Charlotte stuck close to her friend Theo during the row. She wasn't an especially strong person in regards to upper body strength and sharing an oar with the Medusalin Prince she was content to let him put most of the effort into the rowing. She sat listening to the Queen's speech about the day as their boat bobbed in the water and then watched as the people scrubbed, stifling a chuckle when Serenity fell in. The celebration was one she'd seen regularly when she was younger, Valen and Medusalin where cousins of sort. The majority of Medusalin's people finding their bloodline would have found it leading them back to Valen. She had however brought several gifts. First there was a bottle of wine. Sending luxuries to the island had been a good earner for many of the Valentians back in the day. Next she placed some pansies, there had been the belief that their sweet smell would keep disease away. Once her objects were in the box she returned to the small boat and took up the oar once again helping row back to the castle but with one ear enjoying the music from the armada that now seemed to move towards the box. Back on land she was pleased to get a girly dress back on. She headed over to Queen Stasya and introduced herself. "Your Majesty" She began, "I'm Princess Charlotte of Valen, I just want to say I'm delighted to meet you."

Every citizen serves 18 months in the Armed Forces with very few serving time in the VAW. Once individuals have finished national service they then need to maintain their weapons handling test for the next decade if they served in a ground branch and undertake 2 hours of flight training a year for a decade if in an aerial role. Anyone who served in an aerial role, e.g. Pilot is considered no long required to undertake training if their aircraft type leaves service.

40 F-31 Fable Multi-Role Fighter
15 F-3 Facet Multi-Role Fighter (being phased out on a one for one basis with the F-31, expected to be done by end of 2024)
10 H1-Aegis Attack Helicopter
5 E-20 Eager AEWACS Aircraft
5 P-11 Paced Maritime Patrol Aircraft
20 C-70 Cabin Transport Aircraft
15 C-17 Cache Transport Aircraft
5 K-3 Kanji Tanker
25 H-46 Haiku Helicopter
20 H-90 Habit Helicopter
20 T-20 Table Jet Trainer / Light Fighter
20 T-80 Taboo Basic Trainer / Light Attack
5 E-20 Eater Electronic Surveillance Aircraft

There was no way you were getting Charlotte to miss out on a moment of the festival. Several of her friends had visited and while they had not had the honour of being with the Medusalin royal family for the festival they'd said how much fun they'd had. As a result she checked with Theodor what he was planning on doing and determined she'd do the same. Obviously the local Crown Prince was heading out on a rowing boat. She made her way to get changed and carefully folded her outfit before returning to the deck. "Sadly Theo you've failed miserably" She said giving a twirl. "You know grey is not a colour a girl finds flattering, what's wrong with a nice pale blue, or at a push a a spot of pink" She stayed close to her friend as the others gathered, she watched as the three royal men did stretches, she meanwhile was not going to do so. Instead she just bumped hips with Theo "Share an oar with me?" she questioned.

"Festivals are a young man's game" King Willem IV had informed the Privy Council when the invitation from their ethnic cousins Medusalin arrived. "Beside I've had the pleasure of visiting a time or two in my younger days" he added with a smile betraying several good times he'd enjoyed there. "I think it important we officially attend but I think Charlotte should go" he gestured to the younger Crown Princess who sat at the opposite end of the table. The 23 year old Princess would one day become Queen despite coming from a different family bloodline but Willem knew the importance of ensuring the heir was well prepared for her duties. At the age of 90 he knew that it would be sooner rather than later that she took over and he longed to see the Realm in safe hands.

"If you're sure" Charlotte replied. She didn't think she was quiet ready for the throne yet but was happy in her role as the nations Minister of the Arts and so was delighted to attend. Unlike Willem she had never attended this festival but knew that each year several Valenites would go and attend, mainly with their boats to enjoy the celebrations.

