Coronation

"Thank you, Duke. You may go." Dredrik bowed, then departed to his task. Despite his dismissal of the princess' fable, he was genuinely troubled by it. How would I react, if I actually have to face Fredrigo on the field of battle? I can tell myself all I want that I will be loyal to my queen and country. But when the moment comes, will I still? The princess' fable forced Dredrik to think on it, to imagine the actual moment. And when he did, the mists in his head cleared and he knew what he had to do. He would fight, win or lose.

Clearly, Exotica posseses a wisdom and courage that belies her young age. She will make a fine queen. And I must assure that her realm does not fail her.

The next morning dawned cold and rainy in the city of Camelyn. The heralds had been dispatched, announcing the ceremony. Dredrik looked upon the gathering citizenry and frowned. In these times of trouble, only a handful of concerned citizens had shown up to witness the event. Part of that was down to the weather, but more of it was that people by and large had other things to concern themselves with, such as hostile rebel forces. A small scale riot had been put down only yesterday. Many others had ceased to care who wore the crown. They had lost faith in the leadership of their country.

Exotica stood stoically in the palace courtyard on a raised dias, surrounded by nobles and protected by the royal guards. A hastily arranged canopy shielded her and the nobles from the rain. She looked tired, far too tired for one so young. Her eyes were red and bloodshot; it was obvoius she'd been crying. Dredrik had heard from her maidservants that she had visited with Emry last night after their meeting in the throne room.

That must have been very hard on her. Still, she's taking this far better than I expected. Dredrik thought. Among other things, Exotica was poised to become the first Queen Regnant in over 100 years, which would have been difficult for one so young even in the best of times.

The High Priest of Camelyn had just finished his opening remarks, mostly pointless pontificating about the glorious reign of the great Emry Exultaine. Dredrik knew most of it to be bunk; From a historical standpoint, Emry's rule was quite unremarkable when compared to his predecessors, and would be marred by the Shreken-Dragon crisis and by this latest uprising. If they're even still teaching Allarian history by the time this war is over, he reminded himself grimly.

The High Priest began the royal oath:

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the Great Kingdom of Allaria, according to their respective laws and customs? Will you to your power cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all your judgments?"

"All this I promise to do. The things which I have here promised, I will perform, and keep." Exotica replied solemnly.

The High Priest took the crown into his hands, and placed it atop her head. "My lords, people of Camelyn, I present to you Exoitca Exultaine, Queen Regnant of Allaria. Long live the Queen!"

"Long Live the Queen!" all who had gathered shouted as one, Dredrik the loudest of all. The nobles, followed by the commoners all went to their knee before the new queen.

Exotica bade them rise, then stepped forward, acknowledging first the nobles, then the crowd. "I will lead our land through these fell times, that I may be proven worthy of the honor you have bestowed upon me."

There was cheering and applause, but Dredrik closed his mind to it as he quickly walked off the dais, heading back towards the war room. This business was finished, but there was much work to be done.

1. The Council of War
2. Meanwhile, at the rebel camp...
3. Two months later, the Allarian and Rebel armies meet...

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