As the last of the stragglers arrived, the bugler stopped playing, turning to give one of the figures a salute before descending from the stage. Stepping forward, the figure addressed the crowd.

"Brave fighters of the militia. Today, you have accomplished much! The enemies bases have been smashed, their forces scattered, their plans foiled. You have driven them before you, and not shirked back when duty demanded more of you than ever before. Now, you stand here today, not as militia, but as victors!" Alistair roared, earning a roar of appreciation from the crowd.

"Everyone who partic.i.p.ated in today's a.s.sault will be justly rewarded for their service." This got an even bigger roar of appreciation as the militia stomped their approval. Motioning for quiet, Alistair continued. "However, there are those who went above and beyond in today's expedition. Fighters whose acts of valour, heroism, or sacrifice in the name of Nova.n.a.lba and her people shall be awarded. Earlier, I conferred with the captains of each platoon and together we determined who shall be recognized. With that said, let me begin by calling Private Karaina Fireheart of Whitewater Platoon to the podium."

With a cheer, the militia parted as a redheaded woman advanced towards the stage. Climbing the steps, she stood in front of Alistair, her hands clasped to her sides.

"For engaging three goblins alone and buying time for the platoon's healers to get to safety, Karaina Fireheart will be awarded twenty Sricks, and allowed a brand new weapon of her choosing from the militia stores. She will also be promoted to corporal," Alistair intoned, handing Karaina a small sack of silver and clasping her hand, before stepping back and giving her a salute. Following Alistair's lead, Wavesun did the same, shaking her hand before stepping back and snapping a quick salute.

As Karaina left the stage to raucous applause, Alistair called up another fighter. Slowly going hoa.r.s.e from all the cheering, Eric's thoughts began to wander. Most of those recognized were awarded a handful of silver and a new weapon. Those who'd done especially well were given a promotion to corporal, and one lucky corporal had even managed to be promoted to sergeant. As Alistair continued to call new names forward, Eric let out a yawn. It had been a long two days.

"Finally, there are five individuals who truly exemplified what it means to go above and beyond in the name of duty. Firstly, from Crowsea Platoon, I call forth Corporal Jun Shinzir and Corporal Astrid Feathershot."

Snapping to attention, Eric cheered as Jun and Astrid walked forward, both climbing the podium together.

"During the battle, Crowsea Platoon was ambushed by more than half a thousand goblins, lead by four hobgoblins. Disregarding their personal safety, Shinzir and Feathershot came to the rescue of myself and the Nova.n.a.lba Elite Scouts 7th Division. Using their archery skills, they managed to relieve pressure from the scouts, and gave me the openings I needed to defeat the three hobgoblins I was facing."

At this revelation, a wave of sound swept over the crowd, shocked cries piercing the air as they attempted to process the information that Crowsea Platoon had faced off against three hobgoblins and more than half a thousand goblins.

Motioning for silence, Alistair continued.

"As a reward, both Shinzir and Feathershot will be awarded eighty Sricks each. They will also both be promoted two ranks to Lieutenant, and each shall receive the Nova.n.a.lban Medal of Courage."

A great cheer went up at this announcement, led by the 7th Division scouts. Many of them had been saved by Jun and Astrid's arrows, so their att.i.tude towards the two was even warmer than that of the other militia.

As the cheers died down, Alistair moved forward to hand them their medals and shake their hands. Jun was nonchalant, as if this was an expected result for him. Astrid on the other hand, had a guilty look on her face not unlike a puppy, worried that it was about to be disciplined.

As Alistair stepped back, Wavesun moved towards Astrid. Shaking her hand, Wavesun leaned forward.

"We know that Shinzir was the main architect of the plan. However, don't discount your own contributions. He would not have had the same impact alone. So don't feel bad. Raise your head and accept it proudly" he whispered softly.

Lifting her head, Astrid stared at Wavesun wordlessly for a moment, before giving him the tiniest of nods. With a smile, Wavesun moved back and saluted her, as cheers continued to ring out.

As Jun and Astrid left the stage, Alistair stepped forward once more.

"Next, I would like to call Corporal Tanix Reveil to the stage."

With a surprised look, Tanix headed to the stage. Surprisingly, his sleeve still hung empty, it seemed he had not been able to get it healed during the time before sundown. Arriving in front of Alistair and Wavesun, Tanix saluted, standing steadily in front of the militia captain.

"During the fight, many of Crowsea Platoon's members were killed in an ambush. However, there were those who were struck, but refused to yield. Standing alongside their companions even while suffering from the most grievous of wounds. Corporal Reveil exemplified this n.o.ble spirit, fighting in the thick of combat even after the loss of his arm. His willingness to fight onwards was an inspiration, raising the morale of the entire platoon as he fought on even while crippled. As such, Corporal Reveil will be awarded fifty Sricks, he will be promoted to sergeant, and he will be awarded the Nova.n.a.lban Medal of Sacrifice."

