Two Knights, one (K)night.

Mjoll

Scene: Bulrok has completed his Squirely duties and earned his Knighthood. Requesting it immediately with limited fuss. ez pz lemon squeazy, lets do this.

You glance towards the down.
A simple spiral staircase.
A sigil in the shape of a small, rectangular monolith is on the ground. Swara is here. She is riding on a large snow
leopard. Bulrok is here, shrouded. A murky darkness has settled in here.
You see exits leading east, south, and up (open pine door).

You grasp the blade of the Carnifex firmly within your hands and feel the strength of the Shadow Keep flowing through
the blade.

Bulrok enters from the down, followed by Swara.

Straightening into rigid, militant attention, Bulrok squares his shoulders and crisply salutes you.

A swirling portal of chaos opens, spits out a chaos hound, then vanishes.

Swara inclines her head politely to those around her.

Mjoll returns the salute the blade of the Carnifex in hand, as she intones, "Front and center, Squire."
Then to Swara, "Welcome to the Keep, mind your distance to Bulrok here, there might be some blades swinging at him."

Swara gives a subtle nod in response to you and takes a step back, eyes on Bulrok.

Bulrok follows the order immediately, falling into a position of attention in front of you. His replacement a chaos
hound runs alongside him, leaning back into a sitting position as Bulrok comes to a stop.

The fragments of Mjoll's soulstone float lazily around and solidify into a single mass which she
snatches out of the air with a wrathful squeeze - the action producing a mournful wail as several souls ooze out and
drip over the blade of the Carnifex. The Troll mutters something under her breath to complete the dark blessing of the
ceremonial weapon. "Squire, you walked the path of Slaughter, and you walked it hard. I had the pleasure of seeing your
work on many battlefields, for ylem, for our Gods. It has been my absolute pleasure to see the blood swathe you carved
in the name of Strength as a Carnifex." She raises the blade of the Carnifex imperiously over her head preparing to bear
down on Bulrok with the fel blade.


Swara lightly licks her lips, folding her hands in front of her as she watching in solemn silence.


With terrifying speed, Mjoll swings the blade of the Carnifex directly at Bulrok's head, turning the
blade at the last moment to assault the Troll's cheek with the flat. A quick pivot and and the blade sings as it races
toward Bulrok's other cheek, the flat kissing his cheek with another dull, 'THWACK'. Finally, Mjoll brings the blade of
the Carnifex back high above her head, pointing the tip imperiously skyward before bringing it down on the top of the
Squire's head gently. "May these be the last blows you receive unanswered. Speak your oath."

Bulrok says, "I, Bulrok, hereby swear absolute loyalty to the Carnifex and the Shadow Keep. I shall never allow anything
to come before the Carnifex, and I shall ensure that my every action is for the good of the guild. I shall strive to
make Fealty, Soul, and Slaughter a permanent part of my life in everything I do."

Bulrok says, "In fealty I shall not wander, in Soul I shall not falter, and in Slaughter I shall not fail. I shall
always follow the Commander and Officers, I shall always follow my fellow Carnifex. I voew to strike down the enemies of
the Carnifex as if they were my own. I shall uphold this oath until my last moment, else let me be cast out and hunted
till the end of days."

Mjoll steps in close to Bulrok, pinning the cords on the Troll's shoulder, "Wear these with pride." She
takes a single step backwards. "Hail, Ser Bulrok Knight of the Shadow Keep."


You see Bulrok raise his voice and shout, "STRENGTH IN SLAUGHTER."

You shout, "STRENGTH IN SLAUGHTER!"

Bulrok will now be known as Ser Bulrok, Dreadknight.

Voice cracking from soft to shrill as it rises, Aishia shrieks, "Strength in laughter!"

Still standing it attention, Bulrok says, "Thank you, Commander."

With her usualy grin slid back across her face, you say, "At ease."

Bulrok releases himself from his tensed posture, lowering his shoulders to a more relaxed position.

Swara smiles softly, looking from you to Bulrok, though she remains quiet, a slightly humored smirk briefly crossing her
lips at Aishia's shout.

Bamathis is there of course, standing but pace to the left of Swara, that cold, stern approval written across His
features. "Strength," He calls out.

