De Haguns Family/Furiae/Furiae's Pride
Furiae has arrived at the city of Golden Farrow by sea, running away from a wedding she never wished with her own father's stolen sword and the bridal price that had been paid. [Under construction]
De Haguns
The Wayward Daughter
Location: Golden Farrow
“My lady”, said the captain, “the Duke awaits”.
Furiae smiled gently at the man and nodded. “Make sure the Perdanese Free Company is ready to escort me to the palace. Oh, and I want them to form two lines in front of the palace and raise their swords as I pass by. I want to make an impression on the rabble”, she said, imagining the scene as she bit her lower lip. “One last thing. Spread the word that if any able-bodied man wants to serve me and leave the mercenary life in the past, I’ll pay handsomely those that join my retinue”.
The mercenary nodded affirmatively and left the hall of her employer’s new estate. The Haguns girl had recently taken over the Stronghold Precint under the auspices of the Duke of Golden Farrow, and she was now to rule it in his stead. Now, all that was left to do was to formally swear her allegiance before the duke’s court.
Furiae’s Pride
Location: Golden Farrow
Leaving her estate, Furiae was escorted by a small retinue of men and women divided in two lines. Some wearing leather and others breastplates and light armor. Some had the Lion of Perdan, still embroidered in their surcoats, others bore the Lion of Perleone, but any sigil was barely recognizable after long months or years as mercenaries. All carried longbows and quiver on their backs, and a short sword by the waist. These soldiers had been paid by Furiae on town port of Pelasgia with the money had stolen from her bridal price, to protect her until she reached Dwilight.
The new Dame of Stronghold Precint stood out amongst the group as they marched through the city, riding a horse she had just bought and named Swiftstar.
As soon as she arrived at the palace’s courtyard, she took her sweet time dismounting from the horse, with the help of the mercenary captain, while her escort advanced forward and stood in formation as two honor lines. Adjusting her gown, she strode forward each pair of soldiers as they rose their swords, while curious eyes watched her, some thinking who was that new brat that had the gall to put such a pretentious and grandiose show.
The guards had been alerted of her arrival, and let her pass through the palace’s gates. She was escorted by one of them into duke Solomon’s hall, where the knighting ceremony was to take place and the Dame would swear her oath of fealty. A footman than announced “The Dame Furiae de Haguns has arrived to swear her allegiance!”, and Furiae entered the hall, bowing graciously as her blue eyes rose from to the ground to meet Solomon’s.
The young girl had her long raven black hair braided and styled so it fell to the right side of her shoulder. She wore an elegant, light and slightly provocative strapless azure blue gown that partially exposed one of her legs, and carried no weapons. The only jewelry she had on herself was a gold necklace with a small sapphire that matched her eyes. In fact, that was the only jewelry she had ever since she ran away from Perdan.
Greybrook
Furiae’s Pride
Location: Golden Farrow
That day, Solomon had not needed to hold court for the sunset session for the vast majority of disputes had been settled. The Royal Duke was well aware of how the high tax could cause complications and disputes amongst his subjects, hence he made himself available during the majority of waking hours to their pleas, all for the benefit of his city. Yet, on the rare occasion where court did not need to be held as the sun set over the horizon and the temperature dropped, he would take the time to go to the academy or spend time for his children. Despite all of this, even as his time as Autarch, he always made time for his fellow nobility, which was what would occur that evening.
Arriving from the Eastern Continent, the Furiae of Family de Haguns came to the Royal Palace to officially swear fealty, a matter that Solomon took incredibly seriously. He remembered when he first took his proper oaths to the Lord of Giask as a man of 18,or base azure martlet volant argent heraldry of Greybrook family. which were simply ignored and assumed. After that, when he was appointed to the Lordship of Dantooine, the elation of recognition and ceremony with his own Duke was something which pushed the man forward to what he achieved today. Hence, Solomon ensured that the court was properly organised to demonstrate the significance of this noble's ascension and recognition of nobility. He had asked for some of his vassals to be present in the room to support their newest warriors in arms, which he spotted Emyhr amongst the crowd at least.
The court room was adorned and renewed with all proper iconography of the former Autarch. The Golden Anchor was draped over the walls with the red and green fluttering quietly as the sea breeze came through the windows. The insignia of or base, azure martlet and volant argent heraldry of Greybrook family was also holstered in alternate patterns with the realm's banner. Yet, the Throne that previously dwelt in the Duke's court room, which had been sent to the quarters of the reigning Autarch, was replaced with only a slightly less modest golden throne of the Ducal man. There, Solomon adorned his formal military uniform, black tunics with specs of Golden accents to reflect the Gylden Kraken elite.
Signified with the Dame's arrival, Solomon rose off his seat and came down the steps to stand before his subject, whom had knelt in custom. The young girl was elegant, refined and held a youthful beauty which Solomon certainly took note of. She bore no military regalia but he was already informed of her disciplined unit's capabilities as she had arrived in the city, signs of a possible commander in the making. Ensuring to capture the moment before any pleasantries, Solomon began the ceremony:
"Court of Golden Farrow and subjects of the greater realm of Tol Goldora, you have been summoned here to witness the traditional knighting ceremony."
