"Caesar. It has been done and the babe and mother lived to tell the tale," said Falkenberg. "But it takes a skilled surgeon. Someone like Marco Valdosta. It is neither safe nor successful that often. But it has been done."
"Explain," said Dana, knowing that there was a listening wyvern in the ger.
So the knight did. Dana swallowed and was brave. But she wondered if she should tell him that a wyvern would be accompanying them on the Via Engata.
"So, you are married," Vlad beamed. "Congratulations! I am hurt that I was not invited, but at least Dana was there."
"Well… I didn't even know that I had proposed," said Erik, "And been accepted, months ago, before we even met you, Vlad. But we'll be having another ceremony in Iceland. You'd be welcome at that," he said ginning like a man who had just discovered that the world can be a very good place sometimes. It was after terce, and Bortai and Erik had just emerged from the same ger.
Vlad looked a little puzzled. "You had proposed?"
"I didn't have a very good grasp of the language," said Erik. "It was the second thing I said to Bortai."
She held on to him very proprietorially. "And I will make sure that he says it to no other young maidens! I need all of him." She licked her lips. Dimpled. "Again. I am teaching him the art of wrestling."
Erik blushed. "So what is the news out of Hungary?" he said hastily.
"Chaos. If I had the men and the inclination I could go a-conquering. But I have neither," said Vlad. "I have consolidated my Duchy. And that is good enough. It will take years to fix what needs to be fixed. I came because Dana sent word you would be going south to take the Via Egnata home."
"Well, yes. But the news is that some vessels have been sighted nosing their way up the Danube. Venetian ships. So we wait now for them. We plan to ride down there in few hours.
"Then we will have the gifting ceremony," said Bortai. "You will come, Khan-from-over-the mountains?"
"But of course, if I am invited. What will I have to do?"
"The bride and groom sit together. The bride's father or protector brings her portion, and puts it around them. Then the guests each place a gift for the couple around them. There is a big feast, and everyone gets very drunk. Usually some people fight," explained Bortai.
So Vlad joined them in the ride down to the Danube.
Sitting in the chairs, holding Bortai's hand, Erik was almost too stunned to take in the steadily growing pile of golden jewelry and coinage growing around them, until it got to waist high. "I hope they stop before they cover us."
Bortai smiled at him, laughing a little. "But I must be at least as rich as you. And anyway… it is part of the legend. Gold… they can always find more gold. But dreams and honor are more precious. This is the story which will keep their honor burning bright forever. They want have been here, to have been part of it, to have added to the pile around the poor mongol maiden and her khan."