redemptionknight:

James took his seat again, as did Noland. Drinks were brought, and the songs began. Traditionally they began as always. Armor shod boots struck the ground in timed rhythm with the table and in song. The March of The Knights.

“Down from the sky into the fight
Heart full of rage
Full of thunder and glory
Swords in the wind
Crossing the sky
Lords of doom bring an end to their story

Father on bent knee
I ask thee
Raise thy hand
We! the sons of the Emperor!
Await thy command
Born!
Under the sign
Of the Aquila we stand
And here we all may die!
Our blood on the ground
The battle horns sound!
Let thy Sororitas fly!!

Down from the sky into the fight
Heart full of rage!!
Full of thunder and glory
Swords in the wind
Crossing the sky
Lords of doom bring an end to their story

Today is the day we Die in the fight
None shall remain..
to last one more night
Now The Emperor is calling us immortal
We are gods immortal!
We are Gods Of War!!

Emperor
Hear the fallen wait
To join thee
By thy side
Let The Eternity gate
Open wide…..

Born! under the sign of the Aquila
They lived
And here they fought and died!
Their blood on the ground..
The battle horns sound!!

Let thy Daughters fly!!!

Down from the sky into the fight
Hearts full of rage!!
Full of thunder and glory
Swords in the wind
Crossing the sky
Lords of doom bring an end to their story

Today is the day we Die in the fight
None shall remain..
To last one more night
Now The Emperor is calling us immortal
We are gods immortal!
We are Gods Of War!!”

The tempo rose and fell as the song was sung. The High King rose from his seat during the last stanza as did all knights. It was the glory and the power felt in the song, just as in the great hall of James’s ship, but on a much larger and grander scale.

Eden sipped on a drink, slowly and determined not to let it go to her head this time. She remembered most of the words to the March of the Knights, and as the knights sang, she joined in in a higher vocal with as much as she remembered.

She was nervous about the forthcoming meeting with an Inquisitor to determine her fate after the things James had found out, but she did not want to ruin this night, now that the future was uncertain. She had ruined enough, she thought to herself, stealing a glimpse of James.

The song and the rhythmical clash of armour gave her strength, and as the song died out and the knights took their seats again, she turned to James, holding her glass up, smiling.

redemptionknight:

James waves his massive hand in a comical gesture. “Your ways, my ways we all scream for our ways. Now shush woman, any more about it and I’ll get you drunk on purpose this time.” Looking down at her the much larger Astartes chuckled and pushed the doors to the Hall of Immortals wide stepping inside holding Edens hand. Looking to his left he saw an old friend Veteran Sergeant Brother Noland, he had a female with him… but she was wearing power armor of a Space Wolf. An interesting tale he was sure to seek him out over after the ceremonies had begun. Guiding Eden towards the table he took his seat which was marked and set her to his right. Champion Gailand as was custom took his left.

The Chapter Master High King Karl Friedrich rose from his throne and spoke. “Brothers, we have all gathered once more to celebrate the continuing of the Imperium, and the continuing of the Imperium, and our service to it. Thus it is only proper we retake our oath. Take a knee my brothers and join me.” Each and every knight rose and drew their sword placing it point down and holding the haft, as they knelt. As the High King spoke, so they repeated.

‘A Knight is sworn to valor.’

‘His heart knows only virtue.’

‘His blade defends the helpless.’

‘His might upholds the weak.’

‘His word speaks only truth.’

‘His wrath undoes the wicked!’

‘We forever shall serve the Emperor, until he calls us home. On our honor, on our hearts, and upon our shields shall we return home, should we fall.’

‘Ave Imperitor’

They all rose as one knights one and all their oath and code to the Emperor renewed.

Eden laughed warmly. Being used to James’ take on her ways, she did not bother to get into another fight. “No, you should not try to get me drunk, my dear friend” she finally said with a supposedly firm mine as the laughter faded. “We should bury that fight for the night, shouldn’t we?” She gave his hand a short squeeze and followed his lead into the great hall. She looked around, astonished by the sight, and finally took the seat James bit her to take.

She watched as the Chapter Master spoke and as the Knights joined in the ceremony. Somehow despite all the controversies and all the little fights her and James had had, she found herself smiling, looking at him as he renewed his oath along with his Brothers.

redemptionknight:

James nodded. “I do not expect you to abandon your ways my dear, but supplement them perhaps. I believe it would do you some good. As for this sister’s shield, she is not the only one. There are four others who in their time have earned one. Add to that a hand full of guardsmen and women, an Adeptus Arbite who fought with us to the bitter end on Carex V. All good men and women who have earned their places… Perhaps Eden by the time this is all over, you shall have earned yours too. Now enough of the fallen and those to be remembered to the Hall of Immortals. It is time we join the feast proper.” James led on and as they neared one could hear the crash of boots, the raised voices in song, and the ring of tankards as they banged together.

redemptionknight:

sistersinclair:

Eden nodded as James spoke. “Remembrance is only important to those alive, dear James. I can understand, and I try to remember my fallen allies as well, but I myself see no glory in being remembered. I wish to pay for my sins in blood, and having being denied to invoke the oath of the penitent, that for the most part means… No, I should silence now. Your ways are truly admirable, and I have faith that you and your Brothers will be remembered long after your time, my dear friend” She squeezed his hand and looked up at him “And I would love to see the rest of the shields”

“You’ve got far more to learn than I though dear. You’ve been cloistered for far too long. Now onto the main attraction here.” James walked down the hall to fine a group of shields of the same make and type as those of the Knights, but with livery of a completely different nature. “This is the Shield of Sabatine.” He tapped it. “As you can see the fleur-de-lys being prominent along with the story through picture of what earned her, this shield. This also includes the general date of it all.”

