Unintended Honors

[Licinia DuQeynos]

It was a sunny day, so it had been decided that the ceremony would be held outside, near the famous clock tower, where the public could have a rare chance to see the King. Therefore, there was an air of festivities. The Qeynos Guard were out in force, their golden breastplates and helmets gleaming. Lieutenant Arathur was, as usual, walking about with a critical eye and ordering some of the guards to stand up straight. Enterprising hawkers and merchants had set up their wares to entice the crowd. Tubal Weaver had relocated from his usual post in the North side of the city, and was in glaring, fierce competition with Sneed Galloway. Nerissa Clothspinner was chatting amiably with customers who admired the fabrics. Best of all, several of the bards from the nearby Wind Spirit's Song were playing their instruments and singing to the delight of the crowd.

Licinia usually enjoyed such a gathering, especially appreciative of the bards, but today she wished she were anywhere else. The temptation to escape was strong enough to make her want to turn into an illusion of lamppost, or to dive into the nearby pool to make a break for the aqueduct system. Unfortunately, she was under heavy guard, as one Elianeth Gladesparkle was keeping a stern eye on her to make sure she did no such thing. Instead, she was nervously twisting a lock of her brown hair.

"Stop fussing, Sister Licinia," Elianeth said and pulled Licinia's hand away while deftly whipping out a brush to smooth the human woman's hair once again.

"I feel like an idiot," Licinia complained in Elvish, looking down at her formal Senior Apprentice robes - freshly ironed - with the badge of a Qeynos Investigator pinned to her chest. One of the very rare instances she carried it openly.

"But this isn't the first time you've attended a royal audience - in your diplomatic roles?" Elianeth reminded her friend. Like Licinia, she was formally dressed; unlike Licinia, she wore her splendour naturally and unconsciously, with the regal bearing of a High Elf of Felwithe.

"A bit different," Licinia grumbled, and adjusted her robe for the fifth time.

"No complaining!" Elianeth admonished cheerily. "Besides, you're not the only one who had to dress up," as she gestured beside her.

Beside Elianeth, a large wolf growled, its yellow eyes bright with intelligence. For a wonder, Tahliel's fur was neatly groomed, every twig and burr painstakingly removed by Erianiel and Rileigha in the morning.

"I suppose you could always dress au natural," Aenna giggled. She, of all the women present, wore only her usual halter top, unconcernedly exposing her smooth, firmly muscled stomach with the Ki symbol of the Ashen Order tatooed over her belly-button. Licinia returned a glare that should have incinerated the monk on the spot.

"You're not helping," Elianeth mock-scolded, laughing.

Just then, a huge Halasian burst into the tent, and swept up Licinia in a bear hug before setting her down again.

"Ah, here she is! The lady of the hour," Stormfollower boomed, and beside her a beautiful, redheaded Fier'dal woman made an amused curtsey before deftly stepping back before Licinia could kick her. Beside Jetamio, who was dwarfed in her husband's presence, an even smaller man saluted, although his saluting hand held a sweetbun.

"Congratulations Inspector!" Trotwood said cheerfully. "Nervous? Have some food," the halfling suggested as he dug out a picnic basket.

"Uhm, no thank you Trotwood," Licinia said, although Elianeth's eyes lit up as she saw the large pile of cookies in the Misty Thicket Picnic.

Suddenly, a trumpet fanfare announced the arrival of the Royal party, and somehow Licinia found herself bustled out to the front of the crowd, surrounded by even more familiar faces - Prince Kolemon, standing serenely in his Erudite garb; Rarcodor, the paladin's armour gleaming in the afternoon sun; Alsurin with his most formal, flaming elemental; and Broogan, freshly returned from the Surefall glade himself with a huge smile on his face and a wink that made Licinia blush.

Antonious Bayle IV did not subscribe to being carried around in a litter; instead, he walked in and seated himself on the royal chair that had been set up before his arrival. Although some had characterized the current ruler of Qeynos as a frivolous man in his youth, few could deny his leadership qualities after the Great Plague had come to Qeynos, years previously. He fixed his eyes on the crowd with a practiced, kindly regal expression that seemed to meet every individual while focused exclusively on no-one at all.

To Antonious' left stood Magistrate Vegalys Kheldrane, and the Chief Investigator of Qeynos smiled at Licinia. To Antonious' right stood Kane Bayle, Commander of the Guard, as well as the younger brother of the King. Kane's expression, when he met Licinia's eyes briefly, almost seemed for a moment to carry either a smirk or a sneer - but that had to be just her imagination, Licinia thought; the Commander's eyepatch always made his expression difficult to read.

"It is always our pleasure to welcome our subjects, and to do them honour," Antonious began speaking, invoking the usual protocols of speech as he continued. "It is a particular pleasure for me today to grant a particular honour to a particular individual, however."

"Licinia of Qeynos, approach."

Licinia felt a slight push from behind her and somehow found herself stepping forward, out from the crowd to stand before the fourth king of Qeynos. She went to one knee formally, taking refuge in the diplomatic protocols she knew by heart.

"Your servant, Majesty," she said.

"Licinia of Qeynos, you have served with distinction in the Royal Order of Investigators. You have brought our enemies to justice, and delivered food and blankets to our subjects in the Karanas. And, most especially, you and your friends," Antonious nodded and smiled towards Elianeth, Aenna, Rilegha, Erianel, and Tahliel.

"... you and your friends, have slain the Darkpaw tyrant, and saved the village of the Jaggedpine from invasion. For this, we are in your debt."

Antonious stood, and leaning over Licinia, placed an ornate necklace around the younger woman's neck, the pendant with the symbol of Qeynos resting upon her breast.

"Your actions have demonstrated a nobility of character that today and evermore we recognize. Rise, Lady Licinia."

Licinia stood, her cheeks flushed, as applause swelled around her.

[Stormfollower]

"Speach!, Speach!" Stormfollower smiled as he shouted towards the ever reddening face of his oldest friend.
His mind harkened back to the long list of great deed of honour Licinia had been captain of and he was deeply proud to be part of some of the more recent ones. How well she was deserved of this ceremony he thought. He smiled wider as she shot him a silencing glance and with a playfull wave he tried to veil the swelling tear of joy for his great friends fortune.

[Alsurin]

As the crowd roared with benediction and applause Alsurin added his own jubilant shouts, jumping up to see over the heads of those around him. Well, he leaped as aptly as anyone could in the restrictive robes forced upon innates within the archmagi. Luckily the guests gave the fiery dijinn, now clad in a complete set of ceremonial armor, a wide berth, so at least there was sufficient room to recover if he fell over.

At last the king of this strange city gave honor to one of his most loyal subjects! Licinia had always quietly worked behind the scenes for the benefit of her king and people. Upon being taken among this valiant group of friends, he had watched the enchantress work through the steadily lengthening days with a dedication that provided inspiration and courage to those around her. She had always possessed the character and dignity attributed to what this foreign land called nobles, the king was simply acknowledging a fact. Nevertheless, this ceremony obviously meant worlds to Licinia and that was all that mattered.

Laughing at Stormfollower's friendly jest, he renewed his clapping, barely resisting the urge to summon forth fireworks.

[Jetamio]

Jetamio grinned, her gold eyes flashing. She stayed slightly back, her usual uneasiness at such large crowds suppressing her more exhuberant tendancies; there would be time enough for that in their own party. She sidled closer to her husband, feeling safer at his side from the press of the crowd.