Author's Note

Let's set the record straight i freaking hate tragedy and sensless torture/rape.If i see that in a story I stop reading if the mc doesnt get some heads rolling no even that's not enough.*sigh*It's hard for a writer to write stuff like that and not disgust the reader.Then again some ppl like senseless rape and torture but I try no to judge sick people.Anyways I need to do some more research so I can write about the other POV's.

Thanks mek for the quick proofread

As always reviews,ratings,Recommendations,Corrections,Questions and comments are greatly appreciated

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Chapter 20:Honor

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The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.

—Socrates

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“In days gone by, there existed many men who recognized the skill and honor of their members. In the service of their King, and in the defense of the noble ideals of chivalry embodied in their Queen, these men achieved their exalted rank.

The king created the royal guard, which consists equally of the Knights and Masters of Arms, to recognize outstanding martial achievement and the attainment of those qualities and abilities which are a mark of a Peer.

Members of the Order are mighty warriors, but they are also skilled in the arts, and have given of their time to the benefit of the commonwealth. As such, they have been recognized as Peers of the Realm. Their Majesties now call before them the Companions of the order here assembled.” The herald in his formal attire cleared his throat, pulling open another scroll.

“The Crown now calls Edin to come before this Court and Company.” said the herald.

Edin entered the alongside a herald holding the banner of house Freestone.House freestone has never needed a sigil so although their house banner consisted of a hawk perched on top of an elephant’s trunk it lacked house colors.This banner was black with red trim because in Edin’s words

It looks badass

“Your Majesties, now before you comes Sir Edin Drake Dragkagua of house Freestone of Hawk’s Nest ” Said the escorting herald.

The king and queen stood.

Sir Edin of House Freestone have you undertaken to accept the vows of a Royal Guard? Asked the king

“I have.”

“This greatly pleases us. Bring forth the chain.”

The new chain is handed to His Majesty, who says

“This chain has passed from royal guard to royal guard throughout the ages in Our Kingdom. Let it now pass from royal guard to royal guard once again.”

“Bring forth Judgment, the Great Sword of State.”

Myles drew his great sword and handed it to the king.

“Sir Edin you have been deemed fit for this high estate by your peers, and have indicated your willingness to accept this honor from our hands. Do you now swear by all that you hold sacred, true, and holy that you will honor and defend the Crown and Kingdom of Ganeleon?” Asked the king

“I will,”

“That you will honor, defend, and protect all ladies, and those weaker than yourself?” Asked the queen Diane.

“I will,”

“That you will be courteous and honor your peers of the Chivalry and lay down your life for the royal family?” Asked the king Adequin.

“I will,”

“That you will conduct yourself in all matters as befits a Peer, drawing your sword only for just cause? That you will enshrine in your heart the noble ideals of Chivalry to the benefit of your own good name and the greater glory of Ganeleon? Asked the queen.

“I will,”

“Then say your oath,”

He got down on one knee

Oh man I totally blew off on writing my oath, come on think of something

"In brightest day, in blackest night.

No evil shall escape my sight.

Let those who worship evil's might.

Beware my power as a Royal knight!"

He tried hard not to laugh while the king held the great sword over him ready to dub him.

“Then having sworn these solemn oaths, know now that We, Adequin and Diane, by right of arms, King and Queen of the Ganeleon, do dub you with our sword, Judgment, and by all that you hold sacred, true, and holy... Once for honor... Twice for duty... Thrice for chivalry... Arise, Sir Edin!”

His Majesty hands Judgement back to the sword bearer. While a white belt is handed to Her Majesty.

“Accept this white belt, symbolizing the purity of your honor, the sign of the Order of Chivalry, and of your knightly rank and station.”

Her Majesty ties the belt around the Edin’s waist.

A chain is handed to His Majesty.

“Accept from our hands this chain, passed from Royal Guard to Royal Guard, for each Royal Guard is a link in the honor of our kingdom. It symbolized your fealty to crown and kingdom. Take this chain and swear.”

