To soften the impact of the recent "army purge," Luke decided to stage sothing big.
A full-army competition.
The mont the news broke, the entire East Barracks erupted.
The announcent was made during evening roll call.
Major Mars stood on the reviewing platform, unrolled a scroll of parchnt, and read in a loud, clear voice: "By order of the lord, a full-army competition will be held in three days. Events include: 400-ter obstacle course, 10-ter shuttle run, 1,000-ter run, 5,000-ter run, archery, javelin throw, live combat sparring, mathematics, reconnaissance, intelligence, and barracks inspection…"
He read for a full teacup's worth of ti before finishing the list.
Below the platform, the 1,500 soldiers were dead silent.
The instant Mars finished, after a brief pause, the entire parade ground exploded with earth-shaking cheers.
"Grand competition! Grand competition!" "I'm signing up!" "The championship is mine!"
Soldiers pumped their fists, faces flushed with excitent.
The newest recruits were especially thrilled, jumping up and down… they had never witnessed anything like this before.
Only a few veteran soldiers exchanged knowing smiles.
They had participated in the previous competition and knew exactly what it ant.
It was more than honor — there were real rewards: gold dragons, promotions, and dals personally awarded by the lord.
For the next three days the whole camp was imrsed in intense preparation.
During the day the training grounds were packed. n ran obstacles, practiced archery, threw javelins — everyone was squeezing in final training to reach peak condition.
At night the classrooms glowed with lamplight.
Soldiers who had signed up for the written tests — mathematics, reconnaissance, intelligence — pored over their textbooks, determined to morize every word.
The Inspection Company was especially busy during this period.
They patrolled with their little notebooks, recording every violation.
To their surprise, however, violations actually decreased. Everyone was too busy preparing — who had ti to slack off?
Three days later, the grand competition officially began.
The first event was the 400-ter obstacle course.
The course had been built beside the athletic field, a specially constructed obstacle track.
Deep pits, high walls, balance beams, barbed wire… all kinds of obstacles tested the soldiers' stamina and skill.
One hundred competitors stood behind the starting line, rubbing their hands in anticipation.
Luke attended in person. He sat on the reviewing platform with Major Mars and several senior officers beside him. When the soldiers below saw their lord, their cheers grew even louder.
The bugle sounded.
The first group of ten soldiers burst off the starting line like arrows released from a bow and charged toward the first obstacle.
The spectators' roars shook the heavens.
"Faster! Faster! Faster!" "Jump! Jump over it!" "Go! Catch up!"
The first obstacle was a deep pit — two ters deep and three ters wide. Soldiers sprinted to the edge and leaped. So landed cleanly and kept running. So wobbled on the far edge before steadying themselves. One fell straight into the pit and scrambled out, already far behind.
High walls, balance beams, barbed wire… every obstacle pushed the soldiers to their limits.
When the first soldier crossed the finish line, the entire field erupted in thunderous cheers.
The soldier collapsed on the ground, gasping, yet his face wore a broad smile.
His na would be recorded.
Over the following days, every event unfolded in turn.
The 10-ter shuttle run tested agility and explosive power. Soldiers sprinted back and forth between four markers, changing direction, stopping and starting — every movent had to be perfect.
The 1,000-ter and 5,000-ter runs tested endurance.
On the track soldiers ran lap after lap, sweat soaking the ground. So were shaking by the end, but they gritted their teeth and pushed across the finish line.
On the archery range the sound of arrows slicing through the air rose and fell. Fifty straw targets stood in a row. Soldiers stood at the firing line and loosed arrow after arrow. So hit the red ten tis in a row and earned roaring applause. Others missed several targets and walked away with heads bowed.
On the javelin field the spears traced graceful arcs through the air before thudding into the distant earth. The longest throw record was broken again and again, each new mark drawing gasps of amazent.
Live combat sparring was the most intense event.
In the combat arena soldiers fought in pairs, blades flashing, shouts shaking the heavens.
So bouts were spectacular, with both sides trading blows for dozens of rounds before a victor erged. Others ended in seconds, one fighter instantly subdued.
The watching soldiers grew hot-blooded, bursting into thunderous cheers.
The written tests — mathematics, reconnaissance, intelligence — took place inside the classrooms.
Soldiers sat at long tables, heads bent over their papers. So wrote furiously, so chewed their pens in deep thought, and so simply handed in blank sheets and left with heads hung low.
The barracks inspection was the quietest yet most nerve-wracking event.
mbers of the Inspection Company walked through every dormitory with asuring rulers, checking every detail.
Were the quilts folded squarely enough? Were the sheets smooth enough? Were personal items arranged neatly enough? Every point was asured and scored.
Soldiers who kept good barracks order stood confidently. Those who had slacked off broke into cold sweats, wishing they could refold their quilts a hundred tis.
Three days later, all events concluded.
The closing ceremony was held on the parade ground.
The 1,500 soldiers stood in neat formation, sunlight gleaming off their brand-new dress uniforms.
