The Golden Dragon was perched on a hilltop in one of the wealthiest areas in all of Generasi; a massive building that resembled a small castle of white stone with hulking golden towers. Curving through the restaurantâs spires was an immense dragon statue, plated in gold, seeming ready to launch into the sky.
The interior was palatial, crafted of marble, mahogany, crystal and brass. Its walls were lined with fine oil paintings and murals. Fountains, standing in the middle of multiple dining rooms, sprayed water the colour of the sea into the air, cascading down into waterfalls, and water sprites danced through the falls.
Each seat was an actual conjured cloud, every chair back was woven in the shape of a curveâglowing with inner lightâinviting guests to sink right in. While sitting on them, it was easy to imagine what it must feel like to relax on the softest, lightest, cushions from the heavens.
The tables were forged of brass and carven elfwood, alive and pulsing with calming auras.
When Alex and his companions were last there, theyâd enjoyed sitting around those tables while, in a corner of the dining room, a series of tiny constructsâno bigger than oneâs thumbâstood on a podium, playing magical instruments wrought of wood and platinum.
Now, though?
As the musical constructs were playing.
Many guests werenât sitting.
The largest hall in the Golden Dragon had been reserved for a grand celebration: the wedding reception for Alexander and Theresa.
One side of the room was dominated by a massive ironwood bar, behind which floated kegs of ale, wine, cider, mead and dozens of other less potent drinks. The stronger stuff was in decanters of golden crystal, floating high above the bar like a flock of trained birds.
The bartender plied her trade, making sure that the guests were fuelled for their revelling.
And revel is what they were doing in abundance.
The tiny constructs played jaunty tunes that left everyone filled with cheer. Wedding guests feasted along the sides of the room, giving speeches, toasting, drinking, talking, laughing and dancing.
Some were in couples.
Some in groups.
All were enjoying themselves.
It was from this crowd that Alex and Theresa finally emerged after dancing for the better part of an hour. The newlyweds sipped goblets of wine, smiles lighting their faces, laughter flowing freely as they held each otherâs hand, finally reaching a nearby table and dropping into a pair of cloud-cushioned chairs.
They caught their breaths, taking in the celebration, watching their friends enjoying themselves.
âThisâŠthis is nice, isnât it?â Alex said, wrapping his arm around his wifeâs waist. âLike, really nice.â
Theresa nuzzled into her husbandâs shoulder. âIt is. We should have another one of these,â she joked.
Alex glanced at her, startled for a moment, then burst out laughing. âWell, thereâs going to be Khalik and Sinopeâs wedding to look forward to.â
The young archwizard looked to where the prince and dryad were dancing. They were hand in hand, eyes locked on one another. Alex didnât have to be an expert in body language to see how much love was between them.
He smiled, his mind drifting back over the years.
Alex recalled first seeing Khalik in the apartment across the insula, with magnificent Najyah landing on his arm. He didnât know back then that the muscular young man would become one of his closest friends, confidants and counsellors.
Khalik was a hero in his own right, he would, no doubt, continue building his own legend over the centuries.
As he and Theresa watched them, the prince caught Alexâs eye.
He smiled, giving him a grand smile, then whispering something to Sinope. The couple made their way over to the newlyweds.
âHelloooo newlyweds.â The prince grinned, clapping Alex on the shoulder. âStill high off your ceremony?â
âMight be high off of it for the rest of my life,â Theresa giggled.
âThat will be a very long time, from what I hear,â Sinope said pointedly, with a knowing smile.
âThat tells you how good it was,â Theresa said.
âListen, Khalik.â Alex clapped his friend on the arm. âI just want to thank you for giving me that kick in the ass, back then. I needed it, seriously.â
âIt is no problem,â Khalik chuckled. âWhat is a little wisdom between friends? If we cannot share counsel, we cannot share anything.â
âYeah, I owe you one,â Alex replied.
âOh, bah, one does not keep track of favours like some sort of âsocial merchantâ! We have all of time: we will be repaying each other back and forth through the millennia.â
âDamn right we will,â Alex agreed.
Khalik glanced down at the General of Thamelandâs goblet. âAh, and you are already repaying me right now! You are reminding me that my cup is empty, and I think we should go and correct that grave error!â
Sinope chuckled. âDonât get too drunk now, my mighty oak blossom.â
âOh, bah! My constitution is as strong as Claygonâs! How else have I been able to keep up with Thundar?â Khalik threw his head back and laughed. âCome, beloved.â He wrapped an arm around Sinope. âIt would be rude to our hosts to not fully celebrate!â
Together, they began turning away.
Alex spoke up. âWait, Khalik?â
âYeeeees?â the prince turned back to his friend.
