meridian_rose

Title: Titles
Fandom:Original
'Verse/Series: Kat
Pairing/Characters: Kat, Honor, Cal
Rating:PG-13
Word Count:1250
Prompt:Originally for the writerverse amnesty prompts "Bowl of Fruit", "Traditions", "Moodiness", "Marine", "Understanding"
Summary: Kat prepares to bestow a title for the first time
Warnings: none
Notes: I've referred to Cal as least once as Callum, I think, but I'm not sold on the name. Here his full name is given as Callahan, which may or may not stick.


Kat picked up an apple from the bowl of fruit on the table and polished it on her sleeve. Honor watched her and she glanced over at him. "What?"

"The cook washes those apples, you know, and uses a clean cloth to dry them before adding them to the bowl. Not only is there no need to clean it, you're more likely getting it dirtier by rubbing on your sleeve after you've been out riding."

Kat stuck out her tongue and then took a defiant bite of the apple. There was no use arguing when Honor had a point.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Honor asked. He meant the ceremony of course.

She rolled her eyes while she chewed and then swallowed. "Yes. We've been over it."

"I know how you are with traditions. You have some leeway, but there are certain aspects to the ceremony which must take place for it to be considered valid and binding." Honor stood and went to the nearby chair, upon which sat a carved wooden box. He brought the box to the table.

"I'm sure you will make sure we follow the rules as necessary," Kat said, her tone dancing close to making it an insult. Honor let it go though, much as she had ignored his earlier admonishment, which was a good thing. She didn't want the ritual marred by any moodiness. This was supposed to be an important day, the first time she would bestow a title, and, though she wouldn't admit it, she was a little nervous.

She took a few more bites of the apple and then tossed it aside as Cal entered. He was wearing armour and what looked like a new, and expensive, cloak. He'd clearly taken the idea of appropriate dress to heart.

"Here," Honor said, pushing the box toward him.

Cal lifted the lid. Nestled amongst red velvet was a sword, new and shiny – but also sharp and strong. The hilt had a single marine blue jewel embedded in it.

"Pick it up," Honor urged.

Cal did so hesitantly. "It's lovely," he said unconvincingly.

"A nobleman must possess a sword." Honor gave him an encouraging smile. "Now you must give it to Kat."

"To pledge your troth to me," Kat clarified. She looked around, located her tiara under her discarded cloak, and placed it on her head. Honor reached out and adjusted the tiara to his satisfaction.

When Honor was finished, he stepped back and Kat asked Cal, "Have you chosen a title?"

Cal nodded. "Baronet of Glashaven."

Kat lifted one eyebrow in surprise, having expected him to choose a duchy that would make him, like Honor, a Duke, rather than a mere "Sir". "I see."

Cal nodded. "Glashaven was the site of the great library," he said softly, admiring the sword rather than meet her gaze. Kat opened her mouth in an O of understanding, though she stayed silent as he went on, "If I could have lived anywhere in the empire before the Flood, I think Glashaven sounds like the most perfect place. Rivers and mountains and farmlands but with markets, temples, courthouses and museums too."

Glashaven was supposedly named for the brilliant blue-green hued oceans that the great library overlooked from its perch at the highest point of the settlement. Kat ought to have suspected Cal might have chosen something meaningful but she hadn't. Luckily Honor had been more foresighted in choosing the sea-coloured gem for Cal's sword.

"I think that's perfect," Kat said warmly. She turned away for a moment, blinked, and tossed her head. She squared her shoulders when she faced him again and held out both hands. "Your sword, then, and we can begin."

He turned the blade lengthways and placed it onto her waiting palms. She turned slightly so Honor could take custody of the weapon during the ceremony.

"This will be the only time I ever personally ask you to kneel," Kat said and Cal took a knee without further prompting, his cloak pooling around his feet. There were a few ceremonial duties that had all her subjects kneel before her – the Coronation Day celebration, for example – but she didn't generally approve of people prostrating themselves in front of her.

Kat held out her hand and Cal grasped it, his fingers chilly against her warm skin. He'd probably been pacing around in the cool air outside, she thought. "Make the pledge," she ordered.

"Your majesty," he said. "To you, Gloriana Katerina Mallika, I pledge my troth. To be faithful to you above all others. To serve you with respect and honour. To be loyal to you until death, and to defend you, even with my very life."

Kat, who had been glad he had to recite only the first three of her many names, felt a sudden chill at that part of the oath. Every knight and newly made noble, every soldier in her service had to make this pledge – most of the latter indirectly to a superior officer, with appropriate adjustments to the ritual. Yet an unknown solider promising to die for her was different to a close friend making the same oath.

Honor cleared his throat and Kat forced herself to focus. She placed her free hand on Cal's right shoulder.

"In recognition of your services made thus far and in honour of the oath you have taken willingly and without coercion, I bestow upon you the title of Baronet of Glashaven. Henceforth you have the rights, privileges, and responsibilities attendant with the title. By the rights vested in me as High Queen of these lands, I name thee Sir Callahan."

He lifted his gaze and she smiled. She leaned and raised his hand to her mouth, brushing her lips against his knuckles. "Stand," she said.

Honor returned the sword to Kat, who presented it to Cal.

"Rights and responsibilities," he said.

"Mostly ceremonial," Honor assured him. "No one is likely to demand you raise an army when you don't actually possess any lands."

"Go and celebrate," Kat said. "We'll be along later."

"Leave the sword," Honor called and Cal placed it on table. "We'll get you a scabbard tomorrow, and arrange some lessons so you don't hurt yourself. This isn't like playing Dragon Slayer."

Cal nodded, not in the least offended.

"One more thing," Kat said.

"Yes?"

"Don't abuse the title."

At this, Cal contrived to look hurt and Kat shook her head. "Try not to abuse it too much," she amended, which had the benefit of preventing Honor from accusing her of hypocrisy. She reached up and kissed his cheek. Cal grinned and headed out, probably to the nearest tavern.

Honor came and slipped one arm around Kat's shoulders. "Well done."

She leaned into him. "Thank you."

He squeezed her gently. He sounded nostalgic as he told her, "The day your father made me a Duke was the proudest day of my life."

She was thankful the king had done so, though she said, "If he hadn't, I'd have done so."

Of course she wouldn't have been able to give him a title until recently. Perhaps that's why Honor said, "If he hadn't, things might have gone differently."

Kat frowned at his serious tone but Honor moved away, his tone business-like once more. "You have some papers to sign, and then we can go and see what mischief the new baronet is getting into."

Kat gave a theatrical sigh. "It's so hard being High Queen," she said and Honor rolled his eyes.