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Post by Retrograde on Jan 25, 2018 2:01:15 GMT
Mirun listened to the man chatter, thinking about what he had to tell her. That Rutilia was so fortified was problematic in and of itself, but she was not opposed to the idea of reclaiming the islands. Absently, she played with the Grand Duc's hair as he spoke more about what he would need. Then, a plan formed in her head.
"Hm, well, we suppose we should make our plans clear. Before the Ash Deluge, it was House Merov, our esteemed family, that ruled over all of Trevast. Given that Arno controls only Rutilia and calls himself a king, it is clear that we, the Miruvids, hold the sole claim to dominion over Trevast. Already, our sister and beloved twin, Empress Shanvi marches with a great army to reclaim the old capital."
She gently guided Aznar's chin up so that he would look her in the eyes. "Our first goal is to secure the mainland. Our armies shall March across Trevast and restore the old older. After that is done, we shall be glad to return you to Rutilia. Perhaps we can marry you or one of your children to this... Fernanda."
She looked pleased for a moment, then her eyes searched the faces of the other guests her.
"You have all pleased us greatly by coming here and telling us this. Tell me... What is your heart's desire?"
Lazily, she gestured at Ernard, Aznar and Orieux, letting them know that she was talking to them specifically.
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 25, 2018 2:31:33 GMT
Aznar was very pleased. This had gone better than he could've ever dreamed, but he wasn't done just yet.
"Your Glory, our gratitude is indescribable, and it is clear you speak the truth: in my capacity as Regent of Routaille, I recognize your line's claim to seniority, your rightful Queenship over Routaille, and name you the rightful Sovereign of the Order of the Grand Serpent. These are things that were already yours by every right, and my confirmation is nothing but a proclamation of that truth." Now, her offer...what could he ask for that she wasn't already granting? "As for my heart's desire, what could it be but to serve you and your Empire, in a capacity appropriate to my station?"
He hoped that didn't sound too arrogant. To fumble it all now would be deadly. But Mirun was generous and wise, no?
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Orieux, of course, only wanted one thing. Once Aznar finished his little speech, he said, "Your Imperial Highness, my heart's desire is simple: the return of my beloved, Katherine d'Auch, from your Admiral Dardan, to whom she was promised. Any other reward would taste of ashes without her." He hoped he wasn't making an enemy here with this request, or that she would refuse him. He had spoken the truth: nothing else mattered to him now.
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Ernard waitied patiently for his two compatriots, as always, but once Orieux finished his pathetic little sob story, he finally had a chance to speak. "Your...Divinity, I too wish to serve in your Empire. In Routaille, I am the rightful Patriarch, or High Priest. However, coming here, seeing your realm, it is clear that Artis favors no land more than Izhen: therefore, I ask for a priestly position of equal or similar weight."
You had to be specific with these things, right? Who knew what kind of bizarre job Aznar was in for with his faux-humility?
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 25, 2018 2:52:21 GMT
Mirun smirked at Aznar. He was an amusing little sycophant, that much was clear. He was also definitely ambitious which could make him dangerous at some point. Still, he had delivered valuable information into her hands. That could not be ignored. She figured she owed him a boon at the very least.
"Your eagerness to please is clear," she cooed. "And for that we shall reward you. For your information, we grant you rights over the Behelik of Peran and its surrounding environs. From hereon out, we proclaim you Aznar Behe. In addition, we shall grant you command of the Solar Guard, hereby to be folded into your order. You shall see them to restoration."
Then her eyes drifted to Orieux. She listened to his plea and realized that Dardan had pulled the trick he always did with men he did not trust. She looked down at Orieux.
"Our heart bleeds when we hear your plea. Your beloved shall be returned to you, and for the trouble we shall host and pay for your wedding." She then clapped, and servants surrounded both him and Katy, taking measurements for them. "The ceremony shall be in two days. We apologize for it not being performed immediately, but the court needs time to acquire a wedding gift."
Then she looked on Ernard. Her smile became colder with him, almost predatory. She leaned, pushing Aznar's head back down against her lap and analyzed the little priest.
"We accept this, but you must convert first and denounce your old heresy. You must accept us - my sister and I - as the Living Incarnation of Arturas and reject your old, sinful ways. Then you must take of the Wine of Heaven and receive Artis' blessing. Then I shall gladly recognize you as Hierophant of the North."
