: Oaths and Obligations
'Many know the knightly oaths by heart, yet not so many are aware that they have changed considerably over time, and fewer still understand how that happened. A knightly oath was always tied to the customs of its time, and as they changed, so changed the oaths. Sometimes, the wording stayed the same for centuries, but the meaning changed - as should be obvious since what we consider a just punishment underwent a lot of changes over the centuries. A contemporary of the Ruby Order would likely consider our current laws shockingly merciful, for example, being used to a much harsher justice that routinely saw even children executed or sent to the wall for what we would consider petty crime these days. So, as this changed, so did the meaning of a knight's vow change. However, this was a gradual change that most people wouldn't have noticed in the past.
Other changes were less subtle and slow, and one of the most significant was the change introduced by the Ruby Order to the knightly oaths sworn to the Seven-Who-Are-One. Many knights who were not members of the order still adopted those principles, and one has to credit this development with the Renaissance of Chivalry, as the period following the Succession and before the Age of Firearms is also called in some circles, even though most scholars prefer to focus on the changes to the Faith of the Seven when naming that period.'
A Treatise On The Ruby Order, by Maester Kennet Bracken
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
Ser Barristan Selmy checked his training sword for any nicks and breaks before storing it. Lady Ruby and her friends generally took care not to use their strength in a spar with him and his brothers from the Kingsguard, but sometimes, they were a bit too enthusiastic to fully control themselves. He knew how to parry blows from them - he, too, learned more and refined his technique during those spars - but he had lost two training swords in the months of sparring.
Others, of course, had lost far more. And Ser Mandon, in a fit of misplaced pride, had sparred with a real blade until it had broken during one of Lady Yang's more reflexive parries when Barristan's brother had tried to be a bit too clever. These days, he was using a training blade like everyone else. Except, of course, Team Ruby when they sparred with each other.
They had done so today as well, and it had been both quite captivating and impressive - and instructive. After trying to follow the movements and attacks of Lady Blake and Lady Weiss when they clashed, keeping one's attention on an opponent without such divine speed and strength almost seemed like child's play.
Truly, he was fortunate to have such a good opportunity to not only keep his skills sharp but to seek ways to improve. As he had been told when he was a squire, no one who sought to become a master of the blade ever stopped learning. Or could ever truly claim to have mastered it. There was always room for further improvement, as Team Ruby so aptly demonstrated - their skill had significantly improved in the months that they had spent in King's Landing. Now, even without their strength and speed, they would fare well against most knights and not account themselves too badly against the Kingsguard.
To think that both Lady Ruby and her sister insisted that their father and uncle were far above them in martial prowess! Ser Barristan couldn't help wishing he could meet those men. Alas, for that to happen, not only would Team Ruby have to find a way home, but Lady Ruby's father and uncle would have to decide to visit King's Landing in return for Barristan's duty as a Kingsguard kept him at the royal family's side and the home world of Team Ruby most surely was no place for either of his charges to visit. Not when even those much stronger than the four maidens were in danger there because they would be fighting monsters whose strength surpassed their own and whose numbers were legion.
Not for the first time, and despite the shame he felt at harbouring such selfish and dishonourable thoughts, Ser Barristan couldn't help wondering if it wouldn't be better for the realm if the four maidens never found a way home - as long as that meant that none of those Grimm ever found a way to Westeros.
But he had let his thoughts wander long enough; it seemed everyone else had already left the training yard. Everyone but young Jon Snow, he corrected himself - the boy was still fiddling with his sword in a corner of the yard. If Lady Yang were present, she would likely call him out for brooding; she disapproved of the boy's habit of spending time on thinking troubled thoughts.
But he wasn't Lady Yang. And he understood that sometimes, a man had to ponder things, both good and bad, to sort out his life. And the boy needed to sort out his life. He was a bastard raised like a noble. Given the boy's upbringing and talent for the sword, and his obvious loyalty to his family, Barristan would have expected Lord Eddard to grant him a position in his household. Maybe even a keep after honourable service.
But the boy spent more time with Lady Ruby and her friends than with his family, or so it seemed. Was he still pining after Lady Yang? Barristan didn't care much for the wagging tongues of the servants and nobles that spread gossip, but even if he hadn't overheard that particular tale, he would have known that this love was doomed to remain unrequited. Not because of the gap in standing between the two; anyone who knew the four maidens was aware of how little they truly cared for that, but because none of the four had shown any interest in marriage. Or men.
And yet, old as he might be, Barristan had been young once, and had trained many a young squire or knight, so he was aware just how much a boy might struggle with his feelings - and how desperate they might find themselves if left to their own devices - which, in hindsight, would also explain why Lady Yang took so much care to try and keep the boy from brooding.
Of course, for all her good intentions, her attempts to help the boy were likely to make his mood worse instead, reminding him of what he desired most and how he couldn't have it. Barristan was in a much better position to help the boy sort out his life.
It was a testament to the boy's mood that he didn't notice Barristan until he was almost close enough to touch him. Lady Yang would call that out as 'situational awareness', or lack thereof, no doubt.
"Ser Barristan!" the boy exclaimed as he shot to his feet. "How can I help you?"
