Kadassa continued to make small talk and exchange pleasantries with his guests for another half hour before ushers came to escort the assembled dignitaries to the stalls where they would watch the parade. Kadassa sat on a raised dais with his two foreign guests sitting to his right and left.
The parade began promptly with horseman dressed in traditional Lakhzov costume, followed by seemingly endless streams of soldiers and military hardware, all accompanied by rousing music and cheering of the gathered crowds.
"I know it perhaps is not the usual thing to have a military parade for an inauguration" said Kadassa sheepishly "But really we are only able to be sitting here today, enjoying freedom and democracy thanks to them. This is as much their day, if not more, than it is mine and they deserve the honour."
Following the conclusion of the parade the dignitaries made their way to the carpeted area in front of the main stage where they were provided with silk cushions to sit upon and trays of refreshments and Lakhzov tea were passed around. The next hour was a variety of entertainments, musicians and singers reciting traditional Lakhzov poetry and folk songs, the proceedings being broadcast on large screens for the crowds unable to see the stage.
Finally it was time for Kadassa to make his inaugural speech, he emerged on to the stage and approached a podium which had been moved into place, raising a hand and waiting for the rapturous applause to die down before he began.
"Brothers, sisters; fellow citizens of Lakhzovia I am humbled to stand before you today. I am humbled by the confidence you have expressed in me to lead our country forward, but most of all I stand humbled in the face of your sacrifice and steadfastness in the recent troubles.
Our people have suffered a long road to arrive here today. Hundreds of years we suffered under the heel of those who treated us as slaves in our own homeland. Who could have imagine even fifty years ago that we would, in two short generations be once again masters of our own destiny, stronger now than ever before?
Yes the journey has been difficult, and often times painful, but the Lakhzov people have borne it heroically, holding in their hearts the determination to continue against all odds, to see the restoration of our people and the redemption of our land. Thanks to you all we have come through the darkest of nights and now see the light of a new, brighter day dawn for us.
Yet this victory is not ours alone. We are not diminished by recognising and showing thanks to those who have helped us along our way; and while some international actors threatened us, so too did others act in true friendship, coming to the aid of our people in our hour of need. I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank our good friends Rokkenjima and their Empress who have always been our stalwart defenders, thanks must go also to East Moreland and their Celtic allies who were so critical in securing the north of the country and assisting with the unprecedented humanitarian relief efforts that have saved the lives of many thousands of those displaced by the conflict. Thanks must go even to Achkaerin who despite everything played a key intelligence role in the final days of the conflict aiding us root out the last vestiges of the militias that threatened the post war stability.
The tremendous aid given to us by these international powers act as a light in the darkness, showing us a way forward. Lakhzovia is not an island and cannot achieve its destiny alone. With our final victory it is time to cease our habit of looking inward; rather it is time for us to turn our face to the world and take our place in the community of nations.
I am therefore happy to announce that during my new term as your President my policy programme will be aimed at integrating Lakhzovia with the world community. We will be instituting a major economic review aimed at giving our country the tools necessary to emerge as a global player. To this end Lakhzovia intends to approach the Cross Straits Union to formally join as a member.
We will begin a programme of diplomatic expansion beyond our current circle of friends in order to secure greater international cooperation, and will be working ever more closely with our closest allies in order to ensure that we continue to act as good citizens of the world, providing aid wherever, and whenever it is required.
Domestically I intend to institute programmes to ensure that the benefits of Lakhzovia's outward turn diffuse even into the most remote corners of our country. First I intend to redraw provincial boundaries to better reflect the cultural and political realities of our diverse country. This means splitting off north Rossetiya to form the Axicz province, the reconstitution of north Khakh as the province of Tziphon and the formal recognition of the Ceouz autonomous district as well as a constitutional amendment to allow for the formalisation of autonomous governments in parts of Transmecuria.
Further development packages will be made available to the rural districts to raise infrastructure to a level that allows for the development and modernisation of the locales; this will include the construction of new road and rail links with our neighbours to promote regional trade.
My friends, we have come far, but we still have a distance to go yet. Fortunately we need no longer travel alone.
May the blessings of Emet be with us always, and may we need not fear all the days of our lives."
The crowd exploded in deafening cheers and applause. Kadassa waved to the crowd as he withdrew from the stage to return to the seating area where his guests had watched the speech.
