Catriona takes the Oath
--[ Luminaria(#6290RJ) ]------------------------------------[ House Karm ]----
The Luminaria of Karm might be a chapel if it were placed in a
different setting. Here, it is a dark room given as a reminder of the
house's duty, and it does so with the play of light and darkness. The
floor is black marble with veins of red and gold, polished to a
mirror-like shine. The walls are an unrelieved black, up to the pale
gold of the domed ceiling which lets no light from outside pass
through. Benches are provided for seating, the dark wood almost as
polished as the floor. The burgundy velvet of the cushions is thin and
with little padding. At the forefront of the room is not an altar, but
a massive candelabra of many branches. Each holds an everburning
candle placed there by a Karm who swore their life to upholding Karm's
sacred duty.
A great marble arch leads back to the residential hall, with the same
designs as before: embelleshments of Karm's standards and sigils. It
also has a recessed handle within its solid dark wood.
Lucius and Walter are here.
Catriona has arrived.
Trist has arrived.
The call has gone to blooded members of Karm. Another will be sworn into their ranks this day: Lady Catriona. The Luminaria is a somber and serious place, but one of reassurance to many within the House. It is here that all oathbound members take their oaths, and swear allegiance to Karm.
Lucius stands at the candelabra, nodding to those who enter seriously. He is obviously enjoying the moment, but trying not to let it show.
Walter stands before some of the everburning candles, one of his own among those leaving room with warm light. His hands are folded behind his back, his expression serious, and managing not to be annoyed or distant.
Catriona enters the room in a formal gown of deep blue satin, trimmed with black lace. Her pale hair is bound in intricate knots and her expression is unusually solemn for the young Karm. She looks first to Lucius, and then Walter, and she would never smile on such a serious occasion, so her eyes dance for her instead.
Trist arrives after a bit after Catriona, and he frowns at himself for that being later then her. The frown is quickly schooled as he moves into the room taking a place where he won't be in anyone's way but a place where he wouldn't be hidden.
Lucius nods to Catriona, then addresses those gathered:
"The blood of Karm gathers this day, to bear witness to one who swears the Oath. Since the founding of Amber, we of Karm have taken the Oath as a token of our Duty, as a confirmation of our path." He looks to Catriona. "Are you, Lady Catriona of House Karm, prepared to swear fealty to Amber, Karm, and its Duty, with all that you are?"
Walter looks more like the father of the Bride on Catriona's entrance than anything else. Pride curls the corners of his mouth.
Catriona pauses just before Lucius, unlit candle clutched tightly between two almost-trembling hands. "I am," she offers up simply, the hint of new excitement in her grave tone as she regards the Seneschal.
Trist allows a small smile to tug at the corners of his mouth as he watches in silence.
Lucius looks over Trist and Walter, then nods to Catriona. "Then approach, and light your candle from those gathered." He gestures to the candelabra, heavy with everburning candles. "Draw strength from their light, and add your own to theirs."
Walter gives Catriona the slightest of nods, as if to reassure any fluttering nerves she might have.
Cat takes the few steps needed to bring her before the bank of candles already lit. With a two-handed grip on her own column of wax, she lifts the wick to the flicker of the nearest candle, waiting until the bright flame multiplies.
Trist watches silently his eyes flickering between the three till the candle is brought up to be lit.
Lucius looks to Cat now, waiting for her to say the words. His eye is keen upon her, judging, waiting, watching.
Walter's hands come out from behind his back and rest at his sides. He says nothing.
Catriona watches the flame dance before her, and, still solemn, she intones:
"Here I do swear, by blood, mouth, and heart, my loyalty to House Karm.
I swear to obey my Duty, my House, and my King.
I shall hold a flame to the light, and banish the Darkness wherever it is found.
I shall destroy That Which Threatens the safety of Amber, and All.
I shall lock away That Which Must be Sealed.
I am bastion against the Dark.
I shall defend House, Kingdom and All against it.
I am the lock upon the door.
I shall guard it, steadfast.
I am the blood of Karm.
By it I swear, and by it I am bound.
Until death take me,
And all worlds end."