Others - especially the late Ser Jaime - would have made a jape about being here to help the boy. He wasn't like them. "What is on your mind?"
"Nothing," the boy snapped at once.
Barristan raised his eyebrows. "Truly? You were lost in thoughts about nothing for so long, everyone else has already left without you noticing?"
"You're still here, Ser Barristan."
"And did you notice me until I approached you?" Barristan took care to smile gently.
The boy blushed at that.
Barristan let out a small sigh as he leaned against the fence next to the boy. It had been rebuilt twice in its entirety, and strengthened each time since Lady Ruby and her friends had started training here, so it didn't even creak under the weight of his body and armour, though he knew it would not last overly long, either. Then again, not even a stone wall would last much longer, and wooden fences were easier to replace. "What are you thinking about? I do not claim to be very wise, but I have lived a long life, and I may be able to give you a piece of advice or two. I was once a boy worried about my future myself."
"I'm not…" The boy swallowed what he had been about to say, pouting for a moment before he sighed. Louder and more dramatically than Barristan had, letting his shoulders sag. "I… I have received an offer, a very generous one, and I am not sure if I deserve to accept it."
"Oh?" Had someone offered to squire the boy? Or had a noble come to the conclusion that having the bastard son of the Lord Regent in an honoured position in his household would be of advantage to their family?
The boy sighed again. "Lady Ruby and her friends, they… Well, it wasn't originally their idea; Lady Brienne and I, I have to admit, approached them, after talking with a few others, about their lack of a retinue."
Barristan nodded to encourage him to go on. Things were getting clearer, though he still lacked the entire picture.
"So, they agreed, in principle, but they had to discuss this amongst themselves. So they did - and they decided that they would found an order of knights."
Barristan's eyebrows rose. That was a surprise. He had expected Lady Ruby to get a handful of retainers - guards, maybe sworn swords. They didn't need guards for themselves, of course, but they could not be everywhere, and they had a proven need for people they could trust with all sorts of tasks. But to found an order of knights? That was unheard of.
The boy nodded with a grimace. "I told them I was no knight, I wasn't worthy, but they disagreed."
Ah. He didn't quite understand the gravity of this news; he was too young and too concerned with what it meant for him.
But this went far beyond the boy's fate. An order of knights. The Kingsguard was the last such order, and the most famous. The most infamous, of course, would be the Noble and Puissant Order of the Warrior's Sons, having been disbanded centuries ago by King Jaehaerys I Targaryen after they had raised arms against him with the rest of the Faith Militant. And now Lady Ruby and her friends - the Four Blessed Maidens, as decreed by the High Septon, messengers of the Seven Who Are One - wished to found another Order of Knights.
Many, especially amongst the Faith, would consider this the refounded Faith Militant. But so would the Court.
"So…" The boy's voice interrupted his thoughts. He was looking at Barristan for guidance with an earnest hope in his eyes.
Barristan took a deep breath. He could ponder what this meant for the kingdom and his sworn duty later; he owed the boy his honest counsel. "You think you're not worthy to become a knight."
The boy nodded.
"I assume the Maidens disagreed."
He blushed in response. "They did, yes. But I haven't even been a squire - how could I be knighted? I haven't done anything to earn such an honour. And I'm…" He trailed off, pressing his lips together.
"Any man can be knighted, no matter their birth," Barristan told him sternly. That was the foundation of Chivalry.
"But only after they have proven themselves worthy of this honour!" the boy retorted. "I haven't done anything."
"You have earned the Maiden's trust," Barristan pointed out.
"Yes, but…" The Boy bit his lower lip.
"How many men do you think could say the same?" Barristan smiled. "No more than a handful, I would say." He hesitated, then added: "Do you think they trust the Lord Regent?"
"Of course!" The boy was loyal, no doubt.
"Truly?" Barristan tilted his head.
The boy opened his mouth, then closed it again. Though his expression told Barristan enough.
"Lord Eddard is widely known as one of the most honourable men in the realm. And yet, the Maidens trust you more than they trust him." Barristan wouldn't have to betray their and the Lord Regent's confidence; it was no secret at court that Lady Ruby and her friends disagreed with several of the Lord Regent's actions, most of all the use of torture. "You have earned their trust," he repeated himself.
"But that doesn't mean I've earned a knighthood!"
"Do you think proving yourself so honourable and trustworthy that the Four Maidens offer you a knighthood is less impressive than winning a tournament or killing a few bandits?" He inclined his head again. "I will not disparage how many of my fellow knights have earned their knighthood, but the true test whether or not someone is worthy of being a knight comes when he has to live up to their oaths." And he was aware of how many knights slipped up there. "Do you think you will betray the oath you'll swear as a knight? To be brave, to be just, to defend the young and innocent and protect all women?"
"I don't know," the boy blurted out. "I don't want to, but… I don't know if I can."
"Even the best of us will not be perfect; all we can do is strive to do our best," Barristan told him. He certainly had failed to uphold some of his vows when he had served King Aerys II - and yet, to uphold one vow would have meant breaking another oath, and the Kingsguard served the King.
The boy stared at him. He probably thought Barristan was perfect. Well, he wasn't.
