saresthawra

[saresthawra]

Rise a Knight

Part 1 - The Scarlet Paladin

“It is time, my child. The sun has risen. Daybreak is upon us.”

Sarestha Ravelle opened her eyes, and turned to face the man who had spoken. He was a rapidly-balding man with greying hair and green eyes. Her father, Inquisitor Charlesh Ravelle. He was dressed in his best robes today - red, white and gold with his best tabard displayed upon his chest - proudly displaying the Crimson Flame of the Scarlet Crusade. Sarestha, by contrast, was dressed in well-kept but plain red and gold plate armour.

“Already?” Sarestha said, blinking her eyes, trying to wake herself up without making it obvious she had been asleep.

“Yes, my daughter. It is incredible, isn’t it, how much time can pass by when you spend your time in prayer to the Light? Reflecting on your duty... the task that binds us all together.” 

Sarestha smiled and nodded, and inwardly cursed herself. She should have had more strength. She should have stayed awake. Today was the most important day of her life, and instead of spending her night in prayer she had, somehow, fallen asleep while kneeling on the cold floor of the Tyr’s Hand chapel. She silently promised herself it would not happen again, before replying.

“I am blessed and grateful that this day has come so soon, Father. I know I am ready to serve the Crusade.”

Charlesh smiled, his usually harsh eyes displaying a gentleness. A pride. “I know you are, Sara. You have fought and trained hard ever since you were a little girl. Ever since the Scourge first turned our lives upside down… Ever since they took your mother, you have been resolute in your training and your teachings. I am proud to call you my daughter, and I am proud that you are able to be proclaimed as a Knight of the Crusade so young.”

Sarestha inclined her head deferentially, a gesture of respect. “You honor me father, thank you. I will serve with pride, as mother did, and as you continue to do.”

“I know you will, Sara. I know you will.” He replied, a hint of pride entering his usually-stern voice. “Now prepare yourself. The ceremony is about to begin. Are you ready?”

She nodded, solemly. “I am ready.”

Her father nodded, his eyes glistening with pride as he turned around and led her towards the cathedral. She followed, taking deep breaths as she prepared herself for what would no doubt be the biggest day of her life. At a mere 17 years old it was extremely rare for someone Sarestha’s age to be Knighted, but there had been an incident in a battle with the Scourge where many Scarlet Crusaders had returned to Tyr’s Hand unable to speak, feed or dress themselves. Many more had died, although thankfully the mighty relic, Light’s Wrath, had been recovered, and the Scourge had suffered a colossal defeat. Nevertheless, the numbers of the Crusade had been weakened somewhat, and so a handful of young Squires, including Sarestha, had their Knighthood’s pushed forward to compensate for the significant loss.

Sarestha walked slowly up the road to the cathedral, staring at the blood-red symbol of Lordaeron. She remembered an age when it had been blue, but that time was long past. The red represented all they had lost - all the Scourge had taken from the people of Lordaeron. The thought humbled her. She was serving the remnants of her Kingdom, and swearing a solemn oath to avenge the blood that was spilled, and drive the vile undead out of the Kingdom, once and for all. She would not fail in that charge. While it would never be fully the same again, she was determined to ensure that, one day, Lordaeron would once again be free.

She entered the cathedral and looked around. While not filled to capacity, a considerable number of Tyr’s Hand and New Avalon citizens had come to watch the ordination of the new Paladins. Standing near the front of the large cathedral were the nine other candidates of her age, all dressed in polished armour and wearing their tabards proudly, standing before a priest in red, white and gold regalia. Upon close inspection, she recognised him as a certain Bishop Nermanus, a friend of her father. Quickening her pace as she realised she was the last one present, she moved to join them. As she made it to her position, the crowd stood, and the Bishop spoke.

