The choir of voices ascended to the far corners of the cathedral, where sculptured warriors listened with somber faces to the Latin words. Shining white marble pillars spiraled down to the steps of the great altar. At the top stair stood Queen Midoriko. Behind her stood eight small girls dressed in immaculate white robes, each holding a red velvet pillow with white tassels at each corner. Upon every silky velvet pillow there rested a resplendent glowing sword. Above and behind the girls, golden statues of Priestesses stretched out their cold arms in welcome and forgiveness with unseeing eyes.

The Queen shifted her regal stance, her gaze locked on the tall wooden doors at the back of the Shrine. She knew eight young men waited anxiously outside, their breath tight in their chests, their palms slick with nervous sweat. Each one would enter as a squire filled with a boy's apprehension, and each one would leave as a knight of the realm filled with a warrior's pride.

One of the banners caught his eye. It was for Kagome De Higurashi, the third son of Baroness Sango Taija De Higurashi. Queen Midoriko scanned the mass of people before her until they came to rest on two men – the elder De Higurashi brothers. They were tall, even by knightly standards. Sota was fair; his dark hair, liquid brown eyes, and boyish looks were rumored to have cost more than one maiden her virtue. Kohaku was dark, with chestnut eyes and a heart of gold. Both were skilled warriors, and this pleased the Queen, for she knew Kagome would make an excellent addition to her troops. She studied the brothers closely. They shifted from foot to foot nervously; even Kohaku, who was usually so calm, seemed unsettled. The Queen frowned. Perhaps the two men were uncomfortable with the civil surroundings and were eager to be out of the church. Queen Midoriko sympathized. The De Higurashi's were, after all, known for their prowess in battle, not their sociability.

The Queen glanced over row upon row of nobles in their elegant satins and velvets. The Countess of Burgundy was there. Not far from her, the flamboyant golden caul headdress of the Duchess of Orleans caught his eye. Slowly, his brow creased into a frown as he finished surveying the attending nobility. Where was Kagome's father?

The choir of voices that had filled the chamber suddenly ended, their last echoes resonating throughout the cathedral until they slipped away into nothingness.

Glancing toward the trumpeters awaiting her signal in the balcony, Queen Midoriko nodded. When they put the long golden horns to their lips, the triumphant music began. All eyes turned to the heavy oak doors at the back of the church as they slowly creaked open.

Eight squires advanced down the long carpeted aisle, one behind the other. Sunlight streamed in from the stained glass windows, reflecting brilliantly off the shining silver-and-gold plate mail of the approaching men. Queen Midoriko squinted as a ray of light shone in her eyes. He tried to be a fair man, judging all men equally, but he found himself anxious to see Kagome De Higurashi, around whom so much controversy swirled. The first time his name had reached the Queen's ears, it was with the capture of Castle Picardy, the feat that had earned him his knighthood. Queen Midoriko had heard the same story three times, and with each telling, Kagome's achievements had seemed to grow until they were of Herculean proportions. Since then, the name Kagome De Higurashi had arisen time and time again in casual conversation. The man's strategic maneuvers were ingenious.

The initiates climbed the stairs to the great altar and bowed before the Queen, then stepped aside to form a row before their lady. As the squire preceding De Higurashi bowed, Queen Midoriko tried not to seem obvious as she peered over the top of the man's head to get a glimpse of Kagome. Finally, like a curtain being drawn, the squire stepped aside and Kagome De Higurashi was revealed to Queen Midoriko. The initiate still wore his helmet. All traces of astonishment disappeared as anger descended over the Queen. It was disrespectful for anyone to wear a helmet in the house of The Gods. The young man's headgear covered most of his face except for his eyes. Queen Midoriko could see the striking blueness of them; they shimmered in the shadows of his helmet like a great cloudless sky. Her gaze raked the young man again. He is very small indeed, the Queen thought. I cannot believe the great Baron De Higurashi squired this runt. Perhaps De Higurashi is absent because he is embarrassed by his son's size.

Under her scrutiny, the Queen saw Kagome's deep blue eyes fill with pride, and something else. Before she could discern what that strange spark was, Kagome fell to one knee, bowing his head in reverence.

Somewhat pacified, Queen Midoriko commanded quietly, "Remove your helmet, Kagome," and turned to retrieve a ceremonial sword cushioned upon a pillow of velvet. As she reverently removed the sword, the Queen heard rustling and the clang of armor behind her and knew Kagome was removing his helmet.

Suddenly, a collective gasp spread through the crowd like the wind whistling through a field of wheat. Queen Midoriko whirled at the sound. Her eyes grew wide and she gaped as the reason for the young man's diminutive stature became quite apparent. The "man" was not a man at all!

He was a she!

Why, she could be no more than fifteen! Amazement rocked her like a blow to his stomach, leaving her breathless and stunned. The girl's soft dark hair cascaded in waves over the metal shoulder plates. Her nose was a delicate sculpture of perfection, her lips full. Her chin was strong, with a slight cleft etched into it. Beauty shimmered beneath her childlike features. She had the innocent face of a cherub…an angel. Queen Midoriko stared for a long moment. The Queen knew now what that look in her sapphire eyes had been: defiance. It accented her features with determination.

The Queen turned to glance at her brothers. Kohaku had suddenly found interest in a piece of imaginary lint on his spotless white velvet tunic, and Sota was studying the painted angels on the stained glass windows. Queen Midoriko's lips thinned and her gaze returned to Kagome.

A girl! How had she been able to keep this secret? She wondered.

Queen Midoriko stared in shock. No wonder Baron De Higurashi is not here, she thought. She gripped the sword tightly until her knuckles hurt with the effort. She knew she should not knight her, that she should be punished for her audacity, but her deeds surpassed the defiance that her stubborn raised little chin represented. She wanted her in her army, needed her strategic skills. These were desperate times.

She lifted the sword in a sweeping gesture and saw her body stiffen, as if expecting a blow. She brought the sword down, lightly touching the tip of the blade to each of her shoulders in the customary colee, finishing with, "Rise, Sir Kagome De Higurashi."

The young girl slowly and unsteadily rose to her feet. Her large eyes were wide, ringed with happiness; her rosy lips were parted in disbelief.

Queen Midoriko bent close to her and laid her hand on her shoulder. "Kagome, the road before you will be laced with hardship. Be a true knight, and courageous in the face of your enemies. Be brave and upright. And remember that you spring from a bloodline that has always been strong."

"I shall," Kagome said earnestly, her expression solemn.

The Queen held out the sword to her. Kagome carefully took the gleaming blade in her bare palms and pressed her lips to it before accepting it from Queen Midoriko's hands. She studied the sword for a quick moment; a flash of pride lighting up her soft features, then slid it into the scabbard at her waist.

Queen Midoriko leaned in close to whisper, "However, if you or your brothers ever pull a trick like this again, I will have your heads." She straightened to her full height and proclaimed, "Now. Be thou a knight."

Kagome bowed, giving Queen Midoriko her loyalty and her gratitude. The Queen repeated the knighting seven more times, after which she stood back and watched as the men – and the woman – turned as one to face the congregation. Kagome led the way down the aisle. As she passed her awestruck brothers, the Queen watched Kagome shoot them a smug look of triumph. Throwing her shoulders back, holding her chin high, Sir Kagome De Higurashi strolled confidently past the mass of whispering people.