"I understand." The boy sighed once again. "But… can they do that? Grant knighthoods to others?"
"A Knight swears to the Seven. The Maidens are the Blessed of the Seven. Who would argue against their right to knight people they consider worthy?" Even those who doubted the High Septon's declarations - and Ser Barristan knew the Four Maidens well enough to dismiss the accusations that their power came from magic instead of the gods - were aware that no one else at Court or in the realm could stand against them.
But many would question, in private, at least at first, what would be seen as the return of the Faith Militant. But that was not something he could discuss with the boy.
The boy nodded with a shy smile. "Thank you, Ser Barristan. I think I know what I shall do now."
Barristan nodded, returning the boy's smile. Though as soon as the boy turned away to leave the yard, Barristan's expression grew serious. This development would spell trouble for the Court; he knew it. And he also knew that there wasn't much, if anything, he could do about it. He was sworn to serve the King, after all, and that bound him.
He could only hope that no one of importance would do anything foolish and escalate matters. Alas, he feared that not every noble at Court would realise how foolish it was to oppose the gods and those blessed by them.
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
"So!" Ruby Rose clapped her hands together, then glanced at Blake. Her friend nodded, which meant they were in the clear. No spies around. She cleared her throat. "We're going to found an Order of Knights - the RWBY Order. This is going to be how we make sure things won't go bad once we leave, so we're going to do it right!"
"Yes." Weiss agreed. "We'll need a good set of rules and regulations for the order, to ensure it will not be taken over by corrupt people and used for nefarious means in the future. I've prepared a proposal for that." She put a few scrolls of parchment on the table and flattened them.
They were covered in text. Densely written text, Ruby saw. Yang groaned softly next to her.
Weiss ignored her, though Ruby saw that her partner's smile grew a bit more toothy. "Rules of conduct to prevent abuse of power. Regulations to ensure there are no easy ways to embezzle money. Not merely adequate accounting standards, but checks and inspections to ensure the regulations are followed." She pointed at different parts on the parchment.
"We're founding an order of knights, not a business, Weiss," Yang complained.
"It's basically the same, Yang - in fact, the potential for corruption and abuse of power is even greater than if we were to found a business - although I've also covered various ways to finance the order so they do not have to rely on donations; even the money Blake won at the tournament won't last forever, after all." She held up another piece of parchment. "It's not a real business plan, I didn't have time for a decent proposal, but I have sketched the potential ways to earn money in Westeros."
"Uh…" Ruby winced. Her partner was great. Smart, experienced, stylish. But this sounded more than a bit… too much? She peeked at the first page. Yeah, she doubted anyone else but Weiss understood exactly what all those sentences were trying to say.
"Wait!" Blake spoke up with a frown. "You're planning to have the order be involved in business?"
"They need secure funding to last," Weiss replied.
"If a knightly order also has business interests, that creates an incentive to leverage its power to support those interests," Blake pointed out. "That's an incentive for corruption."
"That's why we need a tight set of rules and regulations and the mechanics to enforce both. If the order is dependent on donations from outsiders, it will find itself beholden to them - and tempted to act in their donors' interest. Like politicians," Weiss replied. "The order will need to be financially independent to avoid being turned into a tool for the highest bidder. We cannot rely on donations from the wealthy or the donours will soon control the order. And we cannot rely on small donations from the smallfolk - even if they had the coin to spare, they cannot transfer money to the order. The Faith might help out here, but that would likely create a conflict of interest with the Faith's own finances and grant it greater leverage over the order. The order will need independent and secure sources of income."
"But that means it will likely start pursuing its own interest - like every other faction at court here," Blake said, crossing her arms over her chest.
"The odds of that happening can be lowered with a strict set of rules, as I have stated before."
"Guys!" Ruby raised her hands. "Stop it!"
"Ruby! This is an important point!" Weiss frowned at her.
"If the order we found turns corrupt, we might as well not do it at all," Blake said, also frowning at Ruby.
"Guys!" Ruby repeated herself. "First, we need to decide what the order will be doing, then we can start thinking about how that will be done!"
"Yeah," her sister agreed, nodding emphatically. "You need a target before you start shooting."
"Of course you would word it like that," Weiss grumbled, but she was conceding the point by not arguing further - Ruby knew her partner.
"So!" She cleared her throat again. "What do we want our order to do?"
"Keeping our friends safe when we've returned home," Weiss said.
"Protect the people," Blake added.
"Kick butt when needed," Yang said with a grin.
Weiss rolled her eyes. "That's included in the need to protect people, I believe."
"Kick butt when needed, with style," Yang replied. Before Weiss could argue further - she was already opening her mouth, Ruby saw - Yang went on: "They should inspire people to do good as well."
Ruby nodded. That was a good point. "Leading by example," she quoted - or misquoted, she wasn't entirely sure; it had been months, closer to a year, after all - Professor Oobleck.
"Exactly!" Yang pointed at her.
Weiss frowned but slowly nodded. "I can't argue against that, though that seems more like a side effect."
"In any case, the order needs to be powerful enough to do what's necessary to protect our friends and uphold our - and its - ideals," Blake said.
"Yes." Ruby nodded again.