His Majesty holds the chain out to the Edin between his hands. He grasps the chain with both hands and swears the Oath of Fealty.

“This day do I render homage and fealty to my Sovereign Lord and Lady, Adequin and Diane by Right of Arms, King and Queen of the Ganeleon, who will, from this day forward, be my Liege Lord and Lady. I will remain true in all ways, serving them faithfully - this do I swear, by my belt and chain and by my honor and by the high ideals which I hold as a Knight of this Realm. So say I, Sir Edin Freestone.”

“We accept your homage and fealty and pledge to you that from this day forward until the end of Our Reign you are Our Liege that we will honor your order and defend your rights as a Peer, and that we will protect the trust that you have placed in us, mighty with justice, tempered with mercy.” Responded the king.

His Majesty holds up the chain.

“Accept this chain, which shall symbolize your duty and your bond as a Liege-man in fealty to the Crown of the Ganeleon. Never forget the burden of this chain.”

His Majesty places the chain around the Edin’s neck.

“Accept this sword, which shall symbolize your prowess at arms. Remember well: that the sword of the Chivalry should be drawn only in defense of the realm, or of those weaker than yourself. Wear it with care. Wield it with mercy.”

His Majesty presents the long sword to Him and belts it on,

“Bring forth the spurs.”

“In former times, knights rode forth to mete out justice in the name of the Crown. Accept these spurs which symbolize your devotion to the high ideals of Chivalry and Justice. Wear them honorably and proudly and may they never be hacked off in shame or degradation.

The Spurs were then affixed to the Edin’s heels.

“Let this be the last blow you receive unanswered.

“Let the scroll be read!”

The herald takes out a scroll and begins reading

“To all nobles and gentles to whom these present letters shall come. Adequin and Diane, King and Queen of Ganeleon, send greetings. Whereas Sir Edin has shown excellence in his feats on the field of honor, rendering high and noble service to the crown and kingdom in war and in peace. We are reminded to elevate him to the rank of Royal Guard. We do hereby elevate and affirm those arms,”

“Go now, and greet your Peers!”

“For Sir Edin, HIP, HIP.....(3 cheers).

Afterwards a banquet was held. He was standing clothed in what would be his daily uniform. He was no longer wearing his heavy plate armor but a lighter armor that was more maneuverable. He had the cape of the royal guard covering his right arm. It was a white cape with the sides adorned with golden markings, His sword hanging on his left hip.

“Congratulations Sir Edin on your appointment as a royal guard.”

“Thank you Lord Borat.”

Lord Borat head of the Borat house, the house is the head of the opposition against the king’s wish to ban the practice of slavery. If the king succeeds the Ganeleon Kingdom would be the first kingdom in the known world to outlaw slavery .Naturally many nobles were against this.

The Borats more than loved their slaves. It was rumored that they had a fetish for women of the Zvire race. Animal ears and animal tails on a girl were surely cute but the Borat’s perversion was well known throughout the kingdom.

He felt disgusted.

If i had been born to another noble house such as the borats I’d most likely be a spoiled fat pervert.

“I know that you're only a year away from being an adult but my daughter Bertha is still a maiden who’s yet to be engaged.”

“Yes well I already have a prior engagement.”

“Oh to whose house?”

“Well she’s not a noble.”

“Well then I don’t see the problem having the wench as your concubine”

This motherfucker.

“Oh look here’s Bertha now, Bertha over here come meet sir Edin!”

He turned to look at the direction Lord Borat yelled at.

Oh hell no.

One could tell the girl must have definitely eaten more than enough dessert with her dinner.She had curves in all the wrong places. She had rolls of fat easily seen through her tight dress. Her attempt at using a corset to seem thinner made it even worse. It was as if someone had grabbed a Twinkie and just gripped it with the Twinkie cream coming out of both ends. She had the shadow of a mustache on her upper lip.

WTF she has more facial hair than I do! She could at least try to be prettier.

