The Joining

                The midday sun shone down brightly, its rays illuminating the courtyard. An errant breeze gusted through the warm summer air, setting the red and gold banners that had been placed around the courtyard fluttering and displaying their emblems. The breeze also stirred the clothes and robes of those present at the gathering, elegant silken garments stirring as their wearers stared intently at the dais that had been placed at one end of the courtyard or as they fanned themselves with decorative, jeweled hand fans.

                The focus of the gathering’s attention was on the figures standing atop the dais, the Sin’dorei there dressed even more elegantly and formally for the momentous occasion. Behind them and further beyond the dais rose the gleaming spire that had been a part of the Felo’melorn family for countless generations. The gate to the magnificent structure had been thrown open, allowing those in the newly constructed courtyard to see within. A matching gate now stood beside the first, bright ribbons crossing its opening and blocking access to the cleared space beyond.

                Kyliska Sunfire smiled, her face radiant as she stepped forward before the others. Dressed in a gorgeous red gown embroidered with golden threadwork, she looked nothing like her regular, plate-armored self that many had seen upon the battlefield. With her bleached blonde, nearly white hair held back by a golden tiara, she brought a carefully manicured hand up, waving at the crowd gathered before the platform. Those watching below offered polite applause as she smiled down on them.

                Standing beside Kyliska, Selenthiel Felo’melorn also smiled at those below, her own gown stunning and fit to match that of the Sunfire scion. With red and golden fabrics layered upon one another, it seemed as if she glided across the marble surface of the dais as she took her place beside Kyliska, her own hand coming up and waving down at those in the gathered crowd.

                Standing somewhat behind and to the left of Kyliska, Biara Dayfire smiled as well, watching the two nobles as they waved at the cheering crowd. With her flame red locks held up by golden pins and her wards glittering lightly in the sun, there was a certain air of relief and happiness in her eyes. She glanced across the dais, offering a smile and a polite nod to those who stood opposite from her.

                Tyavel saw the smile, offering only a slight nod of her head in acknowledgement as she returned her gaze to the two nobles before her. Wearing an enchanted, sea blue dress, she stood out amongst the others in a way that, to her, obviously showed her superiority. Magic practically radiated from the fabric of her clothing, her jewelry, and the ceremonial staff she held in her hand as she watched the proceedings. Every now and then she would shoot a disapproving glare at her brother Andithiel, who stood at her side.

                For his part, Andithiel did everything in his power to ignore the proceedings. Dressed in the bare minimum required for such a momentous court occasion, his hand rested constantly on the ceremonial sword his sister had insisted he wear at his belt. He frequently alternated between sighing, rolling his eyes, or glaring at Kyliska’s back as the ceremony began and the two nobles began to address the crowd below.

                “Brothers and sisters of Quel’Thalas,” Kyliska began, her voice booming out across the marble space before her. “Citizens of our proud nation; I welcome you to a momentous occasion. To a new dawning for Quel’Thalas and for those Sin’dorei whose lives are pledged in service to our great realm.”

                The crowd cheered, and Kyliska’s smile beamed down at them as she waited for it to die down a bit before continuing, “For many years, strife has divided our peoples. The fall of our realm brought a darkness here that we each had to face in our own way. Houses rose and fell, nobles bickered bitterly about what the right course was and how we would survive. We made mistakes, wrong turns, and narrowly avoided disaster many times along the way. But we survived! We triumphed before all of the odds stacked against us! We rose up to the challenge and we live and breathe today in a realm that is secure and slowly seeing a rebirth of its greatness!”

                The crowd cheered loudly, applause ringing out. Behind the group, Biara smiled, admiring the way her sister had expertly spoken the speech that she had written for her, grinning a few times as Kyliska allowed the passion she felt for the topic to seep into her voice; her sister was an excellent orator when she had the proper motivation and encouragement!

                As the crowd settled again, Kyliska continued, this time speaking from her heart, her fist raised high in the air above her, “No longer will we stand divided! No longer will we face our enemies alone, for today, here and now, you will see that the differences of the past can be set aside and that those who truly envision a brighter future tomorrow can stand side by side, united as one! Today two Houses are joined together; not by arranged marriage, not by political intrigue, but by the common goal of making a better, safer future for Quel’Thalas. Today House Sunfire and House Felo’melorn join together, each becoming a stronger part of the whole as we face the challenges of tomorrow!”

