Caranthir_

THE TREATY OF THE HAND Issued 1941 | 145 SA With the signing and promulgation of this document, the United Kingdom of Aaun and the Kingdom of Númendil, henceforth referred to as ‘the parties‘, do agree on their honour to the terms laid forth hereafter. ARTICLE I: The United Kingdom of Aaun on the one hand and the Kingdom of Númendil on the other agree that there shall never be any conflict between them both for as long as this treaty shall stand. The signatories agree in the absolute to a pact of non-aggression. There shall be no military conflict between either state, nor between their constituent vassals or noble Houses. Any breaches of this term shall be resolved through the appropriate diplomatic channels. ARTICLE II His Majesty’s Government, for their part, recognises the sole and inviolable sovereign claim of the Kingdom of Númendil to the Númenaranyë, Aran-în-Eryn, the head of the River Foroduin, the west bounds of Ered Nimenras, and the lower midlands; the Government of Numendil recognises the sole and inviolable sovereign claim of the United Kingdom of Aaun to the Langkette Mountain Range in its entirety and also to the Lowlands. They declare that they will both respect their immutable rights to create extend grant and maintain treaties with third parties; and that all endeavours will be made between them both to defend their sovereignty from third parties. ARTICLE III: Desiring permanent collaboration between both countries, agree to assure mutual assistance of a defensive character; should one of the parties become engaged in hostilities with a third party in consequence of aggression by the said third party, the other party will immediately give all military support and assistance. ARTICLE IV: The provisions of Article III apply in any eventuality whereby a third party threatens, directly or indirectly, the independence of one of the parties and the said party considers the situation necessary enough to respond by force of arms. The parties confirm and declare that should one of them engage in hostilities against a third party as a consequence of an action which threatened the independence of the party in question, that the provisions of Article III shall apply. ARTICLE V: Both parties affirm that for the proper undertakings of the present treaty to be fulfilled they will exchange complete and quick information concerning any developments, in particular any development which may cause the previous articles to come into operation; (1) The parties affirm that they shall communicate to each other any undertakings of military assistance which they will give to other states immediately upon the decision having been made; (2) Should either party intend military undertakings against a third aggressive nation, in defence of their independence aforementioned, and therefore cause Article III to come into operation then they shall immediately consult with the other party for assent; however this does not in itself oblige the said party to similarly commit itself to military undertakings; both parties declare that above all the interests of their sovereignty are to be taken into account. ARTICLE VI: The parties agree to unfettered freedom of travel and trade through each other's territory; and a merchants stall shall also be provided in both party’s capital city which will be free from taxation for as long as it shall be occupied. ARTICLE VII: This present treaty shall remain in force the duration of the reigns of Her Royal Majesty, Tar-Caraneth Aryantë and His Royal Majesty, Edmund II, whoever God shall call to His side first; and in said event the treaty will not expire for a minimum of two years. In witness whereof the We have signed the present Treaty and affixed thereto Our seals. HER ROYAL MAJESTY, Tar-Caraneth Aryantë of the House Arthalionath, by the