âThank youâŠseriously, thank you for being my friend.â
Khalik grew a little misty-eyed. âThe pleasure is shared, my friend. The pleasure is shared.â
Together, Prince Khalik and Sinope made their way to the bar. Their grace made it almost seem like they were floating.
âHeâs great, isnât he?â Alex asked aloud.
âYeah, they both are,â Theresa said.
âHey!â a loud, gruff voice interrupted.
They turned, spotting a very drunk Thundar stumbling toward them with Drestra holding him up.
âHeeyyyyy! Whatâs up, Iâm surprised you two havenât gone to bed yet, what the hells?â Thundar laughed.
Both Alex and Theresa turned bright red.
âOh, by the Travellerââ Drestra started to say.
âYes?â Hannah called from across the room.
ââThundar, you canât say that out loud!â the Sageâs reptillian eyes flashed.
âWe were all thinking it!â he laughed. âAnd as the cabalâs leader, itâs up to me to say the things no one else has the spine to say!â
âThundarâŠyou are very, very drunk,â Theresa said, her expression somewhere between embarrassment and amusement.
âWhich is why Iâm here!â The minotaur looked at Alex. âCan you do that blood magic thing where you make me sober and get rid of hangovers? I wanna drink more!â
âHeh, anything for our âbrave cabal leaderâ.â Alex pressed a hand to Thundarâs arm. With a twitch of his finger, he cleansed the alcohol from the minotaurâs system.
In an instant, Thundar was standing straighter, his eyes clearer.
âThatâs a trick I gotta learn for myself one day,â he laughed. âGreat one. And now I get to get drunk all over again.â He turned to Drestra. âThis time, youâre getting drunk before me!
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Drestra shook her head. âThundar, Iâm a dragon.â
âThat just makes it a challenge.â
She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. âI have terrible taste in men, apparently.â
âAnd Iâm glad for it. Makes a lout like me lucky as all hells.â
Drestraâs face grew pink above her veil. âSmooth talker.â
âI learned from the best.â Thundar winked at Alex. âSeriously, man. I dunno if it was fate or divine decree or just dumb luck that put you, me, Khalik and Isolde together in that first trial for COMB-1000. But it was one of the best damned things that ever happened to me.â
His face grew serious. âDoesnât matter the battlefield, or the time or place. Ask me? And Iâll be there.â
âAs will I,â Drestraâs voice crackled as she looked at Alex and Theresa. âBoth of you helped me and kept me sane in a time when I felt all alone. You also helped my people in their time of need. I can never repay you for that.â
âYeah, and if I didnât know you, I never woulda met Drestra,â Thundar said. âAlex and Theresa, you two are the best. Donât let anyone tell you otherwise.â
âRight back at you, Thundar.â Alex suddenly stood and hugged his friend. âSeriously. Anyone would be blessed to call you friend, cabal member or even brother. Youâre a titan, man. I mean that. Iâm glad I know you.â
âSame here,â Theresa said.
Thundar beamed at that, his eyes beginning to shine. âBah, you two are gonna make me cry! Alright, Iâd better get some more booze in me before I lose it. Iâll catch you two later.â
With that, Thundar and Drestra went to the bar, greeting the prince and Sinope, laughing and chatting with them.
Alex smiled, warmth filling his chest. âWhat a guy.â
âYouâre right,â Theresa said. âWeâre lucky to know both him and Drestra.â
âYeah,â Alex said. âWe really, really are.â
âI do feel the need to apologise,â a familiar, aristocratic voice said nearby.
Alex glanced in that direction, he and Theresa waved at Isolde and Cedric as they made their way over to them.
âI shall make sure that Thundar is thoroughly chastised later, that remark was quite crude,â she sniffed.