It's certainly a mouthful and the young Karm does it all in one breath, which leaves her to suck in air eagerly upon finishing.
Trist watches almost as intently as he listens the dancing flames casting its light upon the man's form, he seems to shift his weight but only slightly. He can't help but smile slightly when she sucks in that breath.
Lucius gestures to the candelabra once more: "The words have been spoken. The oath made. Place your candle in its rightful place, amongst the others that belong here." He waits for this before speaking further.
Walter actually does smile now, though he holds back from clapping or cheering. For now.
Catriona's smile is reserved, as if being held back by the barest of strings. She places her candle in an empty space between two others, and then turns to face Lucius, eyes fair to bursting with pride.
Trist smile only grows when he sees Walter's joy in plain sight, Trist does try to school his features but doesn't fair to well.
Lucius looks over the others now. "And so, the light grows against the Dark. I, Lord Lucius Aspiro Vilnius Whinse of Karm, Warder and Seneschal of House Karm, do declare Lady Catriona of House Karm to be bound to this Great House by blood and oath. All honours due a Karm are due to her." He smiles then, to her, and looks again to the others. "I have the pleasure of another announcement. Lady Catriona is also given this day the Stewardship of Hasp. It shall be her responsibility to care for Karm's holdings in Arden, and serve our interests there as is demanded of her."
He then approaches Cat, and lays a hand on her shoulder. "Welcome, Lady Catriona, Steward of Hasp, to Karm."
Walter approachesd Catriona only after Lucius's words are said. There's likely little help to be found for the bear hug the woman receives.
Catriona isn't crying. It's just hot in the room, what with all the candles, and the bone-crushing embrace of Walter. She brushes her sleeve against her eyes hastily, turning the full force of her radiant smile on them all. "Funny, I don't feel any different," she teases softly, happily.
Trist finally gives in and smiles as everyone else seems to now He steps closer to Cat and he chuckles when she is bear hugged by Walter. His chuckle is renewed by Catriona's words, "Welcome." he says warmly.
Lucius smiles, and gestures to the door. "A feast has been prepared. Come, and let us celebrate."
"Is there cake?" Catriona asks, trailing along after everyone else. "I do love cake."
The Luminaria of Karm might be a chapel if it were placed in a
different setting. Here, it is a dark room given as a reminder of the
house's duty, and it does so with the play of light and darkness. The
floor is black marble with veins of red and gold, polished to a
mirror-like shine. The walls are an unrelieved black, up to the pale
gold of the domed ceiling which lets no light from outside pass
through. Benches are provided for seating, the dark wood almost as
polished as the floor. The burgundy velvet of the cushions is thin and
with little padding. At the forefront of the room is not an altar, but
a massive candelabra of many branches. Each holds an everburning
candle placed there by a Karm who swore their life to upholding Karm's
sacred duty.
A great marble arch leads back to the residential hall, with the same
designs as before: embelleshments of Karm's standards and sigils. It
also has a recessed handle within its solid dark wood.
Lucius and Walter are here.
Catriona has arrived.
Trist has arrived.
The call has gone to blooded members of Karm. Another will be sworn into their ranks this day: Lady Catriona. The Luminaria is a somber and serious place, but one of reassurance to many within the House. It is here that all oathbound members take their oaths, and swear allegiance to Karm.
Lucius stands at the candelabra, nodding to those who enter seriously. He is obviously enjoying the moment, but trying not to let it show.
Walter stands before some of the everburning candles, one of his own among those leaving room with warm light. His hands are folded behind his back, his expression serious, and managing not to be annoyed or distant.
Catriona enters the room in a formal gown of deep blue satin, trimmed with black lace. Her pale hair is bound in intricate knots and her expression is unusually solemn for the young Karm. She looks first to Lucius, and then Walter, and she would never smile on such a serious occasion, so her eyes dance for her instead.
Trist arrives after a bit after Catriona, and he frowns at himself for that being later then her. The frown is quickly schooled as he moves into the room taking a place where he won't be in anyone's way but a place where he wouldn't be hidden.
