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The Testament of The Knight of Rondmons
"Nil Obstat" - No obstacles
“I wouldn't have taken this path today if I hadn't belived I would find you on it”
In this cold month of December 1263, I, Pierre of Rondmons, believe my life is coming to an end. I shall die in the holy light of Christmas, but before my soul departs, I would like t relate my story an leave it to posterity.
Life is too short to be left unfulfilled. As a youth, I though I had discovered life thou roughly though the clashing of swords and I merely sought the company of my peers, whose brains became dullened as the din of arms got louder. I had convinced myself I was setting ma sword to noble tasks, but I knew deep down that most of these tasks weren't as noble as I wanted to believe. I would have liked to share my thoughts but not a word was allowed to cross my lips; I just couldn't leave myself open to the jests of my peers, who found great amusement in seeing me battle with my conscience. They jeered loudly to silence the voice of their soul. They were knights of blood but hard of heart. I could no longer stand it.
One bright May morning, as I was riding in the forest of Chastelard, a jutting branch knocked me off my steed. I was lying there, numb with pain , when on this path I was taken over by a new frame of mind. A current of strength ran through my body. I realised that only by lying helpless on the ground could I discover courage. Then I understood the sense of unease that had dampened my youth: I hadn't been living in accordance with my beliefs. A squirrel approached me then and sat there just looking at me. In his eyes I could read not fury nor compassion, but a message that seemed to say: “Be free to discover your real self” I decided to abide by that decision.
Followed a long period in which I rediscovered the love of life by gradually cutting bonds with my past. Then came a time where I was certain I could make headway in the new life I had chosen. A new idea formed in my mind. I was going to found an order of real knighthood, noble and generous, where bravery would not be valued in gold, where a straightforward gesture would get more credit than a well placed sword-thrust. Deep in my mind I could see, the squirrel leaping deftly from branch to branch, higher and higher, leaving the common people far below. I liked that vision so well it has inspired my coat of arms. Wherever I went, I let my motto be heard: “Let nothing stand in you way”, which says in short that nothing can hinder whoever really wants to better himself. More and more souls started to join me; where they came from I didn't care to ask. I was agreed that all members should be strongly bound by their given word. Mutual support between members would be offered through open debate and the main concern of each member would be to engage in good work and do good whenever he could.
Nowadays, a lot of new members have joined. Knowing that, I feel comforted and can die in peace with neither power nor riches. I ask that in times to come our unique code of behaviour will be continued and that our values will be echoed verbally in the words we exchange. As I pass on I say: In each and every one of us sleeps a true knight.
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