“Make way. May way for His Royal Highness Prince Consort Bevin, lord of the knights of Ten-ar,” heralded one of the junior squires, a lad of no more than 14 yen-ars wearing a simple brown tunic and green trousers with a muddy brown leather belt. Confidently, Prince Bevin strode through the main audience hall of the monastery, his bright green tunic with its royal Gurun heraldry embroidered in silver shined under his regal purple cloak. White trousers and red leather belt completed his royal ensemble. On his belt hung the elaborate platinum and gold broad sword of the knights of Ten-ar. On his brow sat the Beinarian sapphire and Beinarian ruby coronet of the royal consorts of the Gurun dynasty. Behind him, walking just two paces away glided Princess Anlei in modest yet elegant crimson gown, its soft, flowing fabric billowing in the gentle breeze that filled the room from outside. Light touched the blue white gems sewn to her gown’s bodice, making it sparkle. The fullness of her skirt trailed behind her as she walked as if she was dancing. Underneath the soft, almost clinging fabric her small breasts and petite waist beckoned seductively in the wind.
As she passed with the wind in her gown, she met eyes with a squire kneeling near the head of the hall, a great sword resting on the floor in front of him, his blue eyes sparkling brightly through his fair face. For just an instant he dared look up at her to touch her soft grey eyes with his own and let her see his face clearly. She felt her breath rush out of her in an instant.
Squire Corann smiled. Closing his eyes he let his mind feel the contours of Princess Anlei’s mind and heart, and let his own heart be enraptured for just an instant. He struggled to conceal an outburst of laughter. Who was this fair lady?
Forgetting himself, he ignored his training, his discipline for an instant and let himself explore her with his mind. Wonder and joy filled him, fascination and beauty.
“Squire. Squire,” snapped Culain.
Suddenly Corann saw and felt only the present, his master, Lord Culain standing over him expectantly attempting to start the greeting ritual for Prince Consort Bevin and Princess Anlei “Sir! My lord Knight.”
“Where were you?” asked Culain, kneeling and taking his hands gently.
Corann took his masters hands softly and kissed his palms like a servant whispering, “The flower of Abka Biya.”
Compassion filled Lord Culain. His squire, Corann, was no ordinary young man. Born the bastard son of one of the house’s greatest knights, Lord Cariadoc, it was said to a great priestess named Cordelia; he was born very different than most Beinarians. He was born feeling things that most Beinarians outside of the temple never felt and knowing things most outside of the priesthood never knew. Corann was house Ten-ar by his father and house Miyoo by his priestess mother -- a rare collision of bloodline in patriarchal and matriarchal houses not unlike Queen Isabelle and Princess Anlei themselves.
Youth born to dual or, in Anlei’s case, triple house affiliation, must choose as adolescents which house to call her or his house for political purposes. Corann chose house Ten-ar, knowing full well that as a bastard, his choice would be questioned and scorned by many. Lord Culain, concerned about the young man’s studies and social standing made a point to mentor him. When Corann passed his trials and was granted the rank of squire, Lord Knight Culain chose to train him personally, protecting the young prodigy from many dangers that otherwise would have assaulted him.
Lord Culain looked into Corann’s eyes, returning both to the present. Pain, awe, wonder all flashed through Corann’s mind at the question he sensed from his master. Understanding, Culain whispered back, “The flower of Abka Biya is covered in ice by the political storm around her. This is High Priestess Wehe’s granddaughter, Corann, whom you knew before.”
Lightning flashed in Corann’s eyes. Anlei? How could it be? Had she really grown so much since last he saw her? Had his studies in house Ten-ar made him forget everything he sensed around him while at the palace studying as Wehe’s protégé? Wehe had taught him how to focus his mind instead of being perpetually distracted by the feelings and thoughts around him. But Anlei…she was different. In her presence he could never control his mental powers. To her, his mind was ever captivated, needing the soothing touch of her consciousness near him.
