Fae Knight

Alastair tried not to shift as he stood at attention with the dozen other prospective knights. There was a crowd gathered before the stage he was standing on and banners flying Sylvan’s heraldry snapped gently in the breeze. It made the silver branches of the stylized World Tree that took up the center of the banner look like they were waving in the wind. A murmur and hush rushed through the crowd and then trumpets began to sound. They were those traditional, softly pitching long ones. The ones with no valves that required the player to be able to adjust the pitch with sheer skill instead of mechanical buttons.

They played a herald everyone recognized but rarely heard. It was the Herald of the Queen. He didn’t dare turn his head to look even as Knight Isla, the woman that had trained all of them, marched across the stage. Then the Queen’s Thorns marched up onto the stage, their fully enclosed helmets gave them an intimidating air.

“Her Majesty, Queen Rurubelle!”

Alastair was down on one knee and bowing his head before he realized his reflexes had cut in. From the dull roar of collective movement, he could tell the rest of the crowd had gone down to their knees as well. The Queen’s footsteps were nearly silent and measured. She stopped just in front of him, the hem of her dress nearly brushing his foot.

“You may rise,” the Queen said simply, her voice carrying like the wind itself was her willing servant. Alastair rose with the rest of his compatriots and the crowd, returning to standing at attention.

“We are here today to honor the accomplishment of these fine squires in completing their training to earn the illustrious title of Fae Knight.” Queen Rurubelle let her words echo over the crowd before continuing. “Legend tells us that, before the Great Barrier, the Fae Knights were charged with the defense of the World Tree. Of Yggdrasil Herself. They were Her eternal guardians and empowered with Her Grace. Ever have our great Knights kept our lands safe and allowed our people to flourish and thrive under the boughs of Easter.”

“Today, the ranks of our brave guardians swell. New blades and shields join the bulwark against the greed of the world beyond our forest home. Give your thanks with me to this new generation of heroes!”

Queen Rurubelle turned slightly so she could look at most of them and began to clap gently, her gloved hands muffling the noise. The crowd made up for it with the roar of thousands of hands clapping washing over them. Alastair felt his heart surge with pride. Knight Isla had drilled the legends and myths of the origins of their order of knights until they’d all be well and truly sick of it. But hearing it from the Queen, even so briefly, suddenly made it feel like he was stepping into hallowed boots.

The applause continued as the Queen began to go to each of his fellow trainees one by one. She’d take a cloak and clasp from a waiting servant and say something while draping the Fae Knight’s cloak over their shoulders and pinning it in place with the crossed swords over the World Tree cloak clasp. And suddenly, before he could prepare himself for it, she was in front of him.

She swept the cloak over his shoulders with expert poise, her hands smoothing over his shoulders as she settled it into place. Then she spoke in a low, reverent voice. “I charge you with the defense of the World Tree. I charge you to act with honor in all things. I charge you with responsibility for all peoples beneath Her Boughs. I charge you now as a Fae Knight, bound by honor and Yggdrasil’s Blessing. Congratulations, Knight Alastair.” 

The cloak clasp snapped into place with finality and the Queen gave him a small smile before moving on.