Imperial Edict Issued from the Phoenix Throne to the Chrysanthemum Throne
Unto Her Imperial Majesty, Evanthe of the Most Noble and Royal Dynasty of Rhodes, Empress of the First Empire of Rokkenjima, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of Somerset; greetings and salutations,
It has long been since last Our two nations treated with one another with friendship and mirth. Much has changed, yet much is maintained; thus is the Will of Heaven. It is agreed that Rokkenjima and Arda Tuluva should come together once again in harmony for the prosperity and tranquility of all.
The omens are favorable, the auspices are clear, the wards are set and the portents appeased. It is thus that We extend Our imperial rite unto Her Majesty, the Empress, and unto the Crown Princess, She Who Is Ordained of Islyna, with an invitation to the Celestial Court for an Official State Visit.
Honor and glory. The Blessings of Heaven and Earth.
So let it be written.
Autárimë Tararan i Yéndë o Menel : Erëa ar Eressë Tararan ar Arata Tureryan ilya nu-Menelo
The Rokkenjimans landed at the Eönwë Airfield, a private airport used exclusively for governmental purposes, to meet with the Rokkenjiman delegation. It was about noon when the Rokkenjiman aircraft landed at the Eönwë. A red carpet inlaid with subtle designs and outlined in intricate golden patterns led the way from the base of the stairs leading from the airplane to the entourage of black vehicles, sky-lanterns floated majestically along the way, fastened to the ground with golden rope.
Legionaries of the Dragon Martial Guard and Imperial Azure Army's Honor Guard snapped to attention as the Empress descended from the stairs; flower petals in the colors of the Rokkenhijam flag – red and white – fell gracefully in abundance from the lanterns in the calm air. Empress Evanthe and Crown Princess Adriana were met by the Consul of State, Inglor Lord Anordradil, and other leading members of the Arda Tuluvan Imperial government, who all bowed low at the waist in the Arda Tuluvan fashion; hands before them left fist in the right palm. The many other lower ranking officials and servants fell to a full kowtow.
“Atta eleni sílar lúmenna omentielvo, Meletyalda, Ortári o Tolenquelar. Aya ar alcarë." Which is translated as, "Two stars shine at the hour of our meeting, Your Imperial Majesty, Empress of Rokkenjima. Honor and glory." The Consul said in the traditional greeting. Lifting his head he continued, opening his arms in a friendly gesture, his head slightly down “It was with great esteem that we welcome Her Majesty to Arda Tuluva. On behalf of Her Most Sublime and August Majesty we wish Rokkenjima honor and glory. May friendship and trust grow eternal between our two empires.” He, and the others, bowed again in respect.
The Rokkenjimans were lead to a caravan of black cars with both the Rokkenjiman and Arda Tuluvan flags at the front. They left the airfield and drove upon the path known as the Meridian Way, which eventually merged with the Pathway of Great Unity that would lead them to the Arcalcassë Palace.
On each side of the Pathway of Great Unity stood six rows of soldiers that lined the way from the Airfield to the Meridian Plaza. They stood stoically, saluting as the caravan passed. The Meridan Plaza, a massive square that was completely filled with thousands upon thousands of Chrysanthemums in homage to Arda Tuluva's most honored guests, save for a narrow passage to allow the cars to the Gateway of Perpetual Balance. The two monolithic stone doors were decorated with an azure dragon on the eastern door and a red-golden phoenix on the western. To the left of the gate hung the Rokkenjman Imperial Standard: a golden chrysanthemum on a field of red, to the right the Arda Tuluvan Imperial Standard: a golden phoenix on a field of red with two white bars bellow and above. The Gateway lead to a tunnel, that was engraved from base to top with prayers and icons to ward against evil spirits.
In the distance the slow beat of drums could be heard. Once the caravan emerged from the tunnel and passed through the second gate, the Gate of Supreme Tranquility, the two thousand drummers began to play faster. The rhythm was hypnotic, precise, inspiring and beautiful. Soldiers still lined the way, though unlike those outside of the Arcalacseë Palace these wore the traditional silver armor of the Tercenë Dynasty; holding the serpentine standard of the Dragon Martial Guard.