“Shall we begin?” asked Culain, tapping Corann on the shoulder to refocus his attention back to the ritual at hand. As the ritual began and the usual introductory remarks and speeches made to the assembly, Corann could not help looking at Anlei as often as the ritual allowed. He knew his place and his knew every word of this ritual, of course. He was an excellent student and had no problem doing everything required of him while still studying the beauty in front of him. How beautiful the princess looked in that gown. The fabric shifted ever so slightly over her delicate body when a breeze came up, complimenting the gentle curves of her breasts. Desire filled him, desire he had never known before living among all these men. Why had not the others spoken of such things before? Was this what it meant to want to marry someone? Was this the drive to leave training and take a wife…or at least to bring children into the world? Why did not the knights speak of this to him? Surely feeling what he was feeling for this girl was only natural. Corann suddenly realized…he had grown up as well since last he saw Anlei.
Corann breathed hard, and then restored his mental discipline. No matter the strange sensations filling his body—and his well-trained senses could easily detect the diversion of blood flow to that other part of his body where it had never diverted before—he was a squire of Ten-ar, able to avoid such distractions with concentration.
These skills he found more useful now than ever before. He looked at her, and then closed his eyes, his fingers moving into the practiced meditative position. Lord Culain looked over at him for 0.7 xiao-shirs and noticed the shift in position to meditation but said nothing—though he suspected, as Corann’s master, the cause. If anything, this sudden shift from the ritual to meditation pleased Lord Culain for it showed how well Corann had learned his lessons and was able to apply his training. Putting his attention back on his brother in the knighthood once more, Lord Culain continued the ceremony with Prince Bevin and Princess Anlei as Squire Corann focused and controlled his thoughts.
By the time Lord Culain finished the service and offered his bows to the royals, Corann felt normal again and ready to greet their guests as if they were any other esteemed visitors. With the last words of ritual now finished, Corann picked up the great sword on the floor, cradling it in his palms as he stood two paces behind Lord Culain. Culain put his right hand on his shoulder, “Your Highness, have you met my pupil? This is Squire Corann. Tonight he is to be initiated as a full knight of Ten-ar. It would do me great honour if you and your daughter would attend the ceremony…and the banquet afterwards. It would also do us honour if you would stay for the next few beinors here at the monastery as my guest. It’s been many yen-ars, I think, old friend, since you slept in our humble quarters. Unless, of course, her majesty your wife requires you at the palace right away….”
Ignoring the joke, Bevin turned and positioned his hands in the form of the knightly salute to another brother, “Welcome to the brotherhood, Corann. I look forward to attending your ceremony…it has been a long time since I attended one. It would do me great honour to attend yours if you are willing.”
Corann bowed, “The honour is mine, Your Highness. And if your daughter would grace me with her presence as well, it would be a kindness to me. Are all descendants of great kings and queens so fair – or only your daughter?” Corann blushed at the sudden moment of candour. He knew better than to let even a sliver of his attraction show.
Bevin regarded him, suddenly more father than knight of Ten-ar. Was this squire, about to be a knight, attracted to Anlei? Corann … that name sounded familiar – was he? “Corann, are you the same Corann who spent countless beinors at the palace under the tutelage of High Priestess Wehe?”
Corann bowed, “I am. For some reason she sees something special
in me beyond my humble origins.”
Lord Prince Bevin smiled, “From what the queen has told me, you are her only pupil since she left residence at the Temple of Abka Biya upon her marriage to King Ejen. The honour extended to you is vast.”
The knighting of a squire was one of the oldest and grandest ceremonies for the Knights of Ten-ar—and proudest. In a cavern-like ceremonial chamber that resembled a temple built slightly underground, Lord Culain, Lord Prince Bevin, and several of the more academically accomplished squires of Ten-ar processed to flutes, zithers, and the Beinarian version of a soprano shawm, a light, sweet double-reeded instrument. In the amphitheatre-like setting sat Princess Anlei in a place of honour among other dignitaries. Behind her were many of Corann’s classmates, all dressed in their finest fabrics and brightest colours. As Bevin and Culain took their ritual places, the music changed to a heraldic tone, signalling those in attendance to rise. Corann glided in his processional in a crimson tunic and trousers, his clothing unbelted and unmarked in any way; even his soft black leather shoes were unremarkable.