“A beauty isn't she?”

Are you playing with me?

“Uh well she certainly is unique.” he said putting on a strained smile

Bertha was still walking as if hundred pound weights were tied to her feet.

“Oh sorry My lord I believe someone is calling to me.”

“I don’t hear,”

“Grandson!”

“Eh Grandpa Abel?”

Standing there was the head of house Dragkagua, Abel Dragkagua. A man in his late fifties. He had a beard streaked with gray that hid his weak chin. He was as tall at Edin.

Edin moved towards his grandfather completely ignoring Lord Borat

“Looks like you’re ahead of your cousin Luke,”

“Well I hardly care about becoming head of house Dragkagua,”

“Yes still to be knighted at the age of fourteen and being appointed as a royal guard,Seems like you’re giving it your best,”

“Still I’d like to know what you’re doing here grandfather,”

“Well as a noble it helps to hear things at these gatherings,”

“I guess,”

“Well Luke didn't want to come,”

“Speaking of Luke,why is he here in the capital,”

“Best place to make friends don’t you think,” His grandfather smiled

Seeing movement in his peripheral vision he turned and saw Sir Myles beckoning him over.

“Well if you’ll excuse me grandfather,I have other matters to attend to,”

“Certainly,take care grandson,”

“You aswell grandfather,”

He made his way towards Sir Myles

“You called me my Lord?”

“Well we’re now equal in rank so no need for the lord,”

“Uh right still feels weird though,”

“You and me both kid,”

He cleared his throat

“Well then what’s up?”

“I’d like you to go greet Daniel the wizard,”

“Oh a member of the royal guard,”

“Well only in name,”

Myles pointed towards a man seated down in the corner of the ballroom.He was constantly scratching himself and his view never stayed in one spot as he muttered things to himself.

So a senile man suffering from dementia

“Old age?”

“Perhaps though if you listened to the rumors from the castle staff they say he practices dark arts,”

The man didn't look older than fifty.

“He used to be good friends with the king even though he was older by more than twenty years,”

“used to?”

“Well Daniel was trying to marry the eldest daughter of the Berengiere House,”

“and?”

“Well the king and Diane met and fell in love,Oldest cliche in the world,mates fighting over love,”

“Is that so,what happened after the queen chose the king?”

“Well after their marriage the king although Daniel was already the appointed Court wizard, he made him an honorary Royal guard since he still trusts him,”

“now the old wizard just sits in his room doing who knows what but with his dementia the king still keeps him around,”

“Well anyways from tomorrow on wards you’ll be the princess's personal guard,”

“We’re taking shifts then?”

Myles laughed

“No me and Theodore will be taking care of their majesties,you on the other hand will only be taking care of the princess,”

“I suppose it isn't bad,”

“Don’t worry kid,I've been doing this for a while now,”

“Yeah,”

****************************************************************

He woke up before sunrise to wear his armor and groom himself before work. He had William help him put on the elegant pearl white armor which William cleaned and shined every day.He had made William into his squire but all William did was wake and help him with his armor.

This is why I rarely wear white clothing.

His armor was quick to dirty luckily he only had to wear when he was on official guard duty. It was such a boring job for him. Having to be at the princess’s side he was extremely happy with such a lax job.

Every day after William helped him put on his armor William would leave and go training with Myles. He found it strange that although William was his squire it was Myles who taught him. It was great having the benefits of a helping hand without having to give anything in return other than a promise of knighthood once William reached a certain age.

William certainly wasn't one of the sharpest sticks but he was adept at swinging sharp steel. Logan being the smaller brother was smarter than William but he was taciturn. Stacey, their sister, was rather average but she aspired to run Edin’s courier business one day. She kind of reminded him of Lucy what with both of them wanting to handle a business.

No Lucy’s a bitch.

He nodded his head at the thought that they were even remotely similar.

He had given the task of management of his Courier Company over to Mr. Gibbs since his retirement funds were not enough to sustain three children and two adults.

