Orlaith Kade was pleased to see King Finley, he was someone that her cousin King David had spoken fondly of several times and he was considered a good friend both in terms of diplomacy and personally. "Your Majesty" she bowed. "I'm certain that we can find a moment or two tomorrow to have a talk.....hangover permitting." She remembered David telling her how much Finley enjoyed a whiskey or six and had already seen him passing a hip flask around not that she minded.
By now the royal carriage had reached the Palace with the road behind it strewn with flowers the crowd had flung, Stasya had managed to catch a few as she'd been waving and now even as the King helped his new wife down from the carriage a team of young soldiers from the King's Light Cavalry swung into action cleaning the carriage out of the newly acquired foaliage. There was quiet a bit of work to do but not much time to do it. "Your Majesty we've 30 minutes"
Quinn Germainethe King's Chief of Household pressed a button on her watch starting the countdown. They'd agreed a schedule with EMTV and while naturally the TV station would be flexible it would make their life difficult if the timetable went slightly off. Stasya's two Ladies were already beginning the process of readying the future Queen as they headed into the Palace and towards the Royal Suite. They were busy trying to untie the strings on the corset style dress she was wearing while another handed her a wipe for her make up. The King meanwhile swung off into his Office where as he and his party began to get changed Quinn stood at the door giving him his daily briefing about what was going on across Mundus. She stood with her back to the room reading from her clipboard as the King, Redfern, Frost and Peacock removed their military uniform to don the traditional red tunics and their sword belts. It was something they'd got used to during their time in the military, the quick change, and unlike their uniforms the traditional tunics didnt take much checking.
Upstairs Stasya was sat like a statue as a hairdresser set about piling her hair atop her head, they'd practiced a week ago with the crown to make sure Stasya was satisfied with how it would look with her new hairdo. While that was being done a professional make up artist was busy applying a new layer of blushers, masquera and the like. "Fifteen minutes" the voice of Quinn came through the door as she immediately hurried away. Stasya was soon attired much like the King, plain black trousers with black shiny boots, a red tunic and her sword belt around her waist. It wasn't the most fetching or glamorous of attires but she was hopeful that the people of East Moreland would love the way she'd embraced their traditions. "Five minutes" and by some miracle the Queen was ready. As she headed downstairs back towards the carriage which was still being given its decoration of a variety of shields the King and his friends were busy laughing as Rhiannon, dressed in a quartered red and white tunic indicating the fact she was not of an age to have had her sword ceremony, was having an impromptu swordsmanship lesson with Danny Frost much to the laughter of those watching. "Time to go" Quinn ducked behind them as an EMTV camera team were visible at the door. Rhiannon tucked her sword into her sheath and began to move towards the back of the group which was forming up.
"Come here Rhiannon" David motioned. Tradition dictated that the King and future Queen would travel at the lead of a group of escorts, then the other royals, then nobles etc would travel in procession in a series of carriages that were waiting. The Princess would ride with her auntie Freya and cousin Sophie however that was not the issue. "Sword" David stood with his hand out. Rhiannon looked confused but her father knew this was merely a trick of hers, "Sword....unless you want to miss the party." Rhiannon huffed and pulled her tiny sword out of her sheath before handing it pommel first to her father who handed it one of the many Palace stewards. While Rhiannon may be a Princess she was not entitled to wear a sword and like all those who had not been deemed worthy she would wear the quartered tunic and carry an empty scabbard despite her best efforts at sneaking her blade in. The procession formed up and began the trip back down the Palace drive and towards the Temple District.
"Your Majesties, Your Highnesses, Lords and Ladies, Friends"
Alexandrea Samuel yelled having tapped her champagne glass with a small dagger. "I have been informed that the procession is leaving the Palace if you would please head across the street and into the Temple of Helus." She motioned to where they should go and a escort of military officers helped them find the way, the street had been filled with thousands of people in red tunics that had managed to push the crowd out the way and form a kind of guard of honour, each of them had their sword resting on their shoulder. It was only around 100meters to the Temple of Helus and into its ginormous circular chamber with a single flat stone the size of a large kitchen table in the middle. A single hole in the roof allowed a small beam of light to strike the grey rock making small crystal like specs shimmer slightly. Legend told that the stone was the one on which Helus himself had stood and addressed mankind following the defeat of the Underlords and every King or Queen of East Moreland had been crowned here in its presence. The seats ran in a circle around the stone with a route through from each of the cardinal points. "Please take a seat wherever you wish." Alexandrea informed the foreign guests.
Outside the coaches carrying the royals had left the Palace and leaving the gates the King remembered to don his crown, something that he didn't particularly like wearing but on occasions like this he did so proudly. Military soldiers saluted as the procession passed each raising their sword to their face before swiping it downwards. David recognised several and nodded a greeting to them. "Who have you selected as your Champion?" David asked Stasya as they saw the tower of the Temple of Helus become visible among the other Temples.
"That's for me to know and you to find out" she kissed his cheek as she waved once more, her arm was in fact becoming a little sore from it all.
