Whatever people were doing the night before, those who are in the castle awaken -- or are awakened -- at an early hour. Those who do not respond to knocks on the door find that pages, valets, or maids appear to ensure they are up and moving. Breakfast is brought to anyone who does not specifically forbid it.

Forbid breakfast?  A novel thought, but not one Brennan entertains. There is coffee, thus, there is breakfast.

Marius takes advantage of the early waking to spend time in grooming.  He eats first, as food goes before finery: something about spilling oatmeal on velvet.

As usual, Ce'e joins Aisling for breakfast, today a quick affair in which she once more goes over what's coming, and fusses over his outfit a bit, finding herself proud (and somewhat misty-eyed) at what a fine figure he cuts in the Knightly Red.  He gets sent off to the Knightly mustering area in plenty of time, and Aisling heads down to the family dining room...

For those who had clothes or accessories prepared at the last minute, those are also brought. In some cases, final trimmings and hemmings may occur on the spot while you enjoy a pastry or other finger-food breakfast from the kitchen.

If there aren't meatrolls (or a similarly protein-laden equivalent), Jovian will explicitly ask for them. He had a rather long night, and if he's going to endure a long day, he'd like something more substantial than pastry.  :-)

You all gather in the family dining room for a last-minute lookover by the elders and Gilt Winter, who makes sure everyone knows the form of the oath and that everyone looks good. Gilt has quite an eye for fashion; he's not Lucas, but he's plenty dapper and can help ensure that anyone who needs a final fillip to make him or herself stand out at this important event has one.

All the elders are dressed in Amber-appropriate clothing in their colors.  (Anyone who is not dressed in Amber-appropriate clothes will be sent back by Gilt, on Vialle's orders.)

Marius seemingly cringes under this observation, but it does allow him the opportunity to really grasp the impact of who is there, and the relations.  (The names on the paper just didn't do it for him the way the assembled throng in its glittering revel does.)

Ossian is dressed in a variation of his usual court garb.   But light blue instead of dark, and white sleeves. The stripes are replaced with an abstract pattern in white thread, the pattern also covers the trousers. (As noted before, the pattern is never the same on two different occasions.) Ossian also wears a small cap (blue).
            Ossian wears a slender rapier. (He normally isn't armed, at least not visibly armed.)

Early in her stay here at the castle Lilly had accepted the offer of the service of one of Vialle's dressers. It was possibly not one of her better decisions. Her gown was a deep, ruby red accented in gold, in a very traditional Amber style. Never before had anyone managed to get her into something with so much material that allowed for so little movement. Her mind had been working on the best and quickest way to remove most of the dress if all hell broke loose. By the time the coronation began she was fairly certain she knew just where to cut if the need arose.
            On the positive side of things, the dress made her look stunning. The intricately braided hairstyle added to the beauty. Lilly never realized she could look like such a girl. The only thing that threw the outfit off slightly was the sword at her side. She had briefly thought of bringing the katana out of a show of thanks but decided it would look even stranger strapped to her back then the sword did at her side. No amount of coercing by anyone save Random himself could have convinced her to leave both blades behind however.

Jovian's doublet is of slashed black velvet, trimmed in gold braid, with the burgundy silk of his shirt showing through the slashes. His breeches are close fitting, also black with deep red and gold accent, tucked into well-polished riding boots. His leather riding gauntlets are clean, cuffs polished, and tucked in his belt. He is otherwise armed with a self-confidence too strong to need a lot of flashy waving about.

Paige is in emerald and gold, a broad cavalier neckline with a pointed boned bodice. The requisite greatsleeves are touched within with the same gilt as without. Her hair is drawn back in gold netting, with a gold and emerald fillet at her crown. Matching earfings and a single emerald ring are the only other jewelry save her pendant, although the gown itself has enough gemstones and gold thread to compensate. Her skirts are full, the upper emerald layer pinned back to reveal ivory and gold lace beneath. Perhaps entering or exiting the carriage one might glimpse the golden slippers beneath the skirts.
            Paige's skirts are full enough to hide a dagger in her garter, perhaps accessible through her pockets. A stiletto without guard could help bone her bodice, and the great sleeves have ample room for any number of sharp pointy implements to hide. Anyone frisking her? Anyone? Anyone? ;)

Vere is dressed as a Prince of the Isles, in a deep blue tunic edged with cloth of gold, a dark gray silk undershirt, and dark blue breeches tucked into knee high black leather boots.  He wears a black leather belt inlayed with golden images of a running stag, a golden torc inscribed with his personal symbol, and his hair is elaborately braided.  Upon his head is a dark brown leather circlet with ornately carved Celtic knotwork.
            Vere is unarmed.

