A Knight’s Promise
Arietta was staring out of her porthole, analyzing the deep blue sea, when a knock on the door pulled her from her reverie.
“Come in!” she called.
Elisha opened the door, carrying a neatly folded pile of white clothing. She was smiling with the promise of something only she knew. Arietta knew when she saw her that both the uniform and that smile were for her.
“So I’m going to join the White Knights?” Arietta asked.
“Don’t sound so surprised,” Elisha said, “This is what you wanted, isn’t it?”
“Of course,” Arietta said, “I’m just surprised it’s happening so soon.”
“A lot has happened, and you have acquitted yourself well,” Elisha said, “Lady Thea believes you are ready. She was going to get you measured for a uniform in San Ria, but things didn’t go according to plan. So I hope you don’t mind having a spare uniform. She was about your size...”
“Whose uniform was this?” Arietta said, feeling a little sad. It wasn’t that she didn’t have a new uniform, it was that somebody had died and would never be wearing these white clothes again.
“Trisha was one of the Knights who was imprisoned and died in the battle in Garania,” Elisha said, “I’m sorry to give you a uniform that’s already tainted with sorrow.”
“That’s all right,” Arietta said, “She protected us then, back in that prison, gave her life so we could be here today. It would be an honor to wear her uniform.”
“I hope it fits all right,” Elisha said, “Lady Thea said she will have some new uniforms tailored when we reach Haven’s End, but she wanted you to be able to wear a uniform for the ceremony.”
“There’s a ceremony?” Arietta asked. She’d never thought to ask how it was exactly that Knights were initiated into the order.
“I won’t spoil anything,” Elisha said, “I’ll wait outside while you dress, then we’ll go to Lady Thea’s office together.”
“All right,” Arietta said. She unfolded the white uniform. It was simple and clean and she liked the way it felt when she put it on. She fastened the cloak around her shoulders and looked in the reflection of the porthole, allowing herself a moment of pride. Then she opened the door, and stepped outside into the hallway where Elisha was waiting.
“It looks good on you,” she said, “It brings out your golden hair and bright blue eyes.”
Arietta blushed, but nodded, “Onward, then,” she said, and they walked to Thea’s office.
Thea’s office was grand, filled with all the luxuries one would expect in a place where important decisions were made. Rugs from distant lands adorned the floor, while a huge desk stood in the middle and a comfortable chair sat behind it. On the other side of the room was a large table where an assortment of maps were laid out, and various regalia of the White Knights and Lady Thea’s family crest adorned the walls. She had never really noticed how grand the room was before now, having only ever been there in times of emergency when the decor seemed of little importance.
More important were the people lining the walls. She recognized faces; Pandora, Sashiko and other White Knights she had seen around the ship. All stood upright in honor of her and her introduction, and she felt a little embarrassed. Master Kane stood next to Thea’s desk, and they seemed to only be waiting for the Lady herself.
The door opened behind her, and all hands saluted as Lady Thea walked in, looking splendid in her full armor, a rich white and gold cloak flowing behind her. “At ease!” she commanded, and all hands dropped in perfect rhythm back to their owner’s sides. She took two mighty steps across the room to stand in front of her desk and Arietta, and Elisha bowed and took her place beside Lady Thea.
“We are all gathered here today to introduce a new Knight into the ranks, a woman who has performed nobly and with great honor!” she said. Arietta bowed her head, uncertain and a little nervous. Had she really acted with honor? She had only followed orders, and even broken those when she went to search for Selesti. Everything had turned out well, but her decisions had not always been the best. Was she truly ready for this?
“Arietta Isobel Sashrady of Garania, I ask you; do you wish to join the White Knights?”
She had heard a piece of advice a long time ago, though she could not remember who had said it or why. It came to her now, the words simple and honest; always follow your heart. She had held true to it all her life when she had made important decisions, and she clung to it now, letting her heart guide her actions. She had wished for the White Ship, and it had come to be, so how could she go back now? This was all she had wanted, and she was determined to grasp it with both hands.
“I do,” Arietta said firmly and clearly.
“Do you promise to honor and obey, to work for the good of all people, to protect and serve for as long as you shall live?”
“I do,” she repeated, and raised her head to meet Lady Thea’s eyes. She had never really looked into the eyes of the woman who led them all, and she had never really noticed how beautiful those emerald green eyes were; lush with experience and determination, with hopes and dreams. By being here today, by inviting Arietta into the White Knights, she was sharing that dream with her and entrusting a part of it to Arietta’s care.
