Unless one is born of water and the Spirit...

[Celsius]

On a breezy afternoon, around 20km outside of Constantinople, a Bastion of Western Civilization, Bishop of Langres Robert de Bourgogne, along with Sir Malcolm Scott, his Scottish clansmen, and Duke Robert Curthose of Normandy traveled to a river. This would be a moving occasion for all involved. Faiths were being both born and reaffirmed. Robert was happy to see so many accompany him to this rather secluded place. It was quiet, peaceful, not dragged by war or death. It would be one of the last evenings in which these men would forget about the road that lie ahead....

Characters Here from Start
-Robert de Bourgogne
-Malcolm Scott
-Robert Curthose

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm and his Scotsmen had trooped along with the bishop and Curthose, arriving quietly at the river. They waited in silence for their instructions.

[Oznerol]

Curthose awaited the bishop's commands. He was surrounded by several retainers and his secretary, the monk Orderic from Shrewsbury.

[Celsius]

As the men had all gathered, Robert took to a makeshift podium. In truth it was just a sump of a tree cut months before, but it would do nicely. He raised his hands to shoulder length and spoke in prayer
"Father in Heaven, when the Spirit came down upon Jesus at His Baptism in the Jordan, You revealed Him as Your own Beloved Son. Keep these, Your children, born of water and the Spirit, faithful to their calling. May they, who share in Your Life as Your children through Baptism, follow in Christ's path of service to people. Let them become one in His Sacrifice and hear His Word with faith. May they live as Your children, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Lord."
He lowered his hands and clasped them in front of him, looking upon the men who had come.
"You have chosen to undertake a great thing this day. By coming to Christ through presence of the Spirit alone, you shall know calmness like no other."

He looked at a some laymen who accompanied him. They sifted through the crowd, asking 5 lines to be formed of near equal proportion. As the lines began to form, he had a young boy, about the age of 9, follow him with a small pale of water in which Robert had blessed earlier. He dipped his fingers in it and again to to the stump
"Beloved in the Lord, when the Savior sent out his Apostles, he said unto them, “Go ye, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” “He that believe and is baptized shall be saved.” Through baptism men are cleansed from their sins, made partakers in the meritorious redemption of Jesus Christ, taken into the society of the faithful and into the Church of Christ, fitted to obtain a share in all the treasuries of grace, with the management and administration of which Christ has entrusted his church."


He paused
"When I ask this, I am speaking to you all individually. I would so love to recite this for all, but given the number, I will do my best. When I nod, please say your name."
He spoke
"And now I ask thee..." Robert nodded. Hearing each man say his name. "Dost thou desire to obtain eternal life in the church of God through faith in Jesus Christ?"
He paused again, hearing "Yes" or some variation of it, in unison
"The Lord himself hath said; “This is life eternal, that they may know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and thy neighbor as thyself."


He stepped down from the stump, walking to the far left line of men, and began. He took his wet fingers, made the sign of the cross on their forehead, put his hand upon their, head, and cited the following to each man.
"May the powers of darkness, which the divine Redeemer hath vanquished by his cross, retire before thee, that thou may see to what hope, and to what an exceeding glorious inheritance among the saints, thou art called."

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm listened quietly. It was quite a monumental undertaking for these men, who had so long lived with the Gods of Rivers, Trees and Mountains. He heard them say "Bu Choir", "We should" the closest thing Gaelic had to yes. He listened carefully to each part of Robert's speech and said amen in all the right places. It was a very pious and moving day...

[Celsius]

Robert approached Sir Malcolm
"You have done a great service today, Sir. These men are here because you have brought them here and taught them the ways in which to follow our Lord Christ. I thank you for what you've done, and wish you the best."
He took his hand and made the Sign of the Cross on Sir Malcolm's forehead
"My our Lord God guide you and keep you."


After meeting with each of the men, he moved to the area near Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy
"Lord Robert. It is a fine day to become a new man I think."

[Oznerol]

After meeting with each of the men, he moved to the area near Robert Curthose, Duke of Normandy
"Lord Robert. It is a fine day to become a new man I think."

"Fine indeed, mon évêque"

Said Robert with his deep, powerful voice. A voice to lead and command, to be heard. He had also spread the word of the ceremony around the camp.

[Celsius]

"Fine indeed, mon évêque"

Said Robert with his deep, powerful voice. A voice to lead and command, to be heard. He had also spread the word of the ceremony around the camp.

"Then let us move forward."
He led the Duke to a small rocky part of the river. The Bishop leaned in to whisper to the man
"If you wish for all to witness your confessions and absolution, then we can began. I'll allow you to ask for the forgiveness for the sins in which you have committed."

[Oznerol]

"Then let us move forward."
He led the Duke to a small rocky part of the river. The Bishop leaned in to whisper to the man
"If you wish for all to witness your confessions and absolution, then we can began. I'll allow you to ask for the forgiveness for the sins in which you have committed."

Robert kneeled before the bishop.

"Rape. Murder. Rebellion. Lust, greed, pride, envy"

He joined his hands in prayer.

"I have committed almost every sin, father. My youth was... chaotic, ruled by sin, cruelty and debauchery"

He looked upwards.

"But I deeply repent of my signs, I have taken the cross to fullfil a promise: to free Jerusalem and earn an absolution. I will show the Allmighty how far I am from my past, what a man I have become, worthy of his blessing and atention. I request forgival and absolution, father"

"And I shall build him a church, a temple in his honor, a new sanctuary in the Holy Land, where he once breathed, lived and died for all our sins"

[Celsius]

Robert kneeled before the bishop.

"Rape. Murder. Rebellion. Lust, greed, pride, envy"

He joined his hands in prayer.

"I have committed almost every sin, father. My youth was... chaotic, ruled by sin, cruelty and debauchery"

He looked upwards.

"But I deeply repent of my signs, I have taken the cross to fullfil a promise: to free Jerusalem and earn an absolution. I will show the Allmighty how far I am from my past, what a man I have become, worthy of his blessing and atention. I request forgival and absolution, father"

"And I shall build him a church, a temple in his honor, a new sanctuary in the Holy Land, where he once breathed, lived and died for all our sins"

Robert clasped his rosary in his hands, mumble under his breath as the Duke spoke
"God, the Father of mercies, through the death and resurrection of His Son has reconciled the world to Himself and sent the Holy Spirit among us for the forgiveness of sins; through the ministry of the Church may God give you pardon and peace, and I absolve you from your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
His had damp with water, made the sign of the cross onto the Duke's forehead
"Go forth anew, for the glory of Christ's chosen church on Earth. Bring peace to those oppressed and justice to those that reject his ways. Leave sin behind and embrace the forgivness that has been given to you by Christ's emissaries on Earth."

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm didn't launch into a long spiel, he just said in a quiet, pious tone;

"Thank you, Bishop."

[Celsius]

"You are most welcome, sir Knight. Safe travels to you and your company on your way back to camp. Just follow the river."

[The Mad Skylord]

Malcolm bows, before setting off with his company back towards the camp.

[Zeus Almighty]

Wynebald arrives slightly late with several of his men. They were not fall armed, they came to witness the renewal of Duke Curthouse. Wynoc, Wynebalds brother, had gone around camp speaking of the event to generate buzz.