The next morning you set off toward Sarum with Sir Elad who plans to attend the earl’s court celebration. The Tilshead garrison is left in command of Issa, the captain of the spearmen, at least until Sir Jaradan returns to Tilshead. Still no word arrives from Sir Jaradan before you leave. You ride easy for Edward’s sake. The sky is overcast gray and pregnant with rain. By mid-morning the rain comes in mist. There are no rain drops, but everything becomes soaked as if you fell in a stream.
You arrive at Sarum with little fanfare, but the hum of the preparations for the imminent earl’s court fills the town. Sir Elad leads you through the crowded streets toward the castle. By the time you wind through the battlements, you find Sir Amig and Sir Leo waiting for you in the courtyard near the stables. Grooms collect your horses. ”Hail, Sir Elad. It’s been too long.” The three grasps wrists and pat each other on the shoulders like brothers in arms who have shared many battles.
Sir Leo d’Allington is a tall lanky man with lean cord-like muscled arms and legs. What gray hair remains encircles his head like a roman laurel. His clean-shaven, strong jaw and aquiline nose show his roman heritage. You have never seen him smile.
Sir Amig d’Imber is a short stocky man with a chest like a barrel and arms thick as some people’s legs. He has short black hair and a bushy mustache speckled with gray to show his age of the mid thirties. His normal affable nature has been scoured clean by the death of the earl.
Sion gives Sir Amig the messaged sent by Tudfwlch then turns to his mentor. Sir Leo, do you have any final instructions regarding preparations for the knigting ceremony?
"Of course, Sion. First we have to clean the blood out of your armor and off your body. I thought I taught you better than to get nicked by a couple of bandits." He says without a smile but with obvious mirth is in comment, since you know his humor.
"Indeed. If you'd excuse me Sirs, I'd like to go wash up," Bran says, bowing to the knights. He makes his way to his chambers (or to the bath house if there is one) and washes the grime of travel and battle from his body as best he is able.
"Wait, Bran." Sir Amig requests in the commanding voice that you know so well from training.
Edward sits mostly quietly, giving the proper respects. When the comment about the bandits is brought up he grunts. "They had well crafted bows."
Actually Sir Leo the worst of my injuries and the damage to my armor was done by the dragon that tried to eat me while we were hunting at Sir Amig's manor. he nodds to the Marshal. We would have brought back it's head but it ran from us and slipped away into the trees where we couldn't follow.
"Forgive me for speaking out of turn, Sirs, but I hasten to add that Sion speaks the truth, and this is no mere tall tale to cover his pride. We all saw this dragon, and though we failed to slay it, we did snatch its supper right from its jaws."
Bran freezes in place, and turns back. "Yes, Sir Amig?"
”Dragon? You’re serious? Well, save it for court. Now, we have the last preparations for your knighting ceremony.” Sir Amig comments. You nod to Sir Elad when Sirs Amig and Leo lead you four and Martin away to the earl’s suite in the castle. There you find Quintus waiting for you in the antechamber.
”First, your body must be prepared for your vigil before your gods.” Sir Leo says but does not really explain. The two masters lead the six of you through the bedroom into the spacious bathing room with a large stone bath full of slightly steaming water. Three girls stand in the room dressed in pure white, full length, sleeved linen dresses. Two are Sir Leo’s daughters, and the other is Sir Amig’s daughter. You know that none are older than thirteen. ”Maidens will bathe and prepare you. I will go fetch the healer to dress your wounds afterwards.” Sir Amig explains and departs. Sir Leo chaperones as the girls undress and bathe you six using snow white washcloths and towels. Bran is the first one clean and is only dressed in a pure white, knee length tunic. By this time, Sir Amig returns with the earl’s healer who proceeds to dress all of the wounds before you all don the white tunics. When everyone is similarly cleaned and dressed, they split the group. Sir Amig takes Bran, Edward, and Martin. Sir Leo takes Raedwald, Sion, and Quintus.
