Silvana was a little bit nervous, no one on the Faejeon High Council had spoken to such international dignitaries for a long time.
"Ladies and Gentlemen allow me to explain what will be happening in a few moments time." Silvana said "Shortly the coronation ceremony will take place, following which the newly crowned Queen will head to the ballroom where we will have refreshments and you will have the opportunity to speak with the new Queen should you wish as well as the members of the High Council."
The river passed by Cyalona a few hundred metres from the main gate, it was here at a rather improvised wooden pier that a mounted honour guard of members of the Military Guild, each decked out in their blue and silver finery waited to escort their soon to be Queen to her coronation. Leading the guard was the head of the Military Guild
Lord General Nylian Aramaris, he was a man who'd seen a lot in his life but he'd never imagined he'd have this particular honour. He stood patiently smiling as the handcrafted wooden boat pulled up to the improvised pier and wearing a white gown that could in some ways be seen as a wedding dress and a midnight blue cloak
Siora Qivalur stepped ashore, Nylian and the mounted guard drew their ceremonial blades and saluted.
"Your Majesty." Nylian said
"Lord General." Siora said, she was nervous her mind racing over all the things she had to say and when she had to say them, not to mention all the pointers she'd been given on how to behave. The guard sheathed their swords at this point and Nylian helped Siora into a chariot that was driven by one of his men before mounting his own horse.
"Guard advance." Nylian ordered
The journey from the shore up through the city to the Palace was a loud one, from the second the first horse trotted into the city the crowds cheered. Siora was smiling a little, she was more relaxed at the moment though she suspected she'd go right back to being a nervous wreck once she got to the Palace and actually walked in. Outside the Palace door the courtyard was now set with two lines of guards standing at ease, Siora disembarked the chariot at which point in unison the guards drew their swords and stood at attention. Nylian waited for Siora to nod and then led her through the guard to the door of the Palace. Once there Nylian paused before loudly knocking on the door three times, it was all part of the ritual element of the day. The door was opened for them and Nylian stood aside, allowing Siora to enter the Palace first and lead the way to the throne room where the coronation was to take place. A fanfare heralded her entry into the throne room and she walked slowly down the aisle between the seating with Nylian behind her, he would peel off into his own seat alongside the other members of the High Council except Nimue who stood waiting in front of the throne.
"In the name of Rao who approaches the throne?" Nimue asked
"I Siora Qivalur, last of the royal bloodline, servant of the Gods and child of the Faejeon." Siora said
"Are you willing to take the oath?" Nimue asked
"I am." Siora said
"Approach." Nimue said
Siora approached Nimue who stood aside so that Siora could in fact sit on the throne. Now came the formalities of the actual crowning, firstly a bit of queue of twenty people was formed in the aisle - these were the magistrates or leaders of the Faejeon villages, nineteen of them were on Awhaele and then there was the one just outside Mossflower in Achkaerin. Each of these twenty had brought with them a small piece of silver, they could do to it whatever they wanted there were just three conditions it had to be silver, it had to be a chain link and it had to represent their village. Each of the magistrates handed their chain link to the General Secretary of the Labour Guild
Tanyl Virnan who was stood next to Nimue now who piece by piece assembled what would probably be called a charm bracelet in other circumstances, when it was assembled he approached Siora.
"Will you govern the Faejeon people according to law and exercise justice and mercy in all your judgements?" Tanyl asked
"I solemnly swear that I will." Siora said, Tanyl proceeded to place the charm bracelet around Siora's left wrist, before retreating to stand at the front facing the throne
Now the leader of the Arts Guild
Aias Cairieth stood and made his way to the front where a member of the Priesthood joined him carrying a cushion on which there sat a golden necklace with a rather dazzling sapphire pendant. He approached Siora.
"Will you stay true to the traditions of the Faejeon and be a leading example of our culture?" Aias asked
"I solemnly swear that I will." Siora said, Aias stepped forwards placed the necklace around Siora's neck before going and standing next to Tanyl.
Then it was Silvana's turn, she like Aias was joined by a priest with a cushion, though this time a smaller one on which lay a ring with a single ruby surrounded by topaz and diamond petals as it were.
"Will you uphold the Guilds and do all you can to aid them in their continued work?" Silvana asked
"I solemnly swear that I will." Siora said, Silvana placed the ring on the ring finger of Siora's right hand before going and standing next to Aias.
Next it was Nimue's turn she waited for a priest to step forward bringing with them a cushion on which there was a pretty big Amethyst orb.
"Will you faithfully honour and serve the Gods staying true to our beliefs?" Nimue asked
"I solemnly swear that I will." Siora said, Nimue handed Siora the orb which was a little heavier than the soon to be Queen had expected, Nimue then went and stood next to Silvana.
Finally Nylian stepped forward, on the cushion that his accompanying priest had with him lay the sword of state and it's sheath on a simple gold coloured cord. Siora stood up at this point, it was all choreographed because of what was about to happen, this was also why Nylian was the last of the five to ask a question.
"Will you defend and serve all the people and lands over which you rule?" Nylian asked
"I solemnly swear that I will." Siora said, Nylian tied the cord around Siora's waist and then sheathed the sword for Siora before he went and stood next to Nimue, Siora now sat back down on the throne.
A junior member of the Priesthood now stepped forward
"I now ask the leaders of the five guilds to swear their fealty." the junior priest said
"On behalf of the Labour Guild I swear fealty to Siora Qivalur." Tanyl said
"On behalf of the Arts Guild I swear fealty to Siora Qivalur." Aias said
"On behalf of the Science Guild I swear fealty to Siora Qivalur." Silvana said
"On behalf of the Theology Guild I swear fealty to Siora Qivalur." Nimue said
"On behalf of the Military Guild I swear fealty to Siora Qivalur." Nylian said
Now came the moment, the
crown was brought forward sitting on a cushion, Nimue stepped forwards, she picked the crown up off the cushion and approached Siora.
"By the powers granted me as High Priestess I crown you Queen Siora of the Faejeon People." Nimue said, she placed the crown on Siora's head before taking two steps back "Long live the Queen!"
"Long live the Queen!" was said back by those assembled.
Now the fanfare started up again, Siora stood and after a few seconds nodded to Nimue who turned and led the newly crowned Queen from the throne room with the other four leaders of guilds following just behind in pairs Nylian with Silvana and Aias with Tanyl. Once they reached the ballroom Siora finally allowed herself to breathe a little easier, to relax and shed the odd tear it had been a fairly emotional experience for someone so unprepared for what was happening to her.
"Your Majesty I believe the guests are on their way judging from the noise." Silvana said
"Thank you." Siora said