"And that means we'll have to plan for a significant growth in membership," Blake said. "Our reputation alone won't be enough to build and sustain the influence it needs to fulfil its purpose; the order will need enough members to be able to actually accomplish enough to become renowned and to have ties to enough families to keep it safe from vengeful nobles who might carry a grudge against us."
"You mean Lord Tywin," Yang said. "Tall order."
"Having ties to noble families will also raise the risk of the order taking sides in political struggles," Weiss pointed out with a frown at Blake.
"Taking sides is the point," Ruby said. "The Order needs to do what's right, and that means making a stand and taking the side of those in need of protection."
"And what when it's two noble families feuding? If it's just a power struggle?" Weiss asked.
"In that case, the order should stay neutral," Blake said.
"That needs to be a rule," Weiss said. "I've covered that in my proposal."
The proposal that was so long, Ruby would never be able to remember all the rules in it. And that would be embarrassing for a founder of the order. "I think we can cover that with a simple rule that they should only fight to protect people, not for power."
"Many will claim to fight to protect people when they're only fighting for their own goals," Blake pointed out with a scowl.
Weiss agreed with that. They were probably both thinking of the White Fang.
Ruby wasn't going to touch that. She shook her head instead. "We have to trust people to make their own calls."
"It would be good to have an ideal of erring on the side of caution," Blake said. "To reduce the risk of being used as a tool in a power struggle."
"Yes." Ruby nodded. "They should focus on the smallfolk, anyway. Those need protection the most."
"And that will make them popular with the smallfolk," Blake agreed.
"And the Faith," Weiss added. "In fact, aligning the order with the Faith should be a good way to keep it neutral - as the Faith is."
That made sense. "Yes." Ruby nodded.
"But what about Tommen and Myrcella?" Weiss asked. "They need protection as well. And the Kingsguard will probably not be enough for that."
"If things are stable, that might be enough," Blake said. "Though yes, this has to be considered. If there's a coup or a rebellion, then the smallfolk are likely to suffer as well."
"The order should protect all children," Ruby said. She pressed her lips together when she remembered the poor spy kids they hadn't been able to protect or save. They wouldn't let that happen again. "Put that down on the list."
"In my proposal, there is a section covering the founding and maintaining of adequate facilities for juvenile delinquents," Weiss said. "Though that assumes sufficient and secure funding."
Ruby sighed. This was getting so complicated! "Alright, let's start a new list of simple, basic rules that are totally necessary for our order. First, protect the innocent. Smallfolk, children."
"Women," Weiss added.
"Just call them 'those who cannot protect themselves'," Blake suggested.
"Given the sexist attitudes, I feel women need to be mentioned explicitly - they are part of a knight's oath, in any case, and our order's rules should be compatible with the existing chivalric customs."
"Colour me suspicious about the knights here protecting all women," Yang spoke up.
"As usual, enforcing such rules is a problem," Weiss said. "Hence there need to be both rules and institutions to enforce them."
"Let's just start with the rules," Ruby repeated herself. "They can't be too complicated or people will mix them up."
"Or they will end up contradicting themselves," Blake said.
"And they need some flexibility so they won't be trapped in some legal loop or what," Yang added. "Members need to be able to do what's needed. And we shouldn't just lay down rules for everyone without their opinions being heard."
"But we need to determine the foundations of the order. It will bear our team's name, so we have to ensure that it will be and stay something we can stand behind," Weiss pointed out. "We can't just leave everything to the others."
"Yes." Ruby sighed. This was going to be a long discussion. And they hadn't even discussed how they could found the order so it was all legal and accepted yet.
She should have grabbed more cakes from the kitchen.
*****
"...so, a member must swear to be brave, just, protect the children, the innocent and those who cannot protect themselves - that's the existing oath a knight swears, and we'll copy that."
Weiss Schnee nodded at Ruby's words as she noted them down - even though she had already written them down on page two of her proposal. More or less; hers had been a bit more detailed. But Team RWBY had decided to start from scratch and build up.
"And they also should swear to do what's right even if it's against the orders of a local lord," Ruby went on.
"What about the King?" Blake asked.
Weiss winced. That was a very delicate subject.
"If the King is evil, they should be fighting him," Ruby said.
"Rebels generally claim that the authority they are fighting is evil," Weiss pointed out.
"Often, they are right," Blake shot back.
"Guys!" Ruby shook her head. "We can't have the RWBY Order follow evil orders, I mean, ignore evil if it's ordered by lords - or the King. Like Huntresses, our knights aren't soldiers who obey orders blindly. They need to judge every situation and act following their conscience."
That was a very nice rule - in theory. In practice, though… Weiss shook her head. "If we stipulate that the order is, ultimately, not loyal to the King, the court won't be happy."
"The same court that is made up of nobles who went to war against the Mad King?" Yang asked with a snort.
"People in power are often hypocritical. Rarely do they want to have the same tools they used to get into power used against them," Blake said.
"Yes." Weiss was well aware of that. Still, Blake probably was a bit too generalising there. "But the order will face a lot of scrutiny…" She noticed Ruby blinking. "...People will keep a close eye on them, trying to find faults and reasons to attack it. And they will suspect it will be trying to overthrow the King."
