A large crowd of courtiers gathered in the royal palace on Tyr – King Atreus summoned all of his vassals to the ceremony. They were a mass of glitter and fancy dresses and robes. Kaarin felt a little silly, in his relatively simple Imperial dress uniform.
"Approach," said the King.
They did. At least Yosef and Sai Marte were on a similar level of relative asceticism, with him in a black, gold-trimmed robe, and her in the Tyrian enlisted dress uniform.
"In recognition of your accomplishments in the recent months, including the sound defeat of the upstart conqueror at Caldos, and the nobility of your spirits, We decree as follows," the monarch said. "Chaplain Yosef – in cooperation with the Patriarch, We hereby nominate you for the position of Bishop of Delia. The appropriate ceremonies shall be held on the following Sunday."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," the priest bowed.
"Petty Officer Sai Marte – We hereby grant you commission within the Tyrian System Defence Force. We have suggested to the Admiral that you be posted within Our Research and Development division."
"Yes, si—Sire, Your Majesty!" Sai Marte replied, saluting.
"And finally, Scout Kaarin Sanders – in repayment of your efforts, which went beyond the call of duty, and your noble sacrifice of your ship, We hereby bestow upon you the entirety of the Extends of Doss as a permanent land grant to be held in perpetuity by you and your descendants, and the title of Count of Doss, likewise."
Kaarin saluted in the Imperial fashion, then bowed.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," he said.
It wasn't quite the retirement he had in mind – but it would do. It would do.
THE END.