“We are gathered here today, in this Blessed House of the Light, to bear witness to these brave young people who are today about to make the most sacred commitment to the Light. The Kingdom of Lordaeron has ever been a beacon of faith and righteousness, and we continue to be blessed. Even in the face of darkest adversity, the Scarlet Crusade endures, and continues to fight the good fight against the undead. We have done this alone, and unaided, and we have shown no signs of losing this battle! It is my prayer that these young men and women will spearhead a new age for Lordaeron, that under the wise guidance of the Light and our Grand Crusader, will bring about a new age of peace and prosperity for our glorious nation!”

The crowd cheered and applauded, some of them intoning a solemn “Amen” in response to the Bishop’s words.

“Already the Grand Crusader is in the process of reclaiming Stratholme, and driving Naxxramas, and the vile Kel’thuzad, from this land forever! He has sworn that Stratholme will rise as the glorious city it once was, and Capital City will follow! All of Lordaeron will follow! The work of the Dread-Prince is to be undone! The Scourge is doomed, for it cannot stand against our Faith, our Righteousness, or our Resolve. Praise be unto Saidan Dathrohan as he leads us into this new age, with the valuable support of our soldiers, and these new young Knights who are about to join the cause!”

The crowd cheered louder, more “Amen’s” echoing through the halls. Sarestha smiled, deeply happy at what she was hearing. Saidan Dathrohan, The Grand Crusader, was a great hero of Lordaeron’s past, and the leader of the Crusade in the present. She was encouraged to hear that his mission in Stratholme was going well.

“Now, brothers and sisters of Lordaeron. Servants of the Scarlet Crusade! Let us pray that the Light bless these young Squires as they swear their oaths, and become Knights.” Nermanus looked at the young Squires and lowered his voice. “You will swear your oaths one at a time, and then rise as Knights of the Scarlet Crusade! The Light will be upon you, so speak truly and without falsehood. I will know if there is doubt in your heart. Do you understand?”

The squires nodded their assent. Raising his hands, Nermanus called down a pillar of Holy Light in front of himself. “Now, it is time!” Nermanus intoned, speaking loudly so the crowd could hear him once again. “Sarestha Ravelle, step forward into the Light, and kneel.”

Sarestha stepped into the pillar of Light as instructed, and knelt before the bishop. She felt the Light all over her body, permeating her body and soul, looking for impurities… and yet offering a calm, soothing feeling. She felt truly content.

“Do you swear to follow the First Virtue of the Light?” Nermanus intoned. “Do you swear to show Respect to your fellow Crusaders, and to respect the power of your foes, fighting with honor against all but the Scourge and those who carry their vile taint - whom you will treat without mercy.

Sarestha nodded. “I do”

“Do you swear to follow the Second Virtue of the Light? Do you swear to always live by the tenant of Tenacity? Persevering against even the greatest of odds to fight for what is Right and True? Do you swear to stay true to your beliefs, even if they are challenged in the most vile of ways?”

Sarestha nodded, feeling more determined this time. “I do, now and forever!”

“Do you swear to follow the Third Tenant of the Light, and show Compassion to those humans who are free from Scourge taint, and who fight for Lordaeron? Do you swear, however, to show no mercy to those who dare question our right to fight for our Kingdom? Do you swear to do whatever it takes to ensure that Lordaeron, and The Crusade, endures?”

Sarestha blinked, hesitating briefly. That was new. The Virtue of Compassion had… never been put quite like that before. Nevertheless, after her short hesitation she nodded. It was true, after all, that compassion should not be shown to the Scourge. The idea would be ridiculous. Perhaps, she reasoned, the Three Virtues themselves must be allowed to change, given certain circumstances. “I do.” She said formally.

“Do you swear loyalty to The Scarlet Crusade? Do you swear loyalty to the Kingdom of Lordaeron, promising to love and serve the Grand Crusader and give life and limb for the cause without hesitation if required?”

“I do.”

Nermanus smiled. “Then rise, Sarestha Ravelle! Rise, Paladin of the Scarlet Crusade!”

Sarestha stood and turned, waving to to jubilant crowd as they cheered and applauded her! She smiled broadly. Her dreams had been achieved. She was a Paladin… and somehow she knew that she would fight for Lordaeron with her heart, body, mind and soul.

Forever.