Every man stood straight-backed, eyes fixed on the reviewing platform.
Luke stood on the platform, with Major Mars and the other senior officers behind him.
In his hand he held the list of top-three finishers in every event.
"400-ter obstacle course — first place: Third Company, Alistair Stoneheart!"
A young soldier stepped out of the ranks, ran to the platform, and dropped to one knee. His chest heaved — whether from excitent or the earlier race, no one could tell.
Luke personally pinned a dal on his chest and handed him a heavy pouch of coins.
"Alistair Stoneheart, your courage and tenacity have proven your worth. House Jaqenion is proud of you."
"Thank you, my lord!" Alistair's voice trembled.
"10-ter shuttle run — first place: Seventh Company, Donnel Riverswater!"
Another soldier stepped forward.
"1,000-ter run — first place: Second Company, Rosso Hillstone!"
"5,000-ter run — first place: Fifth Company, Gregor Flower!"
"Archery — first place: First Company, Anguy Snow!"
Na after na was called. Soldier after soldier walked onto the platform. So were moved to tears, so fought them back, and so simply wore broad, honest smiles.
Every winner received a dal and prize money.
Every na would be recorded in the camp's Book of Honor, to be rembered forever.
The final event was the one everyone had been waiting for.
The knighting ceremony.
Luke stood on the reviewing platform. Before him knelt ten n.
Major Mars Rivers — commander of the family guard. Captain Lucas Riverswater — commander of the First Company. Major Hans Ironhamr — a blacksmith by trade who had smashed three enemy skulls with a single hamr blow at White Ridge Pass. Syrio Forel — forr chief sword instructor to the Sealord of Braavos and Luke's own swordmaster. And six more soldiers who had distinguished themselves with outstanding rit and performance.
Luke slowly drew the longsword at his waist. It was not Valyrian steel, but a fine steel blade forged by Earth's top craftsn — long, slender, and gleaming coldly.
He stepped in front of Mars.
Mars kept his head lowered, one knee on the ground, fists resting on his thigh.
Luke lightly rested the blade on Mars's right shoulder.
"In the na of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave."
The blade moved to the left shoulder.
"In the na of the Father, I charge you to be just."
Back to the right shoulder.
"In the na of the Mother, I charge you to protect…"
He sheathed the sword and declared in a deep voice, "Rise, Ser Mars."
Mars lifted his head, eyes slightly red. He stood and turned to face the 1,500 soldiers below.
The entire parade ground fell silent.
Then, soone started it, and a thunderous cheer erupted.
"Ser Mars! Ser Mars!"
Luke moved to Lucas and repeated the ritual.
"In the na of the Warrior, I charge you to be brave. In the na of the Father, I charge you to be just. In the na of the Mother, I charge you to protect. Rise, Ser Lucas."
Lucas stood, tears already sliding down his cheeks.
Hans, Syrio, and the other six n were knighted one by one. Every face showed unmistakable excitent.
When the last man rose, Luke sheathed his sword and walked to the center of the platform.
He looked down at the 1,500 soldiers and spoke slowly:
"A knight is not rely a title or a rank. Knighthood is a responsibility.
"Bravery is to protect the weak. Justice is to uphold righteousness. Protection is for the people you love, the people who love you, and every soul who lives on this land.
"From this day forward, these ten n are knights. But in my heart, every one of you can beco a knight… not by birth, not by blood, but by your courage, your loyalty, and your deeds.
"House Jaqenion is proud of you."
The field fell silent.
Then the 1,500 soldiers dropped to one knee in perfect unison and roared as one:
"For Jaqenion!" "For Lord Luke!"
The cry shook the heavens and lingered long after.
After the ceremony ended, Luke returned alone to the lord's residence.
He stood by the window, gazing toward the distant East Barracks, deep in thought.
The knightly system.
This was a tradition that had lasted thousands of years in Westeros, an honor system recognized throughout the Seven Kingdoms. The right to knight soone theoretically belonged to every knight, but true recognition usually required a lord's approval and noble status.
He was only a minor baron.
According to Westerosi custom, the knights he dubbed would only be recognized in this small corner of the Riverlands. Once they left his domain, those so-called "ser" titles might not even earn them a al.
He very much wanted to change the standards for knighthood, reform the dubbing ceremony, and redefine the knightly code.
But right now he lacked the status and power.
If he wanted to touch this thousand-year-old tree called the knightly system, he would need real strength and position.
At least until he ascended to greater heights.
At least until he was no longer a baron, but a duke, a king, or even…
Luke withdrew his gaze, the corners of his mouth curving into a faint smile.
No rush.
There was plenty of ti.
Outside the window the setting sun dyed the whole of Draco City golden. In the distance the bugle sounded once more over the East Barracks — the signal for evening roll call.
The 1,500 soldiers were forming up.
Ten newly dubbed knights were receiving congratulations from their comrades.
--------------------------
Support us on P@tre0n and gain access to 100 chapters in advance!
[email protected]/inkshield
User Comments
0 comments from readers