"If the King's evil, he should be overthrown," Ruby said. "That's what they did."
"And we don't want people to 'just follow orders'," Blake added. "Not even - or especially not - those of the order's leaders."
Weiss didn't think she was going to win that argument. She wasn't certain that she wanted to, anyway. However, she knew there would be problems with that kind of rule. "So… what will the oath be?"
"Uh…" Ruby grimaced. "They will swear to uphold justice even if it's against the law?"
Weiss shook her head. "They still follow the concept that the King's word is law."
"As long as they like what he's saying," Yang added with a snort.
"We cannot have knights swear to uphold justice without defining what justice is. Many people here would execute kids and think that's justice," Blake spat.
Weiss nodded in agreement. "We should note down a comprehensive definition of justice."
"You mean, we would be the higher authority than the King?" Blake asked.
It was Weiss's turn to grimace. That wasn't a very favourable way to word it, but it was, nevertheless, mostly correct. Team RWBY was, effectively, above the king by right of might. But their order wouldn't have that might once they had left.
"They swear to the Seven. The Seven are gods, and they are above the King," Ruby said. "We don't need a higher authority than that, do we?"
"No. But that means the Faith would define what the gods want," Blake said.
Weiss nodded. This would subordinate the order to the Faith. And while the High Septon apparently had turned over a new leaf after Team RWBY's arrival, he had been known to be corrupt before. "And the Faith is made up of people. Handing them that power will risk corrupting them - and through them, the order."
"But we have to trust someone!" Ruby objected. "We won't stay here forever."
Weiss certainly wouldn't stay in this world forever!
"And even if we try to keep it all in the Order, one day, someone we don't know will be their leader," Yang said.
"That's why we need a strict set of rules and a solid method of checks and balances." Weiss grabbed her third scroll again.
"Weiss!" Ruby shook her head. "According to your proposal, we would need to recruit half a dozen people just to check the books for the order!"
"That's not true! We only need three for the accounts. The others would be to check their work and investigate any discrepancies," Weiss protested. "And that presumes a rather robust rate of growth, which might not happen."
"Really? You think all those people rushing out to help us when we ask the High Septon for a favour wouldn't rush to join an order founded by us?" Yang grinned. "We'll have to beat them off with sticks so we won't get overrun."
Weiss gritted her teeth. That was… unfortunately very plausible. But that only strengthened her arguments for a comprehensive set of rules! The bigger the organisation, the more rules it needed. And she wasn't willing to let all her hard work go to waste, either. "Then we need structures that can handle such an influx of people."
"Or we don't let just everyone in," Yang countered. "We need to have some requirements."
"If we want to let all our friends who are interested into the Order, we can't have too strict requirements," Ruby pointed out. "Or Gendry won't make it."
"We can found the order with our friends and then expand it later," Yang said.
"But that would be hypocritical!" Ruby protested with a frown that slid into a pout.
"I'd say it would be pragmatic." Yang chuckled at her own remark.
"We are still on the general oaths. Can we finish that before we switch to the requirements for acceptance into the order?" Weiss asked through slightly clenched teeth. This was one of the worst team meetings she had ever attended.
"Yeah. So…" Ruby smiled. "We just need to add something about not putting anyone above the Seven, right? The knightly oaths are fine - if they're enforced."
"That would be their main fault, yes."
That would still be a political landmine, but it was probably better than turning the order into a tool for a bad king. "They will swear to the Seven not to put a man's desire above the will of the Seven?" Weiss suggested.
"Yeah, sounds good."
"Or 'I will swear to follow the Seven before anyone else'?" Blake cocked her head.
"Might need some clarification," Yang said.
Weiss agreed. It was the same as with contracts: One had to be as precise as possible, or people would twist and stretch the wording as much as possible to their advantage.
"Swear to obey the will of the Seven before the orders of everyone else?" Yang shrugged.
It would still grant a lot of power to the High Septon or anyone else who could define the will of the gods, but that was probably inevitable. Weiss nodded and wrote it down. They could ask an experienced knight like Ser Barristan later if this would work out.
"So! Next oath: To be humble and kind!" Ruby said.
"Wouldn't that exclude Yang?" Weiss asked with a toothy grin.
"Hey! I am very kind! So kind, I'm not going to kick your ass for that remark!"
"Kind, yes, but no one ever called you humble, Yang," Weiss's partner chimed in.
"Hey!"
Blake sighed, and Weiss felt herself flush a little. She should have stayed more professional. This was an important task they had to finish, after all. She cleared her throat. "A rule against ostentatious lifestyles should also be present. We'll have people from all stations in Westeros join, and if rich nobles can flaunt their wealth without any limit, it won't be good for the order's morale and cohesion."
"Right. So… humble and kind, and no showing off luxury," Ruby said.
"What kind of luxury? Westeros or ours?" Yang asked.
"Westeros's standard. And we should keep it flexible so that as norms and standards change, the order can adapt," Weiss said.
"Good idea!" Ruby nodded.
"So, be humble as well." Weiss made a note.
"Do you think we can find seven things they need to swear? For the Seven Gods?" Ruby asked.
