[Suzerain of Sheol]

There will be some time before she is called to the lists, with dozens of prestigious knights ahead of her to joust for the Emperor's honor. Amélie is glad for the opportunity to see the paladins test each other's mettle, though it is humbling to see their magnificent skill-at-arms. Even though she knows they have all shed their blood and slaughtered heathens on the sands of the Holy Land, to her they seem untouched by such murderous work, pristine in glory while the weight of lives taken clings to Amélie like damnation.

She feels unease at the expectation riding on her -- to try her honor before her liege-lord and all the assembled potentates of the Holy Empire -- and likewise at not knowing who her opponent will be. Though she trusts Sombre with her life, Amélie knows that her skill with the horse is lacking; far too many battles waged on foot and atop castle walls for her to practice the knightly sport. Still, she killed enough Saracens in devastating charges with her brethren to know how to place a lance.

She scratches Sombre's ear where it pokes up through his plate barding. He is a dutiful beast, and fierce at need. He at least will not fail this day.

With a final sounding of heraldic trumpets, Amélie at last hears the pronouncement:

"And now, as it please His Grace, representing the Ordo Humilis, Dame Amélie de la Roche-Blanche, oath-sworn of the Dame Bradamante, veteran of the Crusade, and Poor Knight of Our Lord Jesu the Christ. Come thee forth, ma Dame!

Crossing herself with a hasty prayer, she rides forth onto the parade ground.