An Exchange of Vows

1129 years after the Great War, in the western isle of Astiness.

Within a small church a union was being held, the marriage of Lucian Meyer and Emma Taylor. They had known each other since they were children, growing up as friends until they came together, eventually becoming engaged. Today the western city of Rongan would bear witness to the declaration of a new husband and wife.

Lucian stood before the altar, watching over the chattering crowd. There could have been an even greater number of people here, but he had only invited closer friends and family today. For this special occasion he was dressed in the formal uniform of Rongan’s knights. Nearly the entire uniform was pure white, gold lining the sleeves and breast pocket. Two medals sat neatly near his chest, proof of his experiences as a knight. His prized sword rested at his hip, Normally his eyes would reflect his pride for his work, but today they were filled with something else entirely. His long, black hair was tied back today, different to his usual look. He stole a glance at his best man beside him, someone who had fought with him through thick and thin. They smiled back at him before someone walked past them. Normally Lucian would turn to see who it was, but he was much more relaxed today.

“Everything is ready now.”

Lucian couldn’t hide his smile as he heard the priest behind him. This priest was the reason he had chosen to hold his wedding in one of the smaller churches in Rongan, as he had known them since his days as a squire. The pianist began to play, causing the noise from the crowd to fall down to silence. Lucian faced the door with excitement all over his face. The large, wooden door creaked open to reveal Emma, his bride. He had known her since they were toddlers, but never had he seen her more beautiful. Her dress sparkled like snow under the morning sun, skirt flowing down to the floor. Her sleeves were made of lace, intricate floral patterns covering them which only enhanced their beauty. Hazel hair ran down past her shoulders, flowers the colour of autumn woven into her braids. Her green eyes met his brown eyes across the room. Together with her father she made it down the aisle, ultimately standing before her groom. Her father took a seat on a front pew, tears in his eyes.

“Everyone, we have gathered here today to celebrate the union of Lucian Meyer and Emma Taylor. May the Lord bless them as they enter a new stage of life, and may the Angels watch over this couple and grant them safety in this uncertain world.”

The priest paused, looking at both the bride and groom in turn.

“Emma Taylor, do you accept Lucian Meyer as your husband under the eyes of the Lord? During sickness and health, through wealth and poverty; to become his equal and continue sharing the care and love in your heart with him until you are greeted by the Inevitable Angel of Death?”

With zero hesitation, Emma replied with,

“I do.”

Lucian’s best man stepped forwards, presenting Lucian with a golden ring. He accepted, sliding it onto Emma’s finger on her outstretched hand.

“Lucian Meyer, do you accept Emma Taylor as your wife under the eyes of the Lord? As a knight do you swear to be her shield until you can fight no more? To protect her through the worst of times, to still be there during the best of times? Do you accept being her equal, showing the care and affection your heart holds until you are greeted by the Inevitable Angel of Death?”

Lucian’s smile grew wider as he outstretched his left hand.

“I do.”

In Astiness it was customary for a knight to accept their wedding ring with their non-dominant hand. This displayed a separation between their sometimes bloody work and the care they showed for their partners. Emma accepted the ring from her bridesmaid, sliding the matching ring onto his finger. It was cold to the touch, but Lucian didn’t care at this moment, not when the most beautiful woman in the world stood before him.

“This marriage is now blessed, in the eyes of the Lord you two are now husband and wife!”

The teary eyed members of the crowd began to clap, some even cheering as Lucian stepped in and kissed his wife. She was smiling like never before, whispering into his ear.

“I love you, Luci.”

“I love you too, Emma.”

They could only look into each other's eyes in that moment, fully embracing the love they held for each other. It was then that the peace of the wedding shattered.

A deafening bang was heard from the same wooden door that Emma had entered from. A group of five knights marched through the door, dressed in plate armour. One held a banner, bearing the city’s emblem.

“Stop this at once!”

