Somebody Else's Space Program
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Chapter Sixty Two
He spoke and exacted the truth, and the basest believed him."
The solemn procession ended in front of the temple. At the top of the stair, next to the senior priest, stood Ross, positioned by the Chief of Ceremonies in a direct ray of sunshine. Surrounded by mourners in dark clothes, his gold and silver tunic and his golden hair drew all eyes. And there was an open place around him that made it very obvious when Envyss joined him.
"They didn't expect me."
"You're forty. It's been that long since there was a golden rose active in the life of the court. The younger ones do not know what you are. The older ones..."
Ross chinpointed at Josgoroth. "If Jheraind had lived, would I be off to one side? Or with Jheraind as he was honored as chief mourner?"
"I don't know. We've never had a Lord Protector who was a companion."
The service was fairly long, and more of the family participated than Ross expected. Finally, it was his turn. He and Envyss took a large sheet of sheer silk and lowered it over the coffin, then stood back. A trumpet sounded, then everyone filtered out of the building and the doors were closed.
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"What are you doing?"
Envyss had stopped Ross from changing into normal clothing. "Just... let me take care of you. In this." His voice sounded strange.
"Alright." It didn't sound like grief, or the sudden surge of lust that was sometimes life's answer to losing someone. Envyss moved like he was in a trance.
Slow deliberate movements, lifting the tunic over Ross's head, folding it carefully and placing it into a waiting box. His own tunic followed. Envyss draped a soft robe around his partner's shoulders, then went to one knee in front of Ross, easing the trousers down, but without any of the caresses that were usual.
"Envyss... are you falling asleep?"
Envyss's eyes were barely open. "No. Please. Bear with me for a few moments more."
Murmurring, neither in Ross's language nor hruss. Something much older, with a few recognizeable words. And then the words came clear in Ross's mind, words he should not know. "What are you doing to me?" Ross choked out.
Envyss slowly came to his feet, taking his partner's face in his hands and kissing him gently. Ross found himself moving backwards, eventually pressed against the edge of their bed.
Envyss sighed, stepped backwards. "Thank you."
"What did you do?"
Envyss flushed a little. "I have to make a note for my successor. The rose needs to be presented at the temple. Combining that with the other ceremonies was just... too overwhelming. It slighted you."
"I am getting very tired of this 'rose' business."
"There's only one more ceremony -- the investiture. Then you can go back to being just Ross."
"Not while you have that look in your eye, I'm never going to be 'just Ross' to you again."
"Perhaps. Tell me -- how do you think of me? Am I Envyss? Is it ever more than a passing thought that I am also Prince Envyss? Or Stavehleth Envyss? That's my religious title. I have to be all of these things."
"You're Envyss. That's when you're not 'that nice looking kid I managed to tumble into my bed.'" That got a grin from Envyss. "The word is 'love' or 'lover' or 'partner' ... I can't see you as a priest."
"Are your priests celibate?"
"Some of them, depending on the faith."
"That makes no sense. How can they understand other humans, their problems?"
Ross grinned, shook his head. "That wasn't the variety I was brought up with. And religion isn't my field anyway -- I do science."
Envyss, his hands playfully exploring, "Oh, right, rockets. Like this one."
Not much effort at all to tumble backwards onto the bed, carrying his partner with him.
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Morning of the investiture. "Eat sparingly. It's going to be a long day."
"I have my blocking. I'm still vague on what I actually do."
"Josgoroth decides. There are three pieces of regalia he accepts during the ceremony."
"A crown."
"No. There is a sword, a ring, and a cup. The officiating priest will ask him questions, then call names. When your name is called -- and it will be Ross Colburn, not Auryn Rhos, the priest will hand you something and you will present it to Josgoroth. My best guess is that he will have you hand him the sword. But it could be any of the items."
Ross nodded. "Then I step back. I have the rest of it."
The great glass windows in the temple aimed beams of light exactly where they would be most impressive, with the glittering robes and jewels of state. The black of mourning was gone. Envyss was in a deep blue, with lighter blue and silver embroidery.
"Josgoroth son of Jheraind son of Trefaldyn, you are called to become Lord Protector of your people. Stand forward."
The priest's words spoke of the symbolism of each piece of regalia. Josgoroth took his place on a backless chair, draped with silver cloth. Then Ross heard his name called. And the priest placed a large ring in his hand. Ross was startled. "This isn't right."
"Auryn Rhos, you have a part to play in this. Do so."
Ross turned to Josgoroth, intending to place the ring in the younger man's palm. Josgoroth took Ross's hand and had him slide the ring onto his left hand, onto the ring finger. Ross hesitated. Jozh smiled. "No, you're not marrying me, Ross. Our customs are different."
"Good. I'm already spoken for."
Envyss was called to hand Josgoroth the sword. And one of Josgoroth's sisters gave her brother the cup. Ross overheard some of the ritual involved with the cup -- now, _that_ would have been embarassing.
Final words, and the gathered people started cheering. Josgoroth just looked very tired. His sister and another older woman escorted him into a chamber in the back of the sanctuary. "Ross, come with me." Somewhere else, alone.
"Is it done?"
"Yes. We can go home. We'd miss some nice parties, but... we don't have to attend."
"Ah... Envyss, when my people get married, there's a ring exchange. I wish someone had warned me -- it felt like I was marrying Josgoroth."
"Not on a personal level, but you did. The Auryn Rhos is the outside world. Josgoroth was telling his people that we have to live in the world, not off by ourselves."
Ross laughed. "Just as long as he doesn't expect any kids from me."
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