The Morelanders had selected the castle at Rockhampton as the venue for meeting the new King of Seaforth, it would have less media glare than a meeting at Northfort and Ostlake was already filling up with people for the upcoming games. Beside the King knew that Andrew had almost had the crown thrust upon him, unlike himself the new King hadn't had years of preparation for the role and the things it brought with him. Rockhampton may have been selected for the fact it'd be quieter but that didn't mean there would be any less ceremony for the arrival. A pair of fighters painted in bright Red ready for the Ostlake Games were already circling Rockhampton barracks airfield ready to escort the new King's aircraft in, meanwhile on the ground members of the Rockhampton Rifles stood ready to provide a honour guard. Three members of the Ui Cennesliag military of secondment to Morelander forces had been roped into being on standby to play the Seaforthian national anthem when the King set foot on Morelander territory.
Up at the castle itself Princess Rhiannon was getting into mischief, she'd sneaked into the kitchen with her new pet Fennec Fox, Goldie, she'd been caught red handed feeding the little fur ball some chicken put aside for lunch for the King, his party and the guests arriving. "Please don't tell my Daddy" she pleaded with her security agent who had discovered her sneaking around when she should have been getting ready. "He'll stop my sword lesson again.....and Goldie was sooooooo hungry" she pleaded holding the tiny four month old fox up towards Agent Abby Kenwick as though to prove her point. The tiny fox sat cupped in the upreaching palms of Rhiannons hand and almost seemed to mimic Rhiannon's own pleading face.
"Goldie has to eat his own food ok.....that means those worms and stuff we got you. Once he's bigger he can have chicken ok?" Rhiannon nodded that she understood. "Now, give me Goldie and you go meet your father outside then I don't have to explain what your fox was doing outside his pen again." Rhiannon handed Goldie over and gave Abby's legs a hug knowing she'd not be telling. She hurried outside and across the courtyard to where King David was waiting along with Minister of Defence Sir Harry Samuelson.
"Rhiannon where have you been" David said slightly annoyed.
"I went off exploring and lost track of time....sorry Daddy" She said as sweetly as she could manage, she noticed how her father and Harry both had their ceremonial swords strapped on "Can I fetch my sword and wear it....then we'll all be the same." She sounded hopeful, she was keen to one day be like her father and wear hers all the time. David had suspected she'd lose interest after nearly two years worth of lessons with Sir Charles Townsend but if anything she was getting more and more committed to the study.
"No....you know when you can wear it" David had often had to tell her about trying to sneak off to official functions with the tiny metal blade trapped to a belt over a dress, "It's something to be earned" Rhiannon had forgot how many times her father had said that to her now. "Today is important anyway. Seaforth are old friends, some of our best friends ok. They have a new King."
"That's sad then cos the old one will be dead." She said glumly.
"Not in this case.....Seaforths been a bit strange" he began to explain as they got into the car that wound down the hillside and through the forest before heading out into the countryside surrounding the airport.
"So King Andrew is like what Auntie Joanna is?" Rhiannon asked refering to Matilda's elder sister who was her Sword Mother on the Osman side of the family. David confirmed that was right and didn't have time for more questions as they arrived at the airfield. As he got out of the car the band played the East Moreland national anthem and the Rifles commander presented his honour guard. The King spent a few minutes inspecting the men and chatting while Rhiannon had been waiting near the car with Will Buckley, Davids security agent. She'd found a stick on the ground and was using it to swing and stab in the air, Will spotted and made her put it down the wet stick making her hands dirty. Before they could be cleaned the aircraft of King Andrew began to arrive and the King waved his daughter over.
"You remember what to do?" David asked his daughter who nodded.
As the Seaforthian aircraft stopped at the appointed spot the band began to play accompanied by the Cenneg pipers, David waited for the Andrew to approach and then nudging Rhiannon who stepped forward. "King Andrew welcome to East Moreland and thank you for being my Sword Father" she said extending her right hand for a tiny handshake, she noticed her hand was covered in mud and without thinking wiped it down the side of her pretty blue dress making her father roll his eyes in exasperation.
"Can't keep her out of mischief" David shook his head as he approached, "But yes welcome to East Moreland" David extended his own hand and then introduced Andrew to Sir Harry before taking him for a walk past the Rifles who presented honours, the words Seaforth hung off their colours indicating they'd fought in the Eugenics war. They entered the car and began the steady drive back to the castle. "How have the first few days as King been?" David asked as they entered the dark tunnel made by the overhanging forest trees.