An imposing, torch-lit hall.
Standing here firmly is a ceremonial weapon stand. A silver cabinet hangs here, proudly displaying Carnifex trinkets and
trophies. There are 2 monolith sigils here. There are 2 white warhounds here. A ghostly white warhound stands here,
silently watching. A chaos hound restlessly paces in a circle. The air around Him filled with uncomfortable tension,
Bamathis, the Warlord stands here. Swara is here. She is riding on a large snow leopard. Bulrok is here, shrouded. A
murky darkness has settled in here.
You see exits leading east, south (open pine door), and down (open pine door).

You bare your teeth in a feral grin.

Mjoll replies, "Strength through Strife!" then regards Bulrok before thoughtfully adding, "Strength in Might."


You put the blade of the Carnifex into a ceremonial stand.

Bulrok's eyes twitch as his head cocks to the side at Bamathis'' voice, his eyes darting immediately to Swara. Finding
her still alive, he turns his gaze towards Bamathis. "Strength in Strife, Warlord."

Swara is startled at Bamathis'' voice, apparently not having noticed the God. "Warlord," she greets with a slight bow of
her head before her attention returns to Bulrok. "Congratulations, I'm sure you'll do them proud," she says quietly.

With sultry intonations, Arei mirthfully shouts, "You can laugh at your enemy, but it will give very little strength.
Few people are deterred by someone who dies laughing."


You say to Bulrok, "As a Knight, you can sponsor the lower ranks, and have your helm made to be displayed here, amongst
the others. And you can apply for any vacant Officer positions."

Bamathis runs His hard, argent gaze briefly over Bulrok - assessing, weighing. "About time," He finally allows, and the
beginnings of a smirk - or a sneer? - begins to play at the corners of His lips. His gaze dismissed him finally, instead
now moving to scan Swara. A quick up and down, the brief raise of one eyebrow. "So you are the one She has plans for."
He muses. He states this with the barest hint of distaste, perhaps something akin to sympathy - or at least the closest
the Warlord can come to mustering that particular emotion.

Bulrok just thought:
She?


Bamathis is already turning away, Swara already dismissed. "Afviti," He says simply. His chin rises a fraction. Pride.
Visible, clear. And then, He is gone.


Silvery essence splinters across the firmament, the drums of war resounding throughout the realm as Bamathis bestows His
blessing upon the Carnifex.


The gesture was not lost on Mjoll and her chest swells.


You bare your teeth in a feral grin.

Bulrok's gaze is glued to Swara, concern visible in his face.


Frowning, with a slightly distracted, quiet voice, Swara says, "I'm going to die some horrifying death..."

Bulrok says, "No, why would you? The task is..well. It's.."

Bulrok just thought:
Shit. Shit shit shit shit shit.

Bulrok says, "It's done."

Bulrok just thought:
Liar.

Mjoll watches the new Knight impassively, sparing a glance to Swara occasionally but otherwise remaining
silent.

Swara rubs at her cheek briefly then offers a faint smile, lifting one shoulder in a shrug. "So Her plans are to leave
me alone?" She seems unconvinced but shakes her head. "Just... it's fine... we're not going to ruin this. It's a happy
occassion, I'm proud of you."

Bulrok just thought:
Swara's eyes go wide as the end of a scythe emerges from her chest, accompanied by a spray of blood. "No no no no no NO.
Do not think that. She'll be fine. She would never do that."

to Bulrok (Tells): With harsh fervor, the words of Bamathis, the Warlord reach you: "You reek of Strife and Despair. It is almost amusing to witness."

to Bulrok Tells): You tell Bamathis, "I'm glad I could provide You with some sort of entertainment, Warlord."

to Bulrok (Tells): With harsh fervor, the words of Bamathis, the Warlord reach you: "I said almost. Similar in theory to, 'I almost feel sorry for the girl'."

Bulrok says to Swara, "I don't know what Her plan is. Maybe the Warlord was just messing with me."

She certainly would.

Swara says, "Maybe. Let's not fixate on Her, yes?"

You ponder the situation.

Bulrok is sweating now, doing his best to appear calm. "Yeah, sure. Uh..oh, right. The bar. Do you want to go back?" he
asks, his voice shaking.

Swara gives a long maple cream pastry to Bulrok.

You sense Rijetta in the realm.

Oh unicorns.

(Carnifex): Bulrok says, "Lieutenant."

