Prefect Katana Tormark Declines Knighthood 6/18/32
appointment as Knight-Errant of The Republic of the Sphere. No person so honored
has ever before turned down the offer. Knight of the Sphere Carter Dylan, who had
recommended Tormark for the position, could not be reached for comment. There
are 250 Knights-Errant in The Republic, one representing each world.
"I am honored to have been nominated by the Knight Dylan," said Tormark at a formal
press briefing on Ozawa. She wore a kamishimo coat and trousers in subdued brown
cotton, as well as her ceremonial katana and wakizashi swords slung from a yellow
obi (waistband). Likely because she would not sit, no one present at the briefing sat.
"To accept this honor would require me to abandon my duties as Prefect of my
people, and require me to dissolve my loyalties. The bushido code is very clear in
these matters. I would expect the same from any soldier in my Prefecture."
Republic Exarch Damien Redburn held his own press conference on Terra within
minutes of Tormark's refusal. "I must respect her choice, though I regret that she has
declined to serve," he said. "I, as well as countless other Republic leaders, hold
Duchess Tormark in the highest regard. Certainly I understand her concern over no
longer being able to execute her duties as Prefect, but that is only a brief appointment
compared to the lifetime of prestige and honor attached to Knighthood."
A reporter at the Exarch's conference asked the Republic's leader if Tormark's refusal
suggested that her loyalty to House Kurita might be greater than her loyalty to The
Republic.
"I can only comment on her spotless record of service to the Republic," Redburn said.
He took a few more questions and left the conference.
Northwind Legate Tara Campbell, contacted by AP-HPG News, was dismayed by the
news. Tormark is Campbell's direct superior.
Because a Knight-Errant must renounce all loyalties to local jurisdictions as well as to
the ancient Houses, many Republic insiders wonder if Tormark's comment about
"dissolv[ing] [her] loyalties" suggests that her allegiance is first and foremost to House
Kurita rather than The Republic.
"Treason?" asked Lord Governor Aaron Sandoval, briefly interviewed on the grounds
of his palace. "I wouldn't use so strong a word, but I wouldn't be surprised if her
loyalty to the Republic turned out to be less than it seems."
Tormark's only comment on the accusation was, "Anyone who accuses me of
treason had better be prepared to discuss their thoughts with me in person."
appointment as Knight-Errant of The Republic of the Sphere. No person so honored
has ever before turned down the offer. Knight of the Sphere Carter Dylan, who had
recommended Tormark for the position, could not be reached for comment. There
are 250 Knights-Errant in The Republic, one representing each world.
"I am honored to have been nominated by the Knight Dylan," said Tormark at a formal
press briefing on Ozawa. She wore a kamishimo coat and trousers in subdued brown
cotton, as well as her ceremonial katana and wakizashi swords slung from a yellow
obi (waistband). Likely because she would not sit, no one present at the briefing sat.
"To accept this honor would require me to abandon my duties as Prefect of my
people, and require me to dissolve my loyalties. The bushido code is very clear in
these matters. I would expect the same from any soldier in my Prefecture."
Republic Exarch Damien Redburn held his own press conference on Terra within
minutes of Tormark's refusal. "I must respect her choice, though I regret that she has
declined to serve," he said. "I, as well as countless other Republic leaders, hold
Duchess Tormark in the highest regard. Certainly I understand her concern over no
longer being able to execute her duties as Prefect, but that is only a brief appointment
compared to the lifetime of prestige and honor attached to Knighthood."
A reporter at the Exarch's conference asked the Republic's leader if Tormark's refusal
suggested that her loyalty to House Kurita might be greater than her loyalty to The
Republic.
"I can only comment on her spotless record of service to the Republic," Redburn said.
He took a few more questions and left the conference.
Northwind Legate Tara Campbell, contacted by AP-HPG News, was dismayed by the
news. Tormark is Campbell's direct superior.
Because a Knight-Errant must renounce all loyalties to local jurisdictions as well as to
the ancient Houses, many Republic insiders wonder if Tormark's comment about
"dissolv[ing] [her] loyalties" suggests that her allegiance is first and foremost to House
Kurita rather than The Republic.
"Treason?" asked Lord Governor Aaron Sandoval, briefly interviewed on the grounds
of his palace. "I wouldn't use so strong a word, but I wouldn't be surprised if her
loyalty to the Republic turned out to be less than it seems."
Tormark's only comment on the accusation was, "Anyone who accuses me of
treason had better be prepared to discuss their thoughts with me in person."
