Knight of Mother Mara
The Nine Divines govern the philosophical lives of all Men and Mer in Tamriel. Hmph. First there are the Divines Akatosh, Kynareth, and Stendarr. Followers of these gods are plenty, and many devoted take up arms like those in the Hall of the Vigilant of Stendarr. Tsk... Witchhunters. Then there are the Divines Arkay, Zenithar, and Julianos. They represent work: burying the dead, counting proper taxes, more tasks I'm sure. Then there is the Divine Dibella. Heh, don't get me started on that hussy. And finally the last and worst of them all: Mara. Goddess of Love. No one devotes a sect of warriors to the Goddess of Love, no one wants what her followers have. Leave it to my kinsmen to create the Knights of Mother Mara... What a waste of time. I did swear an oath, like any knight. I wanted to be a Vigilant, or even a Crusader of Akatosh in the Elf lands. My kind, the Bretons, seem to have a sense of humor sending a little girl off to the order of knights in service to Mara. However I may feel, Mara is the Divine I have pledged to, and I will carry out her will; one marriage at a time.
Abette held her handbook loosely as she droned on the marriage rites she'd been taught for what seemed like the thousandth time. The big dumb doe-eyed couple she was marrying seemed to not be attuned to her boredom. They glanced at each other every few moments and smiled at each other. Every time they did so, Abette rolled her eyes dramatically. She felt the sword on her hip heavy against her tunic. She wanted to go out and train in the morning, but this couple heard she was in Whiterun and dragged her out to the Temple of Kynareth to get married in front of the gods.
Abette prayed at the altar of Kynareth before reciting the words of Mara, as is the custom. The young couple had heard about her just the same way that everyone else did: rumors. When Abette strolled into town, she paid for a night at the Bannered Mare, hoping to get moving to Markarth soon. She felt happy moving back towards home, but a snag hit her travels.
The Jarl's steward, some little bald man, asked Abette to stay on account of the supposed dragon attacks so that she might help fight it off or heal the men who did. Abette gritted her teeth hard at the memory.
Credo number thirty-eight: The Lord or Lord's Authority of unsanctioned lands may requisition the services of a Knight of Mother Mara until they pass judgment otherwise, or a senior of the order sets them free of their duty.
That meant that if a land owner (land that Abette happened to be walking on) asks nicely, he can keep Abette on retainer to fight his battles for him. That authority is upheld by a Credo, which Abette has sworn to abide. To her eternal dismay.
"And with the blessing of Mara, I bestow upon these two souls the partnership of marriage, as witnessed by..." Abette rolled her head to the side and looked at the Kynareth priestess standing next to them.
"Danica Pure-Spring," she said calmly.
"... Danica Pure-Spring. By the power I am sworn to uphold, I now pronounce you husband and wife," she finished the rite.
The couple giggled and kissed each other happily while Abette clicked the book closed and made her way to the door. Danica Pure-Spring stopped her before she walked out. Danica was clad in yellow robes and had her hood pulled up over her head. She spoke in a gentle voice akin to many priestesses, "You did not seem very excited to bring love to their lives, Abette."
Abette scratched her head and stole a glance at the celebrating couple.
"They found love, I just made it official. Going back to the inn to get drunk and go back to sleep," Abette grumbled.
"Is that proper course for a holy knight?" Danica asked, bewildered.
"Probably not," Abette called as the door closed shut behind her.