                The crowd roared again, and this time Kyliska turned and smiled at Selenthiel, gesturing for her to speak her part. The Sin’dorei priestess dipped her head, a smile crossing her own face as she waited for the crowd to grow still again, “As Kyliska has said, today we begin a new chapter, a new future for both houses. Today, as we unite our forces under one banner, we create the tools needed to heal the Sin’dorei and to make them stronger. As Lady Sunfire is the sword and shield which we will take up to defend our people, so too are those of House Felo’melorn the battlements and armor which shelter our people from the darkness beyond. Together we are stronger. Together we are the hand that heals and the hand that strikes down those who oppose the Sin’dorei. Today we join in common purpose, and seal a pact between two bloodlines who will become as one forever more.”

                The crowd cheered loudly and Kyliska smiled at Selenthiel before gesturing behind her. From behind the dais Braeth’el marched forward, his rugged form clad in a ceremonial red and gold jacket that did little to detract from just how powerful he was. With deliberate, ceremonial steps he approached the two nobles, bearing before him a flat golden tablet and two rune-tipped wands. The blank golden face of the tablet glimmered in the light, the surface having been polished to an elegant shine. Braeth’el smiled as he bowed before the two nobles, extending the tablet before him and offering the wands to the two.

                Kyliska took up her wand first, its tip inscribed with the rune of House Sunfire and created by Tyavel for the event. As soon as she did, Selenthiel took up her own wand, its tip inscribed with the rune of House Felo’melorn and created by Biara. Kyliska smiled and nodded at Selenthiel, her voice carrying back out over the crowd, “Today we join as one! Today, House Sunfire grows tenfold!”

                She plunged her wand forward, the tip sparking against the tablet as magic flared from it. Selenthiel followed suit a moment later, the magic joining with that already present from Kyliska’s wand and creating a bright flare of power. Together the wands burned an emblem into the tablet, the symbol of House Sunfire being slightly modified to represent the inclusion of the Felo’melorn family into the line. As the magic flared and then faded, Braeth’el held the tablet up before him even as guards behind him unfurled two twin banners from the entrances of the gates behind them. The emblems depicted were of two spires with a fiery sun between them, two burning, crossed swords covering the center of the emblem, joining House Sunfire and House Felo’melorn together forever more as one.

                The crowd went wild once the banners were unfurled and fluttered in the breeze behind them. As the cheering intensified, Kyliska gestured and a battalion of Sin’dorei soldiers marched forth from one of the courtyard’s side entrances. The pounding of their armored boots echoed loudly through the courtyard, and the crowd continued to cheer and yell as Kyliska smiled. She held up her hand, and one of the leading soldiers blew a note on a trumpet, bringing the soldiers to a halt. Kyliska nodded at Selenthiel, gesturing towards the men, “Lady Sunfire, I present to you the First Sunfire Battalion; your personal guard.”

                Selenthiel offered Kyliska a polite courtesy and then brought her own hand up. Behind the group, and number of well-dressed Sin’dorei craftsmen appeared, carrying with them a pair of ceremonial scissors made of pure gold. Selenthiel walked forward, stepping down from the dais and taking up the scissors in her hands. With a flourish she cut the ribbons that had been across the second gateway, allowing access to the space beyond, “Lady Sunfire, I present to you the groundbreaking for the second of House Sunfire’s spires, where you will live in comfort within the city of Silvermoon itself.”

                Kyliska offered Selenthiel a courtesy of her own before bringing her hands up to address the crowd before them. It took many minutes for the yelling and cheering to subside enough for her to speak, and when she did her voice echoed powerfully across the silence, “From this day forth, let it be known that Selenthiel, Tyavel, and Andithiel Felo’melorn are now of House Sunfire. The pact is sealed! Come and join us in celebration my friends!”

                The crowd roared and Kyliska offered them a playful wink before slipping from the dais, she and Selenthiel walking past the cut ribbons and into the open space beyond where a party would be held that evening. The next day the groundbreaking for House Sunfire’s second spire would begin in earnest, and the consolidation of the two families would continue for months to come. It was a joyous moment that even Tyavel enjoyed, knowing that her family had secured the best route to more power and prestige in the days to come. If anyone noticed that Andithiel had slunk off to sulk after the ceremony was over, no one mentioned it, the wine, music, and dancing driving such concerns away until the dawn of the next day.