Nerini stood at the base of the steps of the Alliance Palace building, looking at the up at the doors that would lead her to the hallway and then to the Council chambers. She shifted just slightly, feeling the black leather armour adjust to her body a little more, wincing as clothing underneath brushed against her raw skin.

She breathed in and enjoyed the cool sea breeze for another moment and despite the summer heat,  the oncoming autumn evident in the air as it caused her braided hair to shift slightly. Inside the building were the pressures of the world, the expectations of so many people and until she entered, she was at peace and still free. 

If she were to agree to this title, her freedom would be stolen from her and she feared that she would no longer be who the world needed her to be. But another part of her also worried that this was exactly what was needed, that she had to give up her freedom for something more important.

"I see we had similar thoughts." High Lord Shiar murmured softly, stepping up beside her, wearing his silver and blue armour, his helm hanging from a strap at his waist and a black lacquered box in one hand.

She turned to him and offered a shrug, grinning ruefully. "Well, we may as well be honest about who we are, hmm?"

"When I was young, my father told me of a battle he fought against a woman wearing the wolf sigil and it is only recently that I can complete the image he tried to describe to me. So, this is who you are, finally." He chuckled, inclining his head after a moment, his green eyes shining in amusement as his eyes scanned over her. "Though, I do miss the war paint."

"I couldn't decide if it was appropriate or not." Nerini smirked to him, rolling her eyes as the sarcasm dripped from her words.

"Probably not." He looked up towards the building once more, letting out a steadying breath "We should go."

She nodded and turned her face into the breeze once more, pausing as he took a few steps, before smiling and starting up the steps herself.

***

Shiar watched her jaw set in determination, that hard expression returning to her eyes, as if she were preparing for war as they walked. He wondered what it was that held her back, why she was so reluctant to be a part of the very thing she had done so much to create. He wondered if she always found the world she fought for so hard to live in or if it were just something about Alliance and politics that set her on edge. Shiar had been wondering a great many things about Nerini over the last several hours as he struggled to sleep.

"How do you know, about things like this? When you have to do things?" He asked as they entered the building, tapping the box in his hand, which held the diamond.

"Divine inspiration?" She shrugged absently, pausing as the building's doors were swept open for them, then starting down the hallway to where they would wait at the inner chamber doors. The marble of the palace was cool, though it shined with the light that came in through the breezeways and windows. Everything was silent, leaving him with the feeling that they were the only people in the world.

"So, you believe the Gods guide us?" Shiar didn't expect or believe that explanation, he hadn't ever heard her mention piety, nor had Kannein as far as he remembered. 

Nerini shook her head, her expression thoughtful. "No. I don't really know much about believing in things like that. I know that the Earth itself has a force, a life. A balance, good and bad. And that these forces they guide us and give us options, trying to maintain equilibrium. Anything more powerful than us is probably not caught up in these menial happenings that we worry about and besides, I think we have free will, to choose. We're just given gifts and opportunities, hopefully we do the right things with them."

"So, no voices in your head?" He grinned as they stopped at the council door, handing her the box.

"No, I'm quite alone in here." She took the box, opening it to look at the diamond, then looking back to him, holding it uncertainly. "So do we have to make a show of this or something?"

He barked a laugh, then found himself laughing uncontrollably, tossing back his head as he laughed deeply, grinning wickedly when he was cut short as the doors opened and the Herald called their names.

Shiar had just schooled his expression when Lady Nerini let out a curse to make a sailor proud, causing him to grin anew as they strode side by side into the Council Chambers. This woman wasn't dull and he could honestly say he was looking forward to working with her into the foreseeable future.

***

The silence deepened as the politicians took in the brilliantly armoured warriors striding in, almost as one unit, their steps in sync. They looked more like warriors who had trained in sync for years as opposed to spending most of their time fighting one another.

Dark purpled bruises and bright red gashes snaked their way along exposed skin, combined with tired, set expressions on both faces. Both the formal look of them as well as the fresh injuries causing the council members to look at one another in confusion. The two warriors were up to something unexpected, though Rael was sure she had an inkling. She attempted to keep her expressioncalm, serene, despite the slight smile gracing her lips.

Lady Nerini waited where the two of them had stopped, looking around to let the mood settle in further. Before anyone else could think, she took three more steps forward, placing the wooden box on the table, dropping to a knee,. "Distinguished council members, Regency Queen Rael and your majesty Prince-Heir Caelur. High Lord Shiar and myself would like to present you, the Alliance Diamond."

She spun the box around and opened it facing the regents, After a moment's pause, she stood, offering a crisp bow and taking three steps backwards to stand once more beside Shiar. Smooth, militaristic, not something Nerini bothered with very ofted.

Rael took in a sharp breath, leaning forward to look at the glowing blue diamond as Prince Caelur stood. He looked at the two warriors standing before the council and opened his mouth to speak, then shook his head and sat down once more. Nerini had managed to stun the council once more, and appeared impervious to their looks of awe and consternation

"Have you accepted our offer then?" The Speaker finally asked, looking up from the stone, his voice slightly unsteady.

Nerini frowned for a moment, nothing giving away what her answer would be until she finally spoke. "I believe we are now worthy to call ourselves Champions of the Alliance, yes."

"Do you swear loyalty to the Alliance, and to the cause of Peace within these lands?"

She glanced first to Shiar, then Rael, contemplating her answer before finally responding. "I swear to uphold the concepts this Alliance has been formed for, to represent the strength and solidarity of the Alliance and the people it seeks to protect. As an ambassador for this cause, I will protect those in need and unite those that have been divided. I will seek truth and justice, and never waiver from my tasks. I will be a light in the storm."

The Speaker blinked, taken aback by the words that were added to the oath, but nodding as best he could. " High Lord Shiar?"

"I swear to uphold the concepts this Alliance has been formed for, to represent the strength and solidarity of the Alliance and the people it seeks to protect. As an ambassador for this cause, I will protect those in need, and unite those that have been divided. I will seek truth and justice, and never waiver from my tasks. I will hold a torch in the darkness." He followed up, as if daring them to find fault in the oath, following Nerini's lead without even pausing to question it. As if the two of them had rehearsed this whole scene.

The Speaker looked in askance to the rest of the Council, and then slowly, as he read agreement around him, he cleared his throat. "You are now designated Champions of the Alliance."