A Knight in the Making -- The Knighting of Lady Amireana Lanif
In light of recent events in Rael and indeed other hotspots around the world the need for Knights has become all to real.
Through the encouragement of Brother Daniel, who is also up for the consideration of such honor, I found myself accepting the challenge myself to stand and be found worthy of becoming a knight in service to our Lord Protector, and to be recognized as more than just a believer in my heart, but a sister with the courage to stand up and do what is right to protect those who need us in this trying age.
The ceremony begins as potential applicants step forward, Justice, Daniel Benjamin as well as many others, to pledge their hearts to the Great Gold. I am no exception as the questions are asked.
The life of the Wyrm is harsh, the eyes of Justice ever on you. Your mettle will be tested, will you be found wanting?
"I will never be wanting of the virtues of Our Lord Protector. I know that within me lies a heart always ready to serve with dedication that has been my calling all my life. I strive each day to serve his will, not just from this day forward but because this has been my calling with or without title."
We are the divine law on Layonara, the words of the pantheon of truth and wisdom embodied in steel and bone. Our bones may break and our life spill yet law remains. Do you stand willing to give life as testimony to the Laws of the Gold?
"I have always stood willing to give my life should that be what is called for, to see the laws upheld. This will always remain so."
You have affirmed belief and sacrifice, affirmed that life is held in the laws of the land as set down by the Great Gold. A knight's way is to emulate that light ad calls those not always of the orders to service. So before you enter the temple before you and call on the judgment of the Greatest of the Gods, use insight wisely.
Find reason in your desire to serve and answers to your own heart and duty for if you have none of your own accord, the Gold cannot supply it for you.
Devotion comes from within, worthiness from above. Rofrein shine on you as you decide to enter the doors before you, or turn away now to seek what is lacking.
What lies within is the highest mystery of the God of Justices that will need to be answered in accordance with your own heart. Each path is free to take at your choice.
"I, Amireana Lanif, stand before you ready to answer before Our Lord Protector and choose to enter, knowing full well the virtues that are required of any of those in his service, reside in my heart. I am ready to proceed."
Once you enter the Temple you find before you a curtain of light and behind it stands a Warden of the Principium, Sir Breten Parth who is the Mistone Divisional COmmander and High Justicier Reus.
Sir Breten Speaks:
"Gathered here today are those who shall be both comrades and brothers and sisters if the Gold decrees it. We stand to uphold law and protect all those who shelter under our wings. Our service ends not in life, and perhaps not in death either.
We are the Knights of the highest order and as such our vows carry us far beyond those oaths made by most, we make vows that bind the soul and not just the flesh.
You are presented before us now. Do you wish to proceed with the trials and find the path?
As I stepped forward through the golden curtain of light to confirm my beliefs and my intent, the instructions were clear.
"Place upon you the Helm of Justice and reside within the light to take your test."
Inside the helm I could hear the voice speaking to me, and me alone, as if looking into my soul.
"It is the duty of those in service to Rofirein to always look to laws to ensure a Justice, superior to out of hand Justice is available when necessary. What is the highest responsibility therefore of a Servant of the Great Dragon?"
All I could do was answer from my heart the way I felt, how I had been taught and the path that I had chosen to pursue long ago, not just because it was my fathers, but because I had it a path worth pursuing.
"The highest responsibility of a Servant of the Great Dragon is to have faith and trust in you My Lord Protector, and to protect those you hold dear. To be fair and just and to show compassion, reason and courage and bring order unto lands that have fallen into chaos. I am your servant My Lord Protector, as I have always been and I promise with all my heart that I always will be."
"What is proportional Justice and how is it carried out?"
"Porportionate Justice is usually carried out by the High Justicar or Judges. What it is though, is the idea that the punishment should fit the crime. An Eye for an eye, sort of speak. It means that someone who might steal a loaf of bread is not sentenced to life imprison, or that their life is taken, but more appropriate sentencing, of perhaps a type of community service may be judgment."
Amireana offers with an air of confidence, clearly though speaking from her own mind and heart, her own interpretations.
Under the guise of the law of Gold, who are they that such laws protect, that we stand for and shelter under the wings of the Great Gold. Who is it that we stand to protect through word, action and deed?
"We stand to protect all people from the evil of our world. We stand to protect everyone regardless of who they may be. We do not just pick and choose who is worthy. Even if we may not agree with their beliefs, if is the will of our Great Lord Protector that we protect all so long as their deeds are in obedience with the law. It is for all the people, commoner and king alike."
Seeking the true path of Justice requires vision and belief, act now to bring about clear vision in service to Rofirein, the protection of the common Law and through that peace and harmony for all people.
As I removed the helmet, Sir Breten stepped forth taking it from my hands, before he turned to speak to me. His words warm and welcoming, and bringing joy to my heart.
"You came here today as called, to accept roles given, judgments based on clarity of thought and understanding of the deeper mysteries of Rofirein. As your first deeds in the service of Rofirein will be recorded, so will all your deeds in his eyes."
He motioned me to turn to face and kneel before him, drawing his blade, and then he placed it on my shoulder while he spoke.
"In the light of the saints of our faith, saints such as Sir Drais and St Arnuthen, in the wisdom of the Great Gold and in the sanctity of Justice and the Law, I dub thee, Knight of the Wyrm, Lady Amireana Lanif. Arise."
The applause and shouts of encouragement echoed through the temple and when Sir Breten asked for quiet speaking for the final time.
"It is in these times of trouble that the brightest Spirits shine forth from our legions of Justice. before me is just what I see. Remember this day for it marks an era upon which you touch others. It marks the coming of souls meant and destined to make a change for the better. In the name of the Great Gold, Be His broad shield, Be His eyes, Be His Justice! And we shall be blessed for the better. In the name of the Knights of the Wyrm, I welcome you, long life and service to you."
Again the temple filled with applause but in that moment I could feel my fathers watchful eyes upon me, and I knew he was more proud of me and would have been proud of me regardless for taking up the calling of our Lord Protector that I had been taught to embrace, since I was a little girl, learning what fighting for the Lord Protector meant and who he was. I was now and forever to be known as Lady Amireana Lanif, Knight of the Wyrm.