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Daxion and Cadewyn had made promises to each other. They wrote and when they could saw each other often. And then one night, Daxion was gone.

His men waited for him. The family waited for him. And no one said ought to Cadewyn. It wasn't until after she had been dismissed form the Xerarch's side for the day that she traveled to his house in the capital. And discovered the truth.

He was just... gone. And no one knew how exactly how it had happened.

The rules had to be researched. Fortunately the Mothers who traveled with Varangians held the knowledge. They explained it to her family. They both had to go into the world and win accolades. They had to prove themselves as the best possible option for the other. Strong, fearless, and able to lead for sure but also passionate, and totally committed to the other over long separation. If they had faced the world.as two and still longed for only each other,then they were meant to be one.

Cadewyn thought it romantic and the perfect solution. Saxon thought it fitting and was privately sure she would meet another and forget him. They agreed and the Mothers looked pleased. Her family saw how his people looked at Cadewyn and felt uneasy.

There was no clear marker of completion. It was up to the two of them to decide. And that was the test, the torture, and the true challenge.

There were never roses for her. She did not want them, to be sure, but he had never thought to ask. Others, boys vying for her, had brought half wilted things as offerings for her attention. Daxion, the great Kildar, head of the family and leader of the Varangians, the fierce mercs even Thunderborns held in awe, he had presented her with a sword.

It was not some wimpy, small thing. It was suited to her smaller frame, to be sure, but it was still a tool for killing. Daxion had given her sporadic lessons when he passed through their small mercantile town, but she had a feel for it. To be sure he put her in the dirt every time, but she could make him sweat. It had been a special pride that she had made the great Daxion step back, move in defense. Thunderborns gave nothing to the enemy, throwing themselves into battle with almost madness. It is what made them themselves. And she had made the best of them step back!

She had adored the respect he showed her when he had given her that sword. She adored the man who saw her as someone who could rival him. Saw her as not an object to be won or a notch to be gained, but as fierce, capable, and worthy as he saw himself. What were some weeds to that?
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Daxion had never seen anyone who glowed before. Cadewyn glowed, like a star, like the moon on a cloudless night. The day he presented her with the sword, designed for her by himself though he didn't mention it, that day he thought she might burst, light spilling over him with her smile. That smile... he would do a lot for that smile.

At first he had thought it was the simple pleasure of being relaxed. His men were on his cousin's land, and it was quiet here in this small town. It made him antsy after a few days, but for a short time it was nice. And he thought he cousin's daughter was lovely, so full of life and with eyes like a storm. When she flashed him that smile it felt like an arrow of warmth and he.. enjoyed that.

She didn't smile as much, he noticed, as boys started noticing her. She didn't smile when sewing, or cleaning, but he didn't expect her to smile then. But she didn't smile when her mother dressed her up and fussed with her hair. When he teased her though, she flased him starlight in the form of her lips...

It was when he got poetic that he realized his problem. It was during one of their walks, when she took his arm and seemed to snuggle into him that he knew there was something he should do. He looked down, about to pull himself away, but then he met those storm colored eyes. Instead he pulled her close and kissed her.

It was their only romantic contact. It made him... bitey when he thought about it. But their customs were very clear. They invoked an old old rule amongst the clans, and so they were stuck with the boundaries.

He wondered if her winning a friendly duel counted...?