Day 212 (190th) Coronation

Day 212 (190th): Coronation Day
Coronations had their own set of rules and rituals that we had no hand in preparing. While the actual act of crowning Mara was not until nightfall, a series of small rituals were performed throughout the day. She and Gavin paid their respects to the former rulers of Selvis, promising to return the kingdom to a fair land with just rules. Malachi and Marrissa had a joyful, tearful reunion. They tailed along with Mara and Gavin as family representatives. They visited many churches, assuring each that Selivis would allow religious freedom to all that kept civil laws and maintained peace. Each pledged to be good examples for the reborn city and kingdom. Also, they visited the reformed guilds, exchanging pledges to guide Selvis to renewed prosperity. Finally, courts, jails, and other legal areas were visited where everyone was assured of fairness, justice, and equality under the law. The seven of us silently followed this whole procession to support Mara and Gavin plus represent races other than humans among the population of Selvis Prime.
We returned to the palace a few hours before sunset. Cathy, Constance, and other girls were waiting to get Mara dressed for the ceremony. Gavin also had men to get him ready.
As the sun set, people made their way to the palace and into the throne room. Some of the honored guests from the wedding were still in the city and took positions near the thrones. We seven were given the place right next to the thrones to be "at hand" if Mara or Gavin needed us. Citizens filled the massive hall and the balconies surrounding it. The emotions swirling around gave the hall a dream-like quality to those of us who could see it.
When all light had left the sky, a chorus of trumpets silenced the assembly. A group of clerics, including Mamar, the centaur cleric, and the elf cleric, walked in carrying a small table with the crowns cradled on purple cushions. They walked up to the thrones and set the table between the two thrones. Once the clerics were settled to the right of the thrones, the judicial council walked in carrying another small table with a gold scroll in a wooden holder nestled on a white cushion. They placed this table beside the one with the crowns. They settled in behind the thrones. The economic council marched forward bearing a third small table with a jewel-encrusted golden scepter snuggled into a red cushion. They set this one the other side of the crowns and settled on the left side of the thrones.
The chorus of trumpets sounded again. All eyes turned to the doors. Mara and Gavin were the picture of royalty. Gavin looked handsome and every bit of a king. No one could question Mara's nobility while looking at her as she marched with Gavin. The pair walked in absolute silence. No one whispered or made any noise as the pair made their way to the thrones. Mara stood before the throne traditionally held by the king, but since she was the crown princess, it was her's by right. Gavin stood in front of the smaller throne to her right.
Once in position, a cleric, a judge, and a guild master stepped forward. With practiced precision, the three council members addressed the crowd in unison.
"People of Selvis, before you stands Mara, youngest daughter of King Morovis and his wife, Queen Lydia, both of whom perished at the hands of our enemy. At her side as husband, Prince Gavin, second son of King Droland and Queen Darla of Raval, our neighbor and ally. Together, they stand before you to accept the crowns, title, and power of the rulers of Selvis. If any in this assembly have a legitimate claim or protest against this pair, state it now or remain forever silent."
Total silence. No one looked at their neighbor to see if they would speak. Five seconds passed. No sound. Ten seconds went by in silence. A full thirty seconds went by in silence. Satisfied that no one objected, the three councilors faced the royal pair.
"The People of Selvis accept you as their rulers and the rightful leaders of this kingdom. Please step forward to claim your symbols of authority, which were hidden from our enemy so they could not claim this right," the trio recited together.
Gavin and Mara took three steps to stand behind the small tables. The guild master, being the tallest of the three, stood behind Mara. The cleric and judge stood on either side of Mara and lifted the larger, more ornate crown together and lifted it in front of Mara as high as they could both reach, which was barely over Mara's eyes. The guild master took the crown by reaching around Mara's head and lifted it the rest of the way over her head, held it for a second, and gently positioned it on Mara's head. With her ornate hair style, the crown rested easily on a nest of dark hair. Taking a few steps, the guild master stepped behind Gavin, who was almost half a head taller than he, the cleric spun to face Gavin, and the judge walked around to Gavin's other side. They repeated the placing of the crown, the smaller one, upon Gavin's head. His thin build made the smaller crown seem to have been constructed for him. With the crown in place, Gavin stepped back to stand directly in front of the smaller throne, leaving Mara to stand alone. Mara was, once again, encircled by the trio of councilors. The judge picked up the golden scroll and addressed the assembly.
"This golden parchment bears the decree of ownership of the area of land known as Selvis Kingdom, giving the royal family all rights privileges, and responsibilities of land owners. This also makes all citizens their tenants, all crops their property, and every house is their's."
Turning back to Mara, he held it towards her, "Do you accept the property of Selvis Kingdom and all property and people therein?"
Mara took one end of the scroll, "I accept the property of Selvis Kingdom and enter a partnership with every citizen to protect the life and property of every citizen in this kingdom. As long as we all obey the rules, harmony shall be the true ruler of Selvis."
Cheers erupted and filled the large hall. The judge released the scroll and Mara held it aloft for all to see. The judge silently went back to his position beside and slightly behind Mara. She lowered the scroll and held it to her chest.