Lucius nods to Catriona, then addresses those gathered:
"The blood of Karm gathers this day, to bear witness to one who swears the Oath. Since the founding of Amber, we of Karm have taken the Oath as a token of our Duty, as a confirmation of our path." He looks to Catriona. "Are you, Lady Catriona of House Karm, prepared to swear fealty to Amber, Karm, and its Duty, with all that you are?"
Walter looks more like the father of the Bride on Catriona's entrance than anything else. Pride curls the corners of his mouth.
Catriona pauses just before Lucius, unlit candle clutched tightly between two almost-trembling hands. "I am," she offers up simply, the hint of new excitement in her grave tone as she regards the Seneschal.
Trist allows a small smile to tug at the corners of his mouth as he watches in silence.
Lucius looks over Trist and Walter, then nods to Catriona. "Then approach, and light your candle from those gathered." He gestures to the candelabra, heavy with everburning candles. "Draw strength from their light, and add your own to theirs."
Walter gives Catriona the slightest of nods, as if to reassure any fluttering nerves she might have.
Cat takes the few steps needed to bring her before the bank of candles already lit. With a two-handed grip on her own column of wax, she lifts the wick to the flicker of the nearest candle, waiting until the bright flame multiplies.
Trist watches silently his eyes flickering between the three till the candle is brought up to be lit.
Lucius looks to Cat now, waiting for her to say the words. His eye is keen upon her, judging, waiting, watching.
Walter's hands come out from behind his back and rest at his sides. He says nothing.
Catriona watches the flame dance before her, and, still solemn, she intones:
"Here I do swear, by blood, mouth, and heart, my loyalty to House Karm.
I swear to obey my Duty, my House, and my King.
I shall hold a flame to the light, and banish the Darkness wherever it is found.
I shall destroy That Which Threatens the safety of Amber, and All.
I shall lock away That Which Must be Sealed.
I am bastion against the Dark.
I shall defend House, Kingdom and All against it.
I am the lock upon the door.
I shall guard it, steadfast.
I am the blood of Karm.
By it I swear, and by it I am bound.
Until death take me,
And all worlds end."
It's certainly a mouthful and the young Karm does it all in one breath, which leaves her to suck in air eagerly upon finishing.
Trist watches almost as intently as he listens the dancing flames casting its light upon the man's form, he seems to shift his weight but only slightly. He can't help but smile slightly when she sucks in that breath.
Lucius gestures to the candelabra once more: "The words have been spoken. The oath made. Place your candle in its rightful place, amongst the others that belong here." He waits for this before speaking further.
Walter actually does smile now, though he holds back from clapping or cheering. For now.
Catriona's smile is reserved, as if being held back by the barest of strings. She places her candle in an empty space between two others, and then turns to face Lucius, eyes fair to bursting with pride.
Trist smile only grows when he sees Walter's joy in plain sight, Trist does try to school his features but doesn't fair to well.
Lucius looks over the others now. "And so, the light grows against the Dark. I, Lord Lucius Aspiro Vilnius Whinse of Karm, Warder and Seneschal of House Karm, do declare Lady Catriona of House Karm to be bound to this Great House by blood and oath. All honours due a Karm are due to her." He smiles then, to her, and looks again to the others. "I have the pleasure of another announcement. Lady Catriona is also given this day the Stewardship of Hasp. It shall be her responsibility to care for Karm's holdings in Arden, and serve our interests there as is demanded of her."
He then approaches Cat, and lays a hand on her shoulder. "Welcome, Lady Catriona, Steward of Hasp, to Karm."
Walter approachesd Catriona only after Lucius's words are said. There's likely little help to be found for the bear hug the woman receives.
Catriona isn't crying. It's just hot in the room, what with all the candles, and the bone-crushing embrace of Walter. She brushes her sleeve against her eyes hastily, turning the full force of her radiant smile on them all. "Funny, I don't feel any different," she teases softly, happily.
Trist finally gives in and smiles as everyone else seems to now He steps closer to Cat and he chuckles when she is bear hugged by Walter. His chuckle is renewed by Catriona's words, "Welcome." he says warmly.
Lucius smiles, and gestures to the door. "A feast has been prepared. Come, and let us celebrate."
"Is there cake?" Catriona asks, trailing along after everyone else. "I do love cake."