Back to the Roots

Chapter 9 : The Oath

I was waiting in the room where they told me I would stay for the soldier to bring my uniforms. The room was small, made of stone walls; the gray-toned rocks carried no warmth. There was no decoration on the walls or elegance in the furniture. It felt as if stepping into the room filled one's insides with stones. There was no such thing as color in this room. Everything was faded, stiff, and solid. Only a bed, a wardrobe, and a simple desk were placed. In one corner of the room, there was a door leading to the toilet and bathroom. The only window, located opposite the entrance door, showed the forest area far from the palace; the city's crowd could not be seen from here. Outside the trees, the misty sky, and the gently swaying branches, there seemed to be no signs of life. For now, I had to wait here. They would bring me clothes soon, and then I would be taken to my uncle and cousin. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door—and a soldier entered with a few sets of clothes in hand.

On his face was the usual distant but tired expression. He left his clothes on the table, then picked one up and showed it. "This is one of the outfits our commanders wear daily. If there is a war or an extraordinary situation, I will bring you what you need to wear separately. But for now, wear this. It is for the oath ceremony." As the soldier headed for the door, I called out: "What? An oath ceremony? What ceremony?" The soldier turned back, he didn't seem very surprised. "You will take an oath to show your loyalty to the crown," he said. "Don't worry, it won't be very crowded. Although... it depends on how our king wants it." Still, I wasn't very relieved. I glanced at the outfit. It was a tunic dominated by dark grey and black tones, with a high collar and a belted waist. The delicate metal embellishments resembling light armor descending from the shoulders presented both an elegant and disciplined appearance.

On the left side of the chest, Tiyenya's emblem was embroidered: three interlocking stars surrounded by a motif of a dragon. The sleeves were snugly fitted but flexible enough to allow me to move comfortably. Below, I was given black pants that reached my knees and simple yet durable boots. The entire outfit was designed to resemble both a soldier and a representative. Official yet ready for battle. Sharp but elegant. As I was getting dressed, I felt like I was in the middle of a theater. I did not know that there were so many procedures in Tiyenya. It had never felt like a country that treated me so professionally. Yet now, it seemed as if everything was tied to a chain of rules. What else did I not know about this country? After a while, the door to my room was knocked on again. "Let's go if you're ready," the soldier said, and I nodded in agreement, following the soldier after passing through the small, narrow dark corridor... We returned to the same meeting room. When I entered, I tried to stand as confidently as possible.