âAye, it was funny though,â Cedric laughed. âAnâ there werenât a weddinâ that ever passed witâout some naughty joke!â
âIâŠsuppose.â Isolde crossed her arms, her eyes softening a little. âYou do have a point. Even in the Rhinean empireâamong nobility and after a few drinksâa faux pas or two becomes acceptable, even expected.â
âOooooh?â Theresa cocked an eyebrow. âAre you going soft, Isolde?â
âOh, bah, goinâ?â Cedric grinned, his gold tooth shining. âSheâs always been a bloody softy. I had a few chats witâ Svenia anâ Hogarth. She ainât nowhere near as âproperâ as she plays at. Anâ behind closed doors witâ meââ
âCedric!â Isolde screamed, her face bright red. âDo not dare!â
He raised his hands. âAye, aye, donâ wanna anger no immortal wizard, now do I?â
âAnd you had better remember that, hmph!â freewebnoveâ.com
âOh man, you are too funny, Isolde,â Alex shook his head, laughing. âAnd you really do your best to keep all of us from going too far into degeneracy.â
âAn extraordinarily difficult task, I can assure you,â she said, before uncrossing her arms. Her eyes softened again. âBut, more to the point, this has been an absolutely delightful affair so far. And congratulations, to you both.â
âWhy thank you.â Theresa placed a hand on Isoldeâs. âIâm glad youâre here.â
âPlease. Even if the Ravener and Ezaliel themselves came back from the dead, they could not hope to keep me away.â
âHah, and the same will go for your wedding when the time comes,â Alex said. âWeâll be there, no matter what. Even if you donât invite us!â
âPlease, Roth.â She rolled her eyes. âI would rather tear out my own hair before I skip sending you an invitation. Listen, and listen well. You both are two of the truest friends anyone could ever ask for. I do mean that sincerely. I did not imagine that my truest friends in life would be found not in my year, but in COMB-1000. What a wonderful thing it was that we were put together in the trial for Baelinâs course.â
âYeah, hah, Thundar, Khalik and I were just talking about that,â Alex said.
âNo doubt. Weddings tend to bring about reminiscent conversations,â Isolde said. âAnd well they should. By the elements, I am glad to have known you two. And I consider it an honour to continue to know you in the future.â
Alex smiled at that. âLikewise, Isolde. Likewise. Glad you decided that hanging around us wild and crazy guys was worth it.â
She blushed at that. âMore than worth it. More than worth it indeed. I recall being in something of a dark place after Derekâs actions. And yet, here I amâŠand he is barely a distant memory. It isâŠgood.â
âAye, all oâ yous donâ have any idea how happy yâmake her,â Cedric said. âItâs a bloody beautiful thing. Sâtoo bad we couldnât oâ met even earlier than we did. But, eh, we gots time now, witâ the Ravener beinâ dead anâ all.â
âThat we do!â Alex said.
âAlright, I think I shall have some more libations myself,â Isolde said. âAlex, TheresaâŠthank you. Thank you for being some of my closest companions.â
With that, she and Cedric went off together, joining Khalik, Sinope, Thundar and Drestra at the bar.
Alex wrapped his arm around Theresaâs waist, and she snuggled into him. âWe really got lucky with the people we know,â he said.
âYes we did,â Theresa said. âThat we did.â She kissed his cheek.
He looked at her for a long moment, then opened his mouth to say something.
âYou knowââ
âOi, all of you!â Thundarâs voice boomed.
The minotaur was making his way back to the dance floor, looking at the bride and groom. He was followed by his other cabal mates; Drestra, Sinope and Cedric. âThatâs enough sitting! Weâve got some real partying to do!â
Alex grinned at that. âRested up enough, Theresa?â
âAbsolutely.â She leapt to her feet.
She and the young archwizard joined their guests back on the dance floor, to cheers.
Soon smiling faces were pressing goblets into their hands.
Thundar came roaring across the room, a goblet of wine in either hand, dancing toward Drestra. He quickly drained both glasses, slamming them down on a nearby table. His hooves clacked on the tiles as he jumped into a tauric jig: a dance often used in celebration of the changing of seasons by his people.
He turned, whirled, and clapped in time with the beat of the drums and swell of the music. The guestsâespecially younger men whoâd had a few drinksâwhistled, clapped and laughed.
âOi, nice jig yâgot there friend!â Cedric called, placing his hands on his hips and dancing toward Thundar. âThâ Dance oâ thâ River from Clan Duncanâs even better, though!â
The red-haired man jumped into his own dance, his feet whirling with graceful movement.
Thundar snorted. âOh ya? Well, I accept your challenge!â
The minotaur danced toward him in turn, a circle quickly formed around the two young men.
Alex, Theresa and the others clapped as Thundar and the Thameish Hero faced each other. Claygonâs clapping sounded like a smithy crashing down on top of a kitchen full of pots and pans. Merzhin winced beside him, clapping with a somewhat awkward smile on his face, though he still seemed to be enjoying himself.
As the minotaur and the Hero faced off, their feet continued moving in dizzying patterns.
It was hard to tell who was out-dancing the other as they moved with a warriorâs grace.
âOh, bah!â a voice cried. âEnough of that. Let the chicks give way! A true eagle is taking flight!â
âFather, no!â Bjorgrund cried.
âOh yeessss!â
Birger slipped past his son into the circle.
With a grin, the grey-bearded giant jumped into his own version of a jig, one combined with several other forms of dance, all fused together in a jaw-dropping display of acrobatics and art.
âOooooh!â Thundar and Cedric cried as one, giving way to the giant as he whirled, tapped and stepped through the circle.