Sir Leo silently leads the Christians. The route through the large castle is surprisingly clear of servants, and your barefoot steps echo with Sir Leo’s spurs off the gray stone walls. Arriving at that chapel, you meet the local priest with two altar boys who says Mass for the four of you. You have never before heard these particular prayers that appeal to Saints Michael and George to guide you through knighthood. After Mass, the priest and altar boys depart through a door behind the altar leaving you kneeling after accepting the Host. Sir Leo stands and says, ”Now, you must keep a silent vigil here before Christ through the night to prepare your heart and mind for knighthood. I will collect you in the morning. There’s a chamberpot over there.” He nods and does take any questions. There are candles lit around the altar.
Sir Amig silently leads the Pagans. The route through the large castle is surprisingly clear of servants, and your barefoot steps echo with Sir Amig’s spurs off the gray stone walls. You arrive at the smallest of the internal courtyards of the castle. At the middle of a meticulously kept garden is an unlit bonfire, a stack of firewood, and another surprise. Sir Elad is there grim-faced wearing an antlered helmet and outfit of feather and fur. He leads you four through a complex ceremony that summons the guardians of the North, South, East, and West and sheds your blood to bind them. You have heard of these rituals to make warriors but obviously have never seen one. Afterwards, Sir Elad lights the bonfire and departs through the only door to the courtyard leaving you kneeling each at one of the four stations of the compass. Sir Amig stands and says, ”Now, you must keep a silent vigil here before the gods through the night to prepare your heart and mind for knighthood. I will collect you in the morning. There’s a chamberpot over there.” He nods and does take any questions.
The last of the sunlight streams through the windows until the sky takes on a purplish hue as it prepares for night. Your stomach growls as you realize these whirlwind preparations never fed you.
Edward walks slowly into the baths, where he blushes and looks down at the three girls who are called maidens. But once he enters the water the fresh pain emanating from his wounds allow him to focus his thoughts elsewhere.
Edward has a small, content smile on at the garden. I wish I would have known of this place earlier. He goes through the ritual, paying close attention and trying to learn more about it. He has no questions for Sir Amig, giving a small nod and looking around the area. One entrance. At least our guard won't be complicated.
As Sirs Amig and Leo lead the squires to their purification rite, Bran retrieves a handful of liberty cap mushrooms he'd picked from a roadside pasture earlier on their journey. The mushrooms are now mostly dried, and he pops them into his mouth, before chewing and swallowing them. He feels nervous in anticipation, knowing that magic of the mushrooms will draw the gods close to him this night. They would peel back the veils from his eyes and let him see the world of spirits. It would be the same as when his village's druid had declared him and the other boys men at during their Rite of Passage.
The mushrooms are beginning to affect him as he enters the bathing chamber. The maidens appear as angelic spirits, glowing softly in their white linen dresses. Bran undresses, removing his dirty armor and clothing. As he peels away the layers of filthy fur, cloth and leather he can feel layers of his personality being peeled away with them. The pain, frustration and hate of the recent weeks sloughs off him, leaving only the child-like curious observer that is the core of his personhood. As he steps into the water, its warmth spreads through his body, purifying and relaxing him. He says nothing as the maidens bathe him. He merely closes his eyes and lets the alternating waves of pain from his wounds and pleasure from the warm water run through him. He can feel the threads of fate which spell out his wyrd stretching away into eternity. He feels no need to control himself or his path, content to allow the will of the gods to be born into the world through him. As the bathing finishes, Bran opens his eyes lazily. Through the slits he watches the water spirits swirl through the tub, their smiling faces and flitting bodies whirling in and out of existence with the rippling of the bath. He slowly rises from the tub, showing no shame in his nudity and sits on a bench, allowing himself to be tended by the healer. He continues his silence, fearing that if he speaks, it might break the holy nature of his undertaking. He stares at the healer's hands as they stretch and warp in his distorted vision. The earl's man applies the bandages skillfully and swiftly, content to also remain silent. Bran marvels at the sensations streaming from his wounds as they are poulticed and bound. The pain seems less sinister than normal, merely a message for him to observe and interpret as he would. Something physical and unnecessary for the spiritual transformation they were undergoing. Once he is clean and his wounds tended to, Bran solemnly dons the pure white garb, feeling like a new man. He stands straight and supremely confident as he strides after Sir Amig.