That was another good idea. Weiss nodded. "Let's make a list. They already have a few set in their knightly oaths. Brave for the Warrior. Just for the Father. Defend the children and the innocent for the Mother. Humble for the…"
"Crone. Old people make you feel humble. Like the Headmaster," Ruby said.
"Humble for the Crone. Kind for… the Maiden?" Weiss looked around.
"Might feel a bit pretentious, given they call us the Four Maidens," Yang said.
"But we try to be kind," Ruby pointed out.
"Kind for the Maiden. Singular," Weiss noted. "That leaves the Smith and the Stranger."
"Hard-working for the Smith," Yang said. "Working in a forge is hard work."
Weiss hadn't made Myrtenaster herself, but she had worked on her weapon often enough to know that. "Right."
"And the Stranger…"
"Swearing to grant people the Stranger's mercy seems a bit… misleading," Blake said.
"We could word it against being cruel." Weiss looked at the others.
"Maybe. Still a bit… violent." Ruby didn't look convinced. "We don't want our knights to eagerly kill people."
"We don't want them to shy away from doing what they need to do, either," Yang said.
"I don't think the locals have too much trouble with killing," Blake said with a wry expression.
"Right." Ruby nodded. "Be merciful when killing? Sounds like a contraction."
It did. And yet… "How about 'In the name of the Stranger, don't be cruel'?" Weiss knew it wasn't a good proposal before she finished.
This would take more time than she had thought. Even after she had realised her proposal wouldn't pass.
Well, it wasn't as if they had other pressing meetings to attend.
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
Blake Belladonna suppressed a yawn when she entered the training yard. She shouldn't have gone on tunnel patrol, as Yang had taken to call it, after they finally finished their discussion last night. But… If she had paid a bit more attention, perhaps she might have been able to stop the children in the tunnel before they killed a guard…
She shook her head. She shouldn't blame herself; she had done all she could. And yet, she felt guilty.
Behind her, Yang yawned. Loudly. Blake's partner had stayed up until she had returned from her 'patrol'. Blake refused to feel guilty about that; it had been Yang's decision. She couldn't help feeling oddly pleased about the care it showed - although she also felt a bit annoyed that Yang was mothering her. Then again, her partner had always been that weirdly appealing mix of annoying and caring.
Ser Barristan was already present, and Blake narrowed her eyes a little. It wasn't that rare for the knight to be there before they arrived, but it was certainly a little unusual. And the way he looked up at their arrival, the way he tensed a bit before relaxing… She looked around for spies since Ser Barristan must have something to discuss before the others arrived.
Except for a few crows - and Blake still wasn't convinced those were potential spies even though, apparently, there were magic ways to see through their eyes and listen through their ears - the coast was clear.
"Good morning, Ser Barristan!" Ruby, of course, was as chipper as ever - she had slept like a log, or so she claimed.
"Good morning, my ladies."
"Good morning." Weiss didn't sound tired, but that could be deceptive. Blake's friend was almost as good at hiding how she was doing as Blake herself. Though if Ruby wasn't hovering around her partner, she was probably fine.
Blake had to suppress another yawn as Ser Barristan waited for them to put down the sealed jug of water and the basket with snacks. And for Ruby to finish the lemon cake she had taken.
"I have heard you were thinking of founding a new chivalric order, my ladies."
"Yes?" Ruby licked a few crumbs from her lips and nodded. "The RWBY Order! We actually had a few questions for you about the whole thing."
"Ah?" Ser Barristan looked surprised - and slightly hopeful.
"Yeah!" Ruby nodded again. "We wanted to know if you'd knight the founding members, so to speak. We aren't knights nor royalty, so we can't knight them. Well, so we think - we heard only knights and the King could do it."
"And we would prefer not to ask the Prince to do it; it might raise accusations of nepotism. Your honour, of course, is beyond reproach," Weiss added.
"Ah." Ser Barristan smiled, but it was a polite smile, not an enthusiastic one. "I would gladly knight every worthy candidate. Although I must ask if you have considered the ramifications of a new Order. Especially one associated closely with the Faith."
Ruby looked confused. "Aren't all knights associated with the Faith? You swear oaths to the Seven, right?"
"Yes." Ser Barristan nodded. "But a new knightly order, founded by the Blessed Maidens, might appear to be the Warrior's Sons reborn."
"Oh, it wouldn't be just men but women as well," Ruby replied.
"Oh." Weiss frowned. "That was the order that was dissolved after the Faith rebelled against the King, right?"
"Yes, my lady."
Blake frowned as well.
"But we're not restoring that order - we're founding our own. With our own rules and goals. And we don't plan to rebel against the King. Well, not unless he turns evil." Ruby smiled.
Blake winced as Ser Barristan's expression froze for a moment.
"I fear that many nobles would be concerned that such a claim - that the King were evil, or illegitimate - might be levelled lightly against the crown, if certain people were sufficiently motivated."
"Concerned - or tempted, you mean," Weiss said.
Ser Barristan inclined his head but otherwise didn't confirm that.
"Crap!" Ruby cursed.
"I was concerned about the influence the Faith might have on the Order," Weiss said.
"Yeah," Ruby grumbled.
