The Mage's Familiar

15. The Knighting Ceremony

Feli arrived at Olwen's chamber in mid-afternoon, her arms full of cosmetics and accessories. She added rose oil and lurid red rose petals to Olwen's bath, lit calming incense, and helped her bathe. She washed her hair and dried it before twisting it up into a crown of braids. A few curls were left hanging free at her nape and temples and Feli used a needle and thread to weave pearls throughout the intricate hairstyle. Makeup was applied, her limbs were massaged, and by the time she was being helped into her gown, Olwen was exhausted by the hours of intense pampering. She felt like a soldier being prepared for battle, draped in the most exquisite armor she had ever seen. The gown itself was the color of champagne with a pale blue embroidered overlay. It left her shoulders exposed and Feli draped an intricate gold necklace with an impressive blue stone and pearls around her neck. When her transformation was complete, Olwen was pleased at the result. She felt ethereal and beautiful. Nas was transfixed, sitting quietly at her side, unable to look away as she admired herself in the mirror. Anya soon joined them, dressed in a blue waistcoat and skirt that complemented Olwen's gown.

"You will be more comfortable than me," Olwen laughed, appraising Anya's outfit.

"But you are more beautiful," Anya replied with a smile.

"You are beautiful too," Olwen protested, tucking a lock of hair behind Anya's ear.

"She is right," Nas whispered in her head. "You are more beautiful."

Olwen scowled down at him. She had come to know Anya so well in their short time together. Her page was bold and fearless yet soft and respectful. She was fiercely protective of Olwen but gentle towards her, much like a younger sister might be. Anya's admiration of Olwen was obvious though the two were so different. She was intense where Olwen was calm, like a small tempest at her side. Her temper was short, but never towards the knight she served. Her attitude was a welcome change from the mild tempers and averted eyes of the servants and teachers. While they prepared themselves to be escorted to the grand hall, Olwen was relieved that it was Anya beside her. Despite her anxiety, her page was confident and exuberant, offering Olwen compliments and support.

Kari soon came to Olwen's chambers, dressed more finely as usual, with his chestnut hair slicked back against his head. It was hard to ignore that he was attractive, despite how irritating his behavior was. His features were soft and symmetrical and his appearance could almost be described as pretty rather than handsome. Round glasses with a frame of delicate golden filigree sat on the end of a narrow nose and obscured his large hazel eyes. The blue and white suit he wore was accented with gold ornaments and buttons. But despite the effort he had put into his appearance for the ceremony, Olwen still resisted taking his arm to be escorted. As she reached towards him she could hear Nas whisper in her head.

"Take me with you, Master."

He slunk around her ankles, his tail wrapping around her, and Olwen reached down without hesitation to scoop him up. Kari wrinkled his nose in disdain but said nothing as she finally accepted his arm and the pair set off down the corridor with Anya close behind. She felt much more at ease with Nas beside her, though he was even quieter than usual as they approached the breathtaking golden doors of the great hall. Two guards stood at the entrance and saluted her as the doors opened, revealing the splendor of the hall to Olwen for the first time.

It was a dazzling cavernous space with vaulted ceilings and grand pillars. The walls were covered in intricate tapestries, the long tables were covered in blue tablecloths, and flowers were bursting from every corner, arranged in golden pots. At the end of the hall was a raised dias where two thrones sat surrounded by tall candlesticks. They were both vacant, but the tables were filled. Most of the people assembled were members of the knighthood, though there were a few faces Olwen didn't recognize. As she entered with Kari they all rose to their feet and she could not help but be in awe of the dazzling variety of blue and gold gowns and suits, none perfectly matched but all were complimentary. It felt like a scene from a book as she swept down the center of the room wearing the most extravagant gown in the room. As she approached the vacant dias, her mind was suddenly filled with an idyllic picture of her village, still fresh in her mind as if she had seen it just that morning. The excess and luxury of the hall was like a different world and she was standing at its center with all eyes turned to her. Olwen tried to keep her composure but her face flushed as her anxiety began to build. She wished she could escape to the golden fields and sundrenched wildflowers of her village where it was quiet and simple. It has been so long since she had felt the freedom to mourn the life she had left behind. Her mind had been solely focused on surviving for the duration of the contract, but tears sprang to her eyes at the memories flooding through her.

Nas noticed her body tense and looked up at her, purring softly to try and gain her attention. But she was dazed, allowing Kari to pull her along until she had reached the end of the hall.

"Master?" he murmured.

Olwen blinked rapidly and glanced down at him with a weak smile. Anya seemed to have noticed her discomfort as well and reached forward to pat her shoulder. Their support bolstered her as she stopped at Kari's side. The dias was just before them with its vacant thrones waiting like open mouths to swallow her whole. Olwen took a deep breath and tried to ignore the eyes piercing into her back. It was almost perfectly silent for a few moments before the doors behind the dias swung open, bathing Olwen, Kari, and Nas in light. Two knights stepped onto the stage first, taking positions behind the larger of the two thrones. Following closely behind was a man Olwen recognized. Draped in golden ceremonial robes and adorned with a crown of sapphires, a tall dark figure stepped out of the light and took a leisurely seat on the throne of the Emperor. His dark hair and gentle smile were familiar as he gazed down at Olwen with intense curiosity. There was something in his look that appeared apologetic. It was impossible for her to conceal her surprise.

"Cefrin?"

Her mouth opened and closed quickly as she tried to stifle herself but the Emperor nodded before she could do so. Olwen flushed deeply. After seeing the Emperor's portrait she should have recognized the strange man she had found in the garden but she had never considered that the Emperor would be walking alone and ill in the palace. She felt embarrassment and a strange sense of betrayal rising up in her stomach. The Emperor has deceived her by concealing his identity. She had even called him by the name he had given her. Kari urged her into a bow and she complied, averting her eyes pointedly from Cefrin's face when she straightened again.

"Your Imperial Majesty, it is my honor to present Olwen of Formas," Kari said enthusiastically. But Olwen would not raise her eyes to meet the Emperor's. The name of her village rang in her ears and she was guided by Kari to kneel and Cefrin rose from his throne, taking a slender golden sword being held aloft by an attendant.

"Do you accept the terms of knighthood and promise to serve the empire?" the Emperor asked. She could hear from his voice that he was smiling as the sword gently came to rest on her right shoulder.

"I do," she muttered.

"And do you swear to uphold the values of truth, honor, and loyalty described in the Knight's Code?"

"I do."

The sword came to rest on her left shoulder, so carefully she could barely feel the cold metal on her skin.

"I accept your vows and you shall henceforth be a Knight of Astra. Rise, Lady Olwen, and accept your sword."

Nas hopped swiftly to the floor. Olwen rose stiffly and held out both hands, finally meeting his eyes with a venom that he tactfully ignored. Still smiling softly he placed the golden sword in her hands and returned to his seat. She gave a final bow as the hall erupted into deafening applause. Any excitement she may have felt was now overshadowed by irritation. Cefrin's deceit was so much more alarming now that she knew how much power he had. But as she followed Kari to the seat of honor at the end of the table nearest to the throne, Nas's frantic voice filled her head, causing her to falter.

"Master!" he hissed. "Is the emperor the man you spoke of? The one you have been healing?"

Olwen nodded almost imperceptibly.

"I know what he is suffering from, Master."