As they enter the garden Bran is assaulted by a million sensations of life and beauty. He is keenly aware of the scents of the plants, and the feeling of the air and light on his skin. He beholds Sir Elad, but does not recognize him. To Bran, the knight appears as Cernunnos, the Horned God. Bran is suddenly filled with awe and fear at the presence of the god. Somewhere deep inside he knows it to be Sir Elad, but the overwhelming presence of an ancient divinity drowns out that knowledge. Bran conducts the ceremony as solemnly as anything he has ever done. To him, the elements and guardians called are real and physical presences. The seriousness of the ceremony and the feeling of its holy nature makes Bran feel small and insignificant. He willingly gives himself over to the service of the gods and the people of his land. He prays through the night, offering himself as a barely passable vessel for the will of the gods. There are moments in the eternal night where he convinces himself that he is not worthy, and that he will be killed by the gods for his hubris. But in time these dark thoughts pass, and with the coming of the dawn sun, Bran is ready to be a knight. As the first rays of dawn hit the courtyard, he tries to stand. Sudden realization that he hasn't moved all night hits him. His legs are totally numb, and in massive pain. His bladder is full to bursting, and he has a pressing need to relieve his bowls. He staggers and falls. After a few moments of groaning he begins to rub his legs. Then a minute later he climbs shakily back to his feet and makes his way to the chamber pot which he uses gratefully. In the tail end of the effects of the mushrooms, his body feels stiff and alien. The sensations of hunger, tiredness and pain batter away the remains of the night's reverie. The cold, hard truth of reality is back. But in its face, Bran remains a changed man. He is confident that going forward, whatever happens is meant to be. The gods' ways might be mysterious, but they knew what they were doing much more than he ever would.
He looks at the other squires, who he'd almost forgotten about, to assess how they handled the experience.
Sion had never been particularly pious but he recognized the solemnity of the occasion. As they went through the cerimony of the Mass he thought about his father and brother, and the weight of the responsiblility that had settled on them.
Why God? he thought Why did you take them? My father was a pious God fearing man. He payed his tithes to the church. He tried to be everything a christian knight should be. He was kind and caring towards mother. He loved his children. He was respectful of his betters. He was merciful to those under him, and strove to do justice to all. He was true to his oaths. He was a good man God! Why did you take him?
The preist droned on and on. It was a relief when the Mass finally ended. The priest and alter boys left. Sir Leo delivered his final instructions and then departed himself leaving Sion, Readwald, and Quintus kneeling before the alter in the chapel. A deep calm settled over the chapel. The only sound was the steady breathing of the other squires.
Sion stayed kneeling where he is. He quickly becomes drowsy and almost falls over asleep only to jerk awake when he starts to fall. The passage of time becomes hazy. Sion later recalls dreaming but not sleeping, and try as he might he can never remember what it was he dreamed. He comes back to himself a few hours before dawn still kneeling where Sir Leo left him. His back and knees ached abominably, but he was filled with a new determination. Pitton was to be his. His fathers people needed him to lead and protect them. He still did not understand why god had taken his father and brother but he would not fail in his fathers responsibilies. He would protect Pitton and the people god was placing under his care. He would not fail. He would use the chamber pot in the corner before he pissed himself and embaressed his mother in front of the Earls widow.
Raedwald participates in the Mass solemnly, the old Latin ringing clear and noble in his mind. It was hard to imagine that not more than a month ago, he was preparing to be the one behind the altar, intoning the prayers. Would that have been a better life? The life of a knight was glorious, to be sure, but no glory on Earth compared to God's. That's what he'd been taught. He'd been given Broughton out of necessity. He, not even blood of its lords, an Angle-bred bastard they'd shown pity to. There was so much that was uncertain, weighing on his mind.
