Desert Winds

Iraelia

TNPer
(Madinat al-Muhrab, 3:00 PM, 12/23/17)
Crown Prince Hazhir VI of Kaandar gazed upon the angry mob as he re-entered the city of Madinat al-Muhrab. All around him, thousands shouted, cursed, and threw stones. The guards could barely maintain a perimeter around the royal motorcade as it made it's way to the palace. Most protesters wore dark hoods and coverings in an attempt to hide their identity. Hazhir was visibly shook, the city looked nothing like this a week ago. Hazhir and his father Suhail, Shah of Kaandar, had left the city for a tour of oil fields run by the Kaandari Crown Company. There had been protests before, but nothing on such a large scale. It was that damned Saalih el-Alli, Hazhir though, as a rock battered against the window of his vehicle. That bastard had been stirring up the populace ever since we disbanded his precious parliament.

Alrrayida Saalih el-Alli had been creating discontent within Kaandar ever since the Shah had dismissed the parliament following a very successful election for the Socialists and Liberal-Republican Coalition. Saalih, in his anger, had created a National Congress in Bagash, which was mailing in grievance after grievance to the Shah. Eventually, the pile had gotten so big that Suhail had ordered all of the letters to be burned in the Great Hall. Saalih, upon learning this, began to post his grievances up publicly within Madinat al-Muhrab. These letters had sparked numerous protests within the city, and had caused the current rabble outside the palace.

As the motorcade pulled into the palace, guards threw tear gas into the crowd, creating a slight dispersion. Shah Suhail pulled himself from his vehicle and began to walk the steps side-by-side with Hazhir.

"What a welcome," Hazhir said, sarcastically.

"Indeed," Suhail responded. "It appears we can no longer ignore Saalih and his band of disheveled Republicans, especially in the face of the MPA. They now control almost all of our southern most rigs. Town-by-town, they come closer to making an attack on a major city."

"Well, we can't reassemble parliament, they'd only call for limitations on the monarchy, something we cannot afford during this crisis," Hazhir responded.

"Aye, perhaps we should open up talks first. Reconciliation is our best bet. Anything to keep the people from rioting," Suhail stated, "It is imperative we..."

Suhail stopped as a large thud sounded from behing him. Hazhir and the Shah both turned around to find a flashbang right behind them. Hazhir attempted to run, but it was too late. The blinding flash of the grenade made him fall to the floor, his ears ringing. As he made his way back up, he saw a man wearing black running towards the steps brandishing a black pistol. As Hazhir attempted to help up his father, the man fired three shots. They hit Suhail squarely in the chest. The Shah fell to the floor, his once white robes now stained with blood. Guards tackled the assailant to the ground, and quickly ushered Hazhir into the palace.

Hazhir was dumbfounded with shock as the palace doors closed behind him. His wife Hana Soleymanei, sister to Marten Severyn, heir apparent to the Malorian throne, was waiting for him as he entered. "What happened?" She asked.

"My father is... dead," he said, still coming to terms with his situation. Hana was shocked by the news, but gathered her bearing quickly.

"Well, we can't stand here on ceremony, it's imperative we take action immediately," she said, "The Crown Council is waiting for you, they've already ordered the military to crack down on the riots. We must inform them of what happened and take action immediately."

Hazhir, now recovered, responded, "Yes, absolutely. Let us make haste."

Hazhir and Hana then made their way to the Crown Council room, knowing full well that the country's fate was in their hands.
 
Hazhir took what was his father's seat at the Crown Council table. In front of him sat trusted advisers, titans of business, and nobles from across Kaandar; the best of the best. They all looked upon him with concern, as if they had sensed the terrible news on the horizon. As Hana took her place to the side of him, he began the meeting.

"Lords, my father Suhail is dead. He was shot by one of the protesters. As ancient tradition dictates, I am to succeed him as Shah," Hazhir stated. The gentry murmured in concern.

Hazhir raised his hand to call for quiet. "I understand this event has significantly set us behind, but it is imperative that we act with conviction now more then ever. Can I get a briefing on our current scenario?"

Ehsan al-Usman, the Martial Councillor, responded first. "The military is being deployed against the protesters as we speak, the riots should be quelled soon. However, whilst we deal with the Republicans at home, we lose more territory to the Mehrabiist People's Army. Socialist Mehrabiism has spread like wildfire in the south and they are becoming far more then just a terrorist organization. Our current peacekeeping force of 10,000 is proving ineffective against their guerrilla tactics."

Hazhir nodded as his adviser concluded. "Let's send in an additional 10,000 for good measure," Hazhir said, "We cannot allow an MPA victory in the south. What is the next item on the agenda?"

Diplomatic Councillor Abdul Hosseini spoke. "Well, there is the matter of former Alrrayida Saalih. His recent petitions have become more radical, questioning the very foundation of the monarchy itself. There is talk of secession or a coup. Either way, we need to open channels of communication with the former parliament. We should send a representative to Bagash to negotiate with Saalih for their support in the growing southern conflict."

Hazhir nodded in agreement. "Send a diplomat immediately. Before we adjourn, we must discuss my father's funeral. I would like it to be held three days from now to make preparations. The funeral shall last for one day, the subsequent day we will hold the coronation. Do we have any final matters to discuss?"

As the Council sat in silence, Hazhir assumed their discussions had come to an end. "Very well, meeting adjourned."
 
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