Spellcaster series #5: The Sage

The Knighting Ceremony

TRISTAN

I remembered my knighting ceremony nine years ago. Lord Voltaire had thought I was worthy to be knighted after fighting off Synto in the Magic realm. In closely following my grandfather's footsteps, I was given the honour of Vampire knighthood and brethren by Lord Voltaire with Grand Master Vicky at his side. The diplomacy between Vampires and mortals had never changed in the thousands of years, just as the monarchy of the Underworld still seemed imperishable.

Vicky held the knighting ceremony of Heidi and Elton a day after my two-week honeymoon. Elton was to be knighted first for his contributions and quick-thinking during the catastrophic event, followed by Heidi for her selfless bravery in sacrificing her own life to save the three realms.

Within the grand halls of the Lair in the Underworld, Vicky dressed in her royal garment. She had on a heavy black robe that flowed past her feet, save the slit down the middle where her legs were exposed. She also donned the ceremonial crown of the Vampire Queen, a golden band with black and red opals secured into it—a rare sight of Queen Victoria Barnette, the third queen of the Underworld.

When she emerged from her chambers and into the main hall, everyone rose to their feet as all noise hushed and ceased. Queen Vicky, ushered by her right-hand man, the Grand Master Brian Walter, strode down the red carpet that led to her grand, marble throne. She seated herself in it as Brian stood beside her, arms behind his back. It wasn't long till Heidi and Elton were brought forward. Elton donned his ceremonial blue Sage coat with his sapphire pinned to his breast pocket while Heidi dressed as she always did—in her lucky leather jacket.

Vicky stood from her throne and unsheathed a long black sword, forged with the fires of the Underworld and the royal blood of the first Vampire King. Elton knelt before her as she raised the sword and touched his head and shoulders. Her clear, authoritative voice rang through the halls of the Lair as she announced.

"May the Vampires and mortals bear witness to thee in this hour, Sir Elton Rodriguez, for thy bravery and courage in the darkest hour of the three realms."

Elton stood up and bowed. We reserved out applause until both persons were knighted, as per the custom. Heidi stepped before the Queen next, eyes on her. There was a wide grin on Vicky's face like she couldn't stifle it. Heidi had her back towards us and I couldn't read her, but I assumed she returned the same to her best friend. Biologically, Vicky was twenty-seven years old—the age when she turned—and Heidi was nine when they first met. Today, about to be knighted, she had surpassed Vicky's biological age by nine years. There was always an unspoken bond between them, like sisters, and their smiles were a mutual sentiment; I have always believed in you, Thank you for believing in me.

Vicky raised the sword and touched her head and shoulders. Proudly, she announced to rest of us.

"May the Vampires and mortals bear witness to thee in this hour, Lady Heidi Elizabeth Danielson-Embers, for thy bravery and courage in the darkest hour of the three realms."

As Heidi stood up and stepped back, Vicky lifted her gaze to us, her red irises floating across the hall. They shone bright with excitement, the corners of her lips curling as she spoke.

"Let us welcome our two newest knights of the Underworld!"

We broke into a thunderous applause as the two stood before us, sharing their moment in this joyous occasion. Both were former students of Jessie, Wynona and myself, who were all in attendance that morning.

* * *

I made my way down the path that led me deep into the old side of Orchidville Memorial Cemetery. I passed large headstones of polished graves, groomed and looked after by their living families. Tucked away in the corner of the old cemetery were weathered and moss-covered headstones under a shady oak tree. A cemetery caretaker was weeding a simple grave, the name barely visible. Before it stood Heidi, hands in her coat pockets and a black hat on—something I had never seen her in. In fact, I had never seen her grieve the way she did at that moment.

"She would have loved you," she spoke as I neared her. She did not lift her gaze from the headstone.

"I was told that your grandmother was a brave and selfless woman," I replied, recognising the name of Amelia H. Danielson.

Heidi lifted her head and eyed the other two graves beside her grandmother's. The tip of her nose was slightly red, either due to the cold weather or sadness.

"It feels like I just saw her face," she muttered, turning to me. Her face was so open and her eyes were steady but watery. There was pain in that wishful thought.

"Perhaps you dreamt of her." I held her cold cheek in my palm.

She didn't move. Her hazel eyes darted back and forth. "Maybe."

She took my hand and I led her out of the cemetery. She kept her eyes on the ground and I knew her mind was elsewhere. I let the silence accompany us until we reached the gates. We were heading home for the house warming but I knew she wanted more time to grieve. She needed as much time as she finally allowed herself to. I turned to her, startling her a little.

"We can stay here a little longer if you'd like," I offered.

She shook her head. "I'll come back some other time. Ada might want us home."

I planted a kiss on her lips. "Your family has protected you well, my dear. I'm sure they are proud of you, wherever they are now."

I pulled her closer as she smiled into my chest. I teleported us home and we spent the rest of the day at our new residence, the Embers Hall as it was named. She was in the highest of spirits thereafter, having overcome the darkest night any mortal could ever encounter and lived to tell the tale.

~ END ~