Investiture - Delphinium Order by brewgirlca
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Description
Anna could not recall the last time she had been in a dress, let alone a formal Elven ball gown. Certainly it had been before her time as a squire in training to become a Delphinium Dragon Defender. For some four years she had lived entirely in the popular wildlander tights and jerkin favored by the elven warriors. So she was definitely feeling uncomfortable and pretty confined at the moment. And that dam leaf corset was pulled so tight she could barely breathe.
But this was a once in a lifetime moment for Anna and protocol demanded all the formality of an elven high court. And if that meant being bundled up breathless in a long formal dress then so be it; it was only gonna happen once. It was her final ordeal to knighthood.
Two weeks ago Anna had knocked on the doors of Lady Larkspur's quarters. Not the shy timid knock of a squire but the bold bang, bang knock of a proven person - for Anna had returned from the Elven Craigs with her Dragon. And with George in hand she had passed the final trial to knighthood. Tradition demanded that Anna was not at the Lady's quarters to ask permission, but rather to demand the investiture that she had earned. And also by tradition this was the one and only time that the Lady was required to submit to a demand. Even though it was all ritual and the outcome assured, it was still rather unnerving to have to stand before Lady Larkspur and demand your just rewards! Never before and never again would a person be able to make a demand of the Lady... and not suffer the consequences of such indiscretion.
Of course in Anna's case Lady Larkspur was most pleased to acquiesce to her demands. The birth of George at the Elven Craigs had been a good sign for a future mighty dragon. But of course this had been tempered by the relatively high failure rate at this birth site of mixed blessing. Lady Larkspur recalled her own trial at the Craigs and how she had almost lost her dragon, Thomas, when he stubbornly refused to come to her first songs. She wondered how Anna had fared, but protocol demanded that one not ask. At this point success was measure enough. Only those who failed had to tell their tale of woe at this time; those who would become knights could choose their own time of telling. Praise the Gods that it had been Anna this time, for a lesser being would probably have failed.
And so it came to be that a fortnight later Anna and Lady Larkspur were to meet again. The place, a sacred grove of Lady Larkspur's choice, the site of her own investiture. Present, only Lady Larkspur, Anna and her familiars, and of course George. The purpose, the investiture of Anna into Knighthood and her formal recognition as a Delphinium Dragon Defender. And of course, the announcement of the start of her vision quest, which would start in no more than 3 days.
With reverence Anna approached Lady Larkspur along the sacred stairs of cleaved white pine spars. Anna had never seen the Lady radiating her full power before and on this night of a blue moon she was both beautiful and yet totally intimidating. Anna was nervous. But off to her left her ever faithful Millicent was beside herself with joy at seeing Anna achieve her dream and this gave her courage. Ingrid was of course perched high on a sacred stone, watching. Nobody minded the sacrilege and besides, no one could stop her anyhow.
As Anna stepped onto the stairs George jumped off her shoulders, giving her a fright that he was gonna bolt at this most inopportune moment. But instead the little bugger chose just to hover alongside Anna as she walked the stairs. Typical of George, he was gonna make his own way to the ceremony! Anna had to suppress a smug smile as the torches lit up George's glossy reptilian hide in a wonderful mix of orange and blue lights. At that moment she thought him the most beautiful little beast in the world.
I must say this new way of crediting vendors really sucks gas. It is very clumsy and time consuming dontcha think?
DAZ Credits
Danie - Druid Valley
Marforno - Druid Valley
Comments (46)
eekdog Online Now!
Anna looks to be having a ball Roxy, super work on the colorful atmosphere. Happy holidays, steve
Faemike55
Fantastic scene and wonderful chapter in Anna's Life and now including George. Can't wait to learn how Anna fares with the Vision Quest. I have a feeling that George has an important part in this quest
vapo
This is a true color symphony! What a gorgeous scene... I really like the mystical touch in all your images, Roxy! Vashek
renecyberdoc
most excellent and dense composition,and great storybit to go along.
vintorix
This is something new again, sharper, more colorful! I like it. The dragon is very small, how long time until they reach their final size? And what is 'vision quest'? ?
MineFujiko
Excellent work! love her expression and lighting of fantsy night.
lyron
Splendid work!!
ladiesmen
Great scene and words roxy. Have and awesome christmas Hugs
ragouc
Very well done.
missblue
Fantastic work !!
Sepiasiren
jaw drop Oooo the lighting here is marvelous! I am a big fan of mixed elements in a work--but have never been able to do so in my own...hint, hint Just terrific and as usual the narrative and the work go great together! Wonderful a thousand times over!
RodolfoCiminelli
Wonderful work, excellent colors and creative lighting effects.....!!!!
leroysquab
WOW! It took me a while to take it all in, there's so much going on here! It all blends together in a beautifully magical way! Your set arrangement, characters lighting and composition all blend together in a way that sweeps the viewer away. Similarly, amongst all the rich detail of myth and tradition in the story, the is still a wonderful warmth of characters that shines through. Terrific!
3dpoetry
Exceptional detail.
ssteph
Beautiful image and narrative.. with a lot of interesting detail and light
capelito
Great work.
Seaview123
Very nice looking picture! Great job! Oh, and I agree with you about the new vendor credits, too.
FaeMoon
Very, very beautiful piece. The colors just sing, and you convey the softness of the evening very well with this, though you also manage to keep your trademark vibrancy too! Not easy to do at all. I love the composition - the DM set is perfect for this piece, lovely how you incorporated he standing stones behind. I still think (said this elsewhere) that those torches look like tiki torches, but that's just my own thing. :) Wonderful costuming and a satisfying scene in your story. George does look quite pleased with himself, I think and Anna very relieved and proud. Wonderful work!
fluffykatt
Excellent
Tracesl
great color and detail of setting in the scene, wonderful story -- excellent
magnus073
Roxie, this is such a sensational image my friend. The effects here are simply breathtaking, and the scene so ideal. You have such a gift for bringing your magnificent stories to life
OrphanedSoul
Such Excellent details and your postwork always Rocks!
2121
exceptional, wonderful text and the colours and lighting are so good
drifterlee
Beautiful scene!
mrestey
WOW! Excellent lighting and color in this. Nice work.
tamburro
Wonderful colors roxy, fantastic characters and lights!!!!!!!! Bravo!!!! Hugs:)
RodS Online Now!
What a beautiful and magical masterpiece! I could just stare at this for hours - everything about it is just delightful - the facial expressions of Anna and Lady Larspur, even Millicent. And little George, fluttering in the light of the torch - brilliant! You are indeed an Invested Knight of Art and Story in the Delphinium Order, Roxy!
pixeluna
Oh, you're images always capture the essence of a great magical scene. How you did it always leave me amazed and mesmerized!
adrie
Wow Roxy, this is one fabulous composed scene and story as always excellent done love it.....hugs Adrie.
anitalee Online Now!
Excellent