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 25, 2018 3:30:31 GMT
He had done it. He had succeeded! A title in a new empire, and permission to expand the Order? Excellent, excellent! Now...to learn all he could of this land, and build a place in it. To make every preparation for revenge on the traitors in Trevast.
"I am humbled by your generosity, my liege. I accept your boon, and swear that your new guard will rank among the finest in all the world, however long it takes." It would take time, though. He needed tutoring, to visit this new land of his, perhaps to make a strategic marriage? Good thing the Revolution had derailed the old plan then....
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Orieux had not expected anything like what he was being offered. "Your Radiance, I thank you, and I'm sure Katherine will thank you as soon as she is able. I look forward to the proceedings. And," he said turning to Dardan, "I....apologize for ending your betrothal, but the heart cannot be denied." Though he hated the man, it was best to try to mend bridges with the powerful here. It seemed that Izhen would be their home now, for better or worse.
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Ernard did not like the look Mirun had given him, and the mention of the Wine of Heaven sounded worse, but he really didn't have a choice at this point, did he? "It is settled then, o....Incarnation. My henceforth reject the heresy of Routaille and Trevast, and devote myself to Arturas's true Emissaries in this world! I shall study the scriptures here unceasingly, until I am, ah, prepared." How bad could these things really be? If every other priest in this empire could do it, he certainly could!
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 26, 2018 1:48:08 GMT
The next two days went quickly, the visitors waited on hand and foot. The Knights of the Grand Serpent were invited into the city in preparation for the wedding. Notices were sent out and bureaucrats made arrangements. Both Aguste and Katherine were dressed in traditional Izhen clothing - a rich silk gown with headscarf for Katherine, and similar silken pants with a long coat and turban for Orieux.
They were lead down the main roadway on the back of an elephant as people tossed flower petals and small gifts in the hopes of blessing the wedding. The sound of song echoed out as they were lead to the garden where they were to bound for life. The garden itself was gorgeous, lined with exotica flora of all kinds from every corner of the earth. Every imaginable colour was represented in the flowers that were arranged for them. Finally, the couple were let down amongst a horde of petitioners.
Rapidly, the Empress moved up to meet them, looking as radiant as ever. She smiled at them.
"And look at you both. We are most pleased to see you here. Are you ready?"
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 26, 2018 2:06:18 GMT
Am I ready? What a question! Orieux could hardly believe any of this was happening. This wedding, the opulence of it all...it was like he was a visiting prince marrying a local heiress, not a man who only a week ago was an exile, a rebel, and a pirate on his very last legs. Not a man held under the thumb of two madmen, but a...confidant of an Empress and apparent goddess. Why she was doing this was the open question in the back of his mind, but there certainly was no question that he was ready for it.
"Of course, your Radiance. Katherine and I have had to wait a very, very long time for this. We are in your debt forever for all of this."
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Katherine was, of course, overjoyed. While she certainly hadn't approved of being used by Dardan as a test, he had treated her well enough, and shown the true colors of a certain someone...but this wasn't the time to dwell on that. Everything that was happening- it was like a vision out of an exotic novel, something to put the royal weddings of Routaille to shame. Would Arno's peasant queen be married in such a fashion? Katy certainly doubted it!
Hearing Aguste's answer to the empress's question, Katherine took his hand and said, "It's true, my lady. We wanted to wait until we had a real home again, but this is so much more than that. We thought it would be done in a side chapel by Ernard or one of his lackeys, but it seems Artis, through you, has smiled on us." Mirun would appreciate that, Katherine hoped. Dardan had given her a more thorough education on Izhen than the others had received, and it wouldn't do to waste it.
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 26, 2018 2:21:02 GMT
Mirun cooed, and pinched Katy's cheek before stepping back and taking her place at the pulpit and gesturing for the bride and groom to take their place at opposite sides of the pulpit. She then raised her hand for silence. Amazingly, the entire crowd in all their numbers heeded almost immediately.
"People of Izhen, today we are pleased to bring together two loving people into the eternal bonds of marriage. They have traveled far, from the distant north where our cousins rule. And indeed, this marriage symbolizes a new union as well, between us and the people of our fractured empire. With this wedding we see the beginnings of our great dream, where Tarvazhda shall once again be united under their true rulers once again to live in peace and prosperity. Let their love be a symbol to all of you of the power of faith, for it endured great hardships, as you have."