âYeaaaah, Birger!â Theresa cried.
The giantâs powerful legs kicked him into the air, he backflipped twice before landing on his toes. âBy the Travellerâ-â
âYes?â Hannah said, and Alex was starting to think she was doing that on purpose.
ââitâs good to have two legs! Come on, everyone! Join in! Donât just stand there clapping! Dance is made to dance, not just spectate! And come on you two young chicks!â He gestured to Cedric and Thundar. âLet me teach ya some moves that broke the hearts of maids the world over!â
Laughing, Thundar and Cedric joined Birger again, and the rest of the circle melted into a frenzy of dancing.
Professor Julesâquite inebriatedâdanced a wild, exaggerated waltz, stumbling along with Toraka, ValâRok, Mangal and Baelin, all of them in a spinning circle.
âThatâs right, Vernia! Dance as a Proper Wizard would!â Baelin roared with laughter.
âYouâŠthereâs no way a Proper Wizard needs to dance!â Professor Jules slurred back.
âAs the inventor of the term, I can change its definition whenever I please. Now, dance!â Baelin winked.
âOld goat,â she cursed him, then laughed as she continued whirling.
âAn old goat who is still a Proper Wizard!â Baelin laughed, his hooves clacking.
As the professors spun away, Kybas burst through the crowd dancing wildly, flailing around, looking almost like a bee alerting members of its hive to nearby flowers. âHahaaaah! Now this is a party! Great way to spend the day before we go off, Grimloch!â
The sharkmanâwho was annihilating a buffet table off to the sideâcaught the goblinâs eye. âMonster huntingâs gonna be fun together. The worldâs gonna be our buffet!â His deep voice cut across the room, even over the spirited music.
âYes!â the goblin laughed maniacally. âYou and Harmless will eat all the monsters! Iâll eat regular food.â
âCoward.â
âI just wouldnât dream of taking food out of your and Harmless' mouths!â
âFair enough, then.â
Kybas laughed and continued dancing, passing Tyris and Hart, who were wrapped around each other like strangling vines as they danced. Dirtily. Very dirtily.
On the other side of the dance floor another circle formed as Fan-Dor and Gel-Dor started the Spear-and-Oar dance. The two selachar showed off their ancient dance, drawing cheers from Lucia and other guests.
Claygon and Selina waltzed their way past the circle, heading right toward where Alex and Theresa were dancing with wild abandon.
âAlex, Theresa!â she called, her hands linked with the golemâs lower hands.
âHey!â Alex called. âLook at you, the last time we were at one of these parties, you were with the kids, now here you are with the rest of us adults, Selina!â
She rolled her eyes. âThe last time we went to a party like this was at Isoldeâs cousinâs, and we got attacked by monsters!â
âWell, we didnât get attacked by monsters this time!â Theresa countered.
âYeah, but you two got married in a place where we were nearly killed before! And, of course thatâs where you would get married!â She stuck her tongue out at them. âClaygon, letâs get away before they get us killed!â
âIâŠdo not thinkâŠwe are in any dangerâŠoh waitâŠit was a jokeâŠyesâŠfatherâŠTheresaâŠI must goâŠbefore we are destroyedâŠ!â he called.
Giggling, Selina danced away with Claygon.
Alex stared after his sister. âIs this a rebellious phase?â
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Theresa wrapped her arms behind her husbandâs neck. âNo, she always liked making fun of you.â
He sighed. âSuch is my lot in life.â
âHey.â Suddenly, her face was very close to his. âWhat were you going to say earlier? Before we came back to the dance floor?â
âOh that? Just the truth.â
âWhat truth?â Theresa asked.
âThat you are my universe and that will never change,â Alex said.
She froze for a moment. âAlex, you wanted to take a picture of all of us, right?â
âYeah.â
âWe should do that right now.â
âWhy?â
âBecause the nightâs getting on, and Iâm about three seconds away from dragging you to bed. So youâd better get that done fast.â
âOh. O-oh!â Alex shouted. âAlright, then!â
He turned. âEveryone! Could I have your attention for a second! Iâd like to get an image of all of us, before the night ends! So, gather around!â
Pulling out Hannahâs phone, he caught the Travellerâs eye.
She smiled at him, then nodded.
Together, the wedding guests met in the centre of the room.
Alex conjured a pair of Wizardâs Hands, giving them the Travellerâs artefact, they floated in front of his guests, pointing it toward the smiling group.
All smiled.
All were together.
And then came the click.
What was captured was a perfect moment in time.
A moment of Heroes.
A moment of lovers.
A wonderful moment of celebration among giants, wizards, priests, bakers, scholars, warriors, and, indeedâŠ
âŠfools.