Ment
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The redhead nodded understandingly. She had assumed as much, but she still had to ask, just in case Kalina's expectations of the ceremony didn't align with reality.
Presumably, everyone gathered shortly after. Some had been woken up, some came through the doors — ideally, all Carnelian members should have been present, but Fury wasn't waiting, considering lateness not too critical on one hand, and on the other — running after everyone and searching for them was somewhat burdensome and undignified.
Everyone was asked to stand in a semicircle, and the Grandmaster herself stood on a step, below which a cushion had already been thoughtfully placed. Arivelle was asked to set the mood for the proceedings, which, given the "homey" conditions of the headquarters, weren't all that pompous — this wasn't a castle... But nothing of the sort was required either.
Erefir beckons Tluassa with a glance, evidently deciding to begin the ceremony with the younger members, then moving on to the elders. They were to approach one by one and kneel on the cushion. Since Tluassa was from Villia, this was likely all familiar to her.
— Tluassa Elfir, just yesterday you were our recruit, but you've already managed to demonstrate your valor at the tournament and triumphed in the first battles I witnessed, and I confirm your skill before everyone, — the redhead had pondered this at night and, straining her memory, realized that a squire who had participated in battles, by all canons, cannot but receive the title of knight. Of course, formally Tluassa hadn't been knighted at that point, and yet Erefir wanted the titles she bestowed to match the essence, not the letter of the law.
Label 1:
— Do you swear, serving in the Order of Carnelian, to uphold the ideals of knighthood and preserve your honor, and the honor of the organization? Do you swear, serving in the Order of Carnelian, to be loyal to the order, to heed your superiors, to aid your equals, and to respect your subordinates? Do you swear, serving in the Order of Carnelian, not to use force without need, but to use it without hesitation to fulfill this oath and to defend Margel? — the oath was crafted with deliberate cunning for any foreigners and free spirits: if they wish to lay down their duties — always welcome, these aren't lifelong shackles, but necessary conditions of service. And one could only hope these conditions were fully justified by the honor bestowed.
Having waited for the brief replies, from somewhere in the Grandmaster's secret pockets she produced a belt, on which already hung, in its sheath, the ceremonial knife of a Carnelian knight:
Despite its uselessness as a weapon, it was clear this was no simple work — something Erefir had tried very hard to craft at the forge the day before, refining many elements with the metal school, so many smiths would likely marvel at the strange manner in which it had been done...
Tluassa was girded. After that, Erefir placed her right hand (though she was left-handed...) on the candidate's shoulder, a second later striking the priestess's cheek with the edge of her palm. Not being a royal personage, Erefir deemed it proper to knight this way, rather than by laying on a sword (though, of course, doing it with Apophis would have been quite pompous as well).
— Let this be the last blow you endure with humility. In the name of Her Majesty the Empress Naria es Diesra Arual, from this moment I declare you, Tluassa Elfir, a Knight of Carnelian.
If all went according to plan, the next should have been Arivelle, but she was only entitled to the rank of squire, which was simpler. When the elf maiden settled onto her knees, Erefir said:
— Your path as a warrior is only beginning, Arivelle, but I see great potential in you, and your first battle is not far from this moment. Do you swear to work diligently until then to gain skill and courage?
And, after the replies, and the laying on of hands without a blow:
— In the name of Her Majesty the Empress Naria es Diesra Arual, from this moment I declare you, Arivelle, a Squire of Carnelian.
From this message, it was clear that this status was soon to change.
Next was Harold, who was treated by the same principle as Tluassa.
— Harold, you arrived in Anuzish only yesterday, but you've already been named the fourth strongest among the many warriors of the city. And yet remember that strength means responsibility more than privilege.
Goto Label 1 with the name replaced
When Harold, after the oaths, girding, and all the rest, was named a knight, it should have been Klin's turn, if he had arrived by that point.
(?)
Presumably, everyone gathered shortly after. Some had been woken up, some came through the doors — ideally, all Carnelian members should have been present, but Fury wasn't waiting, considering lateness not too critical on one hand, and on the other — running after everyone and searching for them was somewhat burdensome and undignified.
Everyone was asked to stand in a semicircle, and the Grandmaster herself stood on a step, below which a cushion had already been thoughtfully placed. Arivelle was asked to set the mood for the proceedings, which, given the "homey" conditions of the headquarters, weren't all that pompous — this wasn't a castle... But nothing of the sort was required either.
Erefir beckons Tluassa with a glance, evidently deciding to begin the ceremony with the younger members, then moving on to the elders. They were to approach one by one and kneel on the cushion. Since Tluassa was from Villia, this was likely all familiar to her.
— Tluassa Elfir, just yesterday you were our recruit, but you've already managed to demonstrate your valor at the tournament and triumphed in the first battles I witnessed, and I confirm your skill before everyone, — the redhead had pondered this at night and, straining her memory, realized that a squire who had participated in battles, by all canons, cannot but receive the title of knight. Of course, formally Tluassa hadn't been knighted at that point, and yet Erefir wanted the titles she bestowed to match the essence, not the letter of the law.
Label 1:
— Do you swear, serving in the Order of Carnelian, to uphold the ideals of knighthood and preserve your honor, and the honor of the organization? Do you swear, serving in the Order of Carnelian, to be loyal to the order, to heed your superiors, to aid your equals, and to respect your subordinates? Do you swear, serving in the Order of Carnelian, not to use force without need, but to use it without hesitation to fulfill this oath and to defend Margel? — the oath was crafted with deliberate cunning for any foreigners and free spirits: if they wish to lay down their duties — always welcome, these aren't lifelong shackles, but necessary conditions of service. And one could only hope these conditions were fully justified by the honor bestowed.
Having waited for the brief replies, from somewhere in the Grandmaster's secret pockets she produced a belt, on which already hung, in its sheath, the ceremonial knife of a Carnelian knight:
Despite its uselessness as a weapon, it was clear this was no simple work — something Erefir had tried very hard to craft at the forge the day before, refining many elements with the metal school, so many smiths would likely marvel at the strange manner in which it had been done...
Tluassa was girded. After that, Erefir placed her right hand (though she was left-handed...) on the candidate's shoulder, a second later striking the priestess's cheek with the edge of her palm. Not being a royal personage, Erefir deemed it proper to knight this way, rather than by laying on a sword (though, of course, doing it with Apophis would have been quite pompous as well).
— Let this be the last blow you endure with humility. In the name of Her Majesty the Empress Naria es Diesra Arual, from this moment I declare you, Tluassa Elfir, a Knight of Carnelian.
If all went according to plan, the next should have been Arivelle, but she was only entitled to the rank of squire, which was simpler. When the elf maiden settled onto her knees, Erefir said:
— Your path as a warrior is only beginning, Arivelle, but I see great potential in you, and your first battle is not far from this moment. Do you swear to work diligently until then to gain skill and courage?
And, after the replies, and the laying on of hands without a blow:
— In the name of Her Majesty the Empress Naria es Diesra Arual, from this moment I declare you, Arivelle, a Squire of Carnelian.
From this message, it was clear that this status was soon to change.
Next was Harold, who was treated by the same principle as Tluassa.
— Harold, you arrived in Anuzish only yesterday, but you've already been named the fourth strongest among the many warriors of the city. And yet remember that strength means responsibility more than privilege.
Goto Label 1 with the name replaced
When Harold, after the oaths, girding, and all the rest, was named a knight, it should have been Klin's turn, if he had arrived by that point.
(?)