Even though gowned – and somewhat reluctantly so by the flashing of her green eyes – Robin is still very much of the forest.
            She wears a tailored waist-length vest with a high collar and padded shoulders.  The vest is of the softest brushed leather imaginable, fawn-colored and embroidered around the seams with a subtle dark green pattern of intertwining feathers.  Robin wears the vest open loosely to just the above the bosom, spilling out a lace cravat of the same rich pine green as her sleeves and skirt.  Loose sleeves cloth but do not trap her arms and around each cuff is repeated the intertwining feather motif, this time in a rich earthy brown.
            A full skirt of deep pine rustles like spring needles whenever she moves, shimmering into different shades of green whenever the light changes.  The feather pattern appears and disappears again into the folds along the hem of her skirt.
            The Ranger wears no jewelry, though there is the glimmer of green beads and small feather tastefully hidden among her blonde tresses.
            Of course, Robin is armed.  Beneath the skirt, she's got a large knife – pushing the 8" limit -- strapped to one thigh.  And a serious sling-shot strapped to the other. (She's wearing the 'stones' as ornaments in her hair.)  There's garrote delicately coiled in her collar and three small throwing darts up one sleeve. 6" switchblade at the small of the back beneath the vest.
            But she's not looking for trouble.  This is all just standard equipment – actually a little on the light side – no sword, no bow.

Julian smiles when he sees Robin, looking quite paternally proud of her.

Julian's expression lights Robin from the inside and, for a moment, green delight shines through all the fabric, making it almost worthwhile.  Her eyes twinkle, she flashes with joy and practically flies to his side in the dining room.

Julian offers her as much of a paternal embrace as she is inclined to accept. They're a striking couple, with her in fawn and green and him in white so bright it almost shines.

Robin folds herself into her father's arms happily.
            She grins to her brother too.  And just barely manages to restrain herself from punching him on the upper arm, settling for a quick hug instead.

Brennan continues to stand out by not blinding one and all with the flashings of extraneous jewelry.  He is dressed in his colors, which are black with red trim.  The only jewelry he wears is a red ring at his right hand, red cufflinks, the copper ring he is using to keep his hair in the long groomed tail, and his cloak clasp which bears a rendering of his tower and lightning badge.
            The clothes consist of a black shirt with a thin red stripe running down the outside of each sleeve, and tasteful red embroidery at the breast; a set of black trousers and immaculately polished boots; and a perfectly midnight black cloak with red trim down the front.   
            The clothing is of a cut acceptable to Amber styles, though as low on the end of ruffly frou-frou as can be imagined.  It goes without saying that the material is the finest.  It may be minimal by the standards of Amber, but Brennan dares Gilt to send him back.
            He bears both blades, as is his custom, unless prevented.  He bears the symbols of the Order of the Ruby as agreed upon by his fellow Knights Commander.

