From the tome: "The Cavalier Orders of The Inner Sea"
***Order of the Lion***
A cavalier who belongs to this order has pledged himself to a sovereign; be it a king, queen, or even the local warlord. Cavaliers of this order are stalwart and dedicated to their cause, willing to go any length to ensure the safety of their lord and his domain. The cavalier must protect the life and lands of his sovereign at all costs. He must obey the commands of his sovereign without question. He must strive to expand the power and prestige of his realm...
Balian stood alone before the Baron Raam Corso's door in the Redemptio Keep. He did not wear his usual lordly red tunic or cape, but instead wore a plain gray tabard over hooded heavy mail. His hands rested on the hilt of Thornblade which slept in its scabbard, the point resting on the floor in between Balian's feet. His eyes drooped and he renewed his focus on the flame of a sputtering candle that hung beside the baron's door.
A clatter of armored footsteps echoed down the stone corridor. Balian straightened to attention just in time as three men rounded the corner. He recognized them as Cearl, Grimbold, and Wini. The three were able riders that Balian had been training for the cavalry. They were outfitted identical to Balian and wore longswords at their hips. “My lord,” they all said quietly at the same time.
“What are you men doing here?”
“Beg your pardons my lord, but we’ve come to join you on your watch,” said Grimbold, the boldest of the three. “It was not easy to find you but your lady pointed us the way,” added Cearl.
Balian frowned. “You disturbed her at this hour? Nevermind, take your posts."
The men stood against the walls as Cearl nodded apologetically, "Beg your pardons my lord, but I don't think we disturbed her. It was her handmaiden that answered the door."
Before Balian could reply he saw a woman rounding the corner. He remembered her name was Valora, the baron's new courtesan. The beautiful half-elf woman was clearly startled by the presence of so many unknown guards outside the baron's door. She approached cautiously, "Is anything wrong? Where is Tibalt?"
Balian suppressed his annoyance at being addressed so casually by someone he viewed as little more than a servant. He remembered his duty, "Nothing is wrong my lady. Tibalt has been relieved tonight as we stand vigil. Your baron awaits you inside." Valora cast nervous side glances at the guards as she walked between them and quietly slipped into the baron's room.
Balian saw no trouble with Valora herself, but as he understood women, Valora's presence might stir up some jealousy with the Counselor Ella Vain. He made a mental note to watch the counselor carefully and minimize any opportunity she might have to spite the Lord Baron.
Almost as if Balian's thoughts summoned him, the baron himself emerged from his room. He looked as surprised as Valora had upon not seeing his usual guard.
"Lord Baron!" all four cavaliers announced at once. Seeing that Cearl was about to say more, Balian stepped forward and offered an explanation before Cearl could embarrass them, "Have no worries my liege. These men and I are performing our sacred vigil of guarding you. It is a duty necessary for the initiation of our Order."
Fortunately the baron looked to be in a good mood. Raam bowed deeply to Balian and the men.
"I am honored to be under your watch. I will retire to my room and provide counsel to the lady Velora," Raam said with a wink. "On the morrow I will take the opportunity to train you all on the best tactics to take down spellcasters. Now men, I will leave you to attend to official...ahem...kingdom matters."
Then Raam retired to his bedchambers with the gorgeous half-elf. As the door closed he flicked his fingers in incantation. From his finger tips appeared an arcane apparition of a mighty noble knight charging on his steed. The figure then morphed into a mighty roaring lion which exploded into red dragon flame. The door closed with a flourish.
The three young cavaliers turned to each other with half smiles. Balian glared at them and they snapped back to attention against the walls of the corridor. It was going to be a long night. The peace and solitude of the vigil, the time for reflection on duty was all but spoiled now.
Balian considered the three men before him. Cearl spoke too readily and it was probably his idea to invade the privacy of Svetlana's evening. Grimbold was fearless but his untempered bravery would send him to an early grave. At least for the vigil, the man had left the bear cloak he was so proud of back in the barracks. Finally there was quiet Wini. He lacked a good sword arm but could ride like no other in the fledgling cavalry unit. Balian was suspected that Wini lied about his age for he was certain that no shaving blade had yet touched the boy's face.
Out and about in Stagfell there were twenty one other men just like them and more being trained.
A more ragtag group had never served a realm. Yet, as green as they were, their devotion and fire they carried for their realm matched the ferocity of any knight in Brevoy or Taldor.