“Kneel,” Lady Thea said, and she drew her sword, a finely crafted blade of the sharpest steel, with engravings on the blade and a hilt encrusted with jewels, topped with an emerald that matched her eyes. Arietta knelt before Lady Thea, bowing her head.
“In the name of my house, I, Lady Thea Ashrai of the Nameless Islands, knight you with my sword Maia, and bestow upon you all the protection of the White Knights. May your days be long and fruitful, and your nights restful. I grant you the rank of Lieutenant.”
A quick gasp rose up among the crowd, but was quickly brought under control. Elisha’s eyes widened. Arietta tried to remain with her eyes firmly on the rug beneath her, tracing the patterns on it, but she felt the sensation of fifty pairs of eyes boring into her. How could it be? How could she have the same rank as Elisha, when Elisha had been on the ship much longer than her? She hadn’t earned it, and didn’t deserve it, but she had made her promise, and who was she now to question it? She wanted to flee, to run from the room and hide away from it, but she took deep breaths and forced herself to remain still and calm. There had to be a reason, there had to be.
“Arise,” Lady Thea said, and Arietta stood, her legs shaky.
“Now it is time for you to choose a sword,” Master Kane said. Arietta hesitated, but Elisha rested her hand on her shoulder and gave it a squeeze. She looked at Elisha and saw the tears in her eyes, and gave her a look of apology as she approached Master Kane.
Kane handed her a sword, “This is the weapon I think would be most suitable for you, but it is your choice, “Test its weight.”
She looked down at the sword. It was fairly plain, but the weight felt right, and it felt natural as she held it, like an extension of her arm. This was the weapon with which she would fight for Sanctuary, fight to protect people with.
“It’s up to you to choose a name for your sword,” Thea said, “It’s your own personal decision what you name your weapon. Some people use the name of the person they love, like my sword is called Maia, after my wife. Others use a concept or feeling that is important to them. Pandora’s sword is named Hope, for example. You may tell people the name of your sword, but think long and hard about your decision. You will name your weapon in a ceremony, so it cannot be changed. Also, the sword is yours. You are welcome to make any engravings, upgrades or modifications to it, but at your own expense.”
“Thank you,” Arietta said, taking a scabbard for the sword and fastening it around her waist. It felt right there, like a comforting weight.
“Arietta’s knighting is therefore concluded,” Lady Thea said. Some of the White Knights started to make for the door.
“You have not yet been dismissed,” Master Kane reminded them, and they hurried back to their places, looking abashed.
“Indeed,” Lady Thea said, “We’re not finished yet. Elisha, step forward.”
It was Elisha’s turn to look shocked, but Arietta joined the crowd lining the walls of the room and smiled to Elisha. Elisha stepped forward and bowed before Lady Thea.
“Elisha Alice Tamald, of the Arian Empire,” Lady Thea announced, “With the power vested in me, I grant you the rank of Commander,” she said, suppressing a smile.
Arietta felt surprise that Elisha came from the Arian Empire. She had heard tales that the Moral Revolution had started there, and that it was a very harsh place to live. She wondered what pain had brought Elisha away from her homeland and to the white ship. She also felt a great deal of relief as Elisha was promoted. Elisha was a loyal and responsible person, and Arietta knew it would have caused her a great deal of pain to be the same rank as somebody who had just recently joined the ship, even if that person was her friend.
Elisha stood and bowed to Lady Thea. Thea smiled and nodded, and Elisha went to stand next to Arietta. Arietta squeezed her shoulder, “Congratulations,” she whispered, and Elisha gave her a warm smile.
“Just one more, then,” Lady Thea said, “Luna, step forward.”
Luna, who Arietta had not previously noticed in her white uniform, stepped out from her hiding place behind one of the room’s alcoves. Pandora shot her a smile, and Luna gained a little confidence as she approached Lady Thea and bowed.
“Luna has expressed interest in joining the White Knights,” Thea said to the assembled Knights, “Usually we don’t let one join the ranks so soon after joining the ship, but she saved Ensign Pandora from danger and has earned her place as a Knight alongside all of us.”
There were murmurs of agreement around the room, then everybody fell silent.
“Luna Saffron Tahishi of San Ria; I ask you, do you wish to join the White Knights?” Thea asked.
