☀️ Arselia and Akonia

During the ritual, Tluassa smirked at a private thought — what if she answered "no, I don't swear," rose from her knees and walked out, slamming the door? 

Missed the chance to become a fallen knight, like in the old expansions.

They waved their hand in response and glanced sideways at the higher-ups.

The Grandmaster seemed not to notice the uninvited guest, continuing the ceremony exactly as planned. In fact, Fyr even joked to herself that the presence of the press made the event more official... But the curtains should be drawn tighter — full agreement with her subordinates' thoughts there. 😅

After Harold and Klin (they'll play their part whenever they do, but if Klin doesn't show up at all, Erefir is already jokingly prepared for a demotion to squire), a brief pause follows.

-- The names called next fought shoulder to shoulder with me against the dragon known as the Apostle of Hopelessness. And although this achievement would not have been possible without aid, it was precisely this deed that became foundational for our order and turned us into who we are now. Therefore, the warriors who boldly held their weapons in the presence of the terror of Velfern's cities must be singled out — not excluding our ally.

Erefir takes a clear step away from the cushion.

-- Thanks to her, all the mad fury of the dragon was not enough to inflict even a shred of harm upon its future victors; such was the strength of her spirit and her faith. In the name of Her Majesty Empress Naria es Diesra Arual, henceforth Kalina Mellis shall be titled an honorary Knight of Harmony of the Carnelian Order.

Erefir exercised her right to appoint such titles too — a small pleasant regalia for one who does not answer to her but still rendered good service; this had also become accepted as a relatively new tradition. When Kalina approached, she had no need to kneel, and no one struck her, but she was handed a charter confirming what she had earned.


And how glad the redhead would have been if the monetary reward had already arrived (if indeed any is due) 😌 But she worked with what she had.

After Kalina, the Grandmaster returned behind the cushion and summoned in turn Garrett, Guion Tamaris, Beata Laxae, and Kilika, fully repeating the ritual with Tluassa (see label 1).

Four exhortations were spoken.

-- When the dragon saw you, it lost its destructive powers, as if its blood had frozen, as if its magic had run dry and turned to stone — such was the power of your gaze. Now, in the name of Her Majesty Empress Naria es Diesra Arual, you, Garrett, are named Knight of the Basilisk of the Carnelian Order.

-- Your strikes were the last for the Dragon of Hopelessness, cleaving its ultra-dense body like a meteor stream cleaves the endless cosmic void. Now, in the name of Her Majesty Empress Naria es Diesra Arual, you, Guion Tamaris, are named Knight of the Falling Star of the Carnelian Order.

-- You were not only our ranged hope in that battle, dealing terrible damage to the dragon. No, after the battle you did not rest either, but firmly resolved to return hope to the hearts of Margel's people. Now, in the name of Her Majesty Empress Naria es Diesra Arual, you, Beata Laxae, are named Knight of the Arena of the Carnelian Order.

-- Thanks to you, the reptile that was supposed to writhe like an elusive serpent, that could at any moment cowardly flee, depriving us of hope for a swift victory, turned into a vulnerable turtle. Surely your calm face made it cease resisting its fate and well-deserved retribution. Now, in the name of Her Majesty Empress Naria es Diesra Arual, you, Kilika, are named Knight of Serenity of the Carnelian Order.