She looked to the bride and groom. " Please, embrace one another and speak your vows."
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 26, 2018 2:42:48 GMT
Aguste and Katherine had been coached on the traditional Izhen vows of marriage, and followed the Empress's instructions well: they embraced, and clearly and without error, recited the vows. Both smiled, and looked up to Mirun to complete the ceremony.
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The newly made Aznar Behe sat in the audience, feeling distracted. Orieux had served the Regency well enough, but was level of spectacle really warranted? He supposed that it was a good way to celebrate the arrival of the rest of the Grand Serpent into the city, an excellent excuse, yes, that was it! This was a celebration of their trials, tribulations, and salvation at the hands of the Izhen. What else made sense?
But Aznar had other reasons to be distracted. His meeting with representatives of Peran, his new land, had not gone as well as he'd hoped. Only one of them could speak High Trevastine, and it was broken, but he'd gotten the gist: his income would be modest. Still, it seemed the Knights had the Empress's favor: that could leveraged into an advantageous local marriage, to a family with money, and after an even grander ceremony than this, he could really get started, oh yes....
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Ernard listened to his Lady's speech, eyes wide, smiling as fiercely as he could. She was so right, so right! How were these people not on their knees before Arturas's Incarnation? How could they not understand what they were hearing? Its perfection, its revelation?!
But Ernard knew why: had he not been such an ignorant worm, only this morning? Yes...it made him want to weep. His brother-priests had finally allowed him to taste the Wine of Heaven today, and when it touched his lips and burned down his throat, he finally saw it: Heaven, the Throne of Artis, everything he'd never truly understood, never believed, was right there in front of him. Having been born a corpse, his rotted heart began to beat for the first time!
He watched the couple embrace. Such love. Such was was the gift of the Ladies....tears streamed down his face.
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 30, 2018 1:48:54 GMT
Mirun’s expression almost took on a manic character as the two lovers finished reciting their vows, and she looked up over the crowd. She could taste the anticipation, the fervour. In these two she had invested a sense of power and promise. They were to represent her new order. A couple from Trevast, married and reborn within the Izhen Empire. Soon, all marriages would be done within the Empire.
“Then by Artis’ divine power, I declare you married. May nothing separate you two so long as you both may live. May your love be everlasting, and may that love live on in your children. Now please, Aguste, kiss your bride.”
An eruption of applause tore over the crowd, people screaming and shouting praise for the new couple. Mirun leaned in and whispered in between them. “Your wedding bed has been set up in the palace. Please, enjoy yourselves and we shall have you at the reception tonight.” She hugged both of them, smiling.
“Now, those of you that have gifts, please leave them by the table over there! We shall distribute them at the party tonight.”
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 30, 2018 2:09:22 GMT
Orieux grinned back up at Mirun and looked to Katy, who had turned bright red but was beaming too. "We, ah," Katy had grabbed his arm and was dragging him off, "shall see you then!"
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Aznar watched them go, and then watch the tables being piled high with gifts. Where were they even going to put all this? The modest quarters that had been provided for the Knights certainly couldn't hold it all. He looked down at his own gift: he'd had to select it from the modest collection of artifacts and heirlooms they'd rescued from the Revolution, and he didn't want to give him anything above his station...a small, but very well-painted portrait of King Odo. Surely Orieux would appreciate it?
Aznar moved up to the table as stealthily as he could, and carefully put the portrait down. Hopefully Mirun wouldn't notice.
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Ernard had a gift, asking his fellow priests had been more than enough: a bejeweled book explain the philosophy of the Empire and the obvious divinity of the Miruvids. It was in their foreign tongue, true, but best to begin a marriage with aspiration, no? The blessings of the Ladies would see them learn quickly! He confidently placed the book on the table.
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 30, 2018 2:42:21 GMT
The night came swiftly. Tuman Tabar was aglow with colourful lanterns and alive with song. The crowd danced in the streets, many already drunk. The smell of incense was strong, priests burning offerings to ensure that the marriage would be happy and healthy and making prayers that they would have several happy, healthy children together. The crowd seemed incredibly invested in the happy marriage of relative strangers, but Mirun had made them into a sort of symbol that the people were more than happy to uphold.
