First Step of the Initiate

The Antiquarian Site of Power
INDUCTION INTO THE ORDER OF THE REDCROSSE KNIGHTS
"You stand now before the gateway to our first sacred Site of Power.' He seemed to loom over us, despite his short stature Armour gleaming in the racing sun, every bit the picture of valour I had imagined a Knight to be.
To cross this threshold is to be deemed worthy of our ranks.
None who lack the courage, the strength, the heart will pass the bounds of our ancient magick. Falter here and be forever barred.'
My hands shook, my breath caught. To be turned away at the precipice, after a lifetime of longing..
'If your intentions are true, young squires, have naught but
surety that you will meet me on the other side, as equals.' With stately grace, he turned from us and dispersed the glimmering magick of the Gate. In moments, it held firm anew, and we approached.
When I stood, at last, beyond that fabled doorway, I saw my joy reflected in the faces of my companions, darkened only by the sorrow of those left behind.
'Welcome, sister, to the Redcrosse Knights.' He bowed his head, and I could scarcely believe it was to me he spoke. I lurched forward in a fumbling response.
As the final squire entered, we began our descent
'This place was erected before any Earthly being set foot in these Realms. Empyrean Fae, long ago, placed their vast knowledge of the infinite into these chambers, that their kinsfolk, not ours, might learn to journey ever farther.
"Though we have distilled their abandoned wisdom into forms we can understand, it is the sacred duty of the Knight to protect humanity from our prophesied overreach, and the disaster that would follow.'
'As squires, you have known the Redcrosse Knights only as a layperson does. Slayers of beasts, conquerors of the wilds, interpreters of the inscrutable Fae. Though these legends are indeed truth', the hint of a smile, 'none convey our real purpose.
'Stewards of these lands, shepherds of our people, preventing mankind from straying farther than we are welcome and preventing a decimation long ago foretold. This is the duty of
a Redcrosse Knight.
His pace slowed as we approached the innermost chamber. Not a sound came from any but him, and even the tapping of boots upon stone seemed to verge on cacophonous.
'Though you have much to learn, you have proven worthy of that mantle. In time, our history will become your history, our bonds will become your bonds, and our enduring legacy will be yours to uphold?
In the centre of the chamber loomed a great mechanism. Fae construction, it resembled nothing I had known, even in fancy.
'Step forward and gaze upon our treasure. The first of many you will know, in time?
We each gathered hesitantly around the machine's central pedestal. Beautiful and alien, its pulsing magick captivated my mind and bid me to flee
'The knowledge held within is all that separates the Realms from those who would succumb to their dangers, and all that shields these blessed Realms from those of impure intent.
Place your hands upon the altar and see the Realms embrace you. Take the very fibre of their make into your mind, that you may use mere ink to pull yourself toward them. Accept this power, and call yourself a Redcrosse Knight?
More certain than ever before, I reached forward.
Category:Codex