Aisling's gown has three influences:  it's meant to show off and enhance her streamers; to be reminiscent of spring, and to remind viewers of her military bent.  The last is mainly the cut, which is like "Amber gown influenced by Cossack culture" with skirts split symbolically, and which appears slightly more practical than the norm.  The back is, of course, open, but there are bands of fabric crossing where streamers aren't, as the dress is weighty enough that the support is good...
            As for streamer-enhancement and spring-mindedness, both are done with color.  The dress is reminiscent of a bank of crocuses pushing up through the snow; with some bits of white doupion shot through with silver, and then many more of charmeuse in several shades of purple and mellow golden (this woven like the doupion, except with threads of gold), set off by more white.  The doupion is threaded with diamonds on silver; the purple bits with amethyst on gold, the golden bits with amber on gold; the jeweling swirls from bit to bit of the gown, tying them all together in an elaborate pattern that sparkles in the sunlight of the beautiful morning.
            A delicate red sash indicates her membership in the Knights of the Ruby.
            It's the kind of dress that will be on display in a glass case in the castle when it's a tourist attraction seven centuries from now, that little girls on school trips will stare at and dream about.  Aisling revels in it.
            Her hair is elegantly swept up, held with long hairpins bejeweled in amethyst and diamond and amber, save for a few of the blond streaks, which all down slightly curling, held by very light curling gold threads.
            Her hands are bare...  The right isn't icky-looking, just smoothly missing bits.  Somewhat distracting from this is the net of gold thread and jewels covering a triangle on the back of each hand, from a ring on the index finger to a bracelet; the gold setting off the gold tones of her ivory skin.
            Her streamers are further brightened with light gold cable, spiralling around them and clamped on with jeweled clamps.  While as usual they move slightly in a breeze no one else notices, their general tenor today is "held up and out, confident and delighted".
            Ankle-high cloth-of-gold bejeweled boots are hidden beneath the gown.  She bears no weapons.
    
Reid is wearing appropriate dress for Amber, in primarily rust & burgundy.  He wears a small side blade, a short sword, sheathed in a scabbard of braided leather dyed to match his clothes. His flute is in a similar case on his other hip.

Folly wears a softly flowing dress of rich, deep plummy velvet, a shade or two redder than the purples she usually wears.  It is trimmed along the high waist and lined inside the flared sleeves in a striking golden-orange satin; a sheer underdress of the same color peeks out above the scooped neckline.  Both the style of the dress and the bright colors made even more vivid by their juxtaposition call to mind something out of an illuminated manuscript.    
            Her only jewelry is a single pendant:  a bright uncut stone, strung on a black silk cord that has been temporarily shortened with a few clever knots, shines at her throat in glints of red and orange and brown.

Jerod is dressed in a black court uniform with silver trimming, and with a similarly coloured court surcoat atop that fits comfortably well but that does not interfere with his sword.  His appearance is exactly within the bounds of protocol, thus neatly avoiding any nitpicking from Gilt.

Brita's outfit appears to be a combination of her red military dress jacket with a straight black skirt.  The skirt is full enough to allow freedom of movement and is bracketed on the left hip by her sword and on the other by a small war hammer.  The tails of her red jacket extend down over the back of the skirt.  The jacket, buttoned to the straight collar, is unadorned save for a small broach with a flowering vine twined around a lightning bolt embossed on it and the crown badge attached to her shoulder.  Brita's hair is braided, but the braids are twined around and up behind her head to form a partial circlet with a bun at the back.

Conner is dressed in royal garb of a malachite green with a half cloak of  royal blue over it.  His hair goes back in thick auburn waves held in place with a simple silver circlet. He wears no jewelry but his smile shines out brighter than any jewel.   Conner is wearing a sword this day, his naval sabre given to him when he made Captain.

Marius wears a long-sleeved jacket of sheerest black suede-like material, trimmed in a silvery-blue.  It is tight around the wrists, neck, and waist, but allows for full movement and a hint of "dashing" in the cut of the collar.  A bit more priestly, perhaps, than pirate.  
            His hair is superb, but then, few have seen him with anything BUT superb hair.  Jewels sparkle from pins at his neck, wrists, and waist, in the fabric.  A thin red cord is his concession to his role as a Ruby Lancer, erm, Knight of the Jewel... oh, you know.  His pants are somewhat loose, very silky, and look like hematite with, again, the slightest shade of blue.  They're tied with black silk ties around the tops of his boots, desert-style.
            Since swords seem to be the fashion, yes.  He fights two-handed, and he's prepared for it.

After that, it's into the carriages, and you all ride down to a different field along the road up  from the city. There are citizens of Amber all the way along the carriage road, cheering and shouting. Some of you who came back late last night may well have seen them waiting for this chance since well before dawn.

Aisling smiles back at them, delighted to see each of them.  If it's permissible, she waves.