Though his heart soared, especially when he dared to look at Anlei in her lavender gown, he maintained the composure of a man who had been in vigil all beinor long and endured many trials and tribulations to reach this point. As much as his spiritual abilities allowed him to survey the soft contours of her soft body, he refused to show anything, though deep in his heart and even reaching his conscious mind, he felt pleased at her beauty. He noticed the way Anlei had braided and ornamented her hair in silver ribbons and white pearls around and through her crown braid. Silver and lavender ribbon streamers fell out of the pins placed in her hair and a white rose-like flower with the softest and most alluring fragrance served as a center piece comb at the center back of the braid, just above it and anchoring just under it.
Anlei was … breath taking.
Almost against his will, Corann smiled at her as he reached his assigned ceremonial spot. Anlei smiled back. Composing himself once more, he knelt and looked into Lord Culain’s green eyes. Lord Culain laid his hands on the crown of Corann’s head, “Corann, son of Cariadoc, for many yen-ars have you studied and suffered, enduring the trials set before you of mind, body, heart, and spirit. Now the journey’s end has come and a choice lies before you. Do you choose to join the brotherhood of Knights of Ten-ar as is your birth right by your father, Lord Cariadoc – or leave this monastery for the temple that is also, through your mother, your birth right?”
Corann’s grey eyes beamed with spiritual devotion as he grasped Culain’s wrists ceremoniously, “Master, hear me now before these witnesses. I choose as I have always chosen all my life: to dedicate my mind, body, heart, and soul to this house and this place. If the brotherhood will have me, I vow myself to be, now and for forevermore, sword brother and peer, a lord of Ten-ar.”
Lord Culain removed his hands from Corann’s head and anointed the center of his brow with fragrant sacred oil, “Then in the name of the Knights of Ten-ar and as your master, I confer on you the rank of Knight and Lord of Ten-ar.” With a nod, one of the squires knelt nearby, bearing a great sword in a gold and silver scabbard and on a strong leather belt in a bright green. Kneeling, Lord Culain girt it about Lord Corann’s waist.
Rising, Culain turned to Bevin who in turn turned to a second squire bearing a narrow silver-like circlet on a cushion. At the front center of the very narrow band was a great marquise-like cut Beinarian sapphire with strong, triangular corners that sparkled like an earth diamond and displayed a pattern of light onto other objects when the Beinarian sunlight shone strongly upon it. Lord Prince Bevin picked up this circlet and handed it to Culain who ritually held it over Lord Corann’s head, “Lord Corann, Knight of Ten-ar, this, as much as your sword, is the sacred symbol of our house. As your sword aids in obtaining the peace, let this blue stone of wisdom guide you in keeping the peace. May your soul always travel in harmony with the goddesses and may they always help you find paths that will unite, and never divide, our people,” Corann’s grey eyes met his as the circlet softly lowered onto his head and into his hair. He felt the weight and the stone’s energies at once as Lord Culain kissed his forehead like a father and with his forearm raised him up from his long kneeling position. “Brothers of Ten-ar, nobles of many houses, I give you Lord Corann, Knight of Ten-ar.”
Realizing he was on his feet and fully initiated, Corann allowed himself to smile, but his gaze quickly wandered to Princess Anlei who smiled at him discretely like a shrewd political princess. As the gathering rushed to greet him and congratulate him, he noticed that she did not, waiting and keeping her gaze as far from the crowd as she could. Lord Corann could not help but to recognize the training and allowed the crowd to thin on him before he made his own moves towards her direction. Food and drink by now were being served as part of a formal reception. Lord Corann grabbed two glasses of something that resembled a sparkling wine and walked to Anlei, extending a glass to her, “You look like you were waiting for something to happen…or perhaps someone.”
“A princess does not need to rush into the fray like some starving creature, but moves deliberately, with a purpose. I did not think for a moment that this gathering would end without you speaking to me at some point,” she smiled, accepting the glass and taking a sip.
“You know me well for someone who has only known me a few xiao-shir,” smiled Corann.
“You forget, I’ve seen you around the palace many times. Do you really think that you and grandmother were completely alone during all those meetings? Grandmother let me get away with more things than you realize.”
Corann laughed, thinking about times at the palace as a youth when High Priestess Wehe tutored him, “People think your grandmother is the evil queen at times, but she’s really not that bad. She can be a real kind and generous soul. I would not be surprised at all if you turned out more like her than people guess.”