A fresh set of more comfortable clothes had been laid out for the newlyweds outside their room. For Aguste, it was a simple open vest and a pair of baggy pants along with some fine, soft slippers. For Katy, it was a shirt with a deep neckline that cut off above the naval, a simple thin cotton jacket, and similarly baggy pants along with reed flip-flops. A small perfume bottle was left for both of them, but they were hurried out as soon as they were changed – no time to fix hair or apply make-up for either.
Mirun waited in her throne, drumming her fingers. She was dressed in her Imperial robes, trying to look official. A diadem rested on her brow, shaped into the form of a laurel wreath and studded with little rubies. She gently kicked her legs, sipping on a cup of coffee. She wanted to keep her wits about her until the bride and groomed arrived. Then she could afford to get drunk and cut loose.
Then, the trumpets sounded. The couple had arrived. Quickly, Mirun rushed over on foot, making sure she would be the first to see them.
“Hello,” she cooed, trying to hide her obvious excitement. “Ready for your party?”
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 30, 2018 2:59:27 GMT
The consummation of the new marriage went very well, on that both Aguste and Katy could agree. It hadn't been their first time together, but it had been their first time not on a cramped boat, in a dingy coastal inn, or with a modicum of real privacy and comfort. They had just about exhausted themselves when the knock and change of clothes came, but to be given such gifts and be late would be inexcusable: they changed quickly.
Looking each other over, they both grinned. By Routais standards, they looked absurd, almost like, well, Tlem. But the clothes certainly had a way of framing their bodies, and that they could both appreciate. After they applied the provided perfume, they headed off to the main chamber.
Trumpets sounded, the crowd cheered. "I really was that good, right, wife?"
She gave him a pleased look. "Almost as good as me...but practice makes perfect, husband," she winked at him.
They arrived before Mirun's throne quickly, and in response to her question, both nodded, sharing the Empress's excitement. How would she keep outdoing herself with this today? "We, my lady," Katy said, "are ready for anything!"
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Post by Retrograde on Jan 30, 2018 4:08:49 GMT
Mirun clapped her hands together, and exhumed a sort of brightness not seen before. She was genuinely happy for the two. She had always been a sucker for stories of weddings and true love, so this sort of thing appealed to her on an incredibly deep level. It helped that there was something in both of them that Mirun found drawn to. She did not know these two well, but something about them made her want them to succeed.
“You both look very good in our casual garb,” she remarked. “It’s good, we have many such outfits prepared for you during your stay here. You’ll get to look the part!”
She guided them to a wide table, where she quickly produced two cups of fortified wine. The stuff was strong, almost as strong as the liquor the wine was mixed with. Of course, that was the point. It was a wedding party, and that meant that people were meant to get absolutely and utterly drunk. Mirun pulled herself a cup, and grinned at both of them.
“Now, in Izhen, it’s tradition to drown the first drink of the night in as few gulps as possible,” she said to them.
“Do you think you can do that?”
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Post by Zoilus on Jan 30, 2018 22:16:52 GMT
Orieux grinned. This was his kind of game, what all those years in the Academy and in the fleet had prepared him for! After their journey, everyone in the Grand Serpent fleet had become very capable of gulping down the worst booze imaginable, if only to avoid drinking from whatever sad or poisoned little stream that they ever happened to pass. He gave Katy a nod. They'd first gotten friendly over a barrel of grog, hadn't they? He'd taught her to how to hold it down...they could do this, most definitely.
They both grasped their glasses, gave the wine a quick sommelier's appraisal, enough to know that it was the good stuff. They raised the glasses to their lips, and drank.
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Aznar watched from the crowd, more annoyed with this whole spectacle than he had been before. How much longer was this going to go on? People here could have as many spouses as they wanted, right? Did they have to do this every time? Was that how they kept a limit on, forcing these eternal ceremonies? And where was his damn glass of wine?
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Post by Retrograde on Feb 1, 2018 4:49:49 GMT
As soon as they drained their cups, they were refilled. Mirun had joined them in downing their drink, and then gestured for them to follow her. She brought them over to the gift’s table. It was mounted high, and then she grinned. She clapped both on the back. “Everyone here has seen fit to shower you with gifts in celebration of your union,” she said proudly. “Including me! Mine’s a little harder to put on the table, though.”
She smiled at them. “First and foremost, I have prepared for you an apartment within the palaces. Normally they are reserved for the Imperial Family, but well… ours has become much smaller, and so there are vacancies. You’ll also be given a pension to help you start your family.”
She smirked. “How does that sound?”
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