I stepped inside with great confidence. Everyone was looking at me. When King Valen saw me, he stood up from his throne and came to the front of the meeting table. They were all looking at me. And I was looking at them with confidence and defianceed inside with great confidence. Everyone was looking at me. When King Valen saw me, he stood up from his throne and came to the front of the meeting table. They were all looking at me. And I was looking at them with confidence and stepped inside with great confidence. Everyone was looking at me. When King Valen saw me, he stood up from his throne and came to the front of the meeting table. They were all looking at me. And I was looking at them with confidence and defiance. I was aware that I hadn't done anything wrong. A lot of events happened that would change my life in an instant. And none of them were under my control. Knowing that it was like this was making me nervous, but there was nothing I could do. I was trying to do the most logical things I could to survive and protect my family. The room was relatively crowded, and the people were more diverse. Three old men in formal clothes were clearly senators. Behind them were other officials and a guard. The senator in the middle stepped forward. He had a small piece of paper in his handhree old men in formal clothes were clearly senators. Behind them were other officials and a guard. The senator in the middle stepped forward. He had a small piece of paper in his hand. ”If you are ready, we will read the text of the oath," he said. I hree old men in formal clothes were clearly senators. Behind them were other officials and a guard. The senator in the middle stepped forward. He had a small piece of paper in his hand. ”If you are ready, we will read the text of the oath," he said. I took a deep breath and looked at the old senate member, but his eye was on King Valen. I noticed that everyone's eyes are on King Valen. I looked at him right away and we saw eye to eye. He was also looking at me. As soon as we met eye to eye, he pulled his eyes out. We can start, he said. And he sat down in his stately chair at the head of the table. Everyone was lined up around the table. I was standing at the other end of the long table, facing King Valen. The senator with the paper in his hand extended the paper towards me. "You can start reading," he said. I took the paper in my hand and looked was standing at the other end of the long table, facing King Valen. The senator with the paper in his hand extended the paper towards me. "You cading at the other end of the long table, facing King Valen. The senator with the paper in his hand extended the paper towards me. "You can start reading," he said. I took the paper in my hand and looked at the people at the table. When I made eye contact with King Valen, he nodded in approval and watched me with great attention. I cleared my throat and began to read out loud. The oath was as follows: “I, Elia, a son of the kingdom of Tiyenia, swear to faithfully serve for the security of these lands, the peace of the people and the honor of the crown. I promise to be loyal to the king and those who hold his authority, to stand boldly against the enemy, and to put the needs of the people before my own interests. My honor is greater than my duty. I will not break this oath, and if I do, may these stone walls be my graveI promise to be loyal to the king and those who hold his authority to stand boldly against the enemy, and to put the needs of the people before my own interests. My honor is greater tha promise to be loyal to the king and those who hold his authority, to stand boldly against the enemy, and to put the needs of the people before my own interests. My honor is greater than my duty. I will not break this oath, and if I do, may these stone walls be my grave.” I read all the words clearly. With each sentence, my heart sank a little more, but my eyes were determined. This was not just a ceremony. It was also the beginning of me proving myself. When the oath was completed, one of the elders bowed his head, and the others respectfully withdrew. I think the ceremony was over now. King Valen approached me quietly, his eyes full of that deep seriousness, and wished me success in my new position. As he stepped back, the other six commanders took turns passing by me and made the sameg Valen approached me quietly, his eyes full of that deep seriousness, and wished me success in my new position. As he stepped back, the other six commanders took turns passing by me and made the wishes. I thanked each of them;ing Valen approached me quietly, his eyes full of that deep seriousness, and wished me success in my new position. As he stepped back, the other six commanders took turns passing by me and made the same wishes. I thanked each of them; my words were sincere and reflected the determination in my heart. I said that I would try to be worthy and that I was aware of my duty. I was careful to keep my distance as good as possible in this environment. Without taking my eyes off King Valen, I said, “Can I visit our family now ? They must have been very curious about me,” I asked. Valen shook his head slightly, “Okay,” he said in a calm but definite voice, “But don't stay too long. Explain the situation and come back immediately. You have to stick to your task.Valen shook his head slightly, “Okay,” he said in a calm but definite voice, “But don't stay too long. Explain the situation and come back immediately. You have to stick to your task.“ One of us will accompany yoValen shook his head slightly, “Okay,” he said in a calm but definite voice, “But don't stay too long. Explain the situation and come back immediately. You have to stick to your task.“ One of us will accompany you,” a commander said as he passed me. I replied with a smile, "There's no need, you can stay here. I'll speed things up while the negotiations with the members of the Senate continue.“ It won't take long, I'll be right back,” I added with a determination that backed up my words. Turning to the members of the Senate, I thanked them with deep respect. Just as we were about to leave the room, we heard voices rising behind us. King Valen and the members of the senate were discussing a serious matter. “What about the Kingdom of Alverin?” someone asked. “What about them? Are we going to ask for help against the upcoming attack of Solvenya?ng Valen and the members of the senate were discussing a serious matter. “What about the Kingdom of Alverin?” someone asked. “What about them? Are we going to ask for help against the upcoming attack of Solvenya?” Valen shook his head slightly, there was a deep concern on his face. “I will send word immediately by messenger tomorrow morning. I hope they will not refuse our requests for help and our request for troops. They already owe us; they won't want to take us against them.” When these words hit our ears, the fact that Solvenya was preparing for the attack revived in our minds.The reason I left Solvenya was because they wanted to carry out an attack against Tianye.want to take us against them.” When these words hit our ears, the fact that Solvenya was preparing for the attack revived in our minds.The reason hey won't want to take us against them.” When these words hit our ears, the fact that Solvenya was preparing for the attack revived in our minds.The reason I left Solvenya was because they wanted to carry out an attack against Tianye. They were still serious. They were going to attack Tianye. Both of my countries would go to war. Thinking about this felt like a knife in my heart. I wanted the best for both of my countries. I wanted there to be peace in both my countries.I'm not sure if I could have done it. But I thought of the pledge of allegiance I made for Tianya. I served and protected Soyvenya for many years. It was Tianya's turn. The moment I thought about it...towards the table. And I took a few steps towards the table. Don't expect help in vain from the kingdom of Alverin. They cannot help Tienya, I saidhe moment I thought about it... I turned towards the table. And I took a few steps towards the table. Don't expect help in vain from the kingdom of Alverin. They cannot help Tienya, I said. They looked at me in surprise. Commander Lukas, don't commhe moment I thought about it... I turned towards the table. And I took a few steps towards the table. Don't expect help in vain from the kingdom of Alverin. They cannot help Tienya, I said. They looked at me in surprise. Commander Lukas, don't comment on things you don't know. You don't know yet Tianya's connection and relationship with foreign countries, he said. The king looked towards Lucas and raised his hand. And he turned to me. He had silenced Lucas. The king said, those who owe us have already told them that they want help, and we have already told them. Yes, you're right. But Alver's kingdom will need more help from us in a few weeks, my king, I said. I said they were making plans to invade Alver a few weeks after we left Slovenia, so it would be a waste of time to expectut Alver's kingdom will need more help from us in a few weeks, my king, I said. I said they were making plans to invade Alver a few weeks after we left Slovenia, so it would be a waste of time to expect help from ut Alver's kingdom will need more help from us in a few weeks, my king, I said. I said they were making plans to invade Alver a few weeks after we left Slovenia, so it would be a waste of time to expect help from them. “We must seek help from other allies,” I said, my voice firm and experienced. “Military preparation is as important as diplomacy. We must be ready for any scenario.” The eyes of the senators and King Valen were on us. Even the six soldiers who had been standing at a distance towards me at first, were now looking at me with respect and confidence. I had broken the prejudices between them with my intelligence, strategic assessment and cold-blooded attitude. I had taken a good step towards becoming no longer just a woman, but a strong and reliable commander, and I took my steps by saying, “If you'll excuse me now, excuse me.” had broken the prejudices between them with my intelligence, strategic assessment and cold-blooded attitude. I had taken a good step towards becroken the prejudices between them with my intelligence, strategic assessment and cold-blooded attitude.