Condar kept pace with Marrek as he followed his Master down the hallways of the Arconan Citadel.
“You’ve risen through the ranks faster than even I did,” Marrek said without turning. Condar was not sure how to respond, so he simply kept quiet.
Marrek walked with confident, controlled steps: back straight, eyes forward. Condar noted his Master’s “swagger” and attempted to mirror it, adjusting his slouch by drawing his shoulders back to stand up straighter as he walked. In doing so, he lost track of his paces and accidently collided with Marrek as the Knight came to a halt before a towering set of old wooden doors.
“Sorry sir,” Condar said, regaining his footing and defaulting into a formal salute. Marrek eyed his apprentice with cool eyes and nodded once.
“You have done well to get to this point. You have succeeded where countless others have stalled and failed before you. You have shown your dedication to Arcona and the responsibilities that come with bearing the mantle of the Shadow Clan. You have made me proud, apprentice,” Marrek explained calmly, hands clasped behind his back.
“Thank you, sir,” Condar said, bowing quickly. He looked at the door, then back at his master, who simply gestured with one hand. “Why are we standing outside the throne room exactly?” Condar pulled at the hem of his robes idly as concern began to grow. He couldn’t remember breaking any rules, and was not aware of any other reason he would be summoned before the Shadow Lord’s throne. Maybe they had found out about the laxative he had slipped in Kanis’ drink at his master’s request. That could fall under poisoning an officer--
“I can only show you the door,” Marrek explained, cutting off the Jedi Hunters thoughts. “You are the one that must walk through it.”
Condar nodded, swallowed the nervous lump in his throat and pushed the doors open into the Serpentine Throne room.
Five men stood in Throne Room. On the dias and guarded by a wall of blue flame sat the Serpentine Throne. Before it, Marick Arconae, Shadow Lord and Consul of Clan Arcona stood with arms behind his back. At his side stood Proconsul Legorii, who nodded to the Jedi Hunter as he entered. Ernordeth offered a friendly smile while Valtiere folded his arms and remained stoic. Deimos mimicked his Aedile’s stance, but lowered his arms to the sides when Condar stepped forward.
“Condar Sovar, Jedi Hunter,” Deimos announced, his voice carrying through the Antechamber.
Condar looked around, but remembered something about kneeling in his lessons. After a moment's consideration, he dropped to one knee and bowed his head forward, hoping that it was appropriate form.
“My lords,” he quickly added.
Ernordeth smirked while Valtiere rolled his eyes, both remaining silent.
“By those gathered here to bare witness,” Marick’s said calmly, his calm voice carrying easily through the chamber. “I hereby elevate Condar Sovar to the rank of Dark Jedi Knight.”
Condar’s head snapped up in a moment of shock, blinking a few times in disbelief. Perhaps he had misheard...
“Rise, Condar Sovar,” Legorii said next. The Anzat stepped forward and presenting a dark silk bundle of cloth to the Jedi Hunter. Condar rose to his feet, catching himself about to slouch and straightening while grabbing the cloth. He unfolded the silk material to see a cylindrical hilt staring up at him. His own lightsaber.
Condar clutched the blade in hand and let the cloth drop. In one quick motion he ignited the blade and made two quick cuts in the air. It felt different than his armory saber. It felt right.
“Congratulations, Dark Jedi Knight,” Marick said, moving his fist to his chest in salute. “Arcona Invicta.”
“Arcona Invicta,” the chamber echoed.
-=x=-
There has been a lot of talk about how, statistically, our club has not done a good job with retaining random-join members as opposed to recruits. We were fortunate enough to land Condar in this manner, and in just a short time he has become a regular staple of #arcona and a full part of the Arconan family. The tigerblood runs strong in this one, and I'm excited to see how he continues to progress as a Knight of Arcona.
Congratulations, Condar!
Consul of Clan Arcona
Exarch Marick Tyris Arconae, 2013-12-22 18:41:12 UTC