final preparations

[cellio]

June 27 (Friday)

Today has been non-stop activity. Coronation is in two days, the day of mourning for Emperor Damoskenes is tomorrow, and there are lots of people here. Fortunately, Galen and the palace staff are doing a good job of keeping things under control.

This morning I was walking with Turok and Liandra in the city when we spotted a familiar face -- Bradigan, the druid who reincarnated Turok. I don't know who was more surprised, but I sure am glad Liandra was there! Bradigan seemed impressed by what Turok has become, but Turok clearly isn't entirely used to it yet. He said later, though, that his conversations with Dorla have helped him accept the change.

Liandra then graciously agreed to fetch my family, saving me the risk of being mobbed in Shepford. My father commented that the tree-walking was rather peaceful, not at all what he expected when Liandra asked him to walk into a tree and my mother balked. Several tailors, including some who have been working on the Claw garments and my coronation clothes, were here waiting. They have spent much of the day with my family, which both solves the clothing problem and keeps my family out of trouble.

All of the dukes are now here, and the ones who came earlier seem to have attracted more retainers. Cardior is swarming with people, and many of the shop-keepers hustled to be back in business in time. It's good to see the city settling into normalcy.

Anarian, Elys', Ferella, and many of the other elves arrived today too, slipping in quietly to avoid the crowds. Elys', Therion, and Seamus have been spending a lot of time working out the final details of the ceremony, which should be a powerful experience given their skills. I just hope they give everyone else proper attention in telling the tales. It's my coronation but our success, all of us.

Prolix, Nithelin, and a large entourrage of wizards arrived this afternoon. Not surprisingly, they teleported to the city's central square, accompanied by fanfares from unseen trumpeters. I didn't see it but Hrolf did; he said they made quite a splash. Prolix was all too happy to regale passersby with stories, and to be fair they usually had kernels of truth buried in them. I sent a messenger to invite him to the palace, but so far he has not come. I suspect he's spending this evening visiting every bar in Cardior.

I spoke with Zaid tonight via the crystal ball. He and the others have been discussing whether they will be able to come on Sunday; any visit would have to be very brief, but they would like to be a part of the proceedings and I would love to have them here. Indzihar can teleport them, so they can come and go as needed.

This evening I needed to get away from the activity for a while, and when I went to the sanctum I found Kyle there. I said I regretted that we haven't spent much time together in these last weeks and he said he has been occupied in Oakhame anyway. I asked if there is anyone he would like us to bring to Cardior for the celebration, perhaps the folks from the Crock Pot, but he declined. I know that the hustle and bustle of public life isn't for him; I hope that when it's all over he'll be able to be comfortable somewhere, whether here or Oakhame or Edwest Burrows.

June 28 (Saturday)

Today was the day of mourning for Emperor Damoskenes. We had sent word out across the land some time back, but I felt a public proclamation this morning was still important. All of the dukes joined us in the central square, and each of them spoke briefly about the emperor. High-ranking clerics of several gods announced that their members would be fasting that day in the emperor's memory, and encouraged others to follow suit. It was a somber event, as is fitting.

Turok and I took the final candidates for Claws to meet Agondre, and he approved of all of them. Turok has chosen well. Once that was done and all the visitors had left the sanctum, Olwer, Liandra, and I began the ritual to reset the geas trap. It was long and tiring, but successful. The sanctum is now protected more fully.

Tomorrow is the big day. Seamus and the others have prepared a beautiful ceremony; I am particularly looking forward to the duet that Therion and Seamus will perform, interleaving long-past and recent events in a single, chilling song. The Claws are all ready, the other members of our party seem to be ready, and many, many other people involved in running an empire seem to be ready. Am I ready? That's a good question.

Comments

[indigodove.livejournal.com]

Very cool :-)

[mrpeck.livejournal.com]

Thanks again for posting these, Monica. I enjoy being reminded of our game.