"Hey, Aelric—wake up!" Zevril shouted.
Aelric stirred, half-asleep, rubbing his eyes.
"Aelric, today is the Knight Ceremony. Come on, let's go."
"Knight Ceremony?" Aelric mumbled, confused.
Zevril frowned. "Don't you remember? The fight for the Royal Knight position."
"Oh…now I remember. That girl…what was her name?" Aelric thought for a moment. "Yes—Velmira, right?"
"Right," Zevril said. "It's Velmira. She defeated a Royal Knight and killed him brutally."
Aelric nodded slowly. "Yeah…I feel bad for him. Anyway, let's go."
"First, take a bath, Aelric," Zevril said with a serious stare.
"Okay, okay—don't look at me like that!" Aelric grumbled.
Outside the house, Lioren was watering the plants when Rynor approached.
"Good morning, Master Lioren," Rynor greeted.
Lioren turned and smiled warmly. "Rynor! What's the occasion?"
"I'm going to the Knight Ceremony, Master."
"Ah, the Knight Ceremony," Lioren mused. "Zevril and Aelric are going too."
"I know, Master. That's why I'm here—to pick them up."
"That's a big help," Lioren said. "But why do you want to go with them?"
Rynor's face grew serious. "Do you remember the day Aqualis Ignis'ren appeared?"
"It's been two days," Lioren recalled.
"Yes, Master," Rynor said. "In these two days, I searched the forest and found this."
He held out a feather, shimmering in aquatic colors.
Lioren's eyes widened. "Is that…an Aqualis Ignis'ren feather?"
Suddenly, water from around the garden gathered and was absorbed into the feather. It glowed light blue.
"It absorbed all the water in my garden!" Lioren gasped.
"I apologize, Master," Rynor said.
"No problem at all." Lioren studied the feather and then looked into Rynor's eyes. "So what do you intend to do about my grandchildren?"
Rynor answered firmly, "I feel something isn't right. That's why I came to pick them up. If I stay close, perhaps I'll find a lead."
"A lead? What do you mean?"
Rynor hesitated. "I remember glimpses…of Aelric standing alongside Aqualis Ignis'ren. That's why I must—"
"Alongside Aqualis Ignis'ren?" Lioren interrupted, startled.
"Yes, Master."
Lioren sighed. "Then…take care of them."
Rynor bowed, hand over his heart. "Yes, Master. I will protect them."
Just then, Aelric came outside. "Grandpa? Wait—why is Rynor here?"
He quickly put on a fake crying face. "No, no—I don't want training today! I want to go to the ceremony!"
"Grandpa, tell him—not today, please!"
Zevril stepped out. "Master Rynor! Why are you here?"
"At least someone here has manners," Rynor said, giving Aelric a sidelong look.
"I do have manners!" Aelric huffed, folding his arms and turning away.
Rynor spoke calmly. "Today, you two will come with me to the ceremony."
"What? Hey, Grandpa, aren't you coming with us?" Aelric protested.
Lioren smiled strangely. "No. I have other business. You'll go with your master."
"Fine, Grandpa," Zevril said.
"Not fine," Aelric muttered under his breath.
"Aelric!" Zevril snapped.
"Okay, okay, I'm ready," Aelric sighed.
"Then let's go, boys," Rynor said.
They climbed into a carriage pulled by two horses.
"Take care of them," Lioren called out.
"Yes, Master," Rynor replied.
The carriage set off, rolling along the road. Soon, they reached Silverbranch Road.
"Wow—there are so many people!" Aelric exclaimed.
Rynor nodded. "This street is where all the merchants of Valmorra gather."
Zevril watched quietly, studying the crowd. Among them, he noticed a woman with mixed orange and red hair and crimson eyes, dressed like a commoner.
She stepped forward to buy vegetables. Suddenly, a knight in silver armor knelt before her, hand over his heart, head bowed.
The whole market froze, staring.
"Hey, Rynor," Zevril whispered, puzzled. "Who is she?"
"Who?" Rynor asked.
Zevril pointed. "Her."
Rynor followed his gaze, and Aelric leaned over to look too.
"That is Elaris of Valmorra," Rynor explained. "A princess with the full right to become the next ruler of this nation."
"Princess?" Aelric echoed.
"What is a princess doing here?" Zevril asked.
"She is no longer a princess," Rynor said quietly.
They both looked at him, confused.
"Why?" Aelric asked.
"For reasons unknown, she renounced her royalty," Rynor replied. "No one knows more. Now—let's move on to the ceremony."
The horses started forward again, and the cart rolled away. Zevril stole one last look at Elaris.
Suddenly, she lifted her gaze and met his eyes with a cold, fearful stare.
A chill shot down Zevril's spine. He ducked behind the cart wall.
"She noticed?" he thought, his heart pounding.
Rynor smiled faintly. "All right. Prepare yourselves. We'll soon reach Crownspire Hall."
When they arrived, the streets were alive with festival colors.
"Look at this street—it's beautiful," Aelric said in awe.
"Yes," Zevril agreed, taking it all in.
They entered Crownspire Hall, vast enough that common folk could watch the ceremony. The ceiling was open like the petals of a crown.
Silence fell as Velmira stepped forward, clad in black knight armor, a sword at her side.
"Black knight armor?" Zevril whispered, puzzled.
"Royal knight armor is golden, right?" Aelric added.
"I have no idea what's happening," Rynor admitted, watching closely.
On the dais, the king sat on his throne, the queen, prince, and princess beside him. One small throne stood empty.
The crowd could not forget the memory of Velmira's duel with Strom—the fight that ended in death. A hush passed over them as the memory flashed through every mind.
Velmira approached the king, knelt, and bowed her head, one hand resting on her sword.
The King's voice rose with the slow, deliberate gravity of an oath older than any present could remember:
"By the will of the old gods. I grant you the title of Sentinel Knight. From this day forward, you shall protect this kingdom from the darkness."
The entire arena erupted in shock and disbelief.