I, Revok G'Aaire, in the place of Grenik Trista Beneir Alernica Relg, Lord Caldor, Kaesthra, Ishthrak Ba Notr Dra Kharkas, Rik Aler, Kekelairi Mehkt, claim the Right of Drigart to this child Elizabeth, who's line is of Aesta, Friend of Khardak, and who is of true blood. I welcome, in the name of the Kaesthra, all who would challenge his claim.

[No one spoke up]

Elizabeth - who shall be called by the Five Hundred as Aeisheia, the steel bright before forging. I yield my blood, the blood of Khardak, ancient line of Kaesthra, and blood of the Five Hundred to forge this bond. For no bond is as the bond of the warrior who bleeds for another.

Aeisheia - From this day until the day that you are mated, you are as daughter of Kaesthra, sister of Khardak and cousin to the Five Hundred. No shame nor harm shall come upon you but that your Father and Brothers and Cousins shall avenge it one thousand of thousands fold.

You who are witness, take heed.

To the man who would take of Kaesthra's daughter, our sister and cousin, her honor, be he not her betrothed, he shall have his manhood struck off from his body; and of all his line, be they men, likewise shall they also have their manhood struck off.

To the man who gives injury or slays Kaesthra's daughter, our sister and cousin - his life shall be as nothing. Each and as one, the Five Hundred shall name him and his line as enemy, and no V'Sengi shall breathe but shall have revenge. No man of that line shall live, but that he shall see his women put to the sword - ere his body is broken and his soul rent, he shall see his children made the sport and food of wild beasts. No monument that bears his name, nor the abode that sheltered him or his line shall be left upright. Nothing shall remain to show that he and his line ever were. Only the dead shall speak of him - and they, even the most ignobly murdered, the most terribly tortured, shall see themselves as blessed that they did not die as he did.

This is the oath and the promise of Kaesthra.