---

As the date neared Charlotte had opted to take the Royal Yacht for an overnight trip to the island. Many centuries ago this trip was made by her country folk to either become effective prisoners on the island of Lepers or to fill one of the vinegar banks with goods in return for a share of the vast mineral wealth of Medusalin's mines. Today though it was straight to the airport dockside where she spotted several people already arriving. She waited for the Naval staff to complete the docking and then as was traditional presented each of those who paraded for her departure with a single gold coin, on one side the emblem of the bull, a national symbol, and on the reverse the Wijdnal Crown. Around the edges were embossed the words, "Duty Done, Reward Won". It was a challenge coin, a tradition among the military of Valen that were presented for a job well done and many military members actively traded them. She knew some of the men would already posses one from the Wijdnal family and no doubt soon they'd be trying to swap it with someone to increase the size of their collection. Still that wasn't her worry she had at least been seen to do the right thing. She exited one gangway to board another and seeing CrownPrince Theodor she smiled. "Theo its nice to see you again" she said as she skipped the handshake and hugged him. The two nations of Valen and Medusalin were kin in many ways and that had extended to the royal families and while Theodor was not a close friend she was still happy to see him. "I'm glad Old Bill has let me come, its been a long time since I've seen you, two years?" She suggested as she accepted the coffee and then introduced herself to the others in attendance.

The Realm is largely run by the monarch however they may not pass any law if the Privy Council opposes it twice. Once upon a time the Privy Council was made up of 17 nobles selected by the monarch however today it has become a kind of democratic institution.

The Council today is made up of 100 individuals. There are elections every year with 25 seats up for grabs each year. While there is no expectation that someone need be a member of a political party it is now all but impossible to gain a seat unless you are. The party with the largest share of the Council seats at any time may appoint the Lead Councillor who controls the order of business and should the Privy Council fail to agree to a law on first hearing is expected to redraft the law to an acceptable format at which time it is returned to the monarch who is either able to amend their original draft or simply retry in the original format. Should the law get defeated in the original form the second time it can not be passed.

In addition to the 100 elected individuals there are a maximum of 17 seats reserved for Secretary of States in various fields ranging from the Armed Forces to the Arts. The monarch may distribute portfolios as they see fit. The Secretary of States may also vote on Council business.

Scaedu and Lucencia are faiths with a common root. Both faiths believe that there are seven worlds of humanity arranged in a kind of cosmic spiritual pyramid. Mundus is the second level of this pyramid. It is believed that the peak of this pyramid is Verand where the Gods and various other spiritual beings reside. When a person dies they move to the next level of pyramid assuming that they have lived a good life. Those deemed to have failed to be a moral person face one of two fates, the destruction of their soul or a time in the lowest level where they are tortured by demons before being reborn on Mundus.

The faiths split because of the belief over which God has the ultimate power. Roughly 50% of Valenites believe that a God called Scaedu is the most powerful. They are the God of War and promote a life of service and promotes the idea of physical strength. Meanwhile the other 50% believe that Lucencia is the most powerful God. She is the God of fertility and promotes a life of stewardship of the land and education. There are several other differences in their faith but these tend to be such matters of which God spoke to which patriarch of humanity.

The two Gods symbolic emblems are used during the coronation of any monarch regardless of what faith they follow. Lucencia is always shown wearing a crown made of fresh flowers and a belt made of knotted grass and vines. When crowned a monarch is presented with a gold crown onto which flowers have been embossed, they also wear a leather belt. Meanwhile Scaedu is always shown with a cloak of green and a helmet of a warrior. The new monarch is presented with a heavy green cloak edged with white fur and then given a newly smithed helmet which is carried by a junior female member of the family as Scaedu was often followed by the servant Tarana who cared for his soldiers wounds in battle and ensured they had a feast following it, she also acted as a kind of squire to him.

Both branches of the faith believe that to get to move up the pyramid you must meet the Gods commands to.....

1. Worship the Gods faithfully.
2. Speak the Truth.
3. Do not steal.
4. Do not kill needlessly (the followers of Lucencia tend to pray over animals before killing them for food and a large number are vegeterian)
5. Respect the elderly.
6. Shun ignorance.
7. Keep your body healthy
8. Don't walk by those in need

Lucencia followers also include

9. Care for the land.
10. Create beauty

Scaedu followers also include

9. Protect the innocent
10. Master the warriors skills.


Both sects have a Priesthood and in the modern era they work closely together. Lucencian's worship mainly on Fridays while Scaedu's worship mainly on Saturday.

Today the Wjidnal family are the most influential Lucencia family while the Timbre the Scaedu faith.