As Garenes turned, Relam knelt quickly so that the crown could be placed upon his head. The great lord held the crown high for all to see, then slowly lowered it onto Relam’s head. The new king was surprised by how heavy it was, and for a moment was worried that he would not be able to support the extra weight easily. Then, he was standing, slowly, trying to keep the crown from wobbling, and turning to face the Assembly.
“All hail King Relam!” Garenes shouted.
“Hail!” five voices called behind Relam, echoed an instant later by the Assembly. Relam smiled gravely and looked out over his subjects. His people.
“To the palace!” Garenes shouted over the noise of celebration. “To the coronation feast!”
A raucous cheer erupted from the nobles as they all stood. Relam grinned and started down the steps to ground level. He moved at a stately pace, keeping his head absolutely still, the crown already a heavy burden.
When he reached the double doors at the rear of the Assembly Hall, Wil and Johann stepped forward and heaved on the massive double doors. Relam straightened the crown and moved quickly across the entrance hall, the High Council and the Assembly trailing behind. Wil and Johann shoved their way through the milling nobles and stood ready beside the outer doors, watching Relam expectantly. The young king took a deep breath, then nodded slightly.
As the two guards threw the outer doors open, a wall of sound hit Relam. Thousands of people were gathered on both sides of the River Road despite the cold winter weather, calling his name and cheering. Relam raised a hand uncertainly and the cheers redoubled, some stamping their feet and whistling as well. City guards lined the edges of the path Relam was to take, holding the crowd back, but Relam saw smiles on their faces as well, and on the face of Commander Hadere, who was standing at the foot of the stairs. The commander bowed low as Relam passed. Relam waited for the man to straighten, then saluted him. Hadere, blinked, then drew himself up proudly and returned the salute.
As Relam moved down onto the path marked out for him, the rest of the group formed up behind. His four guards were split, one ahead, one to either side, one behind. Behind the rear guard strode the High Council, solemn and powerful, gazing around imperiously. They were followed by the Assembly, which displayed considerably more excitement and support of their new king. And bringing up the rear was the new generation of leaders. Cevet, in the center of the line, flanked by Delan and Sebast, Jatt and Knet taking positions at either end of the line. The lordlings did not receive the cheers that Relam did, but the young king knew they would be key to his success. They represented hope for the future just as Relam did. A hope for a unified kingdom.
The procession crawled forward at Relam’s pace. The crown wobbled on his head occasionally, sending a thrill of panic through him, then it would stabilize and sit there like a rock, heavy and unmoving. And all the while he was passing thousands who shouted his name, cheered, and reached out to touch him despite the guards holding them back. Relam noticed them and he was touched that so many had come, that so many believed in him. He wondered nervously how long their support would last.
At long last they came to the palace steps and the royal plaza, which was filled with even more citizens of Etares. Relam mounted the steps carefully, then turned and faced his people after he had climbed to the top. Around him, the procession of nobles fanned out and took positions behind and to either side. The Council clustered closest to Relam, hovering like vultures. Then, the lordlings slipped between them, standing just in front of their parents and just behind Relam.
Just the way the young king had planned.
He raised his hands now for quiet and an expectant hush fell over the crowd.
“Thank you,” Relam managed, his throat suddenly dry. “Today is a historic day, my friends. The end of one rule, the beginning of another. It is also a turning point in the history of our kingdom. Instead of being divided by petty squabbles we will be united as one voice, one force, and one kingdom, as we were meant to be. We will defend our lands from lawlessness, and we will restore order to this kingdom. You will be able to travel safely from the northern reaches to the end of the southern peninsula. From Ardia, around the world, and back.”
The crowd cheered and applauded, interrupting Relam’s speech.
“And know this!” Relam called, bringing everyone back to order. “I am going to work for this kingdom. I am going to work for each and every one of you. Because we are all the Sthan Kingdom. We are all brothers and sisters of one race, one people. One voice, united.”
Relam stepped back slightly as the crowd erupted in approval again, louder than he had expected. Relam allowed the cheering and yelling to run its course, then stepped forward again.
“Now,” he said, raising his arms dramatically. “I have just one last thing to say.”
The crowd leaned forward in anticipation.
“Let’s celebrate!” Relam shouted, grinning.
The roar was deafening as the people of Etares cheered, laughed, and slapped each other on the back. Servants from the palace began setting up tables with food and drinks, right there in the plaza. All over the city, similar impromptu feasts were being prepared even as this one was. Relam’s stomach rumbled in anticipation of the abundant good food.
“Gentlemen,” he said turning to the nobles gathered behind him. “Let us celebrate as well. To the banquet hall.”
The High Council peeled off