“I... I do!” she said nervously.
“Do you promise to honor and obey, to work for the good of all people, to protect and serve for as long as you shall live?”
“I do,” Luna promised. She knelt before Thea even asked.
“In the name of my house, I, Lady Thea Ashrai of the Nameless Islands, knight you with my sword Maia, and bestow upon you all the protection of the White Knights. May your days be long and fruitful, and your nights restful. I grant you the rank of Ensign.”
Luna stood, selected her sword, and hurried to Pandora’s side. Pandora embraced her with a delighted smile on her face, as though she had just been promoted herself. Arietta’s heart warmed to see them so happy.
“You are all dismissed, then,” Lady Thea said, “Please prepare for arrival at Haven’s End. It will be a short stop, and most of you will remain onboard. If you wish to disembark for personal reasons, please obtain special permission from me.”
The knights filed out into the passageway, the halls exploding with noise as the men and women aboard ended their long silence and relaxed.
Elisha and Arietta stayed behind for a moment.
“Yes?” Lady Thea asked, when everybody else had left.
“I wish to ask for special permission to go ashore at Haven’s End,” Arietta said, “I have some personal business to attend to.”
Elisha gave her an odd look, but if Thea or Elisha were worried, they didn’t express their feelings or ask questions.
“Granted,” Thea said, “Be quick, though. We are only going ashore for a few hours to gather supplies. There is little at Haven’s End, it’s a dead port. Elisha, I want you to come with me and help me arrange supplies.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said. Arietta went out into the hallway to wait for Elisha.
“Tell me,” Thea said, smiling to Elisha, “Were you worried?”
“Just for a moment,” she admitted, breaking into a smile, “But thank you, it’s a great honor to have received a promotion.”
“It’s long overdue,” Lady Thea said, “You’re at my right hand constantly. Without you, it would be hard for me to run this ship. I appreciate all your hard work, Elisha.”
“Thank you so much,” Elisha bowed, and hurried out.
“How did Lady Thea know my full name?” Arietta asked, “I’ve never told her.”
“She sent me to ask Selesti, while she was still aboard. Selesti wondered why I asked, but told me easily enough.” Elisha said.
“Where are the Nameless Islands?” Arietta asked, “I’ve never heard of such a place.”
Elisha smiled, “It doesn’t really exist,” she said, “It’s just a place people give when they don’t know their homeland, when they have been made stateless or exiled, or when they don’t want to reveal where they came from. Nobody really knows where Lady Thea was born, and nobody asks. Does it really matter? Someday I hope we’ll all be proud to adopt Sanctuary as our homeland.”
“Even if we find Sanctuary,” Arietta said, “I think Garania will always be my home. It’s the place where I grew up, the place that gave me all my views on the world. I want to find Sanctuary, but I still dream of freeing my homeland someday.”
“I hate it when Lady Thea announces my homeland,” Elisha said, “I’m ashamed to admit that I come from the Arian Empire, the home of Valen and the Moral Revolution.”
“Valen came from the Arian Empire?” Arietta asked, “I didn’t know that. That explains why he’s so extreme... Wait, Elisha, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Elisha said, “It’s true. My homeland is a hotbed of oppression and misery. Nothing good has ever come from the Empire.”
“You came from it,” Arietta said, “If you exist, then other good people do as well. Don’t be so quick to give up on your homeland.”
“It’s not my homeland any more,” Elisha said, “I have no home there to go to, no family... Look, I’d really rather not talk about it...”
“I’m sorry,” said Arietta, “Let’s change the subject. Commander, huh? I was worried for a moment, you’ve done so much more than me aboard this ship.”
“Don’t worry,” Elisha said, “Lady Thea has never let me down.”
~
Elisha and Arietta arrived on deck to find Luna and Pandora dancing while others cheered and clapped a tune. The crew were cheerful, and it brightened Arietta’s spirits after the difficult conversation with Elisha.
“Ensigns Pandora and Luna,” Elisha said, “I know you’re having fun, but we’re approaching port. Please return to your posts.”
“Sorry, Commander,” they said in unison, then giggled and made off for their posts. Elisha barked orders to the crewman, and they steered the ship safely into port as midday approached. Lady Thea came up on deck after a change of clothes, now clad in her usual armor and cloak instead of the ceremonial attire she had worn for the knighting.
