@Tirin Opening scene: The Great Hall of the Arcadian Grand Citadel. Moments before the High Sun Bell. (Noon)
Multiple citizens of Archades gathered together in a tight formation before Knight Captain Strauss, High Lord of the Dragon. Some of these young men and women were dressed in proper noble attire with inlaid gold and silver threads and embroidered with jewels that displayed their station above the common folk. Others wore shining armor that seemed as if it had recently been crafted and polished. A few of them wore older armor, that showed signs of use and marks of battle.
The Knight Lord spoke, "Men, women, my esteemed squires that have been called this day, today is the day you become Knights to the Throne! Today you will kneel before the Empress, Lydia Hawkwing, and proclaim your fealty to the Realm and Throne!" He pauses as a woman enters the grand hall followed by three knights. Each wore heavy plate armor adorned with the emblem of the Knighthood of the Gargoyle. One of the three wore the insignia of Captain, Garish the Stern.
The Empress wore a battle raiment, as was proper for a knighting ceremony. Her plate armor gleamed of silver and platinum, and emblazoned with rubies. The symbol of Hawkwing, a pair of hawks that hovered over the image of Archades, rested upon her breast. She approached Captain Strauss and stood at his right, bearing a heavy scroll.
The sudden sound of metal armor and chain in motion swept through the grand hall as the squires and would-be knights knelt before their Queen.
"Now, in the Queen's presence, each of you will be called to speak of your purpose for bearing the burden of Knighthood, and which Order you believe favors you most. The Queen shall decide whether you are worthy of Knighthood, and what Order you belong to." Captain Stauss continued.
Empress Hawkwing unfurled the heavy scroll in her arms and began calling out names, one after another. Each spoke their piece. Some gave long winded speeches, others gave a few short words to make their point heard.
"Squire Mathas, rise and give reason!" She proclaimed. A young man, hair black as coal stood up. He wore brigandine that was crafted with many black iron plates. At his side was a short sword and a curved knife.
He spoke loudly and boldly. "Mathas Black, my Queen. As a member of the Knighthood, I will use all of my power to slay those that threaten Archades. My skill with these blades is unmatch so that my fellow squires refer to me as Twin-Blade. They fear me as the enemies of Archades will soon fear me as a Knight of the Phoenix."
The Queen frowned. "These good men and women here are not your enemies, the mere fact that they fear you proves enough that you lack the honor and valor of the Knights. I have heard rumor of this 'Twin-Blade', I had never assumed it was one of our own squires that carried this title. I am not unaware of your actions, Mathas. These actions keep you from receiving the Sword and an Order today. May you seek the aid of Neustarr so that He might teach you of valor, and then you return here to train again to be a Knight of the Kingdom."
She grew silent and the air grew thick. Many among the squires knew about Mathas and were relieved that he'd been rejected, though none would probably speak of such. His reputation as Twin-Blade was exactly as proclaimed.
The silence shattered as she uttered the last name on the list. "Squire Salah, rise and give reason!"
Multiple citizens of Archades gathered together in a tight formation before Knight Captain Strauss, High Lord of the Dragon. Some of these young men and women were dressed in proper noble attire with inlaid gold and silver threads and embroidered with jewels that displayed their station above the common folk. Others wore shining armor that seemed as if it had recently been crafted and polished. A few of them wore older armor, that showed signs of use and marks of battle.
The Knight Lord spoke, "Men, women, my esteemed squires that have been called this day, today is the day you become Knights to the Throne! Today you will kneel before the Empress, Lydia Hawkwing, and proclaim your fealty to the Realm and Throne!" He pauses as a woman enters the grand hall followed by three knights. Each wore heavy plate armor adorned with the emblem of the Knighthood of the Gargoyle. One of the three wore the insignia of Captain, Garish the Stern.
The Empress wore a battle raiment, as was proper for a knighting ceremony. Her plate armor gleamed of silver and platinum, and emblazoned with rubies. The symbol of Hawkwing, a pair of hawks that hovered over the image of Archades, rested upon her breast. She approached Captain Strauss and stood at his right, bearing a heavy scroll.
The sudden sound of metal armor and chain in motion swept through the grand hall as the squires and would-be knights knelt before their Queen.
"Now, in the Queen's presence, each of you will be called to speak of your purpose for bearing the burden of Knighthood, and which Order you believe favors you most. The Queen shall decide whether you are worthy of Knighthood, and what Order you belong to." Captain Stauss continued.
Empress Hawkwing unfurled the heavy scroll in her arms and began calling out names, one after another. Each spoke their piece. Some gave long winded speeches, others gave a few short words to make their point heard.
"Squire Mathas, rise and give reason!" She proclaimed. A young man, hair black as coal stood up. He wore brigandine that was crafted with many black iron plates. At his side was a short sword and a curved knife.
He spoke loudly and boldly. "Mathas Black, my Queen. As a member of the Knighthood, I will use all of my power to slay those that threaten Archades. My skill with these blades is unmatch so that my fellow squires refer to me as Twin-Blade. They fear me as the enemies of Archades will soon fear me as a Knight of the Phoenix."
The Queen frowned. "These good men and women here are not your enemies, the mere fact that they fear you proves enough that you lack the honor and valor of the Knights. I have heard rumor of this 'Twin-Blade', I had never assumed it was one of our own squires that carried this title. I am not unaware of your actions, Mathas. These actions keep you from receiving the Sword and an Order today. May you seek the aid of Neustarr so that He might teach you of valor, and then you return here to train again to be a Knight of the Kingdom."
She grew silent and the air grew thick. Many among the squires knew about Mathas and were relieved that he'd been rejected, though none would probably speak of such. His reputation as Twin-Blade was exactly as proclaimed.
The silence shattered as she uttered the last name on the list. "Squire Salah, rise and give reason!"
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