A New Era, A New King [Closed]

[Democratu/Regunalia]

February 1st, 2010

It has been 11 years of peace since The Accursed War for Commerciorum. In the intervening period, Regunalia has developed into a constitutional monarchy with a focus on the well-being of its citizens. Critical institutions like the Grand Royal Judiciary, the Grand Assembly, and the Royal Ministerial Cabinet have been founded and staffed. The Kingdom's first laws have been passed and enacted, beginning the road to accomplishing Stirling's personal mission of continually improving the Quality of Life for the Kingdom's citizens. Citizens have begun using new mechanisms to express their concerns, and the Kingdom has lent them an ear at every opportunity. A whole generation of Regunalians have been born without knowing the horrors of wars past and have known only the quality of life and opportunities provided by the new Grand Kingdom of Regunalia. Today, there was an air of joy in Regunalia City, bands were playing, a parade had been organized, banners and streamers of black, blue, white, and red fill the air, citizens of all kinds discussed the news that an important address was announced by the Royal Family today, but the subject remained mysterious. Meanwhile, inside the Grand Royal Palace, Stirling and Leonidas were busy getting dressed in their ceremonial attire.

[Stirling]: Stirling lays a hand on Leonidas' shoulder "You'll be fine Leonidas, I've been grooming you for this day, preparing you for this day for years. If you need me, I will be right beside you. But my time has come, the Kingdom needs a new leader to steer her future and continue healing the scars left by the Unification Wars."

[Leonidas]: "You've done so much for the Kingdom, how will I ever be able to fill your shoes? What if I don't know what to do? What if I can't make the hard decisions for the Kingdom?"

[Stirling]: "Don't aim to fill my shoes. I need you, no, the Kingdom, needs you to forge your own legacy, free from my shadow. Lean on your Ministers, your advisors, your Hand, they are all there to help you. When the cards are down and the time comes, lend an ear to all of them, and eventually the choice will become clear. And if you still need help, I'll be there."

[Leonidas]: "Thanks Dad, I think I'm ready to take the wheel."

[Stirling]: "Good, and your people will be ready for you too."

At this point, both Stirling and Leonidas are in full dress, stand up, and join the King's Hand outside their respective chambers. 4 for Stirling, 4 for Leonidas.

Jane and Kathryn join the men briefly.

[Jane]: "Aren't we forgetting something gentleman?"

[Stirling]: "Have I neglected something? Is it anything especially important my love?"

[Jane]: "Leonidas is to become king, yet he is still without his signet ring and ceremonial cape, your cape is a neutral black my dear, but we've commissioned something more elegant for our son."

Kathryn steps forward and presents a folded up multi-colored cape to Leonidas, as he takes it, she sneaks in a kiss on the cheek and Leonidas blushes.

Leonidas unfurls the cape and inspects it, emblazoned along its length is the flag of Regunalia. Leonidas drapes it over his shoulders with a flourish and Kathryn helps him secure the clasp.

[Stirling]: "It suits you Leonidas, as will the crown."

[Kathryn]: "And as for the signet ring..." Kathryn pulls out and opens a ring box, inside is a rose gold signet ring with a sapphire gemstone bearing Leonidas' personal standard. Kathryn slips it on his middle finger and both she and Jane step aside. "Now get going you two, you're going to be late."

[TO BE CONTINUED]

 

[Prydania]

Payam Arius cut a dashing figure with a trimmed black beard and goatee and slicked back black hair, with a green and gold sherwani. The formal Stakhri attire stood out amongst the rather umbrial stylings of the Regunalian elite, but that was fine. He was here to represent Stakhr, after all. A special envoy from the President to convey a message of peace and friendship to the Regunalian crown.

Of course he had his own plans. His own curiosities. He was curious to see the Regunalian King Sterling for himself. And his son. Leonidas would be following in his footsteps sooner or later. Payam wanted to get a feeling for who would lead Regunalia in the future as well as the present.
It would be good to know for Stakhr, the measure of men leading the people to the north.

He looked up, at the fluttering blue, black, red, and white banners. And he reached down as he adjusted a ring on his left ring finger. A ruby in a golden band, and the word "ایمان" overlaid in gold atop the ruby.

It meant faith. And it was something of a good luck charm. That in some way his journey here to Regunalia would bring success.

