Steel Wolf

Awards Ceremony

Every member of the Queen's and Royal Guards not on duty stood at attention in rank and file wall to wall in the throne room. Those who had returned from Goxell-Galbria were at the forefront of the room, facing the throne, upon which Queen Serenna sat regally. To her immediate right stood Regimental Commander Jarek Hodges; to her left, also seated in her royal gown, was Queen Consort Tanaya Newlander. Beside her stood Regimental Second Commander Bethanne Prin. High ranking mages and other Guard officers stood shoulder to shoulder, as well.

Serenna stood from her seated position to address the room.

"The Crown is greatly pleased by your actions at the Battle of Goxell-Galbria. You all braved unimaginable hardships, dealt with an almost overwhelming force, and emerged victorious. Many of your brethren died in that engagement, and their sacrifices have not been in vain. The Hand of Five is now the Hand of Two, whether they wish to admit it or not. You have dealt them a mighty blow; one that will be almost impossible from which to recover.

"In recognition of your actions, it is my immense honor to present to each of you with the Gilded Battle Shield. This shield is steeped in history, only the bravest and finest persevere to receive it. It replaces your current shield as a necessary part of your gear, marking you as an indomitable defender of the Crown."

She turned to Jarek, relinquishing the proceedings to him. He stepped forward, raising his faceplate.

"Royal Guard! Brace shields! Overhand defense!" he roared.

The silver-and-gold clad warriors reached to their backs, pulling the matching shields to settle them on the left forearm, holding them angled in front of their heads. Each person slid their right foot backward in a semblance of defense.

"Queen's Guard! Draw arms!" came the next order. The swish of several hundred swords clearing scabbards filled the room.

"Advance and slash!"

Row after row of Queen's Guards strode forward, slamming their swords overhand into the Royal Guard's shields, then turning away and moving to the rear. One/two. Crash! One/two. Crash! The sound was almost deafening as each Queen's Guard swung the twin-curved blades as hard as they could into the defender's shield. If a Royal Guard dropped to one knee, that person had to regain footing while still under attack. No respite was given or expected. They were receiving one of the kingdom's highest honors. They had earned it. They were expected to continue earning it.

The last few swords were slashed against the now-battered and nearly useless shields. Some shields had great rents in them; some were twisted so badly around the arms holding them, alchemical mages had to step in to soften the metal so the shield could be removed.

"Defense recover! Drop shields!"

Once again, the warriors stood to attention. A mighty clatter as the bent and torn metal hit the floor.

"Presenters! Shields up!" Over a hundred gold-and-silver clad Queen's Guards held intricately embossed green, gold, and brown shields in both hands at chest height.

"Step forward!" Each strode to the corresponding Royal Guard.

"Present!" A resounding clash of metal as helmet met helmet in a headbutt, the Guard's show of comradery. The shield was slammed against the chest of its new owner, released at the instant it made contact. The Royal Guards snapped their own hands up to catch the shield, neatly spinning it to face the correct way.

"Seat shields!"

The new shields were neatly placed on the backs of the warriors, ready for deployment.

"Sergeant! Collin! Mankerevski! Center before me!"

A lone figure on one end stepped forward. He wore no armor. He was dressed in the loose-fitting brown clothing of the Guard. The only thing he carried was his well-worn battle staff. He strode smartly forward to stand in front of Hodges, giving a slight hop to stamp both feet.