[i] “Alright. Then we must move quickly, because the Jester seemed cross, and he doesn’t seem the type to forgive quickly or easily.”[/i]

“You have no idea,” Melissa concurred as her new companion rushed over to her desk. “It’s just the way he acts…hell, at least I can tell Yggdrasil is just some guy with way too much arrogance under his helmet. But Jester? It’s like he’s not even human…”

Thinking about it too much made her shudder and she looked down at Miranda comfortingly. Best not to try and understand what went on in that enigmatic man’s head. Though her doubts were soon purged away when she caught sight of Alice’s smile. It just seemed so natural and free; a stark contrast to her twisted fake.

[i] “We can do this. Ready?”[/i]

Melissa nodded, walking over to the holy text and placing her palm on the leather cover. Closing her eyes, she tried to focus on the words nearly lost on her all those years ago. Once she was sure they were within her grasp, she took a deep breath and looked Alice in the eye intently.

“This is the oath of a Knight of my sworn Kingdom and should be for all of us to take to heart. I will develop my life for the greater good. I will place character above riches, and concern for others above personal wealth, I will never boast, but cherish humility instead, I will speak the truth at all times, and forever keep my word, I will defend those who cannot defend themselves, I will honor and respect women, and refute sexism in all its guises, I will uphold justice by being fair to all, I will be faithful in love and loyal in friendship, I will abhor scandals and gossip-neither partake nor delight in them, I will be generous to the poor and to those who need help, I will forgive when asked, that my own mistakes will be forgiven, I will live my life with courtesy and honor from this day forward. Thus sayth, Dytenziextity.” 

The newly anointed knight sighed in relief, anxiously smiling at her princess.

“Did I do it right?”