You oust Bulrok from the position of Squire of Souls.

You appoint Bulrok to the position of Knight of Souls.

You have already used your guildfavour.

Oh UNICORNS

Swara says to Bulrok, "I think I might rest dear. But thank you for letting me be here for this. I'm proud of you."

Swara opens her mouth but says nothing.

Swara clears her throat.

(Carnifex): Rijetta says, "'Fex."

(Carnifex): You say, "Lieutenant."

Swara says, "Congratulations."

<<Carnifex>>: You say, "EL TEE."

<<Carnifex>>: You say, "Ser Bulrok deserves a guildfavor."

<<Carnifex>>: You say, "Could ya, please?"

Bulrok shakes his head, clearing his thoughts in a hurry. "Thank you, Swara." he says, his voice a little more steady.

Bulrok says, "May I be excused, Commander?"

You say, "Ayup. You are dismissed."

<<Carnifex>>: Rijetta says, "What the --."

<<Carnifex>>: Rijetta says, "WITHOUT ME?!"

<<Carnifex>>: Rijetta says, "YOU DID ANOTHER ONE WITHOUT ME?!"

(Carnifex): Rijetta says, "DEMOTED!"

<<Carnifex>>: You say, "Uh oh."

(Carnifex): Rijetta says, "DEMOTED."

You cry out, "FLEE!"

(Carnifex): Rijetta says, "BULROK, DEMOTED."

(Carnifex): Rijetta says, "KEEP, NOW."

Swara raises an eyebrow questioningly.

Bulrok says, "Fuck."

You say, "AAAAAAH!"

You close your eyes momentarily and extend the range of your vision, seeking out the presence of Rijetta.
You see that Rijetta is at Nearing a plateau in the Tarea Mountains. (?) (18493)
From your knowledge, that room is in the Tarea Mountains.
You detect 0 other people in that location.
Equilibrium Used: 1.00 seconds

You close your eyes momentarily and extend the range of your vision, seeking out the presence of Rijetta.
You see that Rijetta is at Plateau of Mount Gallows in the Tarea Mountains. (?) (18485)
From your knowledge, that room is in the Tarea Mountains.
You detect 0 other people in that location.
Equilibrium Used: 1.00 seconds

You say, "OH FUCK SHES COMING."

Bulrok says to Swara, "I can't see you off."

Rijetta arrives from the down.
She is followed by an inky shadeling.
A pinprick of wavering air warps outwards as a singularity blooms through a momentary, whispering miasma.

Bulrok says, "Shit."

Throwing back your head, you scream agonizingly.

Rijetta glares about herself, upset with the world.

Straightening into rigid, militant attention, Bulrok squares his shoulders and crisply salutes Rijetta.

Rijetta says, "KNIGHT HIM AGAIN."

Rijetta smacks Bulrok across the cheek without warning.

Rijetta says, "FUCKING KNIGHT HIM AGAIN."

You take the blade of the Carnifex from a ceremonial stand.

Swara purses her lips pensively, gazing thoughtfully at some distant point.

You suddenly feel a tugging from an entwined fiurite lined wedding band, as its paired item pulls towards it.

The vague image of an entwined black ivory wedding band appears in the air, before Iazamat appears in a flash of magic.

Straightening into rigid, militant attention, Iazamat squares his shoulders and crisply salutes his fellow soldiers.


With terrifying speed, Mjoll swings the blade of the Carnifex directly at Bulrok's head, turning the
blade at the last moment to assault the Troll's cheek with the flat. A quick pivot and and the blade sings as it races
toward Bulrok's other cheek, the flat kissing his cheek with another dull, 'THWACK'. Finally, Mjoll brings the blade of
the Carnifex back high above her head, pointing the tip imperiously skyward before bringing it down on the top of the
Squire's head gently. "May these be the last blows you receive unanswered. Speak your oath."


(Web): Bulrok says, "Cheater."
(Hell yes I am)

Mjoll glances to Rijetta, sweating profusely.


Bulrok says, "In fealty I shall not wander, in Soul I shall not falter, and in Slaughter I shall not fail. I shall
always follow the Commander and Officers, I shall always follow my fellow Carnifex. I voew to strike down the enemies of
the Carnifex as if they were my own. I shall uphold this oath until my last moment, else let me be cast out and hunted
till the end of days."