Anlei laughed, “Who me? Like my grandmother? Her royal priestessness? Perish the thought. I’m a woman of science, not faith. I am not sure any of these goddesses are real at all…and I don’t see any point in this religious mumbo jumbo. Why anyone would confuse her and I beyond the obvious genetic similarities is beyond me.”
Corann tilted his head and opened his mind psychically, allowing himself to sense her more deeply. This was, after all, his first real time alone with Anlei to speak to her as two people. He blushed from what he sensed. What is it with her to enchant him so? Such a soul. Could any soul be more beautiful? Why did she try to cloak it with this faux atheism? Or could it be that she did not herself realize how much she actually believed in the goddesses? “Maybe on some level you think all that is religious nonsense. But I wonder if perhaps your adverse opinion of religion has more to do with the practice of religion than with divinity itself, Anlei. It’s important not to confuse the two. One may see the faults with the way that people worship or talk about religion and see abuses in our religious system—and these are valid. But the system and practice is not the same thing as theology or the beings behind it. They say that on many other worlds, other cultures struggle with these issues. It is not just you remotely.”
“You surprise me, Lord Corann. I know you are a student of my grandmother’s, but I did not think of theology as the first subject of interest to any knight of Ten-ar.”
Corann smiled softly, “You might be surprised how we knights of Ten-ar are actually educated. In arts of war, yes, certainly, but that is only perhaps 20% of our education now. Hundreds of yen-ars ago…yes, it was much more about fighting and defence of our people. But now we understand that the best way to defend our people is with clear thought and strong minds. We are a house of peace more than war. It should really not be so surprising my father Lord Cariadoc fell in lust with one of the most powerful priestesses in the temple…well, so they say. “
Anlei smiled back, “You mean as my grandfather fell in lust with my grandmother?”
/> “Something like that yes. Isn’t it strange how we both owe our existence to the lust of some man over some powerful priestess – and that same priestess’s willingness to use his desire to attain something she wanted? Your grandmother wanted to become queen and bear legitimate heirs to the throne. My mother wanted to stay in the temple, but bear some powerful son who would merge two powerful lines and still have the right to be part of this noble house. I am sure that even the best efforts to protect the innocence of a princess have not kept you from hearing of that most unfortunate custom among the houses regarding the best way to disgrace a rival house—or rival individual for that matter?” Lord Corann spoke carefully now, particularly of such a delicate subject, no doubt, to a woman now entering prime age to be victimized.
Anlei looked into his eyes, suddenly afraid and vulnerable, “I am aware of it, yes.”
Corann met her eyes. Perhaps it was his training, and perhaps it was an immediate effect of his elevation; he felt this overwhelming need to protect her, “Do not fear it from me, Your Highness.” Taking her hand, he knelt, “I pledge to you, my princess, ever shall I serve you. The sovereignty of your house is in my heart. I pledge by my life and by my death as a knight of Ten-ar, never shall a man place a hand on you in violence or hate—or if he should and evade my sword at the time, I swear by my life and death to avenge you.” Turning her hand, he kissed her palm to seal his vow, and then kissed her palm twice more very tenderly out of desire. Anlei felt a wave of spiritual energy crawl up her arm from his kiss, stealing her breath. She stumbled by a step. Instinctively, Lord Corann steadied her with his hand softly on her delicate waist. The soft fabric caressed his fingers. The sweetness of her body for just that tiny instant enraptured him.
Steadied by him, Anlei regained her footing and with her hand tugged on Corann to rise again. “Thank you,” she whispered in his ear. Resuming a more appropriate distance of two friends talking, she replied, “Your service is accepted, Lord Knight Corann. Gladly will I take you as my protector. Keep your vow to me always, Lord Knight Corann and never let anyone—not yourself, not a friend, not a foe -- common, noble, or royal -- lay a hand on my body except in kindness, friendship, or love. As daughter of Queen Isabelle I charge you with this task for all the beinors of your life and mine.”
Lord Corann drew his sword. It gleamed brightly and sharply in the hidden lights, “From this moment until death, I am yours: protector, friend, and servant.”