“May this blade never spill your blood or mine again,” he said. “And may the steel always remind us of the strength of friendship, of honor, and of loyalty to our comrades.” He looked at me. “Do you swear your loyalty to vampires, irrespective of House, irrespective of allies, irrespective of affiliation? Do you swear to be a guardian of order, fairness, and moderation, and to rise up against any authority that threatens those who cannot defend themselves?”
