Epilogue

Epilogue

SUMMER 964 MC

T

he cathedral was packed with well-wishers as the initiates, all three of them, stood in a line awaiting the commencement of the ceremony. The choir's voices, singing the praises of Saxnor, echoed in the vast cavernous structure until the final word was sung, and then all went quiet. Everyone present, save the initiates, craned their necks to watch the entrance, knowing what would come next.

Dame Beverly Fitzwilliam, Knight Commander of the Order of the Hound, entered the great chamber, her footsteps echoing on the marble floor. Behind her strode Dame Hayley and Lord Arnim Caster, the only other members of the order. They made their way down the nave, taking up a position in front of the three assembled men, facing the altar.

The Bishop Supreme himself called on Saxnor to bless all present, a rare occurrence, and then Beverly turned to face the new initiates.

"Sir Heward," she commanded.

The man moved to stand before her, his towering frame looming over hers as his face held a look of amusement. She struck him on the arm with the flat of her sword, a solid blow that echoed off the metal plates which guarded his upper arms. He swayed slightly with the force, though she knew he only did it to emphasize her blow.

"I pronounce this man worthy," she said aloud.

Heward returned to his position in the line.

"Sir Preston," she called.

The knight walked forward, standing before her much as Heward had.

She struck him lightly on the arm, noticing his flinch as she made contact.

"I pronounce this man worthy," she announced in a clear voice.

Sir Preston returned to his position beside Heward.

"Lord Fitzwilliam," she called, "you stand in proxy for Sir Rodney this day. Step forward, that you may represent him."

Baron Fitzwilliam stepped up, standing before his daughter.

She lay the sword gently on his shoulder. "We deem the late Sir Rodney worthy of this honour."

Her father returned to the line, then Beverly knelt, the initiates doing likewise. The Bishop Supreme stepped forward and began extolling the virtues of bravery, honesty and fealty. When he was finished, a horn sounded, sending its clear sound echoing off the walls. Beverly stood, but the initiates remained kneeling, as Queen Anna entered the chamber, dressed in all her glory. Hayley carried the Dwarven sword, resting on a cushion, while Arnim bore the standard of the order, depicting the head of a great mastiff. The queen halted in front of Beverly, and the Knight Commander bowed deeply, then moved to the side.

"Since the time of our ancestors," the queen began, "many have come forth in times of need to defend that which is ours. We stand here today to welcome these new initiates into the Royal Order of the Hound, to serve their kingdom, their queen, and to protect those that cannot protect themselves."

She turned to Hayley, who held out the cushion. Anna lifted the sword, pulling it from the scabbard, its runes reflecting the light of a thousand candles that lit the cathedral. Moving towards the first of the initiates, she placed the blade on Heward's right shoulder.

"Recite the oath," she commanded.

"I do solemnly swear," said Heward, "to serve my kingdom, my queen, and the people of Merceria, until the end of my days."

"Arise, Sir Heward," said Anna, "Knight of the Hound."

Sir Heward did as he was bid, eliciting a round of applause from those assembled. It was a breach of etiquette, but Anna ignored it, nay encouraged it, by smiling at the crowd.

Next, she moved to Sir Preston, again placing the sword upon his right shoulder.

"Recite the oath," she commanded once more.

Sir Preston did as he was ordered.

"Arise, Sir Preston," said Anna, "Knight of the Hound."

Lastly, she stood before Baron Fitzwilliam.

"This day," she said, "we honour those who have fallen in service to the crown. Sir Rodney, who died in the Siege of Wincaster, is hereby declared to be worthy of this final honour."

She placed the sword on Baron Fitwilliam's shoulder. "Arise," she said, "and let it be henceforth known throughout the land that Sir Rodney was a Knight of the Hound."

Fitz stood, tears streaking his face.

"Be it also known," the queen continued, "that these brave and honourable men have been inducted into the Royal Order of the Hound. From this day forward, I call upon them to uphold the laws of this land and to serve the kingdom faithfully."

