank you. Sadly, there is no father of the bride to give the normal speech for any of the three. As such, they’ve asked me to stand in for their fathers. As they’ve married my eldest son, I agreed, since they’re fully my daughters now.”
The crowd buzzed, and Seamus gave them a minute before tapping his glass again.
“Cyra, Cammie, Trish, I’m delighted to call you my daughters. I would never try to take the place of your fathers, but please, try to see me as one now. All Stern’s life, we worried about him finding someone who would love him. Imagine our shock and delight to hear that three of you do. I do find it highly amusing he’s mirrored me to such a degree,” Seamus looked at his trio of wives with a grin, “but he comes by having so much love naturally.”
The three new brides laughed, giving Stern smiles.
“The fact that you are all still committed to being Walkers like we are makes me very proud, but don’t let that define you. If you find that it’s time to settle down and have a family, we will support you fully in that as well. All of us are looking forward to grandchildren.”
Stacia, Karen, and Julia loudly agreed with that, making Stern cover his face as laughter filled the park.
“No matter what you decide, we welcome you into the Masterson family. I couldn’t ask for better daughters-in-law, and I wouldn’t ask for anyone else, anyway. To you four, may your love be as bright as the love I have with my own wives.”
Laughter and raised glasses answered his toast.
Urika stood next, giving the crowd a moment before she started talking, “None of you know me... I’m Urika Urs, mother to Cammie. Let me tell you about the gentleman who married my little girl. Stern befriended her and her brother, Vulk, having them join his crew. He did his best for them, but he wasn’t satisfied with that. When he heard I had been fractured, he went one better and asked for help having me reborn, allowing me to be there for my dear Vulk’s wedding. At the time, he had no intentions of romance with my daughter— he truly just wanted to help his friends. My daughter soon had other ideas, apparently.”
Cammie flushed, looking away as Trish bumped her shoulder, grinning and making the crowd laugh.
“Even with Stern already courting Trish and Cyra, my Cammie threw herself forward. She knew what a good man Stern was, and with what should’ve been insurmountable odds, she tried to gain some of his love. Luckily for her, Trish and Cyra loved her as a friend, and could see maybe more becoming of their relationship. They gave their dear friend her wish, allowing her to court Stern. Thank you both. You are truly amazing.”
Cyra smiled shyly while Trish grinned broadly.
“Stern, I will never worry for my daughter with you. I’ve talked with you and know your heart. You’re a man full of love, even if the world only sees your condition. Your wives will never lack for affection and love, and that makes me happy for them. My family can never hope to match yours in generosity, but if you ever have need of us, we will give you all we have. To the happy family: may their love bloom ever brighter to show us that it doesn’t matter what came before, because everyone can find love in time.”
Glasses raised to the toast.
All three brides rose together, waiting for the crowd. “Normally, there’d be the maid of honor and the best man, but we’re skewing that,” Trish said. “We’ll praise our dear husband, then let him stumble through a speech before we get to the dances.”
A few cheers filled the air for a moment.
“Stern, you rescued me time and again,” Cyra said after a moment. “I will forever love you. No matter what happens, I’ll be beside you to heal your hurts and love you.”
“You gave me my mother back, helped my brother find love, and accepted me,” Cammie said when Cyra had stopped. “I was sure I’d be turned away, but our wives let me have the chance to be here. Then, you not only agreed, but you courted me with dates, showing me that you truly did care for me. No matter what comes up between us, I will always bow my head to you. My heart is filled with love, and I will give that love unconditionally back to you.”
“You helped heal an old hurt for me, husband,” Trish said gently. “A deep pain I was sure would always gnaw at me. You and Cyra gave me hope, then love. Our fluffy bunny is truly a healer, but you are the focal point of all our love. I will guard our family with all I have because I know you will be there to soothe me, love me, and help me. If we do ever settle down, I will work hard for our family so we can have the peaceful life we deserve.”
“To you,” the three said together, raising their glasses to Stern. “Our husband.”
Stern was bright red as he toasted them back. He only stood once they kissed him and sat. Standing at his full height, he refused to hunch anymore. The crowd slowly quieted as he looked over the gathering— there was nearly two hundred people watching him back, most of whom were wearing badges.
“I’m terrible at public speaking,” Stern said to start with. “I’m sure most of you can guess why. I used to hunch when I walked, wearing a cloak pulled tightly over me to avoid as many gazes as possible... but all that changed when I met them.” He looked at his three wives with a soft smile. “Cyra, I never thought when I went in for your shards that we’d be here. Heartache and pain started our relationship, but you showed me your heart in those moments. You are, without a doubt, one of the kindest people I’ve ever known, and that is no small feat considering my family.”
Cyra’s cheeks pinked and she smiled brightly as his family cheered.
“Thank you. You were the first person outside of them to show me kindness and love. We were awkward, foolish at times, and nearly had a few disasters in the early days. But you only ever loved me, and that’s what started to change me. I felt more worthy of that love as time went on. When you and Trish brought up the idea of us all being together, my heart clenched. Was that just your way of slowly phasing me out?”