 

[Democratu/Regunalia]

The murmurings of the crowd fall to excited whispers and shushing as the distinctive mighty blow of Honor Guard trumpets cut across the plaza and surrounding streets. The door to the Grand Royal Palace balcony swings open and King Stirling himself steps out onto it in full regalia and ceremonial adornment, crown shining in the sun, followed by Crown Prince Leonidas. The two royals are preceded by four members of the King's Hand each. The eight members of the Hand take their assigned places in one continuous, precise movement. Four of them line one side of the balcony with the remaining four lining the side opposite. Stirling takes his place at a microphone just to the right of the balcony's center from the crowd's perspective with Leonidas joining him at another microphone immediately to Stirling's right. The crowd cheers uproariously as the Royals walk out.

Stirling allows the crowd to cheer for a time, before he motions for the crowd to quiet, which they do slowly, eventually settling back into excited whispers.
[Stirling]: "My fellow Regunalians, honored delegates of allies of the Kingdom, esteemed members of the Council of 7¹, Justicars of the Grand Judiciary, and most honorable assemblypersons, over the past eleven years, it has been my charge, and my pride, to oversee the founding of critical arms and institutions of the government of the Kingdom we now collectively call home. With the help of the Regional Governors (Stirling pauses briefly and nods to a Regional Governor in the crowd), the Royal Ministerial Cabinet (another brief pause as Stirling nods to the Minister of Finance, also in the crowd), and both the Grand Royal Assembly and the Grand Royal Judiciary, we have begun forging a new path for ourselves. A path that leads towards the benefit of ALL Regunalians, whether they be royals, businessmen, activists, blue-collar workers, or any other walk of life within the Kingdom. We have given you an ear you were not given before and you told us what issues concerned you. We listened and spared no resource in solving these issues to the best of our God-given ability, laying the groundwork for future improvements to the quality of life within the Kingdom to come!"

The crowd once again cheers and quiet themselves as Stirling continues

[Stirling]: "All these being true, scars remain on our beloved Kingdom. We will never forget the sacrifice of the brave men and women of the Seven-Sided Star during the Unification Wars, and if we truly wish to honor their memory, we must steer the Kingdom onto the path of further development. We must constantly improve and refine our existing institutions and bureaucratic musculature, and create new capabilities when the need arises. As much as it makes my heart ache to admit, I can no longer lead the Kingdom down this path. I stand before you a man of some seventy-six years of age, weathered by time, and shaped in thinking by my experience. But my age sadly means my mind is beginning to fail me. Regunalia needs a new leader, a younger leader with a fresh perspective and new ideas and approaches to doing things. As the Kingdom evolves and grows, so too must the monarchy evolve. In that vain, as of today, I will set a new precedent by stepping down as King of Regunalia."

Audible gasps issues from the crowd, smiles turn to worried expressions, and the excited whispers turn to ones of concern. Stirling positions himself behind Leonidas and gently pushes him down onto one knee by the shoulder, and takes off the crown.

[Stirling]: "Worry you not my people, as one king steps down, another shall rise. As my final act as King, I hereby elevate my firstborn and only son Leonidas as my successor to the title of King of Regunalia. May he lead the Kingdom well and forge the path for the Kingdom to follow. I ask only that you give him the same support and respect you have shown me. Rise and speak KING Leonidas of Regunalia!"

Stirling places the crown atop Leonidas' head and helps him to his feet, the two Royals switch their original places with Stirling now standing at Leonidas' right. The crowd seems to be reassured and returns to cheers of happiness, a chant of "Leo-Nidas! Leo-Nidas!" issuing from their lips.


[TO BE CONTINUED]

 

[Prydania]

Payam said nothing as he watched, though he raised an eyebrow as Sterling announced his abdication.

Still, his calm demeanour in a cheering crowd hid his shock. What did this mean? He'd come here to meet Prince Leonidas. Not King...

King.

Payam was descended from the aristocracy of the old Kian Empire, of the old Stakhari Kingdom. Even the socialists that dominated government for the past sixty years couldn't ignore tradition like that. It was his family legacy that partially allowed him to remain so influential.

Partially. He smiled as he adjusted the ring on his finger.

But despite that he never made a point to act as if he was anyone's better. He treated all with respect if it could be helped, and treated those who had merit accordingly regardless of birth or station.

It was because of this- of which he was very proud- that he found himself amused at his own reaction. The Sterlings were not royalty. They descended not from any line of Kings or Emperors or nobles. No. Sterling Thornton created a kingdom.

It was admirable perhaps but for someone of Payam's pedigree he found it a bit chaffing for them to use royal titles. Again, a reaction that amused himself.

---

Payam moved almost silently through the reception. The crowds left behind, only the important Regunalian officials and foreign dignitaries to meet the new King.

He'd meet Leonidas soon.

And he'd had time to process everything. He would lead Regunalia. And Regunalia would either be a friend. Or a foe. Which remained to be seen.