He kneels like the others, silently muttering a few prayers of his own, trying to keep his voice down so as not to annoy the other squires. This was it. This was the most important part. Hunger and fatigue sapped him, but he tried his best to remain strong. Had not Christ been tempted in the desert? While he had been God in the flesh, true, he still had been flesh. He had to strive to follow that example. Not just to prove his mettle as a knight, but as a walker of the Narrow Way. He had a responsibility. He'd been deeply saddened that his adoptive father had fallen in battle, and that Rience had fallen victim to treacherous poison just when they had finally bonded as brothers, but it was too late to question now. Their part in God's great plan was over. Now it was his turn. God would not have shown the mercy he did when his father slew his mother's killer and took him in had he not thought Raedwald, the Angelcynn, deserved it. It was God's will that he became Lord of Broughton. He only hoped that as Sir Raedwald, he could show the strength and piety that such trust demanded.
________________________________________________________________________
The light of moonlight, candles, and bonfire focuses your attention throughout your waking hours of your vigil. You all respect the request for silent reflection and reflect in your own ways on your path toward knighthood. A couple hours between midnight and dawn, you all pass out from exhaustion and hunger. One of you jerks awake and wakes the others. Considering how much longer you wait for dawn, you don’t think sleep overcame you for very long, but the guilt of it gnaws at you. Is it foreshadowing of your career as a knight? Will you always be vigilant in your duty and loyalty? The thoughts mull in your muddled mind.
Dawn slowly arrives as you watch the sky transition from black to purple to lighter and lighter hues of blue. The weather appears to be very cooperative today. Hours after dawn, Sirs Amig and Leo collect you and bring you a smaller hall where you finally break your fast. The contents of the meal are more like a supper than a breakfast. Beyond that, the meal passes as a blur.
After the meal, you are led though the castle in winding route that confuses your mind-addled sense of direction. Again, you pass no servants. Eventually you arrive in a small hall that you do not recognize. Besides you, there are six boys present among six chairs and arming stands. You recognize them as pages in the service of the earl and Sirs Amig and Leo. Silently, Sirs Amig and Leo oversee the pages silently strip you of your white tunics and arm you. All of the clothes are new. Your veteran hide armor has been replaced with a gleaming suit of chainmail that has been scoured to brilliant. The tabard with your heraldry is new and crisp. The only familiar item that you receive is your veteran dagger that sheaths into a new scabbard on a new sturdy leather weapon’s belt. When finished, your sword scabbard is noticeably empty, and your boots lack spurs. You all enjoy a reflection in the largest mirror that you have ever seen.
”Now, you look like knights,” pronounces Sir Amig.
”You will stay here for a couple hours. One of the pages will collect you at the appropriate time. There’s a privy down the hall. If you need anything else, Afan and Blaen will stay outside. Just ask them. ” pronounces Sir Leo nodding to two of the pages. They pause of half a moment before leaving when you might be able to ask questions.
“What else lies before us?” Bran asks.
Sir Amig simply replies, "your knighting ceremony at court. Your preparations are complete."
Sion looks at himself in the big mirror. He can't help but grin at the new chainmail and tabard.
Do you mean today, or after the ceremony Bran? he says turning away from the mirror.
"I meant the rest of the ceremony, is this the kneeling sword part? Will we meet the Lady Ellen?"
Raedwald keeps silent, unsure of whether to smile or not. He wants to treat this seriously, but he can't help but be proud of himself. Now he'd truly be a hero.
I suppose this the kneeling and sword part would come next. I saw my brother knighted when I was young, So I know the part you are talking about. I think that is what happens next
Sirs Amig and Leo exchange smiles. "Yes," Sir Amig says. "This is the kneeling sword part. Last questions? While your preparations are complete, ours are not."
Trying to keep his exhaustion and his wounds in check, Edward spends much of the time mentally reciting names of roots and mosses to keep his mind moving. Wolfsbane, rare, helps to stave off... Edward looks around to see he's been dressed. Damn these wounds! He blinks a few times and looks around to make sure he's awake.
No Sir Amig, I have no questions.Sion says and turns back to the mirror to admire the new chainmail and tabard some more. When sir Amig and Sir Leo leave he begins pacing the room.
I wonder how long they will have us wait?
"As long as they need us to. The life of a knight is one of service." Raedwald replies, with the smile finally coming to his face. "And I don't think they'll have us wait long. If what we've seen in only the last few days is anything to go by, we've our work cut out for us."
Bran shakes his head to indicate that he has no further questions.
"I hope not long. It was a long night," Bran replies to Sion after the nights have left.
