As each of them around the room voiced their acceptance, their loyalties, Jacquez's smile grew from ear to ear.
"Marquis Leroy," he said smoothly, nodding to the husky's determined rose-tinted gaze. They were the tallest in the room, the strongest with tooth and nail. If Leroy trusted him enough to fight for his cause, then they would have no problems in the future. "Your loyalty means everything; your skills as a hunter and a fighter will be put to good use. Thank you." He flashed his fangs in a quick grin, pleased that he had been the first canine to accept the name of their kingdom.
"Our Majordomo," he announced, his tone taking a more lofty edge as he met the youth's brilliant jade eyes, seeing the newfound resolve and purpose behind them. Now, now he was ready. Smiling, he voiced a simple, booming command: "Kneel." The sinuous Optime paced across the small room, drawing himself to his full height before the burnt-orange hybrid. "You have sworn to defend to your uttermost the weak, the orphan, the widow and the oppressed; you will be courteous, and women should receive your speciale care... By the divine rights vested in me as your King, I hereby dub thee Sir Haven Aatte, Knight of our Royal Court. Rise, Sir Haven!" He tapped Haven's shoulder with the flat of his hand, completing the rite of passage. It had taken him some time to find the words he wanted to say - his first official knighting, how exhilarating! - but now it was real for Haven, his childhood dream reaching fruition. How the Knight would use his rank was up to him, but if the title would help him rise above the stigma of his father, then all had gone perfectly.
"Duchess Aceline... My Ruri... You have deserved royalty for the longest time, for your brave spirit and boundless kindness. All of us, your newest family, can use your uplifting presence in these dark ages. Please remain with us, so that we may continue to smile..." Jac grasped her hand within his, squeezing it reassuringly. She was adapting to this new life much faster than he had anticipated, and he was proud of his little sidekick. It was normally hard for the delicate girl to trust strangers, since she could not see them and had to grow accustomed to their scents, their voices, their idiosyncrasies. It was probably a bigger step for her than for most of them, although they all had their highly valid reasons. He could be proud of all of them.
"Sweet Firefly, you are correct," he admitted easily, happiness sparkling in his dark fathomless eyes. "I must thank all of you for your trust. It cannot be easy to pledge your lives to another, one whom most of you barely know or remember. To try and make you all more comfortable, I have decided to take a vice-captain of sorts - a second leader, to keep our kingdom running smoothly. She is one of us familiar with the lands and the ways of wolves, and being granted the title of 'Constable' will guarantee her continued safety from instigators in other packs. She is our own Svara..." The lean collie stepped to her bed, pale fingers brushing beneath her chin, tilting her weary face to meet his gaze. She needed rest, as exhaustion was claiming her wounded body. But the idea had come to him that day, as they all scurried about like panicked ants in the sand. No matter how abrasive her real personality could be, no foreign wolf would knowingly attack a pack leader. "Your mind will return to us, o yellow-eyed healer. We'll all need your medical expertise. And you have many years ahead of you, to get used to bossing others around." He winked, letting her sink back into her bed. Being in charge might be the stimulus she needed for her true persona to resurface. Only if time passed and she did not show signs of returning, if this was a permanent trauma, only then would he consider revoking the power. He needed the firebrand, not the ashes left behind.
"We are the royal court of the Cour des Miracles! We have respect for each other, and none other. All of you are equal in my eyes, and shall treat each other thusly! Use your titles if you like - you have deserved them. We will settle here, on this very coast - this cabin belongs to Seneschal Firefly, and those she chooses to accommodate. We will build more homes, and lay claim to caves and the dens that the wild has left us! We can fill our bellies with fish, and gulls, and whatever we lay our claws on. This is our land now, and trespassers be dealt with however you see fit..." He grinned a wicked grin, dark eyes atwinkle with mischief. He couldn't wait to see how quickly the news would spread, how the natives would react, how many curious rubberneckers would try to sneak in and see if there really was a royal court nestled away by the rolling sea. And most of all, he wondered how quickly the loners would file in, seeking sanctuary. How many curious wolves, tied to their wearisome duties, would abandon their pack to join his. He wanted to make a stir. He wanted all the trouble he could handle, and then some.