One knight stepped forwards, removing their helmet to show a face Lucian knew. Jacob, a knight like him and also the Mayor’s son. Jacob had always been jealous of him, as Lucian had made it to knighthood before him despite being a few years younger.

“Knight Jacob! What is the meaning of this?”

Lucian had never made friends with Jacob, as Jacob’s jealousy always led him to try and sabotage Lucian. Not one of his attempts had worked, but with his father being the Mayor nothing had ever happened. Now that he had intruded upon his wedding, Lucian was angry.

“Now you really have done it Meyer! No one ever listened to me, but I always knew there was no way you could have gotten this far without a little… help.”

Lucian could only stare at Jacob, confusion overwhelming him. The crowd he had gathered to witness his wedding were now conversing in hushed voices, as if doubting him. Lucian was about to speak, but the ring on his finger turned bitterly cold.

Stop him.

In a voice identical to his own yet not belonging to him, Lucian heard that instruction. Of course, with the surprise from hearing this he missed his opportunity.

“I, Knight Jacob of the city of Rongan, declare that Lucian Meyer is to be apprehended and taken in to report to the Mayor and his advising Angel. He is suspected of being a heretic, sent by the demons below to plant a seed in our city's knight's order! Now choose, foul blasphemer! Surrender yourself now and receive mercy from our Lord or…”

Jacob paused, the grin on his face growing wider. He was enjoying this.

“You can accept the charges right here and try to escape us as a blasphemer would do. We would be forced to take action, but of course you are wanted alive so don’t worry too much everyone.”

Lucian froze. He didn’t understand. A heretic? Him? He gazed over the crowd, seeing that everyone was staring at him. Did they really believe he was a heretic? By the look on Jacob’s face he knew that even trying to resist would lead to a beating. Even if he was stronger it was still one versus five. He almost flinched as his ring once again turned icy cold.

A set up, must escape now.

Lucian knew this, that much was obvious. What confused him was why he had to escape. Even if the Mayor was against him, his advising Angel would surely remain unbiased, and with no evidence of heresy he would be free to go. With this is mind, Lucian raised his arms.

“I’ll go with you, lets get this cleared up so I can get back to my wife.”

He turned back, spotting Emma looking just as confused as him. At least one person wasn’t doubting him. No one in the crowd seemed moved by his acceptance, Jacob even seemed annoyed.

“Tch. Fine. You there, go and fetch his sword while someone else binds his hands.”

He pointed at two of the knights behind him, watching as they walked forwards. Lucian also stepped forwards with his arms in the air, but as he got close he tripped. A knight with years of training just tripped while walking. Lucian fell forwards, landing on one of the knights and accidentally making them fall as well. He quickly scrambled to his feet, hands raising and about to explain himself when a flash of steel appeared before him. The second knight, who had been sent to bind his hands, had swung at him!

“Hey! I tripped, I’m sorry so lets do this peacefully.”

Fool.

“And what? Let you tackle one of us again?”

The annoyance in Jacob’s face had vanished as he drew his sword. The other knights followed suit, slowly encircling Lucian. Lucian wasn’t confident he could win, they were all knights with years of training just as he was after all. He couldn’t even believe this was happening. A knight with his own guiding Angel had just tripped over at the worst possible moment. He double checked on Emma, seeing her standing near a door with concern all over her face. She still hadn’t given up on him.

“Seriously, I tripped up! It was my mistake, there's no need to fight!”

His words were met with steel as Jacob brought his sword swinging down. Lucian easily side stepped the sloppy strike, but was forced to parry a second strike from someone else. All of the knights around him began to attack, but by some miracle Lucian remained unscathed. Each strike was dodged or parried as Lucian managed to break out of the encirclement. Jacob was facing him seriously now, seeing him as someone dangerous instead of a prey to be hunted. He looked Lucian up and down, eyes landing on his ring.

“Th-that ring…”

Jacob took a step back, face turning to one of panic.

“That ring was stolen not even a week ago! Why do you have it?!”