"So, the nobles are afraid of the Faith?" Yang snorted. "Doesn't sound very faithful, does it?"
"The nobles are aware that while the Gods are, of course, above us all, men, whether at court or in the Faith, are merely mortal and, therefore, prone to making mistakes - or developing ambitions beyond their station," Ser Barristan said.
Yang snorted again. "So, they are afraid that the Faith will do what they would do if they had a shiny new friendly knightly order?"
Once again, a wry smile was the only answer Ser Barristan gave. And once more, it was enough.
"Well, that might be another reason to found our order," Ruby said with a frown. "Why should the nobles have all the power and the Faith none? No one complains about all the Lords with their armies."
"They complain about each other all the time," Weiss pointed out.
"You know what I mean," Ruby told her with a pout.
Weiss smiled in response. "Yes. And I doubt I could argue in good faith against it. If certain nobles can be trusted with the power to raise armies, the Faith can hardly do worse, can't it?"
"I would not think so, my ladies," Ser Barristan said, "but I think a lot of nobles would disagree."
That sounded like another reason to do it, at least to Blake. The Faith wasn't perfect, but they cared far more about the smallfolk than the vast majority of the nobles she had come to know.
"Well, we'll have to discuss things with the High Septon, anyway. About financing and stuff," Ruby said. "Let's see what he thinks about this."
"I doubt he will question your decision, my ladies."
Blake didn't think so either. But the man had a lot of experience in his office and, presumably, at court. He could give them advice about how to implement their order without starting a civil war.
Or a holy war.
"But you'd still knight, say, Jon and Brienne?" Ruby asked.
Ser Barristan nodded. "Both will make fine knights."
"Great!"
Blake was surprised - she expected him to baulk at least a little about knighting a woman. On the other hand, if Ser Barristan thought they were messengers from the Seven, would he oppose their wishes any more than the High Septon would? He hadn't mentioned opposing their idea himself, had he?
It was something to consider.
*****
The Great Sept of Baelor, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
"...so, we're planning to start small. A few friends, friends of friends - people we trust. See how it goes, what works and what doesn't work. Let it grow slowly and naturally. What do you think?"
The High Septon was intrigued, Blake could tell. He nodded slowly. "A knightly order sworn to obey the Seven-Who-Are-One above everyone else."
"It won't be the Warrior's Sons reborn," Weiss said. "But it would be clear that their oaths to the Seven take precedence over any other oaths."
"Yes!" Ruby nodded emphatically. "We don't want people having to choose to break one oath to uphold another. Well, we don't want them to break their oaths to the Seven to uphold an oath to a noble, but the other way around."
The High Septon smiled. "That would certainly help a great many people who might become torn between their loyalty to the Seven and their loyalty to their lord. Though people might worry whether a chosen course of action would be the will of the Seven."
"Well, we don't really want to recruit people who have trouble with that. It should be clear when one oath is more important," Ruby said.
It should be, Blake agreed, but it often might not. Still… "It's for clear-cut cases. Not minor disagreements," she commented.
"Yeah. Like, evil orders to kill innocent people," Ruby said with a scowl. "Helpless smallfolk. Children."
"The Faith has long argued that the smallfolk should not be punished for the deeds of their lords," the High Septon said.
"Exactly!" Ruby nodded. "Soldiers should protect them - and fight each other if they have to. Not attack civilians, I mean, smallfolk."
"Still, as you mentioned, many will fear this is the Warrior's Sons reborn," the High Septon said, sighing a little. "It would probably be best to tread carefully to avoid any… misunderstandings. Mentioning the Faith Militant still causes certain people concern, and some nobles do watch smallfolk taking an interest in matters outside their own lives with suspicion."
"But you don't think it's a bad idea, do you?"
"Of course not!" The man shook his head almost violently. "It is the will of the Seven, after all, voiced through you."
Yes, Blake had been right - they couldn't expect an unbiased opinion from the High Septon. But who could they ask for an unbiased opinion? Everyone at court had a stake in this. Even Lord Eddard was a follower of the Old Gods, not the Seven, but that didn't exactly make him unbiased either, given the history between the two religions.
Well, as Blake's partner would say, in some situations, you had to trust your gut.
And founding the RWBY Order felt like doing the right thing for their friends and the kingdom.
*****
Street of Steel, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
"So, we've got the basics down, but we want to start small and see how it goes. Check what the members think," Yang Xiao Long explained while she fiddled with another chain link Gendry had made. "That includes you, by the way," she added with a grin. "If you have decided to join."
"Ah." Gendry looked a bit torn.
"The boy wants to join," Mott complained. "And will probably get himself killed in some dirty field somewhere. The foolishness of youth."
"Master!" Gendry protested.
Yang suppressed a yawn. She was still a bit tired from staying up until she was sure her stubborn partner was safely back in their bed, but it would have been rude to yawn into Gendry's face when he was making an important decision. "So, you want to join the Order?"
"I would be honoured to, though I am not quite sure in what, ah, role I could serve."
"Whatever role you want," Yang told him with a smile. "The whole thing's still shaping up, so to speak. We've settled on the seven oaths for the members, but that's it. Oh, and we've got a sort of agreement about funding with the Faith from the High Septon."
