He strode into the room casually, the ceremonial sword—a simple affair of straight iron with an unadorned hilt—held at his side. He tried not to grip it too tightly. Proceeding between the small sea of courtiers that had gathered for the spectacle, he approached the enthroned king. Five paces from the throne, he bowed his hooded head and knelt upon a knee, balancing the sword across his other one.