“I know my ways seem strange to you, James, but I will not abandon them for drinking and dancing” In her mind Eden silently added “well, except maybe once more for a night to remember”

She beheld the shields they stopped by, and reached up to run a hand over the decorations on Sabatine’s shield. “A Sister among you seem so different from anything I can imagine. But I much admire this story and the bravery it shows” She looked at the date to determine how long it had been since this took place.

redemptionknight:

sistersinclair:

redemptionknight:

“We in the Astartes are Sword and Shield of his Majesty. He is the greatest human to ever live, but still a human my dear. We are not simply vessels for a soul, we are his holy warriors. Just as you are, so you’ll forgive me if I find that statement a tad foolish, for if you were just a soul, than why need a vessel? Why not simply take the fight to the enemies of the Imperium? This is a time where such things are possible, but no dear this is not the case. And this goes to show why the Astartes and the Ecclesiarchy do not see eye to eye and never will. No life not even of the lowliest conscript given in the service of the Emperor is a waste, nor should it be wasted. To toss ones men into things with casual disregard is to waste valuable resources and is a sin in the eyes of a Knight.” James smiled and placed a massive hand atop his companions head. “My dear Eden, you’ve much to learn in the coming days, I do so hope the culture shock does not get you. As for you request it would be my honor to show you my shield.” He took her hand and guided her down the long hall until he came upon his own shield. “There it is, the bottom left is my Company’s symbol. The bottom right is the sign of me earning the rights of Brother Captain. The top half is my tale. I am James the Slayer. And this picture is depicting the song you heard sung about me earlier. If you remember it, which I hope you do.”

“And yet here we stand. A representative from the Astartes and one from the Ecclesiarchy, holding hands” Eden could not hide a smile. “I can only agree that a life is never just a waste of the soul. And yes, we do need both a vessel to hold our sword and bolter, and a soul to wield it with passion and pride. We have much to learn from each other, dear James. And I will never turn my back upon my learning, but I question much of it already”

She looked at his shield and slowly ran her free hand over the metal, tracing the decorations as she spoke “I do remember the song. And I always will. Your kind are proud, for better and for worse, but this tradition is a good way to always remember your Brothers. Though some men need no tales to be remembered…” Her eyes rested on the shield to avoid looking up at James as she spoke, but she smiled warmly.

“Indeed, some men need no tales to be remembered, but it is through such tales we assure that our brothers who have fallen shall forever be remembered as the Emperor’s finest. There is only one fate worse that I can think of than to die nameless…” James looked down at Eden and smiled warmly for he knew that fate, but it didn’t not cross his mind. “Yes, for to be remembered is to be immortal and know one day even the Emperor shall know the song that brought you your name.”

He patted his shield and chuckled. “That is not to say we are all just a bunch of glory hungry savages. No we simply use this as a way to bring forth the individual merits of our brothers and at times sisters. Allow me to show you the shields of your fellows who have had long service records with the Knights of Redemption. It is our highest honor to earn your own shield.”

Eden nodded as James spoke. “Remembrance is only important to those alive, dear James. I can understand, and I try to remember my fallen allies as well, but I myself see no glory in being remembered. I wish to pay for my sins in blood, and having being denied to invoke the oath of the penitent, that for the most part means… No, I should silence now. Your ways are truly admirable, and I have faith that you and your Brothers will be remembered long after your time, my dear friend” She squeezed his hand and looked up at him “And I would love to see the rest of the shields”

redemptionknight:

“We in the Astartes are Sword and Shield of his Majesty. He is the greatest human to ever live, but still a human my dear. We are not simply vessels for a soul, we are his holy warriors. Just as you are, so you’ll forgive me if I find that statement a tad foolish, for if you were just a soul, than why need a vessel? Why not simply take the fight to the enemies of the Imperium? This is a time where such things are possible, but no dear this is not the case. And this goes to show why the Astartes and the Ecclesiarchy do not see eye to eye and never will. No life not even of the lowliest conscript given in the service of the Emperor is a waste, nor should it be wasted. To toss ones men into things with casual disregard is to waste valuable resources and is a sin in the eyes of a Knight.” James smiled and placed a massive hand atop his companions head. “My dear Eden, you’ve much to learn in the coming days, I do so hope the culture shock does not get you. As for you request it would be my honor to show you my shield.” He took her hand and guided her down the long hall until he came upon his own shield. “There it is, the bottom left is my Company’s symbol. The bottom right is the sign of me earning the rights of Brother Captain. The top half is my tale. I am James the Slayer. And this picture is depicting the song you heard sung about me earlier. If you remember it, which I hope you do.”

