Task of Johan’s brethren

[Aliases]

The three brothers spoke at the same time:
“From this day forward:
I follow the chivalry code: truth and honour, freedom and courtesy.
Protect the entrances to The Sacred Court shall be my sine.
Humbleness shall guide my life.
May the Even-Handed have mercy of those I’ll call opponents,
And may He bless and bring justice into my heart.
Till the end of my days paying with my life any perjury to my oath”

The Knight Commander Per Anian Steelheart lifted the wood hammer and said: “By the power held by my title I proclaim you pers, now you shall be known as per William, per Ralph and per Thomas.” A smooth sound was heard when the wood encountered the white marble altar.

The old priest pointed to a statue of Johan Alight and spoke: “His blood flows in your veins, so your task will be strong as your heritage.” He took a deep breath and continued, but with a serious expression, “Brood, for years I’ve taught you about duty and justice, and my love for you is strong and pure. My final lesson is about loyalty, as I’ll keep my word with your grandfather, Marcus son of Johan.

“When he gave me the duty to be your tutor he told me that, when you’re ready, the most difficult task of our Order should be yours. Although my heart is in pain and I may be sending you to your doom, I’ll keep my word and pray for Tyr to protect you.

“An year has passed since sister Arin found a strange portal on the Iris Gardens. Our diviners discovered that it takes to some sort of demi-plane and it may be possible to open the portal from the other side, although it never befallen. It is the will of the Even-Handed that none cross this gateway, for a great evil lives in the other side and it may use this gateway to flee from this pocket.

“From now and until He decides different, it’s your duty to guard the other side and make sure that no one enter the realm of Tyr through this door. Go, pers Alight, and enter the gateway, discover where is the other side of the door in the lunian garden and allow none, not even yourselves, to cross it.”

With their hearts full of honour and joy the three left Excelsior to Lunia and there crossed the portal, while Anian found out that his tears wasn’t sad, but proud tears induced by the bravery of the brood. For a moment his thoughts were driven to Johan, who he never had the honour to meet but heard many stories of how brave he was. He murmured to himself: “You would be proud of your brethren, although they have only half of your celestial blood, I think they have full heritage of your celestial heart.”

[Norah]

This is very nicely composed; if I have the pleasure, you will write more of the story

[Norlinor]

OOC: This thread is liked with this one makzimia.proboards19.com/index.cgi?board=story&action=display&thread=1082239620

“And that’s how this ceremony is done. Do you have any questi…” Anian stopped when he realized that Ralph was lost in his thoughts “Ralph, did you paid attention in my explanation?”
No answer.
“Ralph? … Ralph? … RALPH!”
“Huh? Oh… er… The answer to this question is…” And whispered to his brother “Will, what did he ask?”
The voice of Anian was like thunder: “Ralph, how do you wish to become a cleric if you can’t focus? I told you so many times that I lost the reckon, STOP WONDERING AND FOCUS!” took a long breath while Ralph tried to argument “But I was thinking abo…”
“Don’t interrupt me while I’m speaking, Tyr made you with two ears and only one mouth. How can you become a prayer if you can’t memorize the incantations? And there is more, Percival told me that the only effort you make is in longswords, that you said you prefer a good food than a good exercise, and that we can see on how fat you’re becoming.”
“But…”
“No buts, answer me now: What incenses are used in a burial ceremony?”
“Er… White roses?”
“Oh, that’s it for me! You’re going to learn on the hard way.” Picked a large tome in a shelf “Read this book and tomorrow you shall explain all that is written here.”
Anian became even angrier when Ralph displayed a big smile when saw the book title: “Why do you grin, impertinent child?”
Ralph considered the answers he could give, and chose a sharp and quick: “I was wondering about this, my lord.”
The old priest was confused for a second, but then took the book from Ralph’s hands and gave it to William “You read and explain it to your brother, I think he is still incapable of entirely understand it alone.” Looked back at Ralph “And you’re going to practice the chants all night while your brother read.”
William murmured “But I don’t want to read it, I want to practice the chants too.” Turned to Ralph “Fatso!” and got a funny face as reply.

The next morning voiceless Ralph was drinking a chamomile tea and watching William read the book, he thought, “I Thank my Just Lord for this day and I ask for Will. Please, Tyr, give him peace and wisdom, and … and make him less angry with me.”
William smiled and raised his eyes to Ralph “So you were saying the truth, you really got this book and read a few chapters.” Ralph nodded “You were right, Ralph, we need to learn more about our family, and here in the ‘Lineage of the Alights’ are all the answers. But there’s one thing that I don’t understand: How did you got this book every night from Anian’s office and took it back in the morning?”
The boy made a huge effort to put his voice out and said: “I didn’t, I asked Tom to do it.”

[Norlinor]

A dialog of Zacho and Ralph on a litle break from the Temple duties.

Hammerlord Zacho: So, you came from Excelsior?
Per Ralph: Indeed, my friend, the gate town to Mounts Paradise.
Hammerlord Zacho: Tell me about the planes, Ralph.
Per Ralph: First of all, universes are Crystal Spheres having the Astral and the Ethereal Planes touching them…
Hammerlord Zacho: Crystal Spheres? Like the whole universe was inside a gem?
Per Ralph: Zacho, first you need to comprehend the Multiverse concept, there are infinite universes, and the concept of distance and proportions are relative.
Hammerlord Zacho: I think I'm getting it, tell me more about the Ethereal.
Per Ralph: Ethereal Plane is the base energy of all materials, touching the Ethereal are the Inner Planes: Earth, Water, Fire and Air; and the Energy Planes, Positive and Negative; between those planes are the Para-Elementals, like Magma, between Earth and Fire, and Lighting, between Positive Energy and Air.
Hammerlord Zacho: Right, and what is the Astral then?
Per Ralph: The Astral plane is the base energy of all spirits, touching the Astral are the Outer Planes: Outlands (Concordant Opposition), Mechanus, Arcadia, Seven Heavens, Bytopia, Elysium, Beastlands, Arborea, Ysgard, Limbo, Pandemonium, Abyss, Carceri, Gray Waste, Gehenna, Nine Hells and Acheron.
Hammerlord Zacho: *confused* But where is Mount Celestia, Lunia and Excelsior?
Per Ralph: *smiles* Oh, this is simple; Mount Celestia is called by several names, like Seven Heavens or Mounts Paradise, as Baator is also called Nine Hells.
Hammerlord Zacho: Go on.
Per Ralph: Excelsior is a border city between the Outlands and the Seven Heavens, the only way to access by foot the Mounts.
Hammerlord Zacho: And Lunia?
Per Ralph: Lunia is the realm of Our Just in the Mounts.
Hammerlord Zacho: I don't get it, brother, all I knew is that the realm of the Just is infinite, but if it's in a mountain how could it be?
Per Ralph: *laughing* Mount Celestia ain't a bunch of montains, there are seas, plains, forests, mountains, and so on. My friend, as I said distance is relative on the planes, the Multiverse is infinite inside and outside, this means that there may be a path no longer than a mile from a place to another, but at the same time there is a whole realm between those places.
Hammerlord Zacho: This is too much for my head; let's get back to our duties, you need to refill the braziers.
Per Ralph: Right you are. When you have some time take a look at this map that I brought from home.