Gendry straightened at hearing that. "The High Septon supports this? Of course he would!"
"Yeah. He was pretty happy," Yang agreed. "Though we need to be clear that this isn't the Warrior's Sons reborn or something. It's the RWBY Order."
"Of course." Gendry nodded. Then he bit his lips. "Though… You mentioned knighting."
"Yeah. Ser Barristan will knight our candidates."
"I have no skill at arms. I am a smith. I can learn, but… I would rather not be seen as knighted without having earned it just because of my friendship with you. It would… cheapen it, and the Order itself, I think."
Well, she had to respect that. "You can get training and get knighted later, if you insist. We were thinking about some basic requirements, knowing how to fight, and such."
"Thank you, my lady."
"We'll train you," Jon said, nodding from where he was leaning against the wall. "I'm sure you'll be quick to learn."
"And, of course, your skill at the forge would be a blessing for the whole order," she went on. "It's not as if you won't be allowed to keep working here."
"You flatter me."
"Nope, just being honest here." She grinned at Mott. "Right?"
"The boy's pretty decent at the forge," the old man grumbled. That was pretty much high praise from him.
"I've seen your work. I am no expert, but I know the swords are good," Jon said. "I would pick one of yours if I had to replace my own."
"Thanks, Jon."
"I'm just being honest." Jon smiled. "And I would trust you with armour for Bran, once he joins, and for Arya, once she convinces h.. father to join as well."
Yang snorted. She wasn't quite as optimistic about that as Jon and Arya were, but the girl was more stubborn than Ruby was when she was working on a new way to improve Crescent Rose. Maybe she would wear down Lord Eddard. Especially if she could point to Brienne as an example.
In any case, it would be years before Arya could be knighted, so there was no rush there. Though while she doubted that Lord Eddard would try to marry her off, it wasn't impossible, so, maybe, they would have to think about how to handle girls fleeing arranged marriages to the Order…
"So… Jon and Brienne will be your first members?" Gendry asked.
"And maybe Lancel, once we talk to him. And you, of course," Yang added with a grin. "We're not going to found a typical knightly order. We're going to found the RWBY Order."
*****
The Red Keep, King's Landing, Crownlands, Westeros, 298 AC
So, that was Lancel Lannister. Yang looked the boy over as she approached him in the courtyard. He looked a bit older than Jon, though it was hard to tell. Blond, as expected - all Lannisters were. Kind of cute - he'd probably be handsome once he grew up. About as tall as Jon himself - both were standing side by side, with Brienne a bit behind them, so it was easy to tell.
"Hello!" She smiled at him. "You must be Lancel?"
The boy dropped on his knee. "Yes, my lady." He was blushing already. If Yang turned up the flirting, he'd probably faint. Not that she'd do it, of course - she didn't want to scare the boy off.
"So, you're interested in joining our retinue."
"Yes, my lady." He kept his head down.
"Come on, get up!" She snorted. "We can't really talk if you're staring at the ground."
"You've heard Lady Yang," Jon whispered.
The boy stood up so fast, Yang wondered if he'd suffer some vertigo. "I'm sorry, my lady!"
Yeah, avoiding meeting him with the whole team had been the right call, Yang thought. Ruby would probably overwhelm the guy. "So, did Lady Brienne and Jon fill you in on what kind of people we're looking for?"
"Knights who will charge into the Seven Hells if you command!"
Yang winced. "Ah, that's not entirely correct."
He blinked.
"We want people who will do that, but only if they think it's necessary. We don't want people who obey blindly," Yang explained.
He stared at her as if he didn't understand what she had just said. Well, being the eldest son of Lord Tywin's brother, he probably hadn't been raised to think for himself - at least that was the impression Yang had gotten from Lord Tyrion's drunken talk about his family.
So she smiled rather than grinned at him. "We want people who think before they act. People who ask questions if they don't understand something. And, most importantly, people who aren't afraid to say so if they think we're in the wrong." She reached out and touched his chest, right on his Lannister lion. "We need people we can trust to do the right thing without orders. Sometimes even against orders."
He blinked. "But… You're the Four Maidens! Blessed by the Seven!"
"We don't know everything, though. And we aren't perfect. We'll be making mistakes - and we need people who will call us out if we do so." She looked at him as he seemed to ponder this. "People who have the courage to question us if they don't agree with our orders. Or anyone else's. Can you do that?"
"I… I don't know, my lady."
And now he looked lost. Damn. Yang kept smiling gently. "When you take the oath as a knight, will you uphold it, even if your lord orders you to break it?"
"Of course not!" he snapped at once. "Knights swear to the Seven, and they are above any lord!"
"Good answer!" She grinned. "So, before you meet the rest of the team, how about we spar a little?" That would help him relax some, and allow her to get to know him a bit better as well.
"Of course, my lady! I'll do my best!"
She nodded.
"Lady Brienne, Jon - you also coming?"
"If you'll have us, my lady."
"Of course, my lady!"
"Great!" Yang stretched. You could tell a lot about people when you saw them fight, after all. Yang knew that better than most, even if her friends might disagree. And you could tell even more about them if you saw them spar or fight with more people.