Julian offers Robin his arm when everyone goes to ride down, assists her into the carriage, and otherwise provides gentlemanly help with the unfamiliar garments. But he did that at Eric's coronation too, she thinks, if her memories of the occasion are correct.

And along the way, Jovian positively *beams* approval and unstinting moral support.

Robin is quiet within the coach, hiding back from the windows.  She smiles ruefully to Jovian for needing the beams and support.  But Robin's handled enough skittish animals to know when she's being one.  And she's grateful to both her father and Jovian for the soothing of ruffled feathers.
            Eventually something percolates to the surface and Robin asks Julian quietly.  "Dad?  Have we done this be... uh, did I go to Eric's coronation?"

Julian's gaze falls on Robin like a hawk on a sparrow. "Yes," he says, but does not pursue the matter.

"Oh.  Good." The girl murmurs to herself quietly.  She smiles weakly to her father and goes back to her contemplation of the curtains, adding that answer to tumult inside of her.

Julian glances at Jovian, one eyebrow arching in inquiry, but says nothing to either of his children.

Jovian shrugs with a tilt of his head, both eyebrows arched in eloquent puzzlement. He says nothing, nor does he need to.

When you arrive at the field, you find there is a large dais and several pavilions, mostly large but a couple small. You are all waiting in one of the pavilions until the right moment to appear. Gilt points out the pavilion where Random and Vialle are waiting, another large pavilion where the peers and their families are waiting, two large ones that house all the life peers, and several others that house various groups waiting for honors, including the Knights of the Ruby. He also points out the jakes available for royal use.

Marius does not spend his time in one all nervous and muttering girl talk.

There are also large crowds waiting to watch the proceedings, of course.
            At the appointed time, the strains of trumpets begin and all of you except Gerard walk out and take your places as shown by Gilt and a small army of assistants he has dragooned into service from somewhere. The peers, behind you, are magnificent in their colors, and the Knights of the Ruby are resplendent in red among the other orders of knights behind them.

Jovian hasn't had time to familiarize himself with the colors and symbols of the other knightly Orders; he makes copious mental notes to ask about later.

After a pause, the trumpets take up another tune, and Random and Vialle ascend the dais. Random gives a brief speech in which he speaks briefly of the responsibility of kingship and promises to uphold the traditions of Amber.

There is another flourish of the trumpets and Gerard slowly proceeds down the center aisle with the Crown and Scepter on his lap. He wheels himself up the ramp on one side of the dais and presents them to Random. Random slowly lifts the Crown up from the pillow and places it on his head, then takes the scepter from Gerard.

The crowd collectively goes to its knees. Gerard says in a booming voice that carries far more than it should: "Long live the King!"

The crowd, including those around you and your parents, respond: "Long live the King!"

Brita also responds with a loud "Long live the King!"

The crowd rises to its feet again.

Also on the pillow, although nobody could see it--it appears to have been under the Crown--is a slim golden circlet, which Random then takes and places on Vialle's head.

Aisling looks somewhat misty-eyed-smiling for a moment.

Random speaks to the crowd again briefly, reminding them of the ancient  traditions of oathtaking and the mutual responsibility of king and people represented by the oaths. He then announces that he is ready to take the oaths of the Princes, the peers, and the knights.

You are all close enough to hear and see the oathtakings of your cousin Martin and your aunts, uncles, and parents. There are a few slight variations on the oath: Martin closes his with "Lir and the Unicorn witness my oath", for instance. The elders tend to vary their oaths more by emphasis than by changes to the wording.

Martin is formally dressed in his colors (black and indigo) and is wearing a long, straight blade with a heavy sapphire pommelstone.  The sword, while decorative, looks adequately lethal.  He has been standing on the King's left (about a pace away) throughout the coronation.  At the appropriate time he steps to the front of the dais and kneels before his father.
            "I, Martin, son of Random son of Oberon and of Morganthe daughter of Moire, do swear that I will be faithful to you and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward until my death or until the world ends.  Lir and the Unicorn witness my oath."

