Valdemar 11 - [Owl Mage 03] - Owlknight Read Online Free Page A

couldn’t take any oaths that would conflict with that—”
    Breon shook his head. “No troubles there, lad. There’re a fair number of Valdemaran Knights that are envoys of other countries—well, there’s the Karsite ambassador, Karal, for one. The oaths you swear aren’t even in the name of a specific god; the phrasing is ‘by all I hold holy and dearest’ and you basically swear to defend the defenseless, uphold the right, that sort of thing. You’re the real liaison between Valdemar and the Hawkbrothers—but without some sort of title, I’m afraid this Herald might overlook you.” He gave a shrewd glance at Starfall, who nodded slowly. “Make you a Knight, though—and do it as part of his welcoming party—well, it’ll say without saying anything out loud that you rank equal with him.”
    â€œAsss it ssshould be,” Kel rumbled.
    â€œI take it, then, that he’s to be stationed within the Vale?” Starfall asked.
    Breon nodded. “See what I’m working at, here? It’s an honor, oh my yes, but I don’t want a bunch of city-bred softheads thinking that they can make up for all their neglect by sending us a Herald, or even a Herald-Mage.”
    â€œAnd if he is expecting to be stationed in the Vale....” Starfall ruminated on that for a bit. “If Darian is his equal, then it is clear that he is in the Vale as our guest, and not as anyone who has any real authority over us.”
    Breon looked satisfied, but said nothing. He didn’t have to. So far as he is concerned, the joint Council is the only body with any right to make decisions around here, Darian reflected. He doesn’t intend to give up the tiniest speck of his authority and autonomy to Haven bureaucrats, and he figures Starfall and Vordon feel the same way.
    He was probably right—definitely right, so far as Starfall was concerned. Vordon would side with what benefited his clan.
    And as far as I’m concerned, that is right too. Darian understood completely what Lord Breon meant, when he’d spoken of the neglect that this part of the country had suffered. Granted, there had been an excuse for it—the war with Hardorn had drained Valdemar of every able-bodied fighter, putting them out on the front lines—but excuses didn’t make things right, and one Herald-in-residence wasn’t going to make up for it.
    â€œThen I would very much like to accept the offer, Lord Breon,” he replied firmly. Breon smiled broadly.
    â€œHah!” the Shaman said, getting their attention. “If you make this Knight-business, we will make Darian-of-the-Owl a Clan-brother! Yes, and at the same celebration!”
    â€œAn excellent idea!” Snowfire said with enthusiasm. “A very good idea! Let Herald Anda be on the right footing with all of us from the moment he arrives!”
    Now Darian was more than surprised, he was stunned. “But—” he began. Isn’t this an awful lot of commitments to make? Can I honestly honor them all?
    Snowfire chuckled, and made a gesture that was supposed to be reassuring. “It’s all right, Darian; Clan-brother is the equivalent of Wingbrother. The ceremony is a bit different, but you’ll enjoy it.”
    Darian gulped down his protests. If Snowfire, who had spent more time with the Ghost Cat Shaman than all of the rest of them combined, said it was all right, then he would have to take his word for it.
    :While we are at it, perhaps my herd ought to hold the rite that makes him the king stag’s prime doe,: Tyrsell said into their minds, his tone as dry as old papers. :Then again — perhaps he wouldn’t enjoy that particular ceremony.:
    Darian blushed a furious scarlet. Lord Breon, Val, Barda, and Harrod, who had no idea what Tyrsell meant, looked blank. But the Tayledras and the Ghost Cat representatives, who had an altogether too healthy taste for the bawdy,