Sion spend the time pacing back and forth across the room stopping every now and then to admire the chainmail and tabard.
Without any more questions, Sirs Amig and Leo smile and depart leaving you to discuss, rest, preen, stew, etc.
Sion stews, then preens, then stews some more. He doesn't sit down because he is afraid he will rumple the new tabard and it wouldn't do to appear in front of the entire court with his tabard rumpled.
Raedwald looks out the window and sees some chickens roving the courtyard.
"Hey look! Chickens!"
"You guys ready? My legs still hurt from last night..." Bran mutters. "I'd happily eat one of those chickens right now Raedwald! Stop tempting me!"
Edward spends the time to rest, saving his weakened strength for the inevitable hours of standing.
After several hours Blaen opens the door to escort you to court. The six of you file behind him. Some of you are calm. Some of you are anxious. You wind your way through the castle to the Great Hall. Unlike yesterday, you actually pass a couple of servants scurrying about their business. Your previous encounters in the Great Hall have been mundane and routine unlike today. The trestle tables have been moved toward the walls to make room for the entire earl’s court in the finest dress and armor. The walls are decorated with all of the colorful banners and shields of the court. The page leads you through the column of nobles facing you with a variety expression: solemn, curious, bored, etc.
You approach the far end of the hall where the fourteen years old, heir of Salisbury, Robert sits on his father’s old stout oak chair. His mother Lady Ellen, Countess and Regent of Salisbury, stands to his right in a beautiful blue dress. To his left stand Sir Amig d'Imber, Castellan of Vagon Castle, Marshal and Regent of Salisbury and Sir Leo d’Allington, Castellan of Castle Devizes, Constable and Regent of Salisbury in both their finest.
The page motions you to kneel in front of the chair. Sir Amig steps forward and performs the knighting ceremony for Bran, Martin, Quintus, and Raedwald. Afterwards, Sir Leo performs the knighting ceremony for Edward and Sion.
Sir Amig or Leo first proclaim to the court, ”Be it known to all men that I, Sir Amig or Leo, am minded to raise (your name) by virtue of his honor, loyalty, valor, and skill of arms, to the high rank of knighthood.” Then, they address you, ”(your name), do you swear and acknowledge Robert to be your true and lawful liege?”
You answer affirmatively.
They ask you, ”Do you swear fealty to Robert, to defend and obey him until death shall take you?”
You answer affirmatively.
Sir Amig or Leo approach you, ”Let this be the last blow you receive without just recourse.” Sir Amig or Leo delivers the coulee and strikes you across the face.
Sir Amig or Leo grab your hands within theirs and say, ”Repeat after me, ‘(your name), do solemnly swear and pledge my sword to Robert, my liege, to defend and obey him until death shall take us and to uphold the honor of knighthood.’”
You repeat it.
”And I, as a Regent of Salisbury, do swear to defend and honor (your name) as befits a true knight.” Then Sir Amig or Leo dub you on both shoulders with the Sword of Salisbury, ”I dub thee Sir (your name). Receive now your spurs.” Afan and Blaen fix new spurs to your boots. ”Your right to suitable arms.” Blaen brings you a new shield with your heraldry. ”And take this sword to your side to serve and defend Robert well.” Sir Amig or Leo sheaths your veteran longsword into your scabbard.
After all of you are knighted, Robert says, ”Arise Sir Knights.” The Great Hall applauds.
As Edward enters he straitens his back, ignoring the pain of his wounds the best he can. He even refused a sling for his arm, saying "I can suffer for a bit without it." He looks around at all the lords and ladies and his palms start sweating. Lady Ellen, Countess and Coinmast...no she's the Regent damnit. He gives up on remembering all of their various lands and titles.
Edward solemnly kneels, and when the blow comes he takes it without a cry, gritting his teeth as his shoulder turns. He stands after the old words come from Leo and his own lips, but as he stands a knight in the eyes of all he feels the very same. A knight in name only, I have yet to prove myself. His lip threatens a grin at the sword. That's a good piece of steel. His attention is turned back to the various lords and ladies whose names he can barely remember, making his palms sweat again. Perhaps I can excuse myself early saying my wound hurts...but then I would be viewed a coward for submitting to the pain. Oh bugger me, why didn't I pay more attention to the old man when he was telling me all these names...
Bran rises to his feet proudly, his new chainmail gleaming and the shield of a knight on his arm. He grin to the crowd, his happiness momentarily overcoming his hunger. Wish Blaidd were here. Wonder if we can go eat now. Wonder if some girls will want to kiss me now...
He just sort of stands there grinning until its clear that he should be doing something else.
Raedwald raises his head proudly. These people were cheering for him. HIM! A Saxon bastard turned respectable Briton knight. He could scarcely believe it. Tears come to his eyes and he can contain himself no longer. He thrusts his fist into the air and shouts out "BY LIEGE LORD AND GOD, LET NONE FIND US WANTING!"
Sion rises as instructed and turns to face the court. Looking out at the cheering crowd he again feels the wait of the responsibility he must now bear. I wish father and Meredudd could have been here to see this, but if they were here they would not have needed to hurry and knight us so soon. It is definately a sign of how things stand that the court is cheering so loudly the five of us. I suppose I will have to go back to Pitton soon and see to things there. I hope all the peasants haven't run off while I have been gone. There is a lot of work to do. It will be good to see mother and my sisters again though.
The crowd responds well to Raedwald's declaration with another swell of applause. After several minutes of diminishing applause, Sir Amig clears his throat minimizing the noise in the Great Hall and says, "That concludes this session of court. The banquet will be served here at the next bell."
You find yourself between the officers of the earl's court and the nobles in a virtual bubble for a few seconds; then the bubble collapses. Conversations begin. Sirs Amig and Leo come to congratulate you all. After them, Robert, his young sister, and the Countess congratulate you. Then, a press of nobles come to meet their new knights. Some you know. Most you don't.
This is probably the first full earl's court of your life. Most of the six dozen knights attend with their spouses. The Hall is quite full and festive.
After recieving the congratulations of Sir Amig, Sir Leo, The young Earl, and the Countess, Sion makes a point to meet the lords of the manors near Pitton. Particular the lords of Du Plain, Buckholt, Longhedge, Ford, and Laverstock.
Bran drinks and mixes with the others, smiling and shaking hands. He thoroughly enjoys the atmosphere, if not the actual talking. Now that chaos seems to be in full reign, he sneaks off for a minute to get Blaidd. No one will dare say anything now that I'm a knight, right? With his canine companion as his side, Bran's confidence level goes up significantly. As soon as food is served he tears into it with a mighty hunger. He doesn't stop until he's eaten four plates worth of meat and vegetables. If any girls show an interest in him, he does the same. Talking with them and telling them the tale of their hunt, the dragon and their battle with the bandits that saved a farm.
When Blaiid is brought in Edward shares some of Bran's heightened confidence. He spends a minute scratching behind the dog's ear. Loyal dogs, maybe that's why I like them so much.
Sion tries to meet most of the young unmarried women at the court. He makes a special point to meet the daughters of the most powerful and the wealthiest knights in Salisbury.
Raedwald follows Sion's example, attempting to meet the unmarried daughters of the local lords, not so much looking for wealth and power like Sion, but merely out of eagerness to find a comely wife and start a family. He notes which ones are particularly spirited and smart, and his eyes linger perhaps overlong on the plumpest maidens. Courting a slip of a girl he might break in half with his great strength wasn't appealing to him. A lady with some bulk to her belly, however, would be perfect for having strong children with, especially if she had a fire in that belly to match.
Bran will look for a girl with curly, black hair and curves. Someone quiet, from one of the smaller places in Salisbury. If he sees anyone that meets his standards he'll go over and introduce himself. He's looking for someone with smarts and an enthusiasm for outdoor activities. The size of their dowry is basically irrelevant to him.
Edward is the odd one out amongst the group of newly anointed knights, seeming a boy 5 years his youth every time a girl speaks to him. He blushes and stutters, being courteous as he could but making no advances. Soon he realizes his actions are much the same with the lords and ladies as well, answering any direct questions asked of him and nodding and smiling, but barely offering up anything in return. I sound like a simpleton.