"I, Random the King, hear the oath of my son, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "

Martin takes a moment to rise, and the sensitive among you can almost see the weight that has settled on his shoulders with the taking of the oath.  But he is smiling, as if he is generally pleased with the order of the universe. Or at least he's faking it very well if he's not.  He returns to stand beside his father once again.  He  scans the crowd, his eyes not resting any one place for long.

Jerod watches the gaze for a moment, knowing the weight that now presses on Martin, even as it was removed from his own shoulders.  Jerod's pretty certain he got the better of the deal.

Brita listens closely to her Mother's and Reid's oaths.

All that Brennan does is take a moment on returning to look out over the crowd to see their reactions.  Of course, he's doing that while not taking his oath, too.  Curious-- is Random wearing the Jewel for this event?

Yes.  It is red and shiny.
            About half the crowd is impressed and surprised with the sheer number of nephews and nieces, and there are people furiously scribbling down the events and the speeches.  There may be a sketch artist or two in the crowd as well.

Ossian watches the proceedings with great interest. One can almost hear the clicking sounds of his inner camera as he memorizes each of his relatives in this occasion.

Robin watches closely as her father approaches the throne, perhaps a faint hope glimmering in her green eyes.  But once Prince Julian is done, Robin flattens her lips and nods to herself once.  Yep.  That's the way it's going to be.

"I, Reid, son of Osric and eldest grandchild of Oberon, do swear that I will be faithful to Amber and bear her true allegiance, obliging your commands in her service from this hour forward until my death or her banner falls."

Vialle seems to be listening very closely to Reid's words.  Reid gets the feeling that he has been placed on a mental list.  Random nods.
            "I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "

Lilly watches the proceedings with interest. This was an historic event and she wished to commit as much of it as possible to memory. When her turn arrives she strides forth with grace and confidence. Once before the King she follows the protocols perfectly.
            "I, Dame Lilly Knight Commander of the Order of the Ruby, daughter of Prince Benedict of Amber,  do swear that I will be faithful to you and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward until my death or until the world ends." Her voice is clear and carries an edge of undeniable joy. Perhaps today would not be the end of the world after all.

Vialle smiles at the sound of Lilly's voice.
            "I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "

Aisling's approach to the king is graceful and assured, and her oath is given in a clear and carrying voice,
            "I, Aisling, of the line of Benedict, do swear that I will be faithful to you and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward until my death or until the world ends."

"I, Random the King, hear the oath of my kinswoman, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "

The panic Random can see in the back of her eyes (though she's really trying to not be panicked, and parts of her are even succeeding) demonstrates that she's taking this seriously.  His return oath goes a good way towards assuaging this, particularly the "defend you and yours" bit.
            The "kinswoman" deviation startles, and then warmly pleases, her.  This is the emotion on her face as she walks back to the Royal staging ground.
            Throughout almost all of the rest of the family oathgivings, she is as unreadable as Vere.

Cambina walks slowly up as Aisling is returning.  She steps up to the King and kneels.
            "I, Cambina, daughter of Eric, do swear that I will be faithful to you and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward until my death."

Random looks like he may say something, but Cambina shakes her head slightly and gives him a look that apparently squelches his impulse.  He shrugs.
            "I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "  He does emphasize the last bit, since she forgot it.

When it comes for Jerod to make his oath he strides forward confidently, perhaps glad that the event will soon be over.  He looks at Random for a moment as he settles his thoughts before reciting his oath.  He does not try to hide or prevent anyone from hearing it.
            "I, Jerod, son of Eric, King of Amber, son of Rilsa, Duchess of Rebma, do swear true allegiance to Amber and her King, to meet the needs of her people and obeying your commands from this moment forward until my death or until the world does end."

There might have been a fleeting look on Vialle's face, but nothing you can clearly identify.

"I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "

Once Random has replied, Jerod does not move off immediately as might be expected.  Instead he reaches into his coat, a smooth action too slow to be threatening.  From within he draws out a crossbow bolt, flipping it over in his fingers to offer it to Random fletching first.
            "I return this to the King." he says.  "I find I have no further need of it."

