33 Ceremony 1 (2/2)

A quarter of an hour after that, Blake came out and began officiating the ceremony.

It was kept mercifully brief by Blake addressing the purpose of this ceremony as well as the award giver who is to be prince Aureus.

Aureus stepped onto the stage after the address and gave a short address to the personnel attending.

In essence, Aureus thanked them for their tireless efforts in protecting and running Everdawn. In particular, the soldiers whom have shed blood to protect the citizens of the Empire from the marauding demon hordes.

The military personnel gave off raucous cheers as Aureus ended that part of his address.

Aureus finished off the address that it is his vision that Everdawn will prosper during the twenty years spatial gates blackout and to eliminate the demon beast threat within the next few years.

This time, the entire crowd was cheering as Aureus ended his speech.

The ceremony then proceeded apace as various civil and military personnel whom have accumulated meritorious service during Aureus's tenure in the outer realm stepped up to the stage to receive their awards.

Many of the soldiers whom participated in the recent expedition to the Rolger Forest can be seen among the awarded.

As the awarding part of the ceremony , Blake announced in a sonorous voice that the bestowal ceremony commences!

Edward stepped up the stage and Aureus personally pinned a blood red sigil with a single silver marking to Edward's collar.

The Direwolf company as well as the military personnel whom have worked with Edward thus far, gave the loudest cheers.

Edward stepped to the side as Caine then made his way up.

Aureus opened the case containing the blue core and presented it to Caine along with a blood red sigil. Caine bowed and accepted it with both hands.

Tiffany stepped up last as Caine moved to join Edward. Showing more poise and grace then Caine, Tiffany bowed and accepted her core and sigil.

As the final part of the ceremony drew to a close, the cheers approached an unprecedented level prior as Blake announced the end of the ceremony and urged everyone to partake of the feast.

—

In a table set aside for Aureus and his inner council, various steaming dishes and plates of rice and bread could be seen.

As Aureus and his council broke fast, they discussed many matters. Tarin and Johan expressed delight at the idea that Calvus and Denter will be rejoining them soon.

Edward, Caine and Tiffany made various sounds of acknowledgment. Although they have never met the two officers, they have heard plenty about the two since their stint in the castle.

The council then debated various issues regarding the Everdawn province in a far lighter manner then they have usually done in the study.

The discussion ranged from the drafting of laws to how the common man can make a living in Everdawn. The only notable exception that could be noticed were that there were no references made to Edward being an outworlder as well as the divine artifacts he possessed.

Aureus personally cut a section of a fish that still steamed and presented it to Tarin while stating that he could not think of any kinds of metals or baubles that could properly capture his years of service to the Empire and Tarin would have to make do with his poor imitation of a reward.

This act drew a series of laughter around the table.

As the laughter died down, Tarin cupped his hands in Aureus's direction and stated that such an act by Aureus honored him.

”In my opinion, this piece of fish meat is far more useful then all the baubles I received in the past.” Tarin said in a light manner but his eyes misted slightly.

The meal ended amidst much gaiety and laughter.