“Well, this is Haven’s End,” Thea announced, “All who have permission to disembark, you may do so now.” Arietta left, along with a small group of crewmen. She hurried into a back alley so that she would not be followed, and started to look around Haven’s End.
Elisha, Thea and Sashiko made up the shore party, and they left the ship in Master Kane’s care as they went ashore.
The town was small, a relic of what it once was. Many shops were closed up, and the docks looked decrepit and deserted. A few hovels housed overgrown families whose children ran about in the street looking for something to do. Thea found a supply store, however, and made her deal within minutes. The store owner looked happy to have found such a large customer in such a small port, and he sent his men to load the supplies. Thea sent Sashiko to the tailor to buy cloth to make more uniforms, and she was back with three huge bolts of cloth which a crewman took from her.
“Well, I suppose that’s it,” Lady Thea said, “I need to return to the ship to supervise the loading, but you two are welcome to look around if you wish.”
“I’d rather return with you,” Sashiko said, “There’s nothing much to see here.”
“I’d like to walk awhile, if I may,” Elisha said, “It’s been a long day.”
They parted ways and Elisha wandered around the town. She supposed she was looking for Arietta but at the same time knew she should not be suspicious. Arietta was her friend, wasn’t she? But why had she come into this town alone, when there was nothing here to do? Was she sending a carrier pigeon to Selesti with a message of love, warning her to escape San Ria? Was she sending the White Ship’s coordinates to the Garanian government to sell them all out? She frightened herself with her thinking as she approached a seating area that looked out over the ocean. She sat and stared out at the sea as twilight descended. There was such pain in her memories that she had shut Arietta out with more force than she had meant to. Had she hurt Arietta? She leaned on the wall. The sea looked so inviting, so deep and blue.
She had been promoted, but she felt no victory in it. Everything seemed hollow sometimes, like there was no joy or color in anything, and moreso at twilight, when the sky was such a vibrant orange. It made all her uneasiness come to the surface.
She felt a presence behind her, and knew it was Arietta, “I hate the twilight,” she said, “That time between day and night, when the sky explodes into orange and all things seem so uncertain.”
“Elisha?” Arietta said, “I’m sorry if I upset you earlier. It’s not my place to pry into your past.”
“I’m sorry if I upset you too, Arietta,” Elisha said, “I didn’t mean to be so sharp. It’s just... those memories are painful. I’ve never shared them with anybody, not even Lady Thea.”
“It’s all right,” Arietta said, “I didn’t go into town to get away from everybody. I wanted to get my sword engraved. Do you want to see it?”
“Of course!” Elisha said, feeling relief. Why hadn’t she thought of such a simple thing? Nearly every recruit modified their sword in some way to make it their own.
Arietta drew her sword and held it flat across her hands, “On this side, near the hilt,” she explained, “These are the people I’m fighting for. Those who have suffered at the hands of cruel people, or died for what they believed.” Elisha saw the names Selesti and Talenqua engraved into the blade. She flipped the blade over, “On this side are the places I’m fighting for. The lands taken over by the Moral Revolution, regardless of whether all their people want it or not.” There were three names; Garania, San Ria, and the Arian Empire, “I’ll add to it as I go along, if need be,” she said, “Hopefully I won’t have to. But this way, whenever I fight, I’ll always remember why I’m fighting.”
“Arietta...” Elisha said, “Shall I tell you what happened to me?”
“It’s up to you,” Arietta said, “If you’re ready to tell it, I will listen.”
“All my life,” Elisha began, “I hated the laws we were forced to live under in the Arian Empire. Strict religious dress at all times, no meetings of more than three people. I felt so lonely, and I felt like I was the only person in the world at times. I came from a big family... nine children, but I never felt I was like them. I had a basic education, but otherwise stayed at home to help with raising my siblings. I never enjoyed it much. When I grew up, I started to have questions about myself. I heard whispers and rumors in the air that there were meetings to stir up a revolution. I secretly met with the revolutionaries and was enraptured by their message of bringing freedom and overthrowing the Empire.”
“It was there that I met Lizbet. She was as passionate as I was about overthrowing the Empire, and she also understood me. It felt like for the first time in my life I had met somebody who I truly connected with on my level. But about then I started to begin disagreeing with the revolutionaries and their tactics. They used violence to spread their message, and many innocent people died. So I...” she turned away and looked at the dying sun, reflected in the water.