Random takes it, flips it in the air like a drumstick.  "I thank you for returning this and also for doing so slowly.  I know just what I shall do with it."  He tosses it up into the air and it flips and twists over his head in a neat, tight arc.  He must have caught it, because it does not clatter to the ground.
            Jerod smiles, knowing it wasn't caught, nor does he suspect it exists anymore.  He bows to both, recognizing the look on Vialle's face for what it is, and knowing he has made a choice, though perhaps not what Random (or Moire in her own time) might like.  And then its on to the next person.

At her place beside her father, Robin rubs a spot over her heart absent-mindedly for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought.

Marius is humbled by the presence of his peers and betters, and behaves appropriately, except for the opportunity to look Vialle in the eyes almost indecently (for many reasons) before getting down to his Appropriate Kneel.

Vialle, unsurprisingly, does not look back or acknowledge the stare.

"I, Marius, son of Deirdre, Knight Commander of the Order of the Ruby, do swear that I will be faithful to the ruling," you'd think he'd remember after hearing it a million times, but it's all this pressure, "King of..." he stutters for a moment, "Order," comes out before "Amber," and he then continues with, "and bear true allegiance, obeying thy commands from this hour forward until my death..." and in an almost whisper, " or until this world ends."
            There are tears in his eyes as he stands and returns.  There is no embarrassment to him, just sudden dread.

Random  nods reassuringly.
            "I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "
            Random says in a voice that is for Marius only.  "Don't worry about the world.  It'll either end or not, and if it does, it won't matter to us anymore..."

Conner keeps it simple, going down on one knee and reciting the oath in a clear proud voice.
            "I, Conner son of Fiona and Slays Like Wind of Altamar, do swear that I will be faithful to you and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward until my death or until the world ends."

"I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "

There is some movement and noise behind Conner as his announces his lineage.  Apparently it wasn't all that well known.

Not wanting to distract from her Brother's oath, Brita waits until he is on the stairs down from the dais before approaching the King and Queen.  As she kneels, she unthreateningly draws her sword from it scabbard with her left hand (which means the blade of the sword is along her arm) and the hammer with her right.  She holds the weapons crossed before her bowed and head and says with all her conviction,
            "I, Brita, daughter of Princess Fiona of Amber and Lord God Vidar of Asgard, descendant of Odin and Oberon, do swear that I will be faithful to you and yours and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward until my death or until Ragnarok recurs.  My sword is yours, King Random."

Random reaches forward and places his hand on the pommel.
            "I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "
            "Hang on to that sword for me.  I think I need it best in your hands."  He's smiling.

Brita smiles back as she rises and smoothly sheaths both sword and hammer.  There is relief in her step as she exits stage left....

For a moment, just a brief instance, it gets very cold around Robin – a horrible sinking chill.  Not anger, more like some gentler cousin of anguish.  And then it's gone and Robin is muffled up tightly once more, deadened, as she was when she first came to Amber.

Jovian does not fail to notice the change in his sister. He eyes her with a troubled questioning... one that telegraphs plainly, 'We really need to make time for that talk you promised.'

Robin smiles flatly back to her brother, a movement of the lips that has almost no emotion involved in it.  The most that can be got from Robin at this time is 'not going to disrupt the Coronation.  Not going to do it.'

Paige doesn't deviate, much. "I, Paige Sommers, daughter of Prince Bleys and granddaughter of King Oberon, do swear that I will be faithful to you and to Amber. I pledge to you my true allegiance, obeying your wishes from this hour forward until my death or until Order passes from existence."

Random parses it all and apparently decides it's OK or close enough.  He smiles.
            "I, Random the King, hear your slightly modified oath, and shall remember.  And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or Order passes from existence."

Paige smiles at the "you and yours", her hand absently stroking her stomach as she arises.

"I, Brennan Brandson, do swear that I will be faithful to you and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward until my death or until the world ends."
            Like the Elders, Brennan doesn't see much point to changing the words of the oath.

"I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "

When Brennan hears Random's oath, he watches the retreating form of Paige for a brief moment, then looks back at Random and mutters, "Yeah, good luck with that."

"Volunteering to help?"

Brennan merely shudders.
            When he turns, he looks appropriately heroic and determined for the sketch artists.

...Who no doubt will caricature him silly in the broadsheets.

