Read Online At The Edge Of Space (Hanan Rebellion) by C. J. Cherryh - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: C. J. Cherryh
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in Elas without marrying Mim. I want her very much, Kta. I do not think that will change tomorrow or for the rest of my life.”
“There is,” Kta offered cautiously, “an old custom—that if the lechan ’s husband dies and the house of the chan is threatened with extinction, then the duty is with the lord of the house nearest her age. Sometimes this is done even with the lechan ’s husband living, if there are no children after such a time.”
Kurt did not know whether his face went very pale or flushed, only that he could not for the moment move or look left or right, was trapped staring into the nemet’s pitying eyes. Then he recovered the grace to glance down. “I could even,” he echoed, “love a child of my friend.”
Kta flinched. “Perhaps,” said Kta, “it would be different with you and Mim. I see how much your heart goes toward her, and I will plead your case with Hef and give him my own pledge in this matter. And if Hef is won, then it will be easier to win my lord father and lady mother. Also I will talk to Mim about this custom we call iquun. ”
“I will do that,” Kurt said.
“No,” said Kta gently. “It would be very difficult for her to hear such words from you. Believe me that I am right. I have known Mim long enough that I could speak with her of this. From her own betrothed it would be most painful. And perhaps we can give the matter a few years before we have concern for it. Our friend Hef is not terribly old. If his health fails or if years have passed without children, then will be the time to invoke iquun. I should in that case treat the honor of you and of Hef and of Mim with the greatest respect.”
“You are my friend,” said Kurt. “I know that you are Mim’s. If she is willing, let it be that way.”
“Then,” said Kta, “I will go and speak to Hef.”
The betrothal was a necessarily quiet affair, confirmed three days later at evening. Hef formally asked permission of lord Nym to give his daughter to the guest of Elas, and Kta formally relinquished his claim to the person of Mim before the necessary two witnesses, friends of the family; Han t’Osanef u Mur, father of Bel; and old Ulmar t’Ilev ul Imetan, with all their attendant kin.
“Mim-lechan,” said Nym, “is this marriage your wish?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And in the absence of your kinsmen, Kurt t’Morgan, I ask you to answer in your own name: do you accept this contract as binding, understanding that when you have sworn you must follow this ceremony with marriage or show cause before these families present? Do you accept under this knowledge, our friend Kurt t’Morgan?”
“I accept.”
“There is,” said Nym quietly, “the clause of iquun in this contract. The principals are of course Mim and Kurt, and thou, my son Kta, and Hef, to preserve the name of Hef. Three years are given in this agreement before iquun is invoked. Is this acceptable to all concerned?”
One by one they bowed their heads.
Two parchments lay on the table, and to them in turn first Nym and then t’Osanef and t’Ilev pressed their seals in wax.
Then lady Ptas pressed her forefinger in damp wax and so sealed both. Then she took one of the phusmeha, and with a bit of salt slipped it into the flames.
She uplifted her palms to the fire, intoning a prayer so old that Kurt could not understand all the words, but it asked blessing on the marriage.
“The betrothal is sealed,” said Nym. “Kurt Liam t’Morgan ul Edward, look upon Mim h’Elas e Hef, your bride.”
He did so, although he could not, must not touch her, not during all the long days of waiting for the ceremony. Mim’s face shone with happiness.
They were at opposite sides of the room. It was the custom. The nemet made a game of tormenting young men and women at betrothals, and knew well enough his frustration. The male guests, especially Bel and Kta, drew Kurt off in one direction, while Aimu and Ptas and the ladies likewise captured Mim, with
“There is,” Kta offered cautiously, “an old custom—that if the lechan ’s husband dies and the house of the chan is threatened with extinction, then the duty is with the lord of the house nearest her age. Sometimes this is done even with the lechan ’s husband living, if there are no children after such a time.”
Kurt did not know whether his face went very pale or flushed, only that he could not for the moment move or look left or right, was trapped staring into the nemet’s pitying eyes. Then he recovered the grace to glance down. “I could even,” he echoed, “love a child of my friend.”
Kta flinched. “Perhaps,” said Kta, “it would be different with you and Mim. I see how much your heart goes toward her, and I will plead your case with Hef and give him my own pledge in this matter. And if Hef is won, then it will be easier to win my lord father and lady mother. Also I will talk to Mim about this custom we call iquun. ”
“I will do that,” Kurt said.
“No,” said Kta gently. “It would be very difficult for her to hear such words from you. Believe me that I am right. I have known Mim long enough that I could speak with her of this. From her own betrothed it would be most painful. And perhaps we can give the matter a few years before we have concern for it. Our friend Hef is not terribly old. If his health fails or if years have passed without children, then will be the time to invoke iquun. I should in that case treat the honor of you and of Hef and of Mim with the greatest respect.”
“You are my friend,” said Kurt. “I know that you are Mim’s. If she is willing, let it be that way.”
“Then,” said Kta, “I will go and speak to Hef.”
The betrothal was a necessarily quiet affair, confirmed three days later at evening. Hef formally asked permission of lord Nym to give his daughter to the guest of Elas, and Kta formally relinquished his claim to the person of Mim before the necessary two witnesses, friends of the family; Han t’Osanef u Mur, father of Bel; and old Ulmar t’Ilev ul Imetan, with all their attendant kin.
“Mim-lechan,” said Nym, “is this marriage your wish?”
“Yes, my lord.”
“And in the absence of your kinsmen, Kurt t’Morgan, I ask you to answer in your own name: do you accept this contract as binding, understanding that when you have sworn you must follow this ceremony with marriage or show cause before these families present? Do you accept under this knowledge, our friend Kurt t’Morgan?”
“I accept.”
“There is,” said Nym quietly, “the clause of iquun in this contract. The principals are of course Mim and Kurt, and thou, my son Kta, and Hef, to preserve the name of Hef. Three years are given in this agreement before iquun is invoked. Is this acceptable to all concerned?”
One by one they bowed their heads.
Two parchments lay on the table, and to them in turn first Nym and then t’Osanef and t’Ilev pressed their seals in wax.
Then lady Ptas pressed her forefinger in damp wax and so sealed both. Then she took one of the phusmeha, and with a bit of salt slipped it into the flames.
She uplifted her palms to the fire, intoning a prayer so old that Kurt could not understand all the words, but it asked blessing on the marriage.
“The betrothal is sealed,” said Nym. “Kurt Liam t’Morgan ul Edward, look upon Mim h’Elas e Hef, your bride.”
He did so, although he could not, must not touch her, not during all the long days of waiting for the ceremony. Mim’s face shone with happiness.
They were at opposite sides of the room. It was the custom. The nemet made a game of tormenting young men and women at betrothals, and knew well enough his frustration. The male guests, especially Bel and Kta, drew Kurt off in one direction, while Aimu and Ptas and the ladies likewise captured Mim, with
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