“I... I heard that Lizbet was going to be involved in a suicide operation, where she would strap explosives to herself and kill as many people as possible. I pleaded with her to stop, that what she was doing was wrong, but her mind was set. I didn’t want her to die, so I did the only thing I could... I sold her out to the authorities. I told them what she was going to do, in exchange for her life. I thought they would betray me, but you have to understand... I had no other choice.” Tears were rolling down her face. Arietta put her arm around her comfortingly.
“It’s okay,” Arietta said, “You don’t have to tell me the rest if it’s too painful.”
“N... no,” Elisha said, gathering herself, “I want to tell you.”
“What happened?” Arietta asked softly.
“They killed my whole family in a dawn raid,” Elisha said, “They killed my brothers and sisters while they were sleeping. The only reason I lived is that I was at the market when they came. When I returned home, I found their dead bodies all over the house. My parents died protecting the youngest.”
“They double-crossed you,” Arietta said, feeling pity and sorrow. Why had everybody on the white ship led such cruel lives? She seemed almost privileged in comparison.
“They did... sort of keep their bargain,” Elisha said, “Lizbet is still alive, as far as I know. They took her to a camp and tortured her to give them all the information on the resistance group. Eventually they released her, but she wasn’t the same person. She was broken, like a shell of a human being. I met her in our capital city, one last time, after she contacted me. It was as if she wanted me to see the broken person she had become. Then she told me to my face that she wished she was dead, that death would have been better than what they had done to her. She told me all the details with cold precision, and I felt that I was inflicting every blow, every torture upon her myself.”
“It’s not your fault,” Arietta said, “You just did what you thought was right.”
“At the time I thought I was doing it for them, for all the innocent people that would be hurt. But as time passed, I realized I did it for me, because I didn’t want Lizbet to die. I loved her so much that I was terrified of what would happen to me if she killed herself for her cause. I felt she loved her cause more than me. I suppose she did. I still never should have betrayed her. I should have let her make her own choices, even if they were wrong! It wasn’t my place to interfere with her decisions.”
“So what did you do then?” Arietta asked.
“I tried to kill myself. I took a ship to one of the territories of the Empire, and threw myself overboard. But there was something in me that just wouldn’t die. I clung to a piece of driftwood, and floated in the water for days, hoping to wash up somewhere. The White Ship was in the area, turns out they’d been captured and were escaping from the Arian Empire. They pulled me out of the water. I don’t remember much, they said I was in a coma, but when I woke, it was like a dream. There was warmth, acceptance and love all around me. I thought I had died and gone to the afterlife. It took a while to convince me otherwise.”
“So what did you say to Thea?” Arietta asked, “She must have asked where you came from!”
“Actually, Maia was in charge then,” Elisha said, “That was the start of things going downhill for them. It was a long time before I was well, and even when I was, I was angry at the human race for what had happened, for accepting the Moral Revolution and the oppression that went with it. When Thea and Maia split, I chose to stay with Lady Thea because her views reflected my own at the time. It was a while before we both realized the error of our ways.”
“Do you suppose you’ll ever see her again?” Arietta asked.
“Who, Lizbet?” Elisha asked, “I don’t think I would want to. What love was there is gone now. She hates me, and I don’t think I could ever look her in the eye again. I’ve moved on, and tried to put it behind me.”
Elisha embraced Arietta tightly, as if needing something to hold onto, to steady her. Arietta tenderly stroked her hair.
“Elisha,” Arietta said, “How long have you kept that secret inside you?”
“Five years,” Elisha said, “Five long years...”
They walked back to the ship together, hand in hand. Arietta started down the path towards the blacksmith’s shop, but Elisha stopped her.
“It’s okay,” she said, “You don’t need to put my name on that sword. Save it for the people who can’t fight for themselves. I haven’t given up yet.” She put her hand on the hilt of her sword.
“So what did you call your sword?” Arietta asked.
“Twilight,” Elisha said, “I hope it stirs the same uneasiness and uncertainty in my enemies as twilight does to me. Did you think of a name for your sword yet?”
“I don’t know,” Arietta said. “I spent so much time thinking of the engravings that I forgot to think about a name.”
“Well, think it over,” Elisha said, “Tell me first, okay? I want to know.”
“I will,” It was a promise to share a secret, and Arietta intended to keep it.
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