Hail.


While I do not happen to share Ser Aerek's view in its entirety - knightly history contains no small amount of precedent for tearing apart opposing views as well as opposing bodies, and both he and I are guilty of the same upon these boards - he is correct in noting that these missives do very little to move you anything but further from your stated goals.

A knight demands respect through deed and action, not word or thought; though the spoken or written word can be one among many arenas in which we may display our prowess, it is never an adequate medium on its own. Words are cheap, and the very-clever possess the ability to say a great deal while saying very little at once. Given this, it falls to your deeds alone.

Those who live a life committed to chivalry and to excellence tend to earn the respect, if not enjoyment, of their enemies. This is a tale as old as time to knights, and is part of the foundational understanding of our own kind from which we all collectively draw.

You have selected Cyrene as an enemy; as fine a choice as any if one must have one, and a fine opportunity for your deeds to speak loudly. You have asked what may be done to demonstrate your mettle; you have presented me the chance to put that into practice.

When the Chancellor of Cyrene and the head of the Order of Thurisaz both give their assent and endorsement of you, then you will have my support in your pursuit of knighthood. It will be incumbent upon you to be so daring, so brave, and so unquestionably committed to the path of pride or honour so as to force even your foes to acknowledge your prowess and discipline.

Should you succeed, then you will have shown you may have the potential. But if you fail, you will not harangue the Guild's councillors.


In strength,

Sir Aodfionn Wintermourne
The Knight-Arbiter


Penned by my hand on the 15th of Glacian, in the year 996 AF.