As they reached the Temple Skye Maddix reappeared. Coronations were the only time a High Priestess wore black and it contrasted with the solid gold ringlet on her head. "Hello everyone" she said as she stood near the God Stone, "I understand for some of you this will be a 2nd coronation and if you recall there are moments crowd interaction is permitted" she looked around trying to work out who had been here when David had crowned Matilda. "For those that haven't you'll pick it up pretty quickly. I hope you enjoy." She headed for the Temple door and watched as the Royal Party exited their coaches and formed up. Some of the soldiers who had formed the honour guard for the guests to move from one temple to the other had now set themselves up with shields each bearing the nations coat of arms. The 50 Red Legionnaire veterans formed two files infront of the King and on the nod from Skye marched up the steps with swords in their right hand and shields strapped to the left. Following them were members of the prestigious chivalric order The Court of Canley. They entered the temple, their black boots clanging on the polished grey stone. They didn't approach the God Stone and instead formed a ring all the way around the congregation sat facing the ceremonial slab. Skye had now moved to stand with the stone between her and the door that the the soldiers and the Court of Canley had entered through. She saw the Kings banner top the steps carried by Alex Redfern and began the ceremony.
"BEHOLD!" she yelled "Mighty Helus your chosen representative approaches, welcome him into your house and bless him with your wisdom and bravery. Today he comes before you with his wife asking for you to bless her and accept her as his Queen, bless her with your wisdom." She'd timed it perfectly as the King entered just as she finished the incantation. Redfern headed immediately to the God Stone and draped the King's banner across. The King had been handed a purple cushion at the top of the Temple steps by a young Priestess. On top of the cushion sat the crown of the Queen of East Moreland and Stasya left his side to stand with the young Priestess. The King entered carrying the crown before him, he bowed to the High Priestess and then placed the cushion before her before taking position next to her. Skye waited for the full procession of royals to enter and stand behind the King, Freya, Sophie, Rhiannon and then the various members of the Kade and Ironside family junior branches. Skye was satisfied that everyone was where they needed to be and so gave the small signal to allow Stasya to enter where she stayed her side of the God Stone and then carefully knelt making sure she didn't tangle herself in her long slim sword.
Skye waited for the Temple to become silent again. "Millenia ago Helus gave life to us all, to create order he appointed monarchs from his bloodline and blessed them with wisdom. Before you todays stand King David Ironside, third of his name, son of Sven, descendant of Unasson, he is the rightful King of East Moreland and all Morelanders and today he wishes Helus to recognise his beloved as Queen. David do you posses the Crown of the Queen." David picked up the crown leaving the cushion behind.
"I do" the King said loudly handing the crown to the High Priestess who now prayed over it for a moment or two before holding it aloft while she completed a lap of the God Stone. When she returned to her start position she placed the crown in the centre of the God Stone and removed the cushion.
Skye removed her own sword and using two hands she held it across the God Stone its point a good meter away from Stasya but clearly pointed at her. "Is this the woman who shall become Queen" the High Priestess enquired.
"I present Stasya Ironside, first of her name, daughter of Tobias Pelagiya, beloved of Helus." King David confirmed the identity of the future Queen, he'd found himself grinning widely as he said the name Stasya Ironside.
"Stasya Ironside, as Queen you must appoint a Champion to defend your honour and good name. Who do you name?" It was a ceremonial role that the Queen at her coronation had a person to essentially stand on her behalf. There were rules about the situation such as the fact that it must be a man, couldn't be related to the royal family by blood and had to have served in the military. David was nervous at this point as Stasya had kept things tightly under wraps about who she had selected.
Stasya was still kneeling on her side of the God Stone. "I name as my champion Louis Blanche" From somewhere in the Temple a door slammed open and a man entered in full armour except for his helmet. A shield in one hand and a drawn sword in the other he stood behind Stasya. The King smiled, Blanche was a Mundus Games Medieval MMA Champion and held the World Title, in truth he was as good a choice you could get even if it was only a ceremonial role. David could hear shuffling behind and it was Rhiannon trying to see her hero in a slightly better light than tucked behind a maze of legs. Skye meanwhile was trying not to smile at the choice of Champion but was certainly satisfied the guy was up to the job and so continued the ceremony.
"Do you promise to support the King in all he does." Skye asked and in a loud voice Stasya confirmed that she would. "Do you promise to protect those in need of protection" Once more Stasya loudly affirmed she would. "Do you Promise to honour your ancestors and those of the Royal Family?" Once more the answer was that she would. "Finally do you promise to Place the Kingdom above all things." Stasya confirmed that she would put it before even her own life. Stasya picked up the crown once more and began walking laps of the God Stone. "You have heard Stasya's promises, you have heard our King proclaim her as his Queen. Helus has given her his blessing, she is his chosen Queen for the Kingdom. WHO HERE DENIES IT!!" Skye snarled the final words her sword pointing accusingly around the circle sat around the stone watching. Those who had been here when Matilda was crowned knew what was coming and no sooner had Skye snarled everyone Louis Blance leapt onto the God Stone while the Court of Canley and the Red Legionnaires began slamming their sword blades together while stamping their feet. Even Rhiannon was stamping as loud as she could while transfixed on the knight on the God Stone yelling "I challenge any who deny Helus. I beg you to come and test your sword. She is Queen." he bellowed. Stasya made another two laps of the God Stone before sheathing her own sword. She wondered what would happen if someone did make a challenge, she suspected it would not end well with so many well trained swordsman and a world champion in the room but it was now clear no one would be doing so. The High Priestess was now stood behind Stasya and raised the crown high above her and with no word the deafening din stopped. "Helus has proclaimed you Queen Stasya Ironside, first of your name. May the Gods Watch Over You and Your Reign Be Long." she placed the crown on the head of the kneeling woman who quickly checked it was balanced correctly before standing as everyone in the ceremony except the King knelt. The King walked around the stone and took hold of Stasya's hand before leading them out of the Temple as everyone filed out.