A man was sat on a rather elaborate throne in front of a large red curtain with the Kataravonian crest on it I assume him to be the duke. On a smaller throne next to him sat Lady Katheryn. She had a large beaming smile… I think she is trying to reassure me but, if I’m being honest, it makes me even more anxious.

  The man stood up and beckoned us forwards.

  Duke: “Welcome honoured guests! Before we can get on with the celebrations, we must deal with the formalities.”

  His voice was deep, strong, and powerful. He is clearly no stranger to public speaking, which isn’t surprising for somebody of his position. We walked across the room towards him. Kiyui held my hand the whole time. I could hear whispers from various people in the room. Some were clearly disgusted to have a goblin in their presence, others were highly amused by seeing a “tamed savage…” others were simply bewildered as to how I had “such a beautiful girl” attached to my arm.

  Once we got to the foot of the throne, one of the servants pulled a rope and the big curtain behind the thrones dropped, revealing a stone wall with a short sword stuck in it.

  Duke: “All who pass through these hallowed halls must attempt to remove the sword from this wall. It is said that the one who succeeds in doing so shall be granted great power, in order to one day save this city from great evil. Step forward Dwynfel Vesidia… Kiyui Kintari… and Tadwick Featherstone.”

  Why just us three? Why do Phoenix and Agaroth get to avoid this?

  Duke: “First, I must apologise to you, Dwynfel and Kiyui. I am unable to offer either of you knighthoods, as the law only permits me to knight those who were born within this city. Young Tadwick however… do step forward.”

  Tadwick stepped forward, he looked very unsure of himself… for once… can’t say I blame him… I’m so anxious that I feel like my stomach could explode at any moment. Phoenix stepped forward and placed her hand on his shoulder.

  Phoenix: “You need to kneel.”

  Tadwick: “Oh…”

  Tadwick knelt down on the floor. The duke stepped forward and lifted a ceremonial sword. Tadwick looked confused, but in fairness to him, he didn’t move. He tapped the sword on each of Tadwick’s shoulders before handing the sword to one of the servants who took it away.

  Duke: “Arise, young master Featherstone.”

  Phoenix: “You stand now.”

  Tadwick stood up and looked around, clearly trying to work out what to do next. Phoenix gestured for him to stay put.

  Duke: “Alas, you are not quite of age to officially join the Kataravonian order of knights… so it is simply a title for now… but there shall be a place for you, when you do eventually come of age.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Tadwick: “Umm… fank you… sir… my lord… your gwace?”

  Duke: “Sir is fine. Now, which of you will be first to attempt to remove the sword from the wall?”

  Tadwick flung his hand up in the air.

  Tadwick: “Oooo…. Me, me, me. Can I have a go?”

  I see his nerves seem to have disappeared. Tadwick strode forward, but was too short to actually reach the sword. One of the servants brought a little stool over for him to stand on so that he could get a good grip on it. Phoenix leaned in and whispered in my ear.

  Phoenix: “I suggest you go next. You will also require the stool.”

  Oh, for fuck’s sake… even at a ball that is supposedly in my honour I’m going to end up being laughed at for my height… at least at the adventurers’ guild, the stool was just for me… but here… I’m using the stool that they use for children… urgh… maybe there is a magic spell out there somewhere that I can use to increase my height… because honestly… I am getting really tired of this shit.

  I’ll hand it to Tadwick, he’s giving it a good go. He looks like he’s about to run out of breath. That sword isn’t moving though.

  Tadwick: “Dat fing is weely stuck in der.”

  Tadwick eventually gave up and stepped down from the stool.

  Duke: “A good effort, master Featherstone. Mister Vesidia?”

  Oh great… they all assume that I’ll go next because I’ll need the stool. Urgh… this is so humiliating. I stepped forward and stood uncomfortably next to the stool. Phoenix must have sensed my uncertainty as she stepped forward and took my hand. I stepped up onto the stool and turned to look at her.

  Phoenix: “It is just a silly tradition. Just give it a quick pull and we can move on.”

  I looked down at her hand, then at her… she gave a small smile and I felt a bit calmer. With my spare hand I grabbed hold of the sword and gave it a quick tug. The sword slid out of the wall so easily that I fell off the stool. The only thing that kept me from completely falling on my face was that Phoenix steadied me.

  Afterwards she let go of me and stepped back. Her eyes widened with surprise and the entire room gasped. Seriously, this has to be some kind of joke… first they put the thing so high up the wall that I’m forced to stand on a stool, then it slides out so easily that I nearly fall over. I pointed the sword at Agaroth.

  Dwynfel: “Oh ha ha… I bet this was your idea… I should have known as soon as the stool was involved…”

  Agaroth looked at me and shook his head.

  Agaroth: “Nowt tae do wi’ me.”

  Phoenix stepped forward and placed her hand on my shoulder.

  Phoenix: “Dwynfel. This is no joke.”

  The sword began to glow. A bright golden light started to emanate from it… getting brighter and brighter.

  Dwynfel: “Phoenix… its glowing… why is it glowing… Phoenix… why is it glowing?”

  I panicked and dropped the sword to the ground. The glowing stopped as soon as it left my hand. Tadwick moved over and poked at it but it didn’t start to glow again.

  Tadwick: “That was cool. Do it again!”

  Duke: “In the spirit of transparency, I do have to admit… that was… unexpected.”