The Grand Restoration

[Caranthir_ 2533]

The Grand Restoration

 

 

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The baked sun rained down onto the small convoy, the doeskin of their dry boots crunching onto the gravels below. Hoisted onto the backs of run down mules flapped the banners, which were drenched in a repugnant brown sludge where they had run along the paths at points. The people of the convoy were rugged, their faces grim with a look of casual nervousness etched onto their expression. They stared ahead, but thereupon the thin linen sheets still flew the violaceous dragon of John, its dignified wings crusted over by the mud.

 

At the head of the column, two pale mares saddled by two near-identical looking young men save their attire. Their imperious features were countered by soft eyes, a light blue singed with Horenic grey. A score of men and outriders buzzed around the pair. A rag-tag collection of followers, women and children, flanked them in carts of decaying oak.

 

The band approached a small cabin in the woods. The chirp of the quiet robin placated to the incessant drumming of the woodpecker. A loose perimetre of men-at-arms patrolled what once was the workplace of a lumberjack. The two men dismounted, and together, entered the building unarmed.

 

A conclave of men stood tepidly around a circular varnished table, new and rich amongst the downtrodden carcass of the cabin. The twins stood side-by-side in the dimly lit room, their features almost exact. A few raspy whispers floated around the tight room, the same sound from each lip, until it was a resounding murmur:

 

“Charles”

   

The room fell on its knees, one twin yielded to the other. Their choice had been made. All heads were bowed in silence. A dynasty was restored.

 

A small gleam of light from a small crack in the ceiling danced around the face of Charles Edward Alstion, it was as if all things were frozen in that small space of time. One-hundred years on from its deposition, the line of John stepped into the limelight of humanity. As the heavens let their approval be known, all the assembled men began to stand, shouting in exaltation. Their shouts rang out as the band, fuller and better equipped than before, determinedly marched back to Helena.

 

“VIVAT IMPERATOR”

 

“VIVAT CAROLUS REX”

 

“VIVAT JOHANNES”

 

If one thing was certain, the line of the Emperors had once more returned to Oren and to humanity.

 

 

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HIS IMPERIAL AND ROYAL MAJESTY, Charles I Edward of the House of Alstion, By the Grace of God Holy Orenian Emperor and rightful Emperor of Aeldin, Forever August, Apostolic King in Oren, of Marna, Mardon, Salvus, Seventis, Savoy, Vandoria, Aesterwald, Courland, Santegia and the Westerlands, Duke of the Crownlands and Blackmarsh, Count of Johannesburg, Lorath and Cantal, Baron of Darkwood and Gravelhold, Fidei Defensor, Supreme Protector of Mankind, Master of the Lions of Man, etcetera.

 

[Knox 1029]

What band tho

[MadOne 4945]

“Who the **** is the emperor now? I am ******* confused.” A disgruntled Haenseman remarks.

[Reckless Banzai Screamer 15456]

“The War of Two Emperors is now the War of Ten!” Commodus shouts aloud. “Let them all die and the world made anew. They’re all half elves anyway and I have the proof RIGHT ******* HERE.”

[argonian 14254]

“Damn man just think these could have been campaign announcements and the start of a thrilling election if we just gave democracy a chance...”

[Enlightenment 2300]

“God Save The Emperor.”