Each Gate might have become smaller as they progressed, but each was more beautiful and more adorned then the last. The Gate of Heavenly Brilliance seemed to have been cut from a dream. The artistry and craftsmanship was perfectly done. Like all things in Arda Tuluva, great care was taken to achieve a vision of beauty, of greatness, of sublimity.
The caravan reached the Hall of Central Harmony, another large square sat before the massive building. Hundreds of civil officials, attendants, and servants waited patiently. More flower petals of white and red fell from the sky as Evanthe and the Crown Princess left the limousine. The Arda Tuluvans assembled fell to a full kowtow chanting in unison,
"Ortári quainyén, quainyén, quinquainyéni."[1] The Rokkenjiman Empress was guided to a palanquin adorned with Kingfisher feathers that would take her across the square over the Bridge of Virtuous Rule to the Hall of Central Harmony.
The Autárimë Empress sat upon the Phoenix Throne, which was elevated on the third dais, behind a curtain of beads and gold thread in the Hall of Brilliance, one of three central Throne rooms within the Arcalcassë Palace. The Arda Tuluvan sovereign used an obscure precedence issued by the Tar-Amatyultarë in 1710 to forgo the traditional waiting period after a guest had arrived at the Arcalcassë. It had been the subject of much debate in yesterday's Morning Assembly, but the Autárimë Empress' arguments and wisdom eventually won on the basis that the Rokkenjiman sovereigns are also descendants of The Divine, thus, it could provoke Heaven's ill-favor if she was forced to wait for an audience. The Empress had argued that Lodja's Queen, as Guardian of Sessifet, would be allowed an audience with the Daughter of Heaven immediately. Though, it was countered that Lodja was Arda Tuluva's primary ally, thus their Queen
should be given the right. In the end, it was decided that above all Lodja's Queen would be given the greatest amount of precedence over all other foreign Heads of State, however. Since she was not present allowing Rokkenjima's monarch an audience immediately did not upset that precedence and Heaven will be pleased. The Autárimë Empress was satisfied with the outcome, truth be told she wanted to meet with Evanthe before giving her ministers the go ahead to forge a treaty.
Those assembled were on their hands and knees prostrated before the Empress and in unison they chanted the Devotion, "The Empress IS Arda Tuluva. The Empress MUST be obeyed. The Empress WILL live forever. Holy Mother guide us. Holy Mother teach us. Holy Mother protect us. In your light we thrive. In your mercy we are sheltered. In your wisdom we are humbled. We live only to serve you. Our lives are yours." The remained on their hands and knees chanting the Devotion three times.
A gong rang and the doors to the Hall of Brilliance opened, the High Chamberlain yelled, "Who comes before the Daughter of Heaven?"
"Her Majesty; Evanthe, the First of Her Name, Empress of Rokkenjima.” The major-domo replied.
"Who comes before the Divine Above?" The Chamberlain asked again.
"Evanthe; daughter of Beatrice, Blessed of Islyna; of the Imperial House of Rhodes, Sovereign of Rokkenjima.”
"Who comes before Her Most Sublime and August Majesty?”
"I, Evanthe of Rokkenjima, do come before the Empress.” Evanthe was instructed to speak the last answer herself.
The gong rang again and all who were assembled bowed at their waist as the Empress and the Crown Princess entered the Throne room. The Rokkenjimans had been instructed on the proper procedures of Court Etiquette: they were to bow before taking twelve steps, then bow again low at the waist. Then take nine steps and repeat their bows, and did the same thing after six steps, then after three, then after three more the they were to bow again, besides the Rokkenjiman empress, the other Rokkenjimans were expected to fall to a full kowtow.
It was the Arda Tuluvan empress who spoke, "It is with great pleasure that We welcome Rokkenjima's Empress to the Celestial Court. Honor and glory."
"Honor and glory." The Arda Tulvuans intoned in unison.
"With wisdom and might has Rokkenjima secured her place upon Mundus." The Daughter of Heaven continued, "The Empress honors the Great Tercenë with her presence. It is Our desire that Our empires shall forge a friendship that shall span the ages. With Peace and tranquility. With Harmony and stability."