Lucas is dressed in the height of fashion.  His doublet has a rich brocade and the embedded pearls are clearly worth a small fortune.  Rich purple and red silks show through the slashes.  His wife is also well-dressed and fashionable as befits the armpiece of the most fashionable man in the city. He seems to be a popular figure for sketching.
            Lucas also walks slowly to the dias, obviously savoring his role as the center of attention.  His speech has a comfortable drawl to it that reminds everyone of Southern Garnath without actually sounding rustic.
         "I, Lucas, grandson of Oberon and son of Florimel of Amber, do swear that I and my heirs will be faithful to you and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward until the end of my line or until the world ends."

"I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "

Lucas rises and departs, again slowly and showily.  Behind his back Random leans over and whispers something in Vialle's ear.  She smiles.

When Jovian's turn comes and he goes to one knee before the King, he removes the gauntlets to place them at Random's feet. Chaossiders recognize this immediately; he made the same gesture at the rim of the Abyss.
            "We, Jovian, son of Julian, and Canareth, get of Zoith, do swear that we will be faithful to you and bear true allegiance to the Crown and to Amber, obeying your rightful commands from this hour forward until our death or until the world ends."

Vialle is apparently no fan of innovation, but she says nothing.
            "I, Random the King, hear your collective oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends."

Deep, multitymbral, and self-pleased, there is a startlingly loud roar answering Random's reply.  It comes as no shock to the dragonmen, but many people jump.   Random looks up and says "Thank you, Canareth, you are included, too."

The dragonman gets just a hint of a conspiratorial smile as he meets Random's eyes before picking up his gauntlets and turning to resume his place, putting on his intrepid commander face for the crowd as he turns toward them. He catches the eye of each of his fellow Knight Commanders as he passes. If his grin of honest warmth and shared confidence flickers with traces of other emotions along the way, only the most oceanic of his cousins might notice anything of it.
            It is not the first time this day that he forgets to breathe when he looks at Aisling, nor will it be the last, but he covers well and does not neglect appreciation of his other cousins in their finery either.  He is fairly glowing with warmth when he meets his sister's eye as he retakes his place.

Before Robin's oath, on Jovian's way back from his own, he gives her a quick wink and a thumbs-up on the side away from the crowd.

Robin smiles to her brother on her way past him.  There's a grateful flicker in her green eyes, but to those who know her, Robin is more of the refusing the blindfold mindset than anything else.

When it's her turn, Robin doesn't hesitate.  She walks forward amid the rustle of green.  The Ranger goes to one knee before the King and raises her eyes to meet his.  Her speaking voice is clear and rings with sincerity.  She may have issues – but this is the way it's going to be.
            "I, Robin of Arden, do swear that I will be faithful to you and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward."
            Her lips betray a slight cock of ironic humor at the end.  Given that Robin  suspects she may have already died once, and that the end of the world is scheduled for later today – the time strictures of the traditional oath don't quite cut it with her.

Just before the silence becomes uncomfortable, Random nods and replies.
            "I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power."

The Ranger's eyes stay on the King's for a moment.  In them hope wars with cynicism.  But in the end, it doesn't matter what she thinks – she's a Kingsman now.
            Robin nods, gets to her feet and makes her way back to her kindred.  As she passes Solange, she meets her... sister's eyes.  And hope and comfort flare briefly within the green.

Robin's oath gets a Julianic eyebrow from Jovian when she comes back into line, leavened by the quirk at the corner of the mouth that is distinctly her  brother's.

The Ranger shrugs one-shoulder off-handedly to her brother with a crook of her own lips.  Half the time she doesn't know what or why she's doing it either.
            And she steals a glance toward her father.

Who watches her, smiling slightly, and nods once when their gaze meet.

The relief that flickers through Robin's eyes is matched by her quiet smile to her father, and she steps a little closer to him, her posture echoing the happy croon in her soul.

"I, Solange of the lineage of Oberon, do swear that I will be faithful to you and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward until my death or until the world ends."

