On the other side of the priest stood Elisabetha's father, dressed like a widower in black, his wrists similarly pinned by Mathias' father. Elisabetha's father was a florid and heavyset man, and after two half-hearted tugs against the grip binding him hadn't bothered to struggle further, only subsided and waited for his scripted part in things.

"And so you see now, Elisabetha, that your father cannot intervene for you," the priest intoned, his heavy voice rolling like thunder to fill the immense shadows that hung about the cathedral. Mathias, standing beside the priest, looked down at his toes. "Will you therefore swear yourself to Mathias, body and blood, heart and spirit, until the end of eternity?"

Elisabetha stopped struggling against Leon's gentle grip and, after a pause, hung her head, the heavy veil brushing down along her dress with a sound like scratching.

"So let it be done. By the authority of One greater than myself I remove you, Elisabetha, from your father's house and entrust you unto Mathias. You are married; let no one hold you back, or rend you asunder."

Leon let go of Elisabetha's wrists just as Mathias' father let go of her father's. Elisabetha's arms fell motionless to her sides; her father rubbed his wrists and grumbled. Mathias stepped forward and took Elisabetha's hands in his, and just like that, it was done, and a pleased murmur ran through the darkness about them.

====

"She's so beautiful," Mathias murmured, leaning his head against Leon's as they watched the women lead the laughing Elisabetha through the traditional wiving dance. Already her yellow hair was half-bound and flowers bobbed their heads from every plait. "I don't know how I'll bring myself to touch her."

Leon laughed and put his arm around Mathias' shoulders. "You'll find a way, my friend."

"But she's so small and delicate..." Mathias' eyes danced after Elisabetha and then closed. "I fear I'll hurt her."

"You? Never."

"Still, I fear it."

Leon squeezed Mathias' shoulder and then closed his own eyes. "Fear, rather, that in three days we must return to the front, and you just married... you know you only need to ask for leave and I'll grant it."

"Nonsense," Mathias said, laying his hand over Leon's. "My place is at your side, always. I will not desert you--nor the Knights."

"As you will, then." Leon fell silent, resting his forehead against the side of Mathias' head.

Surrounded by a swirl of laughing women, Elisabetha glanced at her new husband, and although she did not stop laughing her eyes grew small and hard, like flint chips.