The Four Swords
Chapter 171: To the Victor goes...

Chapter 171: To the Victor goes...

Lord Carrion’s sword flew to the side as John’s blade rang true. Freed from the clash, John’s sword came to rest gently on the center of Carrion’s chest. Carrion raised both hands in surrender.

The crowd exploded in applause. Shouts of jubilation filled the air. Songs of victory echoed in boisterous baritone voices. The match was over. The Stag had won.

Queen Valerie stood and raised her hand to hush the celebration. The unruly throng took much longer than normal to quiet themselves. I think the refreshments had taken hold of too many of the spectators in their merriment.

Finally the multitude was subdued enough to hear Valerie’s announcement. Instead she motioned for Alina to address the crowd. She joined her mother in standing.

"Sir John, please come forward and accept your prize as tournament champion!" The Princess beamed and the crowd lost all sense of decorum once more.

Sir John did not move from the center of the arena, but instead held his hands up in a similar manner to the Queen attempting to quiet the masses.

Lord Carrion, for his part, did approach the royal stands. He would receive a lesser prize for being runner-up. He removed his helmet with staccato movements.

As he approached I got a better look at him. His expression was all lines and angles. His furrowed brow, his tight lips and his pinched eyes seemed to be attempting to bury pain or frustration. Probably both.

"My Queen!" Sir John began, distracting me from anything having to do with Carrion. "I would like to request something in lieu of my prize." The crowd not only hushed at this, but seemed to become still in rapt attention. No one ever refused the prize of the champion.

Queen Valerie let her smile falter for a moment in confusion before replying to the request. "Although unorthodox, I think I might allow it. What is your request?"

"Might I petition the court for something? I feel that I cannot wait until the next time the court might convene." Sir John’s face looked pleading.

He must have some important information to share. He added little to the last Swordsman meeting so this must be something new. I could feel my heartbeat start racing. Hopefully this is not a call to invade the mountains in search of the Norads.

Queen Valerie shifted her weight to her other foot. Her expression seemed not quite concerned as much as curious. Maybe I should not worry so much.

"I will accept your request. Please begin your petition." Queen Valerie boomed.

"Her Majesty Queen Valerie and Her Highness Princess Alina. May you live long and your reign be fair and just. If it pleases the house of the phoenix, may I request permission to petition the court?" Sir John began formally.

The stuffy words seemed foreign in this outdoor arena. I was looking forward to a day without protocol. Thanks a lot, John.

"It so pleases the throne." Queen Valerie knew her lines well.

"I thank thee for listening to the petition of your humble servant." Sir John bowed with a flourish "Although I would like to do everything by the book, I cannot find any precedent for my request so forgive me as I speak from my heart.

"I did not win this tournament for the honor of the Clan of Stag, although I do wish to honor them. I did not win this tournament for the glory of Ensis, although I do hope I make my countrymen proud. I had another selfish reason." John gulped preparing for his confession.

He began his speech looking at the crowd, but now he seemed solely focused on the Queen.

"Every moment I spent in this arena was another moment I got to be in the presence of my Queen. Queen Valerie is the most lovely treasure our country has ever seen. Her external beauty is only magnified by her actions.

"Even through her grief of the honorable King Caderyn, she has continued to be a pillar of strength to our nation. Her leadership and her guidance are invaluable to Ensis and if my request will hinder this in any way, please silence it." Sir John took a breath to see if Queen Valerie would silence him.

The Queen seemed to be holding her breath. She stood motionless, except for the dewy drops forming in the corners of her eyes.

"Queen Valerie has enchanted me in every way I can imagine. Nothing would bring me greater joy than being able to ask for her hand in marriage." The crowd that had been completely silent, started to mumble with the occasional gasp or near swoon.

"This is uncharted territory and I do not wish to dishonor our fallen king. I do not seek such a title. Any title the court would require of me, I would gladly bear. If I must be stripped of any title and be a commoner, I would not object. The only title I plead for is the honor of being called ’hers’."

The passionate speech received many awestruck sighs and expressions, especially among the younger females in attendance. Sir John knew how to work a crowd.

"So let me do this right." John said looking toward the crowd for the first time since his proposal became apparent. "She is your Queen and I feel I need to ask your permission as her people!"

The throng erupted with applause, almost greater than the jubilation from his winning strike.

"Queen Valerie is also your mother, Princess Alina. I feel your consent is important too." Sir John added in a softer tone as he finally began to approach the royal stands.

"I am Sir John of the clan of Stag. I have come to ask my gracious and benevolent sovereign and her people for the hand of their ruler, Queen Valerie, in marriage" John boomed.

Princess Alina took the hand of her mother and spoke before the queen had a chance to respond. "Who can speak of your honor and justice?" The smile across her face could not hide her joy.

"I will. I am Lord Jacobson of the clan of Stag. His intent is honorable and his actions are just." Sir John’s nephew spoke for him from the royal box. His voice was clear but his tone seemed pleasantly surprised at the turn of events.

Below the royal stands in the arena, I heard someone mutter a curse. I looked down to see Lord Carrion in a foul mood. "Now he finds his voice?" I heard him mumble to himself.

"Is he generous and kind?" The Princess beamed.

"His generosity is boundless and his kindness is immeasurable." Lord Jacobson continued.

"Are you loyal to Ensis?" Alina challenged.

"My devotion to my country is unyielding". Sir John belted to his countrymen before turning and becoming lost in the loving eyes of the Queen.

"I petition to join the house of the phoenix upon my marriage if Queen Valerie’s hand is granted to me. I will forsake my clan and hold the Queen of Ensis most dear." I do not think anyone objected to the slight modification to the script of proposals. Afterall, no one had ever proposed to a widowed queen before.

"Are these terms acceptable to your clan?" Alina looked toward Jack.

"These terms are acceptable to the Guardian of the Crown, the leader of the crest of Stag as the keeper of the sword Capreolinae. I, Lord Jacobson, will allow Sir John to renounce his clan upon his wedding day." Lord Jacobson sounded certain.

"And are these terms acceptable to your country?" The Princess motioned for the crowd to hear their thoughts on the matter.

Screams of joy, peals of affirmation and shouts of praise flooded the air. The people had spoken.

It was Princess Alina’s turn to raise her hands to the crowd. "A gentleman of such noble character pleases the Princess. Does this please the people?"

"It pleases the people," the multitudes yelled in unison in reply.

"So shall it be done!" Queen Valerie announced through giddily exuberant tears.