Looking down to the kneeing woman, Solomon spoke directly to Furaie:
"Furiae of Family de Haguns from the Perdanese Mines of the Eastern Continent, do you provide your oath of body, mind and loyalty to me, Royal Duke Solomon Greybrook of Golden Farrow, on behalf of the crown of Tol Goldora. Do you pledge yourself to serve loyally, act diligently and promote the interests of our fair realm? Do you take responsibility for the fief that I have provided for you and ensure it's success? If you accept this oath, I will knight you as a Dame of Golden Farrow."
Solomon waited for Furiae's response before continuing, hoping she would rise to the occasion.
De Haguns
Furiae’s Pride
Location: Golden Farrow
"Court of Golden Farrow and subjects of the greater realm of Tol Goldora, you have been summoned here to witness the traditional knighting ceremony."
Furiae had knelt before the royal duke, her left hand resting at her knee, the right one touching the ground through her fingers, as she kept her balance. Her naked knee felt uncomfortable on the cold ground, and she remembered about her home – no, her former home, her former life – where she had watched others taking the oath of allegiance to their lords. I bet my dear cousin Orpheu had his with a comfortable cushion to rest his knees, she thought, and a subtle smile crossed her face.
She looked at the ducal throne’s dais and had the semblance of a serene smile tickling her lips. As Solomon started the ceremony, the girl’s eyes rose slowly towards him and her face became serious. She looked closely at the duke’s face, examining him with inquisitive eyes. The much older man had a dignified appearance and towered above the Haguns dame. Though, what about his character? Would the regalia translate into honorable character, into a leader worth fighting for? The doubt crossed Furiae’s mind, a small glimpse of doubt, as would be expected of anyone in her circumstances… had she run away from a gilded cage of an unwanted marriage at Perdan, only to find herself inside another, this time bound through oath to an unfamiliar lord? Was this duke worthy of respect? For young Furiae de Haguns, new to Tol Goldora, inexperienced in Dwilight affairs, only time would tell.
Still, at first glance, her doubts subsided. This same duke had been generous and offered to take the young runaway into his service as a knight, without knowledge of her… past. Of what she did in Perdan, something that would certainly shame any knight, lord or highborn. If he trusts me, I will trust him, she thought. His generosity had definitely caused an impression on the young girl.
"Furiae of Family de Haguns from the Perdanese Mines of the Eastern Continent, do you provide your oath of body, mind and loyalty to me, Royal Duke Solomon Greybrook of Golden Farrow, on behalf of the crown of Tol Goldora. Do you pledge yourself to serve loyally, act diligently and promote the interests of our fair realm? Do you take responsibility for the fief that I have provided for you and ensure it's success? If you accept this oath, I will knight you as a Dame of Golden Farrow."
The hall was silent as the court waited. Furiae’s right hand rose from the ground and touched her heart. She spoke clearly and loud, and even her confidence surprised her.
“I, Furiae de Haguns, in presence of the honorable nobles of Golden Farrow and Tol Goldora, who have come to this great hall as witnesses, and of sound mind and in free will declare my loyalty to the Royal Duke Solomon Greybook of Golden Farrow, on behalf of the crown of Tol Goldora. I acknowledge that I hold and shall hold in his stead the fief of Stronghold Precint for as long His Grace deems me worthy, for which I make homage and fealty. I swear to uphold the laws of Golden Farrow and Tol Goldora, to serve loyally, act diligently and promote the interests of the realm at all times. I vow to come into the aid of my liege lord, to protect thee, your successors and the crown. Through this binding act, I offer my unwavering fealty”.
Greybrook
Furiae’s Pride
Location: Golden Farrow
Pleased with what he saw, Solomon took out his blade and rested it on Furiae's shoulder:
"By the power invested in me, I pronounce you now, Dame Furiae of Golden Farrow."
Moving his sword to the other soldier, Solomon sheathed the weapon and gestured:
"Now rise."
Solomon took a step back to allow the young noble have her moment in the spotlight.
Meanwhile, he summoned a scribe from nearby and asked whether the newly appointed Visountess of Mozyr wished to make an entrance and greet his newest noble.
De Haguns
Furiae’s Pride
Location: Golden Farrow
The tip of Solomon’s sword touched Furiae’s naked shoulder. She immediately felt its coldness and realized that the same blade that now knighted could as well under different circumstances behead her. That was the double-edged significance of such a ceremony: Furiae promised loyalty to Tol Goldora and its masters in exchange for power, while at the same time subjecting herself to them. She could only hope to have made the right choice. Still, despite her doubts, she kept those thoughts to herself and remained serious as the ceremony proceeded.
"Now rise."
The new dame rose slowly, ensuring that all could see her splendor and grace. As she stood up, Furiae assumed the port of a highborn, shoulders back and spine straight. She calmly turned around and could not hold a sly smirk as she watched the court. Long gone and far away was Furiae of the Perdan Mines, to be sold away to the highest bidder. Now she was Dame Furiae of Golden Farrow, and in Tol Goldora she would start the life she was meant to have.
As Solomon prepared himself to proceed with other ceremonies, the young knight walked towards the left side of the hall, where she would stay and mingle with fellow curious nobles for the following events in the court. After all was done, she already had plans to return to her newly awarded estate. Stronghold Precint definitely was in need of her personal touch.
