Ultimate Level 1-Chapter 407: The Hammering of Vows

Max watched as Fowl fidgeted next to him.

“You’ll be fine. Just hold still, or I swear you’re going to make a scene in all that armor.”

“I’m sweating… in places I shouldn’t be,” Fowl muttered. “It’s not that hot, I’m just—”

“Nervous?”

A grin appeared on his dwarven friend as he bobbed his head.

“So many people. I mean… five hundred? Maybe more?”

Max nodded and looked out across the great hall they were in.

His friend was right. There were close to five hundred or more dwarves all lined up along the edges of the hall. Near them were King Dagon and Queen Velda, both sitting on stone thrones just a dozen yards away, each wearing plate armor that almost glowed in the light of the hall.

This was a sacred place, reserved often only for those of noble blood or of the royal family, yet because of what Fowl and Batrire had accomplished and the apparent blessing of Ockrim, no one could argue that this wasn’t the perfect place for their union.

Dagon smiled at them, a purple sash wrapped around his waist, his wife wearing a matching one. Each of them had their hair done in tight braids, and both looked ready to not only rule but entertain as well.

Fowl shifted, the blue sash that was wrapped around his waist moving again, and Max chuckled.

Both of them wore the same outfit almost, except his dwarven friend had on plate armor, while he wore a brightly polished chain set.

Between them and the king and queen was an anvil, larger than usual, wrapped in blue and red flowers. Next to it sat two hammers, one on each side. One had the blue flowers which matched the color of Fowl’s sash, in a wreath and resting around the shaft. The other had red flowers in a similar wreath.

Twenty-five anvils lined each side of the hall, and there was a dwarf behind each one, hammer in hand.

The six closest to Fowl had his family there, and Max smiled as he saw that both parents were in attendance, whatever issue that had been taking place was seemingly set on hold for this moment.

On the other side were Batrire’s parents, both of them dressed in red outfits, each looking ready to cry at a moment’s notice.

Tell me, how much cloth was required for her father’s jacket. Jataic looks like the largest apple I’ve ever seen.

With great effort, Max held back the laughter he wanted to let out, knowing that he had thought the same thing, except only a tomato.

Next to them stood Tanila and Cordellia, each of them wearing a slightly different red dress, both looking like jewels amongst the rest.

“I love you.” Max mouthed and saw her smile and wink at him.

All over the hall were large arches with glowing lanterns hanging from them. Each one was a treasure, using some of the best metal and decoration techniques a crafter could possess. Gems ordained the closest ones, the light from inside cascading in a rainbow of colors.

Fiery braziers that were meant to represent forges cast light near the anvils that were manned around the room.

The din of small chatter carried across the room, but a small laughter made both of them smile as they saw Everett, Tom, Dexic, and about thirty other members from their Faction all standing on Batrire’s side.

“You know you’re loved when the Faction leader comes to your wedding,” Max said as he leaned near his friend.

“Bah, you know it’s because they get a chance to see the king and queen.”

“Still, that’s an impressive group of people at your wedding. I’m certain you’ll be the talk of the town for a while.”

Fowl nodded and grinned.

“You heard how much alcohol her parents brought?”

“I did,” Max replied. “I guess there won’t be a dry cup in the city. Everyone gets a drink, courtesy of the king.”

As they stood there, both of them commented on the different outfits that the guests wore. It allowed for time to pass, and each of them waited for the moment both knew would eventually come.

Soon, the sound of a hammer banging on an anvil rang out from the far end of the hall, and immediately, the whole room went silent.

As one, the gathered group of guests turned their attention to see a large pair of stone doors, each one bearing half of the image of Ockrim, swing open.

There in the middle of it stood Batrire.

“She’s beautiful,” Fowl whispered.

Max nodded, gazing upon the dwarf waiting to enter the room.

She wore a red robe covered in silver and gold runes. On her face was a silver veil, red gems decorating it.

Her head was back, and the way she moved when the first anvil on each side rang out spoke of a woman who knew this moment was hers.

Slowly, taking her time, she moved down the purple cloth that would lead to where Fowl and Max stood.

His Sonar told him that Fowl was bouncing up and down on his feet, almost as if he was rocking a little bit.

Soon the sound of two anvils ringing out at the same time from both sides came.

As she passed each anvil, the next one joined in the beat, the sound of metal on metal filling the room.

The sound was almost overwhelming when she reached the last one. Each strike that came with her steps reverberated in his chest.

They sure know how to make this moment stand out. You’re going to have to do something spectacular to top this.

His smile grew a little more as he knew Bob was right, unsure exactly what he could do to top all this.

The last five steps came, and when Batrire stood in line with Fowl, the ringing of the anvils stopped.

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“You look beautiful,” Fowl said, almost shouting.

Chuckles came from around the room, but it was obvious that Batrire didn’t mind, winking at him once before they came together and clasped hands.