Lucian looked down at the ring, it felt as if it had been in the northern cold for years.

“These rings were a gift given to me by my parents! Are you claiming they are petty thieves?!”

Jacob shook his head.

“Men, this is a demonic ring, proof of his crimes! Do not underestimate him!”

Ignore them. Kill them all.

Lucian ignored the voice as he dashed away, scooping up Emma. With her safe in his arms, he jumped through the stained glass window, landing outside and fleeing. The knights couldn’t follow in time, the plate armour too heavy for them to make the jump. They were on the defensive, expecting him to attack. They never expected him to flee.

—

“Luci! Where are we going!”

Emma was now running alongside Lucian as they headed East, following along the mountain range North of the city. Lucian had shoved the ring into his pocket along the way.

“I-I don’t know! I don’t know….”

He was almost lost for words, the weight of being labelled a heretic weighing on him.

“I don’t know why everyone turned against me so quickly, nor why I even have this ring! I don’t know anything! The news is going to spread to every major city soon enough!”

His voice grew faster and faster, about to blow into a full blown panic before Emma stopped and pulled him into a hug. Lucian accepted it for a moment before pushing her away.

“Emma, you need to go back! I shouldn’t have brought you with me…”

“Don’t you dare tell me that Luci!”

“You can tell them I kidnapped you! That you managed to escape! You’ll be able to live your life!”

“Why would I want such a life if you’re not there!? Take me with you!”

Lucian looked down, conflict tearing his mind apart as the sunlight around them seemed to intensify. In unison the pair looked up, spotting someone standing in the tree above them. They wore a simple, white robe flowing down to their ankles. Golden hair reached the woman’s knees and a pair of amethyst eyes looked down at them. Her face seemed to calm Lucian, bringing him to a clearer headspace. A halo of golden light rested upon her head, explaining her otherworldly beautiful appearance.

“Esther, it’s been a while”

“My, my. It’s been a while since someone’s addressed me so casually, my dear knight”

Emma bowed despite Lucian’s casual demeanor before this divine being.

“You got annoyed at me last time for not being casual enough…”

Esther smiled, gliding down from the tree. Her bare feet remained an inch away from the floor as she addressed Lucian.

“That’s true, it's much better than Guiding Angel at least. Now, hand me the ring.”

Lucian didn’t bother to ask how she knew, handing it over to her. She clasped her hands together, blinding light radiating from the gaps before everything stopped. She gave Lucian the ring back before explaining.

“I’ve cleansed the ring, so it's lost its link to the demon who crafted it. Part of a demon’s soul resided within it, but I also took care of that. Be careful, as wearing it will present an opportunity for something new to take hold.”

Lucian pocketed the ring before looking back up at Esther.

“Does this mean we can go back now?”

“No. Emma here could, but you are now considered quite a dangerous criminal.”

Lucian’s gaze wandered to Emma, who shook her head immediately.

“So what can we do? Please, Esther, tell me what options I have.”

Esther smiled, her soft gaze exuding serenity.

“You could flee, head south to Plora where you could sneak in while they’re busy making new settlements and exploring. Of course you wouldn’t be able to use the Port City of Pruduin to journey over.”

Esther stopped, waiting for any questions. Faced with none she continued.

“The other option is to travel to the Cathedral of Stars in Odrela. There, you can meet with an Archangel and have your name cleared.”

“You mean I have to choose between starting a new life, or trying to reclaim my current one? You know which answer I have to choose!”

Esther nodded, turning around.

“Of course I knew, I’m your Guiding Angel after all. Call my name if you need me, but it better be important.”

With those words Esther took a step forwards, disappearing into thin air. Emma didn’t have the time to be shocked before Lucian began speaking.

“I know, asking you not to come would be a waste of time. I would be honoured if you could join me, Emma, in clearing my name.”

Emma couldn’t help but smile upon seeing a new hope burning in her husband’s eyes.

“Let’s go, Luci.”