By THLaird Colyne Stewart
I went for the knighting, my lord. As you know I took a
wound in the side during a foray into the East Kingdom
the week before. The tygre managed to break two of my ribs, he did, and as such
I thought I would spend the day in rest. But milady, well, she’s a fighter too,
as you also know, my lord. And she was chomping at the bit to fight herself,
since she missed the afore mentioned foray. And we did both want to see the
knighting. So we set out for the Shire of Trinovantia Nova, lugging her armour.
Or rather she lugged her armour, for I couldn’t lift much more than her
half-gauntlets my lord, shamed as I am to admit it.
When we arrived we found that the hall was already full, but
we managed to wiggle our seats down near the list field. Milady quickly
strapped on her armour and waded out into the fracas, marking her return after
a knee injury side-lined her for two years or there abouts. There were plenty
of fighters on the field that day, my lord, including many visitors from the
Middle Kingdom, including the newly knighted Sir Jocelyn le Jongleur, as well
as the King and the Prince of the Middle, Sir Brannos and Sir Alaric le Fevre.
Generally I spent the day sitting in that chair, watching
everyone else battle and fight and prepare themselves for War should the East
and Middle clash yet again. And I know that envy is a sin, my lord, but I must
admit I felt much envy that day for those in the lists. I hungered for a sword
in my hand, and wondered just what it was I used to do at events before I
learned the noble art of combat.
I watched as several good gentles did authorize in new forms
of combat. The first was Herr Wulfgang Don nerfaust,
squire-brother to Kasimir, who did authorize in great sword that day. The
others I saw, my lord, were all of House Galbraith. For Nigel of House
Galbraith did authorize in sword and shield, while Lady Þorfinna gráfeldr was
authorized in dagger and Anna became the second Galbraith to ever authorize in
fencing.
I also watched the long battles, my lord, and predominate in
my mind is the bridge battle. This, my lord, was an unlimited resurrection
battle, which lasted for forty minutes and was a test of endurance for even the
hardiest warriors.
But all this is a digression, my lord, for it’s the
knighting of which I meant to speak. For the Honourable Lord Kasimir of
Stargard had been placed on vigil, to be elevated into the grand Order of
Chivalry. You know of whom I speak, my lord, for this is the same Kasimir who
made such an excellent showing at our kingdom’s last Crown Tournament. And so
the good Vendel did hold the field against all comers, my lord, and battle long
and hard he did, until all were satisfied. He then retired to a yurt which the
Rozakii had erected, and there he heard the words of wisdom from all those who
came to visit him and wish him well. And in the evening he did serve, for this
is how Sir Sarnac Bahadur, his knight, had spent his own vigil day.
There was a feast, my lord, but as I could not raise the
funds to partake (what with my ribs, my lord, I can not walk my rounds, and so
cannot be paid) I instead wandered from table to table where the good members
of House Galbraith and House De Taahe did take pity on my condition and give me
food and drink.
And when feast was done, my lord, Their Royal Lupine
Majesties, did hold Their court, where many good gentles were recognized for
their skills and service. Finally, Kasimir, son of Sarnac, son of Roak, was
brought before Their Majesties, preceded by his squire-brothers, who bore his
shield and helm. There, many noble people did speak of his many virtues, and he
was laden with gifts. For he was cloaked, and spurred, and given a sword. Also
was he given a spear, for he was, my lord, a Vendel. And, of course, he was
given custody of the chain of the Ealdormere’s Order of Chivalry. His Majesty
Malik then invited His Majesty Sir Brannos and Sir Sarnac to place their hands
with His upon the Sword of State, and together they did dub Kasimir, and make
him a Knight of the Realm.
I went for the knighting, my lord, for it is not every day
that we see a man such as this gain his golden spurs.
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