There is a hush in the demigrand hall of the Marillion as the King enters and takes his place in the center of the dais. Statues of the great spirits flank him to the left and right and sunlight streams in through the stained glass windows in an explosion of color. The great banner of Vanir hangs behind Shaitan as he turns to the assembled crowd.
Heads turn and mutters begin as footsteps begin coming down the central aisle from the back of the newly modeled chapel. gonzo_for_civ strides confidently past his assembled peers, returning a quick smile to his fellow squires and then stops a pace before the steps to the dais.
The assembly quiets again as Shaitan steps to the edge of the dais and begins the ritual that is even older than Vanir.
Shaitan: Squire gonzo, do you approach the Crown this day to offer your strong arm in service?
gonzo_for_civ: I do, m'lord.
Shaitan: And what do you ask of the Crown in return?
gonzo_for_civ: Nothing, m'lord. Except weapons to carry, armor to protect and a steed to ride so that I may better serve.
Shaitan: These things are yours already. Is there no way the Crown may reward you?
gonzo_for_civ: If it please thee, m'lord, I would be taken to the Knighthood, so my words may carry the weight of Vanir and my deeds bespeak the glory of the Crown.
Shaitan: Kneel down, Squire gonzo.
gonzo kneels down on the first step to the dais and lowers his head. Shaitan unsheaths the great sword of Vanir, a masterwork blade that shines in a rainbow of color from the sun striking it through the colored window glass. He rests the naked blade against gonzo's neck and there is an involuntary gasp from some of the crowd; the blade is notoriously sharp and deadly. He then addresses gonzo again. He pauses between each question and gonzo nods his head solemnly.
Shaitan: Do you swear by your honor and in front of these witnesses and upon this dais of the Spirits themselves that you will uphold the ideals of Vanir? That you shall defend the weak from the unjust? That you shall protect the people of Vanir and the Crown from all enemies? That you will represent Vanir with due honors and solemnity?
gonzo: I so swear, and gladly.
Shaitan looks to his castellan, Rudy, who hurries behind the kneeling petitioner and affixes spurs to his boots. Rudy then hurries back to the side of the dais.
Shaitan: Arise, Sir gonzo_for_civ, Knight of Vanir!
Shaitan removes the sword of Vanir from gonzo's neck and there are a few sighs of relief as all assembled see that no cut was made. He then reaches his hand out to help the new Knight to his feet. Both men are bathed in the light from the colored windows and wear huge smiles on their faces. The crowd erupts in applause and shouting. After several minutes the King and the Knight walk together down the aisle and out of the chapel. The crowd follows, eager for the celebration to follow.