Having said this, Alistair stepped forward, affixing a medal to Tanix's robes as cheers resounded through the plains. As Tanix departed the stage, Alistair called forth Owin, much to the scout's surprise.

"The leader of the goblins in Lichfrost Forest was Grimarok Bloodwolf, a n.o.ble of the Bloodwolf clan. Leading his forces into battle, Grimarok's mount, an enormous Blood Worg, was slain by Lieutenant Keeneye despite great personal risk. As such, he will be awarded ninety Sricks, the Nova.n.a.lban Medal of Courage, and he will also be promoted to Captain."

Once Alistair finished talking, he moved forward towards the dazed looking Owin, affixing the medal to his front before shaking his hand as the dumbstruck scout saluted. Below the stage, the scouts were cheering crazily, as they watched Owin's shaky salute.

As Owin left the stage, Alistair stepped forward once more.

"For our final award, I would like to call Corporal Erick Kystfyr to the stage."

As if they'd been expecting this, the rest of the platoon turned to look at Eric, opening a path for him towards the stage. Giving them all a smile, Eric pa.s.sed Owin, who merely rested a hand on his shoulder before pa.s.sing by. Climbing the stage, Eric saluted Alistair and Wavesun before standing at ease, waiting for Alistair to continue.

"While Captain Keeneye slew Grimarok's mount, he was grievously wounded in the process. As a hobgoblin lord, Grimarok's power does not need to be mentioned, and under his command, the leaderless militia of Crowsea Platoon were poised to fall. However, Corporal Kystfyr took command of the militia, leading them in a counterattack as he personally engaged Grimarok. In the end, he slew the hobgoblin lord in one-on-one combat."

At this revelation, the crowd was silent, shocked murmurs spreading like wildfire through the gathered troops. Seeing this, Alistair continued.

"However, that was not all. Even despite the ragged condition that he and the rest of his men found themselves in, Corporal Kystfyr still led them to the aid of the 7th Division scouts, relieving the pressure they faced as they engaged the goblins flank despite great personal losses. Corporal Kystfyr did not shirk his responsibilities as a leader, but led from the frontlines, encouraging his forces to give it their all even against overwhelming odds. As a result, Corporal Kystfyr will be awarded one gold Galley, the Nova.n.a.lban Medal of Courage, he will be promoted to Captain, and finally, he will be knighted."

This time, the sound could not be contained. The roar of the crowd dwarfed any sound they had made up to this point, as various members of the militia expressed their shock and disbelief at this scene. Even Eric found himself flabbergasted. He'd been aware that he'd accomplished a rather impressive feat by slaying Grimarok, but he'd never expected this to be the result.

Approaching Eric, Alistair unsheathed his claymore. Out of the corner of his eye, Eric caught Wavesun who was subtly motioning for him to kneel. Bending down, Eric knelt, his head bowed forward as Alistair approached. Absentmindedly, Eric thought to himself that being knighted had much the same feel as a public execution, not that he'd ever experienced either.

"Erick Kystfyr, for your valourous and honourable conduct in the service of Nova.n.a.lba and her people, you have gained the right to be knighted. Do you swear to uphold the laws of Nova.n.a.lba, and safeguard her people against those who would break them?" Alistair intoned, his voice carrying a solemnity that seemed to wash over the crowd.

"I swear," Eric replied.

"And do you swear to never brook with traitors, but to act honourably on all occasions, regardless of the threat to your own life?"

"I swear."

"And do you swear to fight when Nova.n.a.lba calls you to her service. To raise your banners or those of your liegelord and ride to the aid of your kingdom and her people?"

"I swear."

Grasping his sword, Alistair struck Eric on the shoulders with the flat of the blade, causing him to wince as the blow struck him.

"Then I, Lord Alistair Crowsea, Fourth Earl of Crowsea, do hereby dub thee Kystfyr, Knight of Crowsea. You shall be presented with a parcel of land, new weapons, armour, and a mount of your own, and you will be conferred the t.i.tle of Sir. Now rise, Sir Kystfyr of Crowsea!"

Climbing to his feet, Eric was met with a wave of cheers, as the militia whistled and shouted over the applause. Striding forward, Wavesun shook his hand, giving him a peculiar smile before returning to his place.

Once the cheering begun to die down, Alistair stepped forward once more.

"Now then, the award ceremony is over, but the night is just beginning. Thanks to your efforts today in securing our great victory, Nova.n.a.lba is safe once more! To show his thanks, the king has provided us with a feast!"

As if to prove Alistair's words correct, behind the militia, the aroma of roasted meat began to waft over the crowd, as cooks and other figures scurried between enormous fires that had been lit near the tents behind the gathered crowd.

Alistair smiled, "Tonight, leave your wounds and your worries aside, because the food and drink is on the king's dime. Now then, militia, you are dismissed!"

With a loud cheer, the militia began to stampede towards the tents, looking for a night of drinking and fun. Giving Alistair a salute, Eric left the platform, headed towards his friends who were eyeing the tents eagerly as they awaited his return.