The Ashen Dawn

[Altiak 1648]

THE ASHEN DAWN

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRvYuktJBhI

 

The City of Felsen, oft regarded as the Jewel of Humanity, was seething with throngs of countless figures this day - the busy crowds of many a merchant, merrymaker, fishmonger and serf moving from stall to stall in the market. Men and women from all reaches of life ambled through the streets busily, though a certain towering stone monolith seemed to be the source of the overflowing masses. Clustered around the grandiose cathedral of Felsen, on a normal day presided over by the Bishop Humbert de Bar, the crowd was so thick that men were pressed up against each other and clambered onto stalls - those of bold and spry demeanor watching from atop brick roofs, feet resting upon the thatch.

 

Assembled within the cathedral, an equally numerous congregation of well-dressed men and women, the notable figures of Hadrian Chivay, Jace Bracchus, and Titus de Sola easily visible, that crowded into the oaken pews and stood idly at the procession flanks - faces illuminated through the glass stained with a plethora of colours. A pair of figures, clad in pristine robes and adorned with golden laurels, stood behind the altar - the Bishop of Drusco, Oscar of Norfolk and the Bishop of Brelus, Edmond de Montfort. Within Oscar’s hands, a single band of simple, ashen gold was grasped- a peculiar ornament that he fiddled with incessantly.

 

 

Noblemen and burghers hailing from all corners of the realm had flocked to the cathedral for the momentous event: the distinguished dukes, counts and barons, landed knights and pithy courtiers that made up the bulk of Oren’s numbers. Amidst the raucous gathering, a plethora of familiar faces were seen- but most notably, one man was absent. The droves of Men stood in wordless anticipation as an uncharacteristic hush fell over the great building, heralding the arrival of their exalted company. Inside the temperate hall, the summer air felt tangible- thick enough to cleave through with a blade. The air this day was not wrought only with the immense warmth of the Sun’s glow - but furthermore the fierce tension of the approaching newcomer’s arrival.

 

The gates of Felsen, barred for so long in the times of civil strife, were now open in expectancy, beckoning for the small entourage of cavalrymen accompanying an approaching rider. His scarred and grizzled form sat ensconced upon a black steed, the writhing sea of humanity parting as the hero passed alongside his retinue. The unmistakeable outline of a blazing golden sun, shimmering brilliantly against a black field, was emblazoned onto the cuirass of the man. Trotting languidly through the cobbled streets, he raised a lofted hand in greeting to the vast congregation, flashing a courteous grin to the onlooking mob.

 

Whereas the throng of citizens had once been thickest and most intense at the site of the cathedral itself, the common folk now rushed around the travelling horseman, all of them searching for a chance, fleeting glimpse of the man. Their desperate eyes scoured the procession for a sight of the man, hands and limbs pushing with all their effort to wrestle through the crowd and lay eyes upon the man that had fought in wars since the time when the Heartland was fractured, who had served both former Kings aptly and saved them from the Ducal Coalition.

 

The party of hardened men finally pushed their way through the seething masses to reach the towering cathedral, soldiers garbed in ivory and marked by the Lorraine cross hastily unsaddling their horses and moving to encircle their leader. The man deftly swung a foot from his stirrup before leaping to the ground,  pulling an iron riding helm from his head to reveal a shock of inky tresses. He paused for a fleeting moment, denoting pensiveness, before grasping the doors to the cathedral and swinging them open - taking the first step of his coronation.

 

The sound of mailed thudding over the oaken floor echoed throughout the now quiet hall, a reverent silence falling upon the assembly as the figure strode across the aisle. He ascended the steps with grace, slowly lowering himself to a knee before the stately figure of Oscar. The robed clergyman opened his arms widely before the exalted man, casting a serene silence over the entirety of the procession.

The coronation of Guy de Bar had begun.
 

“Guy de Bar - do you swear in the sight of the Creator, GOD most high, and his people to uphold the laws of Oren and the Faith?”

 

“I do.”

 

“Guy de Bar - do you swear to forever protect the people of Oren, until your dying breath be it in battle or peace?”

 

“I do.”

 

“Guy de Bar - do you swear to never falter in your conviction and fervour for the word of GOD, to uphold His word and Church?”

 

“I do.”

 

“Then let thy hand be strengthened, and your right hand exalted. Let justice and judgement be the marks of thy reign and mercy and truth be held.”

 

The Bishop paused for a moment, before lofting up the simple band of dull gold that he had been fiddling with earlier and leaning over to press it down into the curls of Guy de Bar’s hair; neatly slotting around his ornate circlet.

 

“Rise then, anointed as King Guy de Bar of Oren.”

 

The now crowned figure rose to his feet, before shifting to cast his gaze over the massive crowd and extend his arms  The congregation erupted into raucous applause at the sight of their upright dynast; enough to shake the very cathedral with its volume.  The crowds outside roared their approval as the ceremony came to an end, the newly-ordained king descending the platform and striding outside to make their audience known. The guards alongside King Guy rattled their spears in the air as the cheers echoed throughout the city - only coming to an end when the nascent monarch raised his arms in the air.

 

“I stand before you this day, my countrymen of Oren, and have only this to say - the long night of civil strife and insurrection, of arduous struggle and toilsome fight, of brother fighting against brother has passed; for this day, the Ashen Dawn is upon us.”

 

At the closing of the monarch’s speech, the crowds began to slowly stream out, noisy shouts and cheers accompanying the procession that rode from the cathedral. The horde of nobles, headed by the Lord Marshal - Augustus d’Amaury - shuffled towards the palace and across the bridge, the sea of brightly garbed men and women making their way into the prepared feasting hall.

 

As Guy de Bar cantered across the bridge leading to the palace alongside his retinue, he raked his gaze skywards to garner a furtive glimpse of the sun, emerging with gentility from a backdrop of gloomy and desolate clouds.

 

“No matter the cost.”

 

Edited September 6, 2015 by Altiak

[_Stigwig 1510]

A brief smile blesses the face of the Bishop as the newly anointed King leaves.

"He will serve well."

[AGP 3169]

"No words but deeds," states Constantine with a firm nod, as he observes the celebrations from behind his visor.

[Endovelicus 614]

((I refuse to Plus one this.

"Gott mitt uns!" Jürgen shouts in the palaces courtyard.

[Ark 2835]

Karl smiles the suns smile

[Imi 425]

Lillian gives a small nod of approval at the news.

[mmat 7460]

Drake gives a smile as he receives a letter with the news of the coronation, letting out a disappointed sigh that he could not make it himself. He turns south on his balcony, looking towards the capital with a hopeful expression sat on his face.

"I've faith in a man who would dare charge by my side. Though.. I think Ashford is a catchier surname.." He would say to himself, taking a satisfied breath.

 

Edited September 6, 2015 by iMattyz

[calculusdesola 1658]

House de Sola and the Mustang reaffirms its loyalty to His Majesty the King Guy, and swears to uphold the legitimacy of his reign and his realm always.  God save the Sovereign.

 

((good luck friend

Edited September 6, 2015 by lusciousliam

[Kralek 519]

Gregor Oakheart stands alongside his family, his martial Darius, and his levymen. Standing aloft as he watches the King crowned he nods in approval speaking quickly to those around him

"May God guide his reign to good fortunes!"

Edited September 6, 2015 by Kralek

[Arteh 1837]

Augustus d'Amaury stands tall on the flank of now King Guy de Bar. House d'Amaury reaffirms its loyalty to his Majesty King Guy de Bar. 

 

"Long live the king!"

[Fireheart 2777]

Franz would wipe his hand across his forehead, letting out a sigh of relief. "Thank the Creator."

[Halsi 381]

Frederique de Bar, now to be called a Princess, was delighted with her brother's success.

[Jonificus 2763]

Grand Merchant Mithius 'the Fat' sends his regards to the new King!

[Guy d'Yood of Mann 39]

To the hands of his majesty, newly crowned monarch of the peoples that are Oren and it's elven protectorates, may the Sun always shine over his reign.

As the time passes, and, as did many a good lad and lass in here, our people have still prevailed. With all sentinels missing or dead, governor absent, and liege lord secretly sent off to colonize North, leaving no heir in his stead, we still stand, as few as we are after the civil war claimed her toll, and afterwards, so did the plague.

In the name of what little we can offer, the citizens of Aesculus, people of the Winter Oak, swear their allegiance to the crown so long as it wishes them still a part of it. We have served faithfully to his majesty, king Olivier, Lórcan watch over his noble soul, earning our place and respect, and we shall serve you and the empire as willingly if given a chance.

Ave Orenia. Orin Darasuum.

[!] A list of signataries is added to the message.

Duly yours and Oren's:

Familia de Mesogren.

Familia de Arbadell.

Familia de Driscoll.

 

Edited September 6, 2015 by Guy d'Yood of Mann

[YouKnowItsJuno 269]

Her Majesty Emelie de Bar would watch with a smile as her lord husband was crowned King of Oren. She puts a hand on her pregnant belly, feeling a wave of assurance.

You shall grow up with the best the kingdom can offer, my dearest one, She thought, watching as the masses cleared to go to the palace. I will protect you, no matter what this new dynasty will bring upon us...