“Ok then, thanks William,”

“Yes Edin,”

“Sorry what was that?”

“Yes Milord.”

“It’s My Lord not Milord.”

“Yes, sorry.”

“So, how goes your reading and writing?”

“Not good I don’t understand why knights have to read and write.”

“Just keep at it and you’ll be the first knight of house Gibbs.”

“Yeah I guess so.”

“Well let’s go eat something quick for breakfast.”

Having ate breakfast and sent William off to train he was standing outside the princess's door.

This had been his fifth day as the princess's guard.He knocked on the door.

“My lady are you ready?”

A maid opened the door

“Please give us a minute my lord,”

“Yeah I’ll be waiting,”

Today was Sunday the princesses day off in a way.Now that she had her own protector she could finally go out into the city.He had organized it together with Malcolm captain of the castle guard. Edin would lead over 25 knights together with over 50 men at arms with 20 bowmen

It was hot.He was just standing and the heat and lack of wind made it even worse.He hated sweating and as he was wiping himself with his handkerchief the door to the princesses room was opened.

He took a slight bow

“Princess,”

“Sir Edin,”

“Are you ready then?”

“Yes and very excited I dare say,”

“Well it’s only a tour around the capital city,”

“I've never been outside the castle stupid,”

“Mmm You’re breaking character princess,”

“so sorry,”

“It’s fine let’s go,”Making their way to the castle gate in silence he felt excited. This would be his first real role as a leader.

They arrived at the castle gate

“Who’s in charge?” he asked a soldier

The soldier pointed towards a knight

“Him my lord,”

“Good carry on,”

He had to fight the urge to say thank you. It was such a simple thing back when before he died but now every word carried a huge responsibility. Thanking him for doing what was expected of him was not something that was done.

He made his way towards the knight captain. As a member of the royal guard his authority was second only to the royal family.

“Captain,”

“My lord,” answered the knight captain

He was taller than him but only by a little. He had a rather large nose with acne scars covering his face.

“Is everything ready then?”

“Yes My lord just let me handle things,”

Edin sighed. The knight captain wouldn’t be the first to treat him like a child. Still he didn’t want to cause a commotion so he figured he’d do nothing.

Yep always better to do nothing

The princess had been seated inside the carriage. He got on his horse and positioned himself in front of the carriage. The carriage was in the center of the formation with twenty knights forming a spearhead at the front. He had the other five knights surround the carriage. The soldiers he split with half behind the twenty knights and the other half spread out along the sides and back of the formation. The bowmen were randomly placed around the carriage.

After about 30 minutes of riding they were out of the valley and entering the city. They had to form a single file line to get through the small pass but they reorganized themselves when entering the city.

The plan was for the princess to take a tour of the nicer parts of the city and then return to the castle.

Riding through the main street it seemed that word of the princesses tour had gotten out. Everybody was on their best performance. The vendors had their best wares on display. Even the stores the most angried face salesman had smiles on their faces.

The princess was looking out the carriage window and waving.

He had his eyes looking everywhere and nowhere, they had taught him that you had to observe the big picture but must also be able to catch the small details. He might’ve been lazy but he didn’t want to fail his first job as a guard

I’ll at least be a better than the fat-fuck who killed me

They were passing through the part of the city famous for its variety of restaurants. Mouthwatering Street it was called; various aromas could be smelled.

“Stop the carriage!”

He turned to see the princess jump out of the carriage and walk towards a nearby bakery.

“Stop!” he commanded as he turned his horse around and dismounted.

He walked towards the princess

“Princess please return to the carriage,”

“I want to at least eat something,”

This girl

He even knew the personal baker whose sole job was making pastries for the princess at the castle.

“Just please make your order quick,”

“

Yes,”

He sighed and turned around to look at the scenery.

Strange

The street had gone awfully quiet. There were few people walking around.

He yawned and brought his hand up to cover his mouth.

Clink

An arrow had just bounced off his forearm

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