Chapter 21 Moonlight Oath
The Silvermoon Tribe celebrated a special day—the tribe's all-in-one couple-forming ceremony. This traditional festival, suspended for many years due to previous turmoil, now holds added significance amidst prosperity and stability.
By early morning, the central square had been laid out. Elder Shiyan directed the young people to decorate the grounds with freshly picked herbs and wildflowers. A large sacred fire altar was built in the center, surrounded by eighty hand-carved wooden seats—each couple would have their own place.
Lin Chen nervously adjusted his specially made dress - a robe that Berry and Yunshan had sewn for him using the latest dyed fabric, with the collar embroidered with the wolf totem of the Silver Moon Tribe and a star pattern symbolizing foreign wisdom.
"Don't worry, you'll suit up perfectly," Canglan's voice came from behind him. He was also wearing a formal suit, his long silver-gray hair carefully braided, revealing his angular features, and a rare gentleness in his eyes.
Lin Chen turned around and couldn't help but take a deep breath. Canglan usually wore hunting clothes, but now in formal attire, he looked even more handsome.
"You too." Lin Chen responded with a smile and helped the other person adjust the silver wolf buckle on his collar - this was a gift he specially carved for Canglan.
In the morning, couples began arriving at the square to register. Surprisingly, over twenty couples were ready to sign their vows at the ceremony, ranging from young first loves to longtime couples, and even including several new couples from the Liuhe tribe.
Hong Yan came with a gentle half-orc: "This is Lianyi, we have decided to get married today." Lianyi bowed shyly, the bouquet in her hand trembling slightly.
The most surprising thing was that Meiguo had also arrived alongside a silent and steady orc warrior. "After all these years, we've decided to officially become a couple," Meiguo said, her face flushing for the first time, but her tone remained as straightforward as ever.
Elder Shi Yan looked at the registration list, tears in his eyes. "So many new beginnings... The Silver Moon Tribe is truly revitalized!"
In the afternoon, preparations reached a climax. Women and sub-orcs prepared food for the banquet, orcs checked the items needed for the ceremony, and children were responsible for paving a "pledge path" with flower petals leading to the sacred fire altar.
Lin Chen inspected the special "couple wine" - a drink brewed with newly discovered sweet vine honey and wild fruits, and added with evergreen leaves to symbolize loyalty and cranberries to symbolize love.
As the sun sets, the ceremony officially begins. All tribal members gather around the square, and the couples stand at the starting point of the vow road. Each couple wears their best clothes and holds a special vow wooden plaque.
Elder Shiyan lit the sacred fire and chanted an ancient blessing ballad. Canglan, captain of the hunt, led the companions toward the sacred fire altar. According to tradition, he transformed back into wolf form, and Lin Chen rode on his back—a special part of the Silver Moon Tribe's pairing ceremony, symbolizing mutual trust and commitment.
Lin Chen was a little embarrassed at first, but when Canglan's silver-gray wolf fur shone in the moonlight, he sat on the wolf's back with peace of mind and gently hugged Canglan's neck with both hands.
The other beastmen also transformed back into their original forms, carrying their companions towards the sacred fire. The scene was magnificent and sacred: wolves, leopards, bears and other beasts of various colors, carrying their human companions, walked slowly along the flower-covered path.
Before and after reaching the sacred fire altar, the orcs transformed back into human form and stood side by side with their partners. The Stone Rock Elders prayed for each couple, and then they jointly threw their oath tablets into the sacred fire, symbolizing that their oaths were witnessed by heaven and earth.
When it was Canglan and Lin Chen's turn, the entire place fell silent. Elder Shi Yan smiled and said, "A special couple brings a special blessing. May your union continue to bring wisdom and prosperity to the tribe."
The two smiled at each other and together threw the wooden plaque engraved with the wolf and the stars into the flames. When the wooden plaque burned, the sparks were particularly bright, attracting a burst of admiration.
After all the couples completed their vows, Elder Shi Yan loudly announced: "With Heaven and Earth as witnesses, and the sacred fire as mediator, you are officially married! May you respect and support each other, and work together for the prosperity of the tribe!"
The celebration begins! The dinner is filled with delicious treats: freshly ground beans, roast meats and stews seasoned with herbs, sweet fruit drinks, and wedding wine. Everyone sings and dances, celebrating this hopeful occasion.
The elders gathered around, watching the young people celebrate with satisfaction. Elder Qingye wiped his eyes and said, "I haven't seen such a lively couple-making ceremony in years. I remember when I was young..."
His partner laughed and added, "Remember you were so nervous you almost went the wrong way!"
Lin Chen and Cang Lan temporarily left the bustle and walked to the quiet wall. The moonlight fell, stretching and blending their shadows.
"Is today perfect?" Canglan asked softly, her fingers gently wrapped around Lin Chen's.
"It's better than I imagined." Lin Chen leaned on his shoulder. "It feels really warm to see so many people find happiness."
In the distance, Yunshan was dancing with a young orc, her face flushed; Hongyan and Lianyi were quietly sharing a cup of couple's wine; Meiguo and her partner were talking with Elder Shiyan, their smiles unusually gentle.
The most touching scene is that of an old couple who lost their first spouse in the turmoil many years ago and now muster up the courage to start over. Their hair is gray, but their hands are still tightly clasped as in their first love.
Late at night, as the celebration was drawing to a close, Canglan suddenly knelt on one knee and took out an intricately carved wooden box: "According to tradition, couples exchange tokens of love. This is what I prepared for you."
Lin Chen opened the wooden box, revealing an exquisite bone comb. The back of the comb was engraved with a pattern of wolves dancing with stars, and each tooth was polished to an extremely smooth finish.
"This..." Lin Chen recognized that it was made from the bones of the deer that Canglan had hunted on the day they met. "You have kept it..."
"From the moment I met you, I knew you were special." Canglan's voice was low and affectionate. "May this comb accompany you every day, just as I accompany you every day in your life."
Tears welled up in Lin Chen's eyes as he took out the gift he had prepared - a forehead band woven with animal skins and vanilla, with the quartz crystal given by the Stone Claw Leopard cub inlaid in the middle, emitting a soft luster in the moonlight.
"May this forehead band protect your hunting safety, just as I protect your heart." Lin Chen tied the forehead band for Canglan, his fingers trembling slightly.
The two embraced each other in the moonlight, and in the distance came the ancient and affectionate singing of the tribe:
"Moonlight shines on the path of our vows, The Wolf God bears witness to our connection. Spring, summer, autumn, and winter are spent together, Forever by our side beneath the silver moon."
That night, more than twenty couples signed vows, adding new bonds and hopes to the Silver Moon Tribe. But for Lin Chen and Cang Lan, this was just the official beginning of their life together.
The moonlight is like water, and vows are like stars. In this primitive and pure world, love is simple and firm, as eternal as the earth.
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