10 King's Own Guardsmen, Zelda, the royal messenger arrive, following Alaric.

There is no decoration here on the second floor of Crownguard Tower. This is not something the King's Own do. But it is especially clean, and the Hundred - those who aren't on duty - are filed in, standing in attention with a path down the center between them. Armed and armored they are, with the air of one on formal duty. And now down that corridor steps their Lord Commander, with the fabled sword in her sheath, and the shield of Dayne Valardin on her right arm. Leona steps with precision to the front of the area and then she turns, each step crisp and determined, and she faces the Hundred and their guests with an air of solemnity. She waits now, scanning the room to make sure those who should be here are - though really she needn't have worried.

Alaric is in his spot at his ceremonial best, immaculately dressing and looking very regal. It's a specialty of his. He even smiles at Leona instead of grinning, which means he's obviously on his best behavior today.


Dame Erela Blackhurst is here. The tall raven haired knight has bound her hair back, the shocks of grey hidden in the braid that falls down her back. Her armor is on and her eyes are wary, even in the room that they are in. She gives a respectful bow to Leona when she passes and then to the King when he does as well. Then she goes back to being still as a statue and as silent as the grave. Classic Erela. It's probably because of that scar across her throat.


Eleanor stands near the front of the assembled crowd. Though there's still signs of healing cuts and her movements are ginger, the First Captain is standing at attention, all earnest solemnity.

Ectorion enters, once the others are in place and ready, with a solemn expression on his face. He is dressed not in his armor, certainly a rarity, but in a simple tunic and hose, belted at his waist. His sword still at his side bears the emblem of the King's Own upon it, and walking behind him is the Redrain Princess, Astraea, in whose arms the knight's armor can be found. Stacked and carefully tied so that it is not slipping lose, the princess bears it behind the King's Own Knight as he makes his way solemnly towards the front. The tabard of the Knight-Sergeant is folded so that it drapes across the armor as it is carried. A moment of perhaps surprise flashes across his face, to see so many, but he offers a bow to the king as he arrives before Leona, then sinks down in silence to his knee before her, head bowed.

As Ectorion steps down the aisle, Leona watches him gravely. She waits until he takes a knee and then looks out over the assembled Hundred, guests - and the King. "Each of us takes a charge when we join the Hundred. We swear to protect the Monarch against any who mean him - or her - ill. We vow to hold that oath above all others and, like the Godsworn, we make no other oaths for as long as we serve." She pauses, then says firmly, "It is a charge that few will ever know, that responsibility to King - and to the Compact as well, for the King is the Compact."

Now she looks down at Ectorion. "When you joined us, our numbers had been decimated - by the tragedy of the Night Grove. By the payment of the Teind to protect us all. We have lost more since then, but slowly we have rebuilt and now we stand strong and ready. And now Valardin has met the call to protect the Compact, and they are in a similar position to what we faced here only a few years ago. You have asked to be released from duty to the King, in order to strengthen and rebuild the Valardin. Is this still your wish?"

The voice is quiet but sure that comes from the kneeling knight, who looks up slightly and nods once as he says, "Yes, Lord Commander. In whatever duty the Highlord of the Oathlands would command of me."


Erela's eyes turn to the man of the hour and she gives a nod when Ectorion enters and passes by them. At the news that he's going to be leaving them, the womans face doesn't change. It stay solemn. She understood they duty.


Astraea stands quietly off to the side behind Ectorion, holding his armor and observed the exchange between the Lord Commander and Ser Ectorion. On occasion, her eyes flit around the room at each of the King's Own that was present.

Leona nods once. "Very well," she says quietly, and she pulls out the sword of the Lord Commander and rests it, point down, her hand on the pommel. She waits until Ectorion places his hand on the hilt before she speaks again. "As Lord Commander of the King's Own, before Limerance I hereby release you of your oaths to the Hundred. As you came to us so you leave with your honor in tact. May you continue to hold yourself to the standard of honor you have learned here, and may your sword serve the Valardin as it has the King. Few are fortunate enough to be counted among our ranks. You are no longer one of them. But walk in honor always, and perhaps we will one day fight side by side again." She returns the sword to its sheathe and steps back. "Your Majesty, he is released from the Hundred, but his final oath is to you." She steps back, three steps only, ceding her position on the floor to the King.

Alaric steps forward to stand before Ectorion. "From the time of Lord Commander Macdon, the Hundred have stood watch over the unity and strength of the Compact; the Queen or King of the Compact of Arvum itself. Only great demonstrated courage and valor earns acceptance to this honored body; only great hardship validates honorable dismissal," he pronounces. "Yet in the wake of the grevious losses the Great Houses of Arvum have suffered withstanding the enemy onslaught during this recent 'Pirate War', I recognize the necessity that leads House Valardin to call its valiant son back home to replenish its strength. Prince Ectorion, before Limerance I hereby release you of your oaths to the Crown of the Compact of Arvum. May you continue to serve your House and your Compact with honor, and may the gods continue to light your path."

Ectorion remains kneeled before the pair, as Leona steps back and yields the location to the King. He says nothing, as his oaths are released by first Lord Commander and then Liege, though those who are very observant might see the small drops of water that fall upon the stones in silence from the bowed head. With those few words, a chapter of his life he expected to be the final tome instead comes quietly to a close.


Erela feels a sadness for the King's Own losing Ectorion, but with the losses the Valardin have suffered, it's a bit selfish to expect the Prince to stay. So the tall woman gives a smile once the Lord Commander and the King have said their piece and released the man. But she still doesn't say anything. Just watches the proceedings quietly.


Not quite sure of what to do in this instance she looks between Ectorion, Leona, Alaric and then back around to Ectorion before she steps forward with a slight blush. "Well. This...belongs to...you." There's a nervous laugh as she hands it off, looking extremely sheepish before offering the armor to the Lord Commander. There's a nod and she utters something quietly to Leona and Alaric, after which she walks back to stand behind Ectorion again, offering him a gentle smile as she does.

Leona steps forward again, standing beside the King now. "May you serve the Valardin as well as you have served the King. Rise, Prince Ectorion. You are no longer one of us, but you are welcome to stay and say your goodbyes." That level blue gaze rests on Astraea for a moment and she nods gravely, and then she raises her voice. "Hundred, dismissed!"