The Last Mandate

[Kardel 1054]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-~0~-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Violet and Silver wrestled eachother in the winds of the Fjord of Ithrun, the regal colors of Kardel Irongut appearing aside the Orange and Charcoal of his Kingdom for the first time in four years. The absence of the King had not gone unnoticed: the economy had dipped, disaster dotted the Dwarven realms, and the City of Kal'Ishtul, the jewel of the current Grand King, had gone abandoned. Had Kardel been beside his people, this would have never happened. Had Kardel never fallen ill, none of the problems which plagued the dwarves would have come to pass. Indeed, he had betrayed his people by not resigning while the phlegm spewing from his lips was still fresh: he should have forfeited the crown to a more capable individual a long time ago. 

 

The King, still sickly, his once proud amber eyes now bloodshot and dim, stood afront a large gathering of Dwarves, raising one hand to signal the beginning of his speech while using the other to hold fast the furs sheltering his quaking body. 

 

 

"People of Urguan, I stand before you today with greatest shame to deliver this final mandate. Long have I been ill, the clutch of Khorvad never once relenting itself from my lungs, laboring my every breath and filling my aged body with feverish heat. I apologize for not being beside you when our city fell. I apologize for letting our kingdom sag and ebb in these past few years. I apologize for not freeing the throne for the next Tribune of the people to take. I duly apologize."

 

Kardel coughed harshly, his lungs rattling as the dignified figure attempted to fix its posture.

 

"I have come before you today to do that which has long needed doing, for today, I free the Obsidian Throne. The Brathmordakin have sent obvious signs that I, in my Khorvad-cursed greed, have been not unable, but rather reluctant, to interpret. We all know that the Pantheon of Yemekarr has been signaling its displeasure. We all know of the impending doom. My sickness was not one of mere misfortune, nay! Rather, it was a message, as clear as dawn, from his silver majesty Dungrimm, a message beckoning me to step down from my post and let a more energetic, youthful figure take the throne in preparation of the impending trials."

 

"However, not all that as passed is worthy of condemnation! Indeed, let us not see my stepping down as a moment of melancholy, but rather as a rebirth! This reign has had many a fortunate virtue! For one, we, the People of Urguan, regained our power from an overly-complicated bureaucracy and reaffirmed our favor in the eyes of the Brathmordakin! Let us not forget how we cast down the tyrannic reign of the Regent-King Azaghal Doomforged! Let us not forget how we affirmed our independence from foreign influences and stood strong and stalwart even when distant forces crept up on our borders and demanded our actions! If we, as a people, have learned anything from this reign, it is that we are a self-sufficient, fortuitous people who do no one's bidding but our own!"

 

"And let us remember the material benefits of this reign. Let us remember fondly how our valley, plagued and polluted as it was, was refurbished and made worthy of Anbella's grace! And let us never forget how with hard, honest work and years of planning, we turned the decrepit cave of Kal'Akash into the beautiful city of Kal'Ishtul, whose radiance is only rivaled by that of Kal'Azgoth and old Kal'Urguan! Let us rejoice that our Brathmordakin were finally given a temple worthy of their stature, and how our naval fleet was doubled. Let us remember these things, for they were not undertakings worth of forgetting!"

 

"Many of you remember the construction of our city. Indeed, many of you recall just how grueling the process was. But the result shall remain here on this continent for much longer that we could ever fathom! Kal'Ishtul is a testament to the spirit of this passed reign, a city of both grandeur and modesty. When our sons look back at the remnants of this reign, they shall be as in awe of its greatness as were we when we first set foot in those dust-choked halls of our Allfather-King."

 

"Together, we, the People of Urguan ensured that a government of minimal complications, formed by good, honest dwed shall rule the Kingdom that we shall pass down to our sons and grandsons. No longer shall political intrigue make chancellors more powerful than Kings. No longer shall the people's voice go unheard! No longer shall we need to ride on the coattails of foreign victory to ensure our own survival! Aye, some issues could have been further worked on, but together, we have set strong, robust foundations for the future, foundations that no earthquake can ever hope to damage."

 

"With these words of remembrance, I encourage the Dwedmar not only to value the past, but to also look to the future with optimism and enthusiasm. The Folk of Urguan are not a people to remain idle and without work. Upon these stones we shall build a new Kingdom reminiscent of the Kingdom of Simppa, of the Kingdom of Omithiel."

 

"As my last official decree, I hereby declare the Council of Ministers in Regency immediately abolished and do call for elections as soon as possible. I shall transfer the current Kingdom's funds to my Seneschal, Zahrer Irongrider, who shall act as the presiding force over the transition. As Grand King of Urguan in action, before my official abdication, I do hereby sponsor Drynn Ireheart in his presumed bid for Kingship, for I duly believe that he shall continue the legacy of peace and fortitude that this reign has left."

 

"And with these words I, Kardel Irongut, First of his Name, Grand King of Urguan and Tribune of the Urguani People, Sovereign of the Dwarves  and Vicar of the Brathmordakin, Clan Father and Lord of the Ironguts and Prophet of Ograhad, Earl of Ord'Holm, rightful King of Avar and the lesser Channel Islands, Bearer of the Crown of Urguan and of Dwain's Blade, Bane of the Ironborn, Architect of Kal'Ishtul and Mouth of Urguan do hereby renounce all of my titles and my Kingship and pass it on to the Crown of Urguan, to be from now on known simply as Kardel Irongut, Prophet of Ograhad and Architect of Kal'Ishtul."

 

"It is so Ordered."

 

With that, the violet and silver banners standing aside Urguan's flag were slowly pulled down, the gold and amber banners of the Free Regency hoisted in preparation for the election.

[Beamon4 1690]

* Dimlin sigh from the crowd* "May life beh great to yeh and I'm happeh you were our Keng. I hope in day we can repay all yeh have done fer is thank yeh.

[Dreek 1633]

Drynn stands within the crowd, offering a light sigh as Kardel ends his speech. Lingering until the crowd disperses, Drynm returns to his office to pack up his things and return to the Ireheart clan hall, with many a thing to ponder.

[Hiebe 2493]

Dwain frowns. 

 

Dis be a bad omen

[Rhewen 361]

Rhewen shakily picks up a letter regarding the kings departure from his cave home. He lays there in bed, pondering the new king, but his thoughts are interrupted by harsh, blood ridden coughs. 

[PJTips 21]

*chuckles.* "Moi guard force was fooken amazin', eh?"

[1 1393]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.