Ascendants of Ancients Sovereign - By Phillip Jones Page 0,218

robbed.” He looked at Shalee. “But you’re the hottest thief I’ve ever met. Put that thing on, and let’s get going.”

Shalee snatched the gashal off the counter and placed it on her head. “Getting married by a king sounds so romantic. Don’t you think?”

“Sure,” Sam shrugged. “Let’s get going.” He clapped his hands to show his enthusiasm. “We don’t have any moments to waste. Keldwin will be leaving us soon. I think we should ask him to unite us this very second.”

Helga screamed and started to run around the store. “My babies are getting united! My babies are getting united!” She stopped dead in her tracks and then turned to look at Shalee. “Hey! What’s a ‘second?’ Does that mean you want to do it now?”

Shalee laughed at the woman’s antics. “I’ll explain later. Let’s go.”

“Okay, Child! Let’s scoot!”

Shalee kissed Sam on the cheek. “I guess we’re getting hitched. Mom has spoken.”

The brilliant-minded doctor, fighter, lover, soon-to-be second in command, and friend was suddenly engaged. He grabbed Shalee, lifted her, gave her a big kiss and then pulled the ladies out of the store to find the king. As they hurried to the castle, Helga was sent to find BJ.

When they entered the throne room, they sent a servant to fetch the king, making sure he relayed the message as urgent. They knelt and waited. It seemed like forever, but on this occasion only a few moments passed before Keldwin entered. The king had been sleeping due to his illness.

“Sam, what is it? Why did you wake me?”

“Keldwin, do you remember saying you wanted us to treat you as a friend when others were not around?”

“I do.”

“Okay, okay. That’s good. We’re here to do just that. I’ve decided to form a union with Shalee, and there’s no one we want to perform our ceremony more than you. We can’t think of a better friend to give this honor. We would like this to be our gift to you before you pass.”

Keldwin was speechless. Never had he been so touched. For the first series of moments, other than his personal friendship with Justin Graywind, he felt like he had real friends.

“I ... I feel honored ... and blessed.”

BJ and Helga barged into the room and quickly stopped to bow.

Keldwin smiled. “Please stand. Everyone come here.” He motioned the group to embrace. When the hug was finished, he kissed Shalee on the forehead and then placed his own against Sam’s. “You’ve honored me. I would be pleased to perform the ceremony to honor you in return.”

The king pulled back and clapped his hands. “We have much to do.” A slave ran into the room. “I want my seamstress, cook, jeweler, and driver brought to the throne room. Hurry!”

The slave ran from the room.

The king turned to face the group. “This union will be one to remember. I shall marry you at the start of my tournament. You shall stand before thousands of my subjects from all over my kingdom to proclaim your vows. A union has never been performed in the arena. Everyone will know your names throughout the land.”

Shalee shouted, “Howdy-doody! Another group hug, y’all, and high-fives all around!”

Sam looked at BJ. As usual, the trainer rolled his eyes.

Shalee did not let BJ’s lack of enthusiasm ruin her mood. She turned to Helga and slapped hands with the older woman.

Keldwin, seeing the joy in the ladies’ eyes, reached out with both hands and exchanged his first set of high-fives.

BJ rolled his eyes again, “Ohhh, brother.”

Eventually, Keldwin excused himself and went back to bed.

Sam and BJ headed out of the palace. Just like many men do when the moment comes to plan a special occasion, they figured they would leave the planning of the wedding to the women, and they mindlessly headed into the city to grab a few ales.

Shalee would have been upset, but Precious would make quick work of the tasks at hand. The young sorceress had a special style of wedding dress in mind—as most women do when they plan their weddings as young girls. She ordered the seamstress to bring an assortment of fabric to the throne room.

When the woman returned, she was carrying 10 bolts of assorted colors. Shalee lined them against the wall to get a good look and then huddled with Helga until they agreed on the perfect combination—a predominantly white dress with a dash of pink. Shalee raised Precious into the air and spoke her words of power.

The seamstress stood in disbelief as the