As one they moved to where the anvil the king and queen had moved to during the procession.

“Fowl Hammerfall and Batrire Lightbrew. The day has finally come,” Dagon said as he smiled. “The day that every dwarf looks forward to. When they can join together with another and pledge their love forever.”

After a moment of silence, Velda held out her hand. An ingot appeared on it, a gasp coming from the crowd as everyone recognized it immediately.

She nodded and lifted the metal above her head.

“This is one ingot that all dwarves know by sight. The Fire Forged is a legend for what it can create. Even more so is the marriage that is pledged upon it. You two will be able to pledge your love on one of the greatest gifts Ockrim has ever given us.”

Applause came from most of the room, and after about ten seconds, the queen lowered the bar, and it only took a single eyebrow raise from Dagon to silence the room.

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“Do you two have the ore you each have mined?”

Both of them let go of the other’s hand, and soon each had the ore they had collected from their own sweat and effort in their palms.

A gasp came from Batrire as she saw the rose color of the ore in Fowl’s hand. A single tear formed, and she sniffed, somehow almost willing the liquid that threatened to ruin her appearance.

Fowl grinned, almost beaming as he saw her reaction, and nodded at the silver ore she held in hers.

“Do you accept the offer of ore?”

“I do,” Batrire said.

“As do I,” Fowl replied.

“Then place the ore here.”

Both of them moved and set the ore on top of the anvil. Each took a step back, and Velda held her hands out, both empty at this moment.

Her husband picked up each piece and gave them a kiss and then set them in her hands.

She repeated the process and then brought both together, her large hands easily holding each.

Light began to form around them, and the queen let out a grunt, eyes locked upon the ore she held.

For a good thirty seconds, the light grew brighter, and a few drops of sweat formed on her brow.

Then suddenly the light ended, and Velda let out a snort.

In her hand, she showed them an ingot, the silver and rose color swirled together.

That is an impressive ability. Even though we were told this would happen, I had wondered if it would be magic or simply a sleight of hand.

Max nodded and knew that Bob was right. He felt the magic that had poured out from whatever ability the queen had used.

Dagon took the bar and set it upon the forge.

“Like your lives, this bar has been fused together from that which you both have pledged. To separate these from each other would destroy everything. Likewise, your lives are forever intertwined, even in death.”

He looked at them both intently for a moment and then smiled.

“Do you, Fowl Hammerfall, accept this union?”

“I do.”

“Then pledge your love as you strike it.”

Fowl nodded and picked up the hammer on his side.

He turned to where Batrire was and reached up with a hand, careful to not lift her veil, only able to see her eyes.

Under it was her beard, braided and ordained with red rubies set in silver jewelry.

With the softest touch, he stroked her beard.

“I promise you my life, my heart, and my soul, for now and beyond death. No one else matters more than you. Forever you shall be my partner and friend. As the mountain above us stands, so my love for you will never fade. Upon the gaze of Ockrim, may all know that today I vow to always defend you and fight for you.”

His hammer moved, striking the bar, the sound of it ringing out.

“I promise to always love our children.”

The sound of metal on metal rang out again.

“I promise that all my gold shall be yours to spend.”

A few gasps came from some before the sound of his hammer striking the ingot silenced them.

“I love you, Batrire Lightbrew. Since the day my eyes took in your face, I knew I could love no other.”

His hammer rang out once more, and then Fowl set it down on the ground.

Max wiped his cheek, aware that he had sprung a leak.

“Batrire Lightbrew. You have heard the pledge of your betrothed. Do you wish to pledge your love as well?”

“I do.”

After he nodded, she picked up her hammer with one hand and used her other to unhook the veil that covered her face. There, hidden behind the metal was a smile that could outshine the sun.

“Fowl Hammerfall… there is no other dwarf that I wish to heal besides you.”

Chuckles came as she struck the ingot with the hammer.

“You know that I will follow you anywhere and that I will always support you. No matter what happens in this life or in the next, I will be there, right beside you. Like the ore that I mined, my love for you runs deep and belongs only to you.”

The peal of metal rang out.

“No one shall ever take your place.”

Her hammer struck again, and her smile grew.

“I promise to have as many children as you wish, and will honor the promise you made of naming the first.”

Max felt his heart skip a beat as she struck the ingot with her hammer.

A slight chuckle came from Fowl, but he didn’t flinch or move.

“I love you, Fowl Hammerfall, and I accept your gold if you will accept my love.”

One last time, the hammer rang out, and she set it down on the ground.

“The pledges have been made, the metal has been struck. Speak now if either of you do not accept what has been promised.”

A few seconds of silence passed, and then Dagon smiled and nodded.

“Very well. Then let us move to the next part of this ceremony.”

With that, Max saw him motion to him.

Looks like we’re up.

Don’t screw up.

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