As soon as she appeared, all of the children ran over to her. They were excited to see their mother. I was happy for them. I stood back and let them talk. Celosia pat them on the head and talked to them. It was what they all had wanted. They had been set apart from birth. Being their mother, she seemed to garner a lot of sway. When they heard that the others called them children of demons, they did not know why. Now they could see her. What the people said was not true. Celosia was not a monster. It had always been a lie. I told them, but they were now confirming it for themselves. She cared about them. Celosia talked to them in order to indoctrinate them into her religion. Lenard and Lennox were now part of my religion though. When she learned it from the boys, she frowned. Celosia was clever. She did not get angry or make a fuss. She just prioritized Leonardo with her affection. She looked at me as she stood behind him and wrapped her arms around him possessively. "It was very kind of you to let the others see me too. Other humans would not do so." she said harshly. I smiled.
Being that I was not from this world, I did not have the same baggage they had. It was why I could walk to her and kneel. I took her hand and kissed the back of it. "You are just as beautiful as the day we first met. I never got to thank you for bringing the boys into the world. They have been more precious to me than all the riches I've ever stolen. Celosia, thank you so much." She smiled wryly as she took her hand back. "If you are so grateful, you should give Leonardo to me." she said. I shook my head. It was not up for debate. "Unfortunately, no. I am a phantom thief. My pride and greed knows no bounds. My children are mine and I will take them all with me. That being said, I believe in the freedom of religion. Leonardo has already decided to follow you in your religion. You should give him your blessing. We are moving away soon. This is not something we can stop. Lenard and Lennox also deserve to see their mother in the best light now that they are old enough to understand much more about you." I smirked. Celosia crouched down and whispered in Leonardo's ear. He nodded his head.
Celosia told him to kneel in front of him. Leonardo complied. The dryad raised a hand and a sword rose from the ground. She dubbed him a green knight. From that point on, he was a green paladin with an oath to protect nature and the Ancient spirits that made the forest their home. It seemed like a pretty tall order for a boy who was not even 10 years old. How would I say that when Leonardo looked so ecstatic about it? Even his 2 brothers looked excited and happy for him. I hoisted Leonardo on my shoulders when I was sure the ceremony was over. I took both Lenard and Lennox by the hands. "We'll come by again soon." I said. It was getting late. I did not want to travel through the forest when it was dark. Celosia smiled and said "I understand. I'll be waiting for you." That meant that it was time to go home. All 4 of us were feeling great. "You guys should have listened to me, but no. I was betrayed and lied to. You saw Mother. I am already a knight. You 2 are not." Leonardo gloated from above my head. "That is fine. I am a knight. Lenard and Lennox will be knighted by me." I told them.