Iazamat just thought:
"What have I blundered into?"

Bulrok casts a sideways glance at Rijetta, swallowing in between his oath.

Bulrok says, "Shit."

Bulrok says, "NO I MEAN."

Bulrok says, "I, Bulrok, hereby swear absolute loyalty to the Carnifex and the Shadow Keep. I shall never allow anything
to come before the Carnifex, and I shall ensure that my every action is for the good of the guild. I shall strive to
make Fealty, Soul, and Slaughter a permanent part of my life in everything I do."

Bulrok says, "In fealty I shall not wander, in Soul I shall not falter, and in Slaughter I shall not fail. I shall
always follow the Commander and Officers, I shall always follow my fellow Carnifex. I voew to strike down the enemies of
the Carnifex as if they were my own. I shall uphold this oath until my last moment, else let me be cast out and hunted
till the end of days."

Rijetta assumes the position of attention, her rage subsiding as she shifts into perfect military bearing, staring down
her nose at Bulrok as though he were the scum of the earth. When he actually gets his oath right, though, she softens a
bit, waiting for the end of the ceremony.

Bamathis is here. Again. He still looks on with approval.

Bulrok just thought:
GOD WHAT ELSE COULD HAPPEN.

Mjoll pretends to pin Bulrok's cords to his shoulder, although they had been there the whole time.
"HAIL SER BULROK! STRENGTH IN SLAUGHTER!"

Iazamat just thought:
"What has Rijetta wrought now? What is happening? I thought the ceremony had ended?"

Bulrok says, "STRENGTH IN SLAUGHTER."

I love being a Carnifex.

Speaking up, confusion tinging his voice, Iazamat demands, "STRENGTH IN SLAUGHTER?!"

Rijetta says, "Strength in Slaughter! Congratulations, Ser Bulrok. You are the best Squire I've had yet."

Rijetta beams broadly.

Rijetta proudly claps Bulrok on the shoulder, before turning to salute Bamathis.

You put the blade of the Carnifex into a ceremonial stand.

You look confused and say, "You can be an Officer now."

Through clenched teeth, Rijetta says, "So glad. I was here. To witness this."

"Hail!" Bamathis echoes. He returns the salute with one of His own, and then, He is gone. Again.

As Rijetta turns to salute Bamathis, Bulrok lets out a quick sigh and drags a hand across his forehead, wiping off
sweat.

She's gonna feed me to her singularity.

Iazamat's gaze flicks from you, to Bulrok, and finally to Rijetta. His confusion is palpable.

Looking somewhat amused, Swara gently rubs her cheek.


Iazamat just thought:
A few Trollish swears, tired in their use, swim across his mind.

Bulrok says to you, "May I now escort Swara out of the Keep, Commander?"

You grin and nod at Bulrok.

Bulrok nods his head emphatically.

Bulrok says to Swara, "If you'd follow me...quickly."

You say, "Hurry, before Rijetta splits into a second Lieutenant and screams at us some more."

Bulrok says, "Voltda."
Bulrok leaves to the ether, followed by Swara.
He is followed by a chaos hound.

Certain he's been forgotten, Iazamat asks, "May I, ah, claim the position of ease?"

You say, "Uh. Yup!"

You say, "At ease."

Iazamat releases himself from his tensed posture, lowering his shoulders to a more relaxed position.

Iazamat asks, "Forgive me, I was attending the Sun Drinker - what happened?"

Mjoll looks around, overly pleased with the whole situation.

Rijetta grumbles angrily.

Rijetta begins to follow you.

You say, "I knighted Ser Bulrok."

Rijetta says, "WITH ME PRESENT."

Rijetta says, "THE FIRST TIME."

You say, "YES OF COURSE."

Rijetta says, "ANY OTHER KNIGHTING REFERRED TO HENCEFORTH NEVER HAPPENED."

Rijetta wiggles her fingers, eliciting shadowy shapes to flit from them. "ARTIFICE."

Rijetta says, "That's how it works."

You nod your head sagely.

"Ah," Iazamat utters, as if his curiosity is sated. You can tell it's not, but he's clearly content not provoking
Rijetta's continued wrath.

You say, "Come on, I'll buy you a drink or twenty."

Bulrok

As soon as Rijetta logged on I knew Bulrok was in trouble. So much for quick and easy.