Tatsuo, after issuing his orders, waited for the arrival of Commanders Edald and Rudy from Riverbend. He knew that the next phase of his campaign required careful planning and coordination.
Early the next morning, the two Rare Commanders arrived at Oakhaven Town. They were immediately escorted to the mayor's office, where Tatsuo, Rota, and Anya awaited them. The atmosphere in the room was serious, the air thick with anticipation.
"Commanders," Tatsuo began, his voice authoritative, "welcome. We have much to discuss."
Before delving into strategic matters, Tatsuo addressed a more personal issue. He turned to Rota. "Rota, what is the status of the Blackwood family?"
Rota replied, "They are being treated with the respect due to their station, Your Highness. They are confined to their manor, but they are not being mistreated."
"Good," Tatsuo said. "They are nobles, and we will treat them as such." He then commanded a guard to invite the Blackwood family to the mayor's office.
As they waited, Tatsuo outlined his plans. "With Oakhaven and Riverbend secured, we have a strong foothold in this region. Our next objective is clear: Blackrose City. However, we will not rush into a direct assault. We need to consolidate our gains, strengthen our forces, and gather more intelligence."
He then addressed the Rare Commanders. "Commander Edald, I want you to focus on fortifying Oakhaven. Strengthen the walls, improve the defenses, and ensure the town is well-supplied. Commander Rudy, you will return to Riverbend and do the same. We need to make these towns impregnable."
He continued, "We will also begin recruiting efforts in both towns. We need to replenish our losses and increase our numbers. We will offer fair terms of service and ensure that the recruits are properly trained."
A knock on the door interrupted their discussion. The guard announced the arrival of the Blackwood family. Tatsuo nodded, signaling them to enter.
Tatsuo paused the strategic discussion as the Blackwood family was announced. Lady Lyra Blackwood and her daughter, Elara, entered the mayor's office, their expressions a mix of apprehension and regal composure.
"Lady Blackwood, Elara," Tatsuo began, his voice calm and authoritative, "I have called you here to discuss your future. As you know, Oakhaven Town is now under the control of the Tatsuo Brigade, and by extension, the Shinku Hou Empire. We require your formal pledge of loyalty to the empire and its crown."
Lady Blackwood, her posture stiff, replied, "Commander, with all due respect, I do not believe you possess the authority to demand such a pledge. You are merely a military commander, and your presence here is temporary."
Tatsuo's gaze shifted to Anya. He gave her a subtle nod.
Anya stepped forward, her voice clear and resonant. "Lady Blackwood, you are mistaken. Before you stands not just a brigade commander, but the heir to the Shinku Hou Empire, Crown Prince Tatsuo Ryujin."
The room fell silent. Commanders Edald and Rudy, their faces pale, immediately dropped to one knee, their heads bowed. "Your Highness!" they exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with shock and reverence.
Tatsuo simply gestured for them to rise. He turned his attention back to Lady Blackwood and Elara.
The two women were visibly shaken, their eyes wide with disbelief. They had been conquered by a prince, a member of the imperial family. The implications of this revelation were profound.
Lady Blackwood, her voice trembling slightly, said, "Your Highness... we had no idea..."
Elara, her eyes fixed on Tatsuo, remained silent, her mind racing. The man who had conquered their town, who had shown them both mercy and strength, was the Crown Prince.
Tatsuo observed the Blackwood women, his gaze lingering on Elara. She seemed to be weighing her options, her expression thoughtful. Finally, she spoke, her voice clear and steady.
"Your Highness," Elara began, "if I am to choose a husband from among your officers, I would prefer the one who, despite his intimidating presence, has shown us kindness and ensured our needs were met."
Tatsuo turned to Rota, his eyebrows raised in question. Rota, understanding the implication, replied, "That would be Senior Captain Proggor, Your Highness."
"Very well," Tatsuo said. "Send for Proggor and Reeldos."
Within moments, Proggor and Reeldos entered the mayor's office. They stood at attention, their postures rigid and respectful. Reeldos, however, seemed to be struggling to suppress a grin. Rota noticed and gave him a sharp glance, which immediately wiped the amusement from Reeldos's face.
Tatsuo addressed Proggor directly. "Proggor, look at Elara." He gestured towards the young noblewoman. "Do you find her agreeable?"
Proggor, his face flushing slightly, turned his gaze towards Elara. He looked at her for a moment, then quickly averted his eyes. "Your Highness," he stammered, "I... I do not dare. She is a noble lady."
Reeldos nearly burst out laughing, but managed to stifle it with a cough. Rota, his expression stern, gave Reeldos another warning look.
Tatsuo's voice rose, his tone demanding. "Proggor, answer me directly! Do you like her?"
Proggor, his face now a deep shade of red, straightened his posture and spoke, his voice firm. "Yes, Your Highness. I find Lady Elara to be a woman of great beauty and strength. She has shown remarkable resilience in these trying times, and I admire her courage. I also know that she has been treated with respect in my squads care, and that she is a good person. I would be honored to have her as my wife."
Tatsuo, his expression firm yet kind, looked at the Blackwood family. "You are a noble family rooted in the Blackrose family. Therefore, I will not give you a commoner as a husband for Elara. But I am a prince, and I can offer her a match that befits her station."
He then turned to Proggor and Reeldos, his voice ringing with authority. "Proggor and Reeldos of the Capital City, my Prince Guard," he announced, "come forth and kneel before me."
Proggor and Reeldos, their faces etched with surprise, stepped forward and knelt before Tatsuo.
"Be it known to all," Tatsuo declared, "that I, Prince Tatsuo Ryujin, am minded to raise Proggor and Reeldos of my Prince Guard, by virtue of their honor, loyalty, valor, and skill at arms, to the rank of knighthood."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. He then addressed the kneeling men. "Proggor and Reeldos, do you swear and acknowledge Prince Tatsuo Ryujin to be your true and lawful liege?"
"I do so swear, Your Highness," they both answered, their voices filled with sincerity.
"Do you also swear fealty to the Shinku Hou Empire, to defend and obey him until he departs the throne, or death shall take you?" Tatsuo asked.
"I so swear, Your Highness," they both answered again.
"Then let this be the last blow you receive without just recourse." Tatsuo gave them a gentle tap on their shoulders.
Proggor and Reeldos remained kneeling before Tatsuo, placing their hands palm-to-palm and upraised. Tatsuo placed his hands over the knights' hands.
"Repeat after me," Tatsuo instructed, his voice clear and resonant. "I, Proggor Stoneclaw and Reeldos Umbra, do solemnly swear and pledge my sword to Tatsuo Ryujin, my liege, to defend and obey him until he departs his demesnes or death shall take me, and to uphold the honor of knighthood."
Proggor and Reeldos repeated the oath, their voices trembling with emotion.
"And I, for my part, do swear to defend and honor Proggor Stoneclaw and Reeldos Umbra as befits true knights."
Tatsuo received a sword from a nearby guard and tapped Proggor Stoneclaw and Reeldos Umbra lightly on both shoulders with the sword.
"I dub thee Sir Proggor Stoneclaw and Sir Reeldos Umbra. Receive now your spurs, your right to suitable arms, and take this, my sword, to your side to serve and defend me well. Arise, Sir Knights."1
Serve and defend me and this Empire. Arise, Sir Knights."
Proggor Stoneclaw and Reeldos Umbra stood before him. They said, "I promise in my faith that I will in the future be faithful to the lord, never cause him harm and will observe my homage to him completely against all persons in good faith and without deceit."
Tears streamed down their faces as they received their knighthood and the family names they could pass on to future generations.