Guests at a Wedding--Part 23

Gwyd stood at the back of the building, watching the ceremony with a slight smile on his face. He’d forgotten what a lovely place White Pine could be, when a person didn’t get distracted by unpleasantness.

“Gwyd!” shouted Faileuba.

Gwyd turned, as the unpleasant distraction grew closer. “What is it Faileuba?”

“You won’t believe it!” she said gleefully. “Meliadus and I just had an awesome fight with a bunch of shifty characters!”

Gwyd sighed as Meliadus approached. “Mel…” the Goblin stated accusingly.

“She’s telling the truth,” said Meliadus. “And they attacked us, so it’s completely legitimate.”

“Yep!” agreed Faileuba with a nod. “It’s all in the Code.”

Gwyd turned around and rested his head against one of the temple’s pillars. “So--a bunch of… shifty characters… attacked you. Any idea why?”

Faileuba shook her head. “Nope. All I know is that for once, it has nothing to do with me.” She stroked her chin nervously. “At least--so far as I know…”

Meliadus nodded. “Yeah. We even went over every grudge she could recall on the way here. None of them quite work.”

Gwyd nodded dully. “So… what do your… mystery attackers look like?”

“Oh, just a bunch of guys in dark clothing,” answered Faileuba with a shrug. She looked over the room and then blinked. “Sort of like that… guy over there. Trying to hide behind the pillar. All… sinister like.” A slow smile spread over the Chivalrous Warrior’s face. She began to walk away. “Just… give me a minute.”

“Fai--Fai!” hissed Gwyd. “This is a wedding! A WEDDING!” He turned to Meliadus for support only to see the lanky Erl was cracking his knuckles and preparing to follow Faileuba. “You too…?”

“You have to understand, Gwyd,” stated Meliadus, “it’s been--oh, fifteen minutes since I had a fight. And when I’m given such a clear opportunity to have one--in the cause of good--well, how can I resist?”

Gwyd watched the Erls walk towards the man in the corner. “You two are crazy, you know that?” He shook his head, and then readied his staff. “I am getting much too old for this crap,” he muttered, as he headed off after them.