“And yet here we stand. A representative from the Astartes and one from the Ecclesiarchy, holding hands” Eden could not hide a smile. “I can only agree that a life is never just a waste of the soul. And yes, we do need both a vessel to hold our sword and bolter, and a soul to wield it with passion and pride. We have much to learn from each other, dear James. And I will never turn my back upon my learning, but I question much of it already”

She looked at his shield and slowly ran her free hand over the metal, tracing the decorations as she spoke “I do remember the song. And I always will. Your kind are proud, for better and for worse, but this tradition is a good way to always remember your Brothers. Though some men need no tales to be remembered…” Her eyes rested on the shield to avoid looking up at James as she spoke, but she smiled warmly.

redemptionknight:

sistersinclair:

redemptionknight:

sistersinclair:

Eden followed him, shoving aside all her thoughts with a blank mine. She took the seat beside James and avoided looking at Gailand. She silently accepted James’ hand after securing herself to the seat. Her eyes rested on their hands. “How long will this flight take?” she asked James, still not looking up, as she felt the roar of the engine.

James smiled and squeezed her hand gently to reassure her. The Thunder Hawk took flight and headed down towards the Chapter Planet. The ride took fifteen minutes and when they made it into the massive reception bay the ramp dropped and everyone disembarked. “Eden welcome to The Keep. Home to all Knights of Redemption, and center of Imperial rule in this sector. We are master and defender of this segment of space, for it is our own. Come there’s something I wish to show you.” He started her towards the a long hall.

Eden spent most of the ride not taking her eyes off their hands. It was strangely comfortable, and it kept her from having to deal with facing Gailand… or James for that matter.

As they landed, she silently let go of James’ hand and followed him, marvelling at size of the reception bay. “Thank you, James. I am honoured to stand here with you” she said, when she finally spoke again. She looked around once more, and for a moment she just stood there, beholding the greatness of it all. Suddenly she noticed that James had already started walking and she quickly sped up to follow him.

In the hall before them on the long wooden wall sat shields of all the same make, but different pictures and heraldry on each. “This is something very special Eden. When a Knight is inducted, they are given a shield. It remains blank until they earn their place, once they do the heraldry of their company is placed upon it. As they fight and their name grows so does their shield change. Under each one a name plate to give ownership to the shield. Those without a shield above their name plates could not make it and are still taking the fight to the enemy. Those who have since passed, have a black shield replaced theirs. It is an honorifica, as every Knight is buried with their shield. When a Knight is killed in battle his brothers bring his shield and place him upon it he is then born home to this world upon it. To forever rest with shield and sword and the Emperor’s peace. Now you understand a little better why I say, we rely and stand with each other. For if we did not, who would carry us home? A Knight’s body is never left to the enemy, it is fought over savagely because to leave it upon the battlefield is a sin and a dishonor to a noble soul.”

Eden walked beside James and looked around in the great hall. “You have a very interesting culture. Somehow I always imagined you Marines being just slightly like us within the Imperial Cult. But that could hardly turn out to be less true… You have your own traditions, and I actually think it’s admirable that you are so close and how you can trust each other so well. Those are very chivalrous traditions, and I see why you take great pride in them. We, in the Sisterhood, are simple tools of the Emperor and the Ecclesiarchy; our bodies are just holsters for the soul, which purity is all that matters. Your traditions seem so much more… human” She looked up and James, and hesitated for a moment before continuing “Can I… can I see your shield?”

redemptionknight:

sistersinclair:

Eden followed him, shoving aside all her thoughts with a blank mine. She took the seat beside James and avoided looking at Gailand. She silently accepted James’ hand after securing herself to the seat. Her eyes rested on their hands. “How long will this flight take?” she asked James, still not looking up, as she felt the roar of the engine.

James smiled and squeezed her hand gently to reassure her. The Thunder Hawk took flight and headed down towards the Chapter Planet. The ride took fifteen minutes and when they made it into the massive reception bay the ramp dropped and everyone disembarked. “Eden welcome to The Keep. Home to all Knights of Redemption, and center of Imperial rule in this sector. We are master and defender of this segment of space, for it is our own. Come there’s something I wish to show you.” He started her towards the a long hall.

Eden spent most of the ride not taking her eyes off their hands. It was strangely comfortable, and it kept her from having to deal with facing Gailand… or James for that matter.

As they landed, she silently let go of James’ hand and followed him, marvelling at size of the reception bay. “Thank you, James. I am honoured to stand here with you” she said, when she finally spoke again. She looked around once more, and for a moment she just stood there, beholding the greatness of it all. Suddenly she noticed that James had already started walking and she quickly sped up to follow him.

adevastatorsjournal:

Any who want some of these potato chips may ask. However, they are mine, and he who steals them will be melted. 

And burned.

And melted again.

As long as you don’t try to make your own beetroot crisps with your hand flamer… I did that once. If those were heretics I’d have done well… but they were but crisps however, so I failed badly *sigh*

((MODNOTE: Finally got my Fleur de lis today!))