The Royal Family
It was late in the year when the first Honours List of Queen Charlotte's reign was published, and perhaps a surprise for both when Elodie van Wonderbee and Constantyne found themselves some way down the list being granted the accolades of knighthood for their service to the Seldonan crown. An invitation to the royal palace was soon delivered to each, with an audience before Queen and Court proceding a dinner for the newly-dubbed knights.
Elodie went first, stepping before the Queen and taking a knee. This sort of ceremony had been the heartbeat of the Seldonan upper class for centuries, and today was no different. Well-practiced movements, lines recited in language dead or dying, and the touching of the blade to shoulders. Then, the blue mantle of the Order of the Waters of Minerva was draped about her shoulders, and the Queen held out the sword. Elodie remembered her lines, just about, and took it before bowing her head once again.
“Rise, Sir Elodie, and join your peers.”
Next in line was Constantyne. He, too, approached and took a knee. He sat in respect as the Queen recited the ancient mantra of the order.
“My light,” she said, tapping the blade on one shoulder.
“My guide,” she continued, tapping the same flat on the other.
“From the past,” she flipped the blade over Constantyne's head and touching its other side to the first shoulder,
“Unto the future.” Finally, the last shoulder-side combination touched.
“Take unto your shoulders the mantle of this order, and take into your hands the blade that shall serve me and my kingdom.”
Just as Elodie had, Constantyne bowed his head.
“Now rise, Sir Bob, and join your peers.”
Ah. Of course. The Queen would have access to everyone's legal names, wouldn't she?
| Letters Patent Creating Knights-Companion Issued in the First Year of the reign of Queen Charlotte IV | |
| Charlotte the Fourth by Will of the People and Light of the Stars of the Kingdom of Seldona and of Our other Realms and Territories Queen Keeper of the Signs and Sigils of All Nobility and Most Brilliant Font of All Honour To all our subjects whatsoever to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas We Our Ancestors and Forebears have relied on those of noble heart and sound mind to protect and to serve Our lands and Whereas We Our Ancestors and Forebears have seen fit to organise those in our service into Grades and Orders to display and reward their honour to the World entire Know Ye that We of our especial grace certain knowledge and mere motion do by these presents nominate appoint and create Our trusty and well beloved Elodie van Wonderbee to the title honour and dignity of a Knight and in so doing do advance her to the degree of Knight-Companion of the Order of the Waters of Minerva in the Third Class together with all right and due precedences privileges and advantages to the same title honour dignity and degree belonging or appertaining In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at New Glabe the 13th Day Beneath the Sign of Arkouda in the First year of Our Reign | Charlotte the Fourth by Will of the People and Light of the Stars of the Kingdom of Seldona and of Our other Realms and Territories Queen Keeper of the Signs and Sigils of All Nobility and Most Brilliant Font of All Honour To all our subjects whatsoever to whom these Presents shall come Greeting Whereas We Our Ancestors and Forebears have relied on those of noble heart and sound mind to protect and to serve Our lands and Whereas We Our Ancestors and Forebears have seen fit to organise those in our service into Grades and Orders to display and reward their honour to the World entire Know Ye that We of our especial grace certain knowledge and mere motion do by these presents nominate appoint and create Our trusty and well beloved Bob to the title honour and dignity of a Knight and in so doing do advance him to the degree of Knight-Companion of the Order of the Waters of Minerva in the Third Class together with all right and due precedences privileges and advantages to the same title honour dignity and degree belonging or appertaining In witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at New Glabe the 13th Day Beneath the Sign of Arkouda in the First year of Our Reign |