648 Second Axe Hero

What is there to say about the ceremony that followed?

The Axe was brought, I presume from some strongbox or other.

"Gyrfalcon, consort to my elder sister Uma. Step forward. It is time."

"Uh? Already?" Gyrfalcon took tenative steps, like a fawn freshly born from a doe. "I... I wasn't expecting this so soon, I don't have any of the traditional gifts. Here, I mean. I don't have them with me."

"Gifts? Sister Uma, what is he babbling about?"

"YOU!" she commanded, "KNEEL!"

He made great hurry to do so, a slight smile on his lips even as he lowered his forehead to the floor.

"Brother," she said in a more normal voice, "it is coming. Not tonight, but I mean to make Gyrfalcon foremost among my mates."

"Toxic Mages! Check my sister for signs of external control!" he bellowed.

"Ugh. And THIS is why I told you nothing." she complained, as the mystics blew colored powders in her direction. She glared defiantly at them.