The crowd broke into applause, Anna joining in, and the whole cathedral echoed with the sound. The choir began to sing once more as Beverly led the queen down the nave, Arnim and Hayley following. The new knights fell in behind them until they reached the relative privacy of the atrium.

Anna turned. "Congratulations to you all," she said, less formally.

"I must thank you, Majesty," said Fitz. "Sir Rodney would have been proud."

"As are we of his service," said Anna. "We shall not forget our dead. Nor fail to reward where such is earned."

Fitz bowed deeply.

"Are you ready to return to the Palace now, Majesty?" asked Beverly.

"In a moment," said Anna, "we're just waiting for Gerald and Tempus. In the meantime, I'd like a private word with you, Beverly, if I may."

"Of course, Majesty," she replied, moving to the side of the atrium.

Anna waited until they were out of earshot of the others before speaking. "I wanted to talk to you about what happened at the trial," Anna began.

"There's no need," said Beverly.

"I was ready to throw away everything for Gerald," the queen confessed, "and I appreciate that you were willing to aid me in my efforts. I shall never forget that."

"I live to serve," Beverly replied.

"There's more," said Anna, grasping for the right words. "What I planned is not something I'm proud of. I'd like to keep it a secret between just you and me.”

"I understand," said Beverly. "It will be as you wish."

"Good," said Anna, looking relieved. Returning her voice to a normal level, she asked, "Now, where are those two?"

Beverly knew they'd been watching from the balcony, along with the rest of the Royal Party. They didn't have long to wait though, a bark soon echoed into the atrium.

"Here they are," called out Hayley.

Tempus ran forward, wagging his tail, Gerald following along, slightly out of breath.

"He's faster than he looks," he said.

Anna laughed, "Come along, you two, we've got a dinner to celebrate the new members of the order."

The great hall had been scorned in favour of the dining hall, a much more intimate surrounding for such an august group of warriors.

Gerald sat, as was usual, to the right of Anna while Tempus lay to her left. The other knights, save for Hayley, were seated along either side, dressed not in their amour, but in more comfortable attire.

Gerald looked about the room. The order was only six strong, but Anna had declared them the senior order, relegating the Knights of the Sword to second place in the hierarchy of such things.

"I still don't know why I'm here," said Gerald, "I'm not a Knight of the Hound."

"You could be," said Anna, "I've offered to let you in."

"No," he replied, "it wouldn't be right, I'm the marshal now."

"That alone gives you the right to be here," reminded Beverly. She turned to Sir Heward. "Well," she asked, "what do you think? Do you feel any different?"

"It is a little strange," the great man reflected, "no longer being a Knight of the Sword, but I'm in good company."

"You are indeed," added Arnim, "a very select group."

"I shall have to get a new tabard sewn," said Heward.

"As shall we all," said Beverly, "but only for official ceremonies. The queen's more interested in how we fight, not so much how we look."

"Will we eventually have more in the order?" asked Sir Preston.

"Doubtless," replied Anna, "but we'll take it slow and only bring in the most trusted warriors."

"And what of the Knights of the Sword, Your Majesty?" he persisted.

"They'll still be a fighting order," answered the queen, "but their emphasis will be on fighting, not looking pretty at court."

"So we are to guard the court?" asked Sir Preston.

"No," said Beverly, "we have highly trained guards for that. We'll perform whatever duties the queen desires."

"Where is Hayley?" asked Beverly. "I thought she'd be here."

"She'll be along shortly," said Gerald, "she just wanted to check in with Revi. She said he was looking a little under the weather of late."

"If she doesn't get here soon," warned Heward, "there'll be none of this beef left!"

They all chuckled as the giant man stabbed out with his fork.

"Eat as much as you like, Sir Heward," said Anna, "there's plenty more where that came from."

The door flew open, revealing a dishevelled looking Hayley.

Beverly was immediately concerned. "Hayley," she called out, "whatever's the matter?"

"It's Revi," she replied, "he's disappeared!"

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