Random looks at her and nods.
            "I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear
that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "

"I, Vere, son of Gerard and The Lady of the Isles, do swear that I will be faithful to you and bear you true allegiance, obeying your commands from this hour forward until my death or until the world ends."
            His voice is strong and carries over the crowd, and there is absolute conviction in his words.

Random is cheerful and his reply follows the standard form as well.   He does seem to be somewhat amused by the prospect of the world ending.
            "I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends. "

Ossian kneels, and says:  "I, Ossian, do swear true allegiance to Amber and her Soverign, to obey your commands and to aid Amber with all my deeds until the world ends."

"I, Random the King, hear your oath, and shall remember. And I do swear that I will defend you and yours from every creature, with all my power, until your death or the world ends.   You're allowed to slack off if you die."

Aisling laughs softly at this.

"That's generous, but can you afford it?" Ossian murmurs quietly.

Random must have heard it, because he shrugs, grinning.

Those in the family ranks can tell that Vialle is, as expected, slightly disappointed by this deviation from the script.

At the proper time, Folly steps forward and kneels before the King.  She has every intention of reciting the oath more-or-less as written; but under the influence of close drummer proximity, it comes out like this:
            "I, Folly, daughter of none and of all, do humbly pledge my fealty to Amber and her King, upholding your authority through whatsoever time and fate may bring, 'til death shall make her claim on me or the last tower falls."

He grins, mockingly.  "Promises, promises."  

Folly smiles.  There's a good-natured challenge in the sparkle of her eyes.

He nods and continues.
    "I, Random the King, do witness your oath and bind you withal. I swear I will defend you and uphold your rights from those who would harm you, with all my might, 'til death shall make her claim on you or the last tower falls."

For an instant, Folly's smile becomes a full-on beam of delight.  But then she remembers she's supposed to be putting on a good show for the audience -- where "good" in this context tends more toward "stuffy and boring" than what *she* usually means by it -- and so she tempers her mood with something akin to solemn dignity as she rises.
            There is an unmistakable lightness to her step as she returns to her place, though.

Following Folly's oath, the rest of the nobility comes forward as prescribed to give their oaths.  If there is any dissatisfaction amongst the Dukes and Marquesses that they did not precede the youngers, then it is well hidden.  There are just less than 100 nobles and they know their part well.  
            It ends up being quicker than a receiving line, because the speech is rote and becomes almost pro-forma.  Still, it is a matter of some hours and willpower and bladder control are key to survival.  The day is as nice as could be asked for, with a slight breeze from behind the dais with a hint of wildflowers on it.  To the relief of some, Random accepts the (few) peerages granted by Eric.

            Ossian is quickly bored, but it doesn't show too much. If someone watches him closely they will notice he is resting his eyes upon one or another among his female cousins.

It is a relief to most when the life peers are brought forward en masse to swear collectively.  The three existing major orders of knighthood in Amber come forward in order of their founding (the Order of the Unicorn, the Order of the Compass, and the Order of the Harp) .  Some (but by no means all) of the nobility join with their orders as well.  Knights in the service of the crown (i.e. those directly knighted but not joined to an order) come next.
            As the knights step back, Gilt Winter hands Random a scroll.  He opens it,
takes a step forward, and begins to speak.  His voice is clear and carries well to the crowd.
            "One of the pleasures of being King is getting to recognize those who have served the Kingdom with distinction.  From those who have served Amber for Generations to those who have proven their worth in the late troubles to those who are strangers to Amber but who came to her aid in the face of danger, I say we do not forget.  We honor all who served here, but some are due special recognition for bravery, resourcefulness, loyalty, and strength of character.
            "Sir Mannerly, step forward."  A man, greying but strong, steps from the
ranks of the Knights of the Unicorn.  "Your father served us well, and his loss on the field was a blow to Amber.  We are convinced that you will carry the burden well and serve us as your fathers served mine.  Kneel."
            The oath is given and received, and Mannerly, third Duke Redpass rises and joins the peerage.
            Random repeats this with a count and two baronesses.  The Baronies are new, and the Count's mother died in Amber during the interregnum.
            Random names about a dozen life peers, including Admiral Worth, collectively elevating them.  About three quarters of them are nominees of the Regency Council.  He adds a score of knights to the existing orders.