Page 69 of To Love

“He has never refused a challenge,” Roland added. “Obeys authority. Is both prudent and temperate.”

Alden frowned. That last was not always true.

Stirling placed his hands on his hips.

“Refrains from giving offense,” Darien said quickly.

“Would never turn his back upon a foe,” Gareth added.

One by one, his friends continued until Stirling lifted up his hand.

“What of respecting the honor of women?” Stirling asked that question directly of Alden.

He knew.

Somehow, Stirling knew of him and Elara.

Alden’s chin rose. “I will not give praise to myself,” he said.

Stirling paused. “See that you honor her well.” He unsheathed his sword.

Her. Elara.

Perhaps they’d misjudged the man.

“I would hear another vow from you, that of our order,” he said.

Alden would gladly give the Guardians’ vow, but he was too surprised to say anything at all. What was happening? They were surrounded by injured men. In the midst of battle. Surely, he could not mean . . .

“Alden,” Gareth prompted. “Our vow.”

By now, a crowd began to gather. Some of their own, others of Matilda’s forces. If he said the vow aloud, would they not wonder . . .

“Alden.” Darien was more insistent than Gareth had been.

He immediately dropped to one knee and bowed his head.

“I vow to honor my brethren with steadfast loyalty, to protect the people of the realm with my life, to love my homeland above all others, and not to allow the base desires of men to taint my sacred charge.”

Hoping there was a bit of margin in that last bit, he kept his head bowed.

“By the power vested in me by our noble cause and the crown.” Stirling’s sword rested on his left shoulder. “I hereby dub thee, Sir Alden.” It moved to his right shoulder. “Rise, a knight of the realm, and let thy courage and honor be thy guiding stars. Serve with valor and uphold the virtues of knighthood. Stand tall, for thou art now one of the chosen defenders of our land.”

Removing his sword, Stirling moved back.

Alden had no time to fully take in what had just happened. It was only the applause around him, Stirling’s smile—something Alden had very rarely seen on the stern swordsman—and his friends’ slaps on the shoulder and congratulations that brought him to the full realization.

He was a knight of the realm.

Alden pulled his sword from its sheath just enough to peek at the fleur-de-lis there. Remembering.

You are a blacksmith, not a knight.

He pushed it back, bowed to Lord Stirling and thanked him.

“No man deserves it more. But I must find Gloucester. Sir Alden,” he said in parting before walking away.

Sir Alden.