The cleric stepped forward as the cheering died and silence returned. She picked up the scepter and faced the assembled population.
"In past times, this scepter represented the holy power bestowed upon the kings and queens of Selvis by a single god or goddess that, in turn, was the 'official' deity of the land."
Murmurs of anger and emotional pain vibrated from the crowd. The cleric raised her empty hand to restore silence.
"Times have changed. Attitudes have changed. By consensus, the triple council has decided the scepter can no longer represent a single deity. Instead, this scepter represents the spirit of the land and its people, the unseen tie that binds us as citizens, neighbors, friends, and family. This is the physical embodiment of that unseen force."
She spun and held it out to Mara, "Do you take this scepter, as the symbol of the spirit of Selvis Kingdom, to guard and protect, nurture and guide, and let none remove or damage as long as you rule?"
Mara placed her hand on the end of the scepter,"I accept this scepter and the spirit of Selvis Kingdom. I will hold that spirit within my heart even when the scepter is not in my hand. It's spirit and mine will be so entwined as to be nearly one. Adding the love of my husband, this spirit is our first child and will be cherished as such."
Gentle sobs broke the silence after she spoke. The cleric handed the scepter to Mara with the gentleness of a mid-wife handing a newborn to its mother, which Mara accepted just as tenderly. She held it to her chest, crossing with the scroll over her heart. Mara took three steps backward to stand directly in front of the larger throne.
The three councilors stood behind the empty tables and addressed everyone again, in unison.
"Mara, crown princess of Selvis, has accepted the mind, body, and soul of Selvis Kingdom. Her husband has accepted his partnership as helpmate and guide to Mara. It is our joy to proclaim to all of you assembled, for the first time, Queen Mara and King Gavin of Selvis!"
A mighty cheer reverberated within the hall. Even the sedate nobles whooped and called their joy. The colors swirled in such a grand display that I felt nearly overwhelmed. It was then that attention began to focus upon me. People nudged their neighbor and pointed towards me. Callie indicated that my eyes were white. A fog slowly rolled from out of my shoes and seeped out of my hands. Gavin and Mara beckoned me to the stage. I did not climb, but floated. The fog continued its slow pace.
"Show us the future of this land, Heir to the Faerie Queen and Seer among the Seven Sister," Mara gently requested.
I nodded. The fog filled the hall quickly as it erupted from me. Images formed larger than life. My voice narrated the images rolling over the fog.
"Four times will the Royal Pair be blessed. A son, twin daughters, and a final son will expand the bloodline of Selvis. The city walls will mark 'Old Selvis' as the city expands to three times its current size before the youngest prince's tenth birthday. The citizens of Brimgrove will show Selvis how to grow more than enough food to feed the kingdom even in the bitterest of winters. Brimgrove will be acknowledged by all crowns of this continent as an independant country. Knowledge new and old will flow from Selvis like a river. Raval, Brimgrove, and Selvis formalize their alliance over the body of King Droland with King Vangar's wife representing the country of Brimgrove. Queen Darla returns to the land of the Fae to live out the rest of her days. Selval is created when the eldest prince is named heir to Raval after the untimely death of both Vangar and his wife. Brimgrove becomes a country within a country as the agreement holds."
"What of the Seven Sisters?" a question pierced my tale.
"Callie takes Wrath to her dwarf relatives and lives a lush life as mine and building inspector and human liaison. Wrath holds a place of honor as a teacher of ancient songs and stories to the dwarf children. Callie's husband likes her ramblings, a trait her children share.
"Anna finds a rich life among the brownie gnomes. Sloth pours his ancient knowledge into their tomes and scrolls, which are copied hundreds of times over. Her hard work and knowledge of places makes her a leader in the community. Her spouse and children are as soft spoken as she.
"Gretta is welcomed into the leprechaun community with open arms. Greed becomes the sentinel for the treasury while Gretta works as its premier officer, sorting their treasures by value and rarity. Her lover does not live long enough to make their union official, but their son carries his name and legacy for many years and generations.
"Sarah becomes the healer among her mermaid relatives. She is the second longest lived of these seven, seeing over five centuries pass before her death with children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren learning skills from both her and Lust. The tales of sailors lured by mermaids increase dramatically as Lust instructs all of Sarah's kin in forgotten songs and magic.
"Lisa returns to a soldier's life, but not among humans. She is given the honor of personal guard to the elf queen of Crialas and, in later years, the instructor of defense to their sons, daughters, and her own children. One of the male elf soldiers is so impressed by Lisa's skill that he falls for her and, after a few matches in the arena, is accepted by her. Gluttony passes his knowledge to the keepers of the forests who use it to grow massive trees and large areas of herbs. Lisa is called to every new place to check for poisons. Other than that, the military and her family monopolize her life.
"Alice returns to Thantos to find only one suitor remains from those who sought her. The others, after the tales of the Sisters reached them, felt uncomfortable in pursuing her. This lone suitor is half-elf and matches the man in her dreams. He brings enough land to double Thantos' area and raises Lord Carmon's station to Duke. Upon Carmon's death, Duke Earshaw and Duchess Alice are officially recognized as the leaders of Thantos by their king. The sadness of her father's death is offset by the discovery that she is with child. Later, it is revealed she is carrying twins. The girl of the pair grows to marry the prince of their king while the boy takes the duchy of Thantos and increases its wealth through various cunning deals and trades."
As the fog started to dissipate, someone asked, "What of Kayla?"
"Kayla returns to the Faerie Realm with Queen Darla. Only Sarah lives long enough to see her take the title of Faerie Queen. Aloriana and Darla cross into the Immortal Realm together. While not officially marrying, Kayla takes a lover who fathers two boys and three girls, all of whom Aloriana will meet. The Faerie Realm becomes the resting place for the swords between guardians to prevent them from falling into unwanted hands while waiting for their guardian to reach the proper age. Also, Kayla is able to free any that become trapped during their guardian's death. Many eras pass before all seven are called together again. By this time, Kayla's name is almost lost as she, too, is known only as the Faerie Queen and the actions of this age are only legend and tales. She crosses after that gathering and gives the title to her eldest daughter."
The fog cleared as quickly as it had formed. I still stood on the stage between the royal pair and the assembly. The female cleric who had been part of the ceremony turned to me, as wide-eyed as the rest of those looking at me.
"You refer to 'Kayla' as a separate person. Are you not she?" her voice shaking as she spoke.
My body laughed, "No, I am not Kayla. I am not Vanity nor am I Elenshore, as she was known before. I am not Sarroset nor Brimagor. Kayla, in her way, has had me as her patron all of her life and is one of my most honest clerics."
My sisters responded as one, "FATE!"
My body laughed again, "Very good, dear girls. You know your sister well. Yes, I am Fate, whom she has always trusted without doubt or fear. Very rarely do I speak directly through my clerics, but Kayla's open mind and honest heart has made it easily possible. Now, could two men she trusts approach me please?"
Kendar and Mamar stepped upon the stage and flanked me on both sides.
"Yes, you two will do well. I am leaving now and she will collapse. Catch her and take care of her while she rests."
I barely had time to realize I was in control again before darkness enveloped me and I felt their hands strongly clasp my arms before I felt nothing else.

Mattis again. After Kayla's collapse, she was carried out of the hall by a small army of people with her sisters close at hand. For a few moments after she and they were gone, the hall was dead silent. A knot of clerics all had the same revelation at once.
"No shrine! No altar! No place!" they clamored over each other as they realized that in no temple, church, or holy site was there anything dedicated to Fate, Destiny, or any power similar. The rest of the hall took up the call to have one built immediately. Gavin, Mara, and the triad council huddled to discuss it. Silence was called for after a few moments of discussion.
"People, silence, please," the guild master called loud and clear, causing all to quiet, "The Royal Couple as well as this council have decided to clear out a section not yet renovated for the new shrine to Fate plus any powers not currently represented in any temple or site."
After their silence while listening to him, the throng erupted into cheers over this fair conclusion. A cheer began for Gavin, Mara, and the triad council. As they fell silent again, the councilors thanked the people for their attendance and gave them their leave. The citizens rushed out to tell the events to their friends and family. This would be retold countless times, I have no doubt. Those of us closest to the Sisters made our way to their suite. I grabbed this book to chronicle what Kayla could not. She lay on her bed so still that we all had to check if she was still breathing. Sarroset was in his position on her feet. He indicated she only slept, that he was still connected to her. The other six echoed his report. They assured us that she would be back with us, if not by morning, sometime tomorrow. We agreed to go to our rooms and see what the morrow would bring.

Vanity and I were not in Andros' home, but a very ornate building. There was no light source, but the place was bright.
"Vanity? Do you know this place?"
"No, I have never seen this place before. I doubt many have."
"Correct, Elenshore, or Vanity as you are now known," came a regal voice from one of the doorways.
A tall woman emerged, wearing clothes similar to some of the goddesses we had seen on the cloud above Selvis Prime. Dark eyes pierced a pale face framed by hair of every shade known among mortals. She approached us before speaking again.
"This is my home, ladies. Barely a dozen mortals have ever laid eyes upon these walls since time began. I have brought you here to give you a mission. You will find my clerics to populate the shrine that will be built in Selvis Prime. Through you, I will connect with them and inform the people what I, Fate, have in store for them."
"My authority will be questioned. How can I convince them it is your will, not mine, that declares them your clerics?" I asked as if this was a normal conversation with a friend.
Fate laughed, "This is why I like you. You did not even think to shirk or get out of this mission, but asked how to prove it to others. The white eyes will be the proof. When you place your hands on them, their eyes will go white like yours do. Few will dispute it."
I nodded, "My sisters and I will be splitting up soon, I suppose."
She nodded, "Yes, but 'soon' is relative. You will not part from the last, who is Callie, until it is summer. You have a long way to travel before even one of you leaves the fold."
I sighed, "Good, I was not looking forward to that. I will carry out your mission, my patron. Everyone will know that I received these instructions directly from you."
Vanity piped in, "If they don't believe us, that is their stupidity talking."
We all laughed. Fate dismissed us to rest and sleep the rest of the night in peace.