A Knight is Sworn to Valor.... ((Closed))

[Erik Mynhier]

The rude sun began to encroach upon the tranquil scene. The small beam began on the floor directly before the window, but soon began to stretch across the floor. Like some creeping vine, the light coiled up the foot of the bed and soon came to rest on Erik's eye. He turned to avoid the cruel light, wrapping his arm about the woman sharing his bed, taking refuge from the outside world that was trying to break this perfect scene. He slept so much better these days, much better then before. Sometimes it was true, it was the activity before sleep that made it deep, but also it was the comfort he drew from Clio's very presence.

 

He sighed as he opened his eyes, knowing this struggle was for nothing. He quietly slipped from their bed and into the washroom. He bathed quickly and dressed quicker. He knew this would be an interesting meeting, one long over due. He slipped out, leaving her to sleep on as she often did. Her work was mostly at night, and the mornings until mid-day was where she rested.

 

Stopping in his office he took some papers he would need, checking some of the reports on his desk, nothing drastic it seemed. The world over all had grown calm in the last few weeks. Not something that would last he knew, it never did, but he would enjoy the peace none the less.

 

It was then he took his leave of Sable Hall, heading into the city. Fury was his companion in the trip, the crimson bird had exited the stable of its own accord as he saw Erik exit the building. On the back of the chocobo, the trip was short. He dismounted and motioned for Fury to take a place in the stables, as he would take his in the Palace. He looked up to see the grand building before entering, never tiring of its grandeur. Tapping the seal of his sigil ring, Erik became enveloped momentarily in light, reviling the armor of a Sultansworn as he entered the Palace.

[Erik Mynhier]

The room was well lit, nothing like the dark and dusty rooms where such meetings took place in the Flame Hall. The carpet was of the finest threads, the walls exquisitely painted, with detailing of gold, ivory, and sapphire. The white stone of the ceiling only reflected the light of the chandelier. As he entered the assembled Sworn beckoned Erik to join them at the hand crafted and ornate mahogany table. The chairs were as beautiful as everything else in the room, and soft as he sat, accommodating even his armor to comfort.

 

The few men and women before him smiled and all opened the folders before them to begin, "Ser Erik, a pleasure as always. Shall we begin?" The briefings were always a bit boring for him, never the life and death nature of the Flame briefings. Sworn briefings were always about protocol, ritual, and seating arrangements. As time carried on he sighed slightly as he contributed to the meeting, "The placement of the two at the north entrance seems enough, there are two already manning the aether nearby, and the Alchemist Guild which is connected to that entrance has soldiers on it as it is due to the nature of some of their work. Even the two seem as if overkill. I am sure it is enough."

 

As the meeting drew near to its end one of the Sworn raised a hand, "Brothers, sisters, there is one other thing I would bring up. And again it is numbers. Our ranks are again slipping in numbers. Something must be done." A female seeker at the end of the table nodded, "We have tried many things, apprenticeships, offering the trials to anyone. And still all we have to show for it is one or two new Sworn at a time." she hissed. A Lalafell male next to her echoed her words, "Indeed it is a frightful situation we find ourselves in. May I suggest that we reach out to our fellow Sworn and seek a remedy to the problem. Surely the Order as a whole could come up with something. We few here are only but a small planning table, surely we are not even authorized to do anything about it. So let's just table it for now." The heads about the room nodded in agreement. "Pass the problem to the next person." thought Erik and the assembled group stood and bowed to eachother before all turning to leave. Erik stood behind, taking in the beautiful room. "Fools." he quietly hissed to himself as he turned to leave as well.

 

As he exited the building, the familiar light enveloped him again and he stood in his clothes and coat from before. He walked on, but stopped, looking down the alley he saw one of the Sworn from the meeting. A beggar had approached him, a child. She was hungry, and Erik could see sickness in her with his crystal eye. The Sworn sneered as she asked for help, some gil to fill her belly. "Get away from me you filthy child. Seek the temple for charity, I am one of Her Majesty's Sworn! Away from me." he said coldly and he pushed her to the ground and walked on to his business. Erik thought to catch him and yell him down, but it would have done no good. He moved to the girl and helped her to her feet, "Hello little one. You are no bigger then my own daughter. Where is your parents?" The girl shook her head, "Not here, in the camp outside of Nald." Erik looked to the south, quite a walk for a little hungry child, "I will take you home then."

 

As they walked hand n hand they passed the stalls of the market, and her hunger was evident. He stopped and knelt before her, using slight of hand to produce several coins, putting each in her hand as he did. She smiled ear to ear, "Are you a wizard?" Erik smiled back, "No, I am one of Her Majesty's Sworn." The girl recoiled, but Erik smiled reassuringly, "No fear from me little one. We are not all like him." She returned the smile as he continued, "Now buy some food and gifts for your family, and I shall see you safely home, my little Sultanna for a day." The girl require no prodding and darted, stopping for a moment as she did, "You're not like him, you're a real knight. A knight is sworn to valor." she then ran off.

 

He watched her run from stall to stall, buying wisely for a child. Food and clothing was mostly what she had taken. When she was finished Erik took the bags and sat her on his shoulder on their way to her home. Once out of the Gate of Nald, they were only a short walk to the camp. Her parents were worried and overjoyed to see her, but shocked by her bounty. "I was a Sultana today and he is my Sworn, but don't worry. He's nice, like that story." He let her down and carried the bags for them into their home, explaining the day to them. They talked over dinner, telling him of their plight and the others around them. He listened and offered advice where he could. As she slept they talked on and on. As night fell Erik stood to leave. Pleasantries were exchanged and a fond farewell was given as he exited the door. He stopped and turned, "She said like in her story, what story is that?" Her father moved to a blanket covered box and retrieved one of the few books in the home. "Its an old story book we found for her. About knights and dragons." Erik took the book and smiled, "I know this book, "The Demon, the Dragon, and the Rose", an Ishgardian tale. It was my favorite growing up too." The man nodded and took it back, "A good story, good lessons for her." Erik nodded and left.

 

As he walked home he thought on the book, how his mother or Tellah would read it to him as a child. He loved his mother, but Tellah told it the best he thought. There was a force of thought and experience. He felt foolish for not recognizing it when the girl had said it. He use to wait with baited breath for Tellah to reach the part of the story with the oath. He smiled and walked on, his heart warm as he muttered under his breath. He chuckled to himself, "A Knight is Sworn to Valor....."

 

 

[align=center]To Be Continued.....[/align]