A New Current Takes Hold

[Tremerus 1188]

 

 

A New Current Takes Hold

 

Issued and averred by

His Grace

Atstana de

Regne Petrère

190

 

Just as the river Petra has borne its waters through abundance and scarcity, through calm waters and fierce rapids, and peace and turmoil, so too has my own course followed its path.

For many years, it has been my blessing, my burden and my greatest honor to serve the Petran people first as your King and now as your Archduke. To guide the Commonwealth through trial and triumph alike. In that time, I have known moments of joy, of pride and of sorrow. I have always tried to act for the good of our people, though I am not blind to the fact that my choices have, at times, caused pain. Such is the weight of rule, and it has been a heavy current to bear.

Yet no course flows forever unchanged. This duty, though fulfilled to the best of my strength, cannot remain mine alone. The river must carry forward, and in its turning, new waters take hold.

Thus, I now pass down the title of Archduke to my son, Joseph Antonius Aurelle Temesch of the Petra. May he, like the fresh current of a river, carve new paths, renew old banks, and guide you all into the future with strength, wisdom and courage.

Know that though my course narrows, I remain part of the same river as you. A drop among many, bound to the same waters that have ever carried Petra forward. My love for this realm and its people does not end with my reign, nor will my spirit depart from its flow.

Petra endures. The river endures. And as one current gives way to another, its waters are unbroken, ceaseless, and strong.

 

S I G N E D, 

 

HIS GRACE, Sir Therin Thelonius Adil of the Petra, Archduke of the Petra, Marquis de Val d’Estenou, Count of Temesch, Torm Marian, and Moere, Viscount of Mies, Baron of Garmont, Vallagne-en-Petra, Eagles Peak, Hrenthorne, Wittenbach and Resmore, Protector of the Meadows & Defender of Liberty

 

 

[ChainedDragons 1374]

Sir Hart smiles over the missive. Therin deserved rest. He would never forget his service for that man but he was prepared to serve his son all the same. "I know Joseph will do many great things as you have." He sets the missive aside. "Ave Petra."

[Deets 1129]

Amidst the planning of the Great Exodus from Aevos, the newfound Archduke Joseph took pause to read over the missive. Though it had been announced a month prior amidst a court held within the reclaimed City of Vallagne, the news yet unsettled he to some degree. Much of his life had been spent in preparation to assume the mantle of his birth, though to realize it now within the aftermath of the defeat of Orsathiael would remain as a lingering sense of anxiety. He had much to live up to, and he could only hope that in time he would do so. His gaze fell upon one sentence in particular, such being uttered to his wife the Archduchess Magdalena.

"The River endures."

 

Spoiler

@Phersades

 

 

[JudgeTrudy 610]

There had been a swell of pride in the heart of Lukas von Theonus when his Archduke led the warriors of the Petra to face the full might of Orsathiel. He had felt proud to be a Petran that day, to fight along a man who had already fought for his people so many times before. The young Theonus man had never known his liege personally, but as he watched the Archduke join the fray of so many, as he watched the grizzled man fell countless demonic foes, Lukas came to view Therin Thelonius as a living hero. One he silently hoped to serve for years to come in this new, distant home away from Aevos. 

 

So when the Archduke called upon the people of the Commonwealth for a gathering of his Court, and the announcement came to be, Lukas could not hide his initial dismay. His idol, a man whose splendor had filled his ears all his life, would surely never do this. Gone was Archduke Therin, in a moment, and up came his son, a man of whom Lukas knew almost nothing. Though he called out for the new Archduke's longevity, Lukas still felt a deep pang of sadness and hurt.

 

Later, though, when home at Vissingren, Lukas had proper time to reflect. This new liege of his, this Joseph Antonius Aurelle Temesch, perhaps he was worthy. Lukas had seen him at the great battle, too. He had taken his place by Joseph's side, together with his own kin, against the Daemon of Rulership and Control. Lukas had seen him before, too, though he had never known the man's identity before now. He seemed stoic, attentive, and brave. As Lukas mulled over his feelings that evening, he found himself nodding in agreement with the echoed words of Archduke Therin.

 

"Petra endures. The river endures. And as one current gives way to another, its waters are unbroken, ceaseless, and strong."

Yes... Yes, he had been right. Lukas was sure of it now. Therin had played his part, he'd fought hard over decades, and he'd kept the Commonwealth alive through crisis after crisis. He had earned his rest. And as Lukas envisioned the path ahead, he realized that the people of the Petra needed one who was stoic, attentive, and brave. For they were off, sooner than they'd like, to face a new world together.

As Lukas set his things aside for the night and lay in bed thinking about the future of his home, the lyrics he'd sung beside the new Archduke came back to him, and set a smile upon his face as he drifted into sleep.
 

"Petra, flowing water!

Bring wealth, health, and liberty

To every true son and daughter!"

[Phersades 1710]

2 minutes ago, Deets said:

Amidst the planning of the Great Exodus from Aevos, the newfound Archduke Joseph took pause to read over the missive. Though it had been announced a month prior amidst a court held within the reclaimed City of Vallagne, the news yet unsettled he to some degree. Much of his life had been spent in preparation to assume the mantle of his birth, though to realize it now within the aftermath of the defeat of Orsathiael would remain as a lingering sense of anxiety. He had much to live up to, and he could only hope that in time he would do so. His gaze fell upon one sentence in particular, such being uttered to his wife the Archduchess Magdalena.

"The River endures."

 

  Reveal hidden contents

@Phersades

 

 

Magdalena heard plenty of his worries throughout the last couple of years and was well aware of his thoughts regarding the responsibilities that now fell to him. Her gaze had fallen onto him and for a moment she thought of one of their first conversations had together as children. Despite how nervous she was in her new role, Magdalena offered her husband a smile and a response filled with plenty confidence.

"And it will continue to." 
 

[Itz_Cookie 1974]

Curled before the hearth in her room, locked behind the maze of walls in Vallagne's palace, sat Maude Eliona, alone. A loose hold on the missive, sipping from a glass of wine courtesy of the Tavern for special occasions such as this. There was, however, a sense of sadness that accompanied the joy and excitement she felt for her brother. To her, he had always been "Joey", and she'd kept herself oblivious to the obligations he would face as Archduke. Though she was still well aware of the duty he would have to uphold in his new role.
She whispered into the empty room.

"The River endures."

[Travisty 1020]

Dietrich had been in the midst of mapping out his next constellations when he received the missive, though he couldn’t help but smile as it was read to him, “I hope he takes a well-earned break once things get settled! He led well and I’ve no doubt in Joseph’s ability. He’s more than proven himself to be twice the man in my eyes, I know the stars will shine just as brightly for him too.”

[Destructokeith 1142]

Old yet wise,
Artair makes preparations for the new leader of his people.

"Unwavering under der sun"

He would mutter to himself as he signs new papers and prepares for the first meeting with the new Archduke

[MrMojoMordor 2413]

Bon'Ox is too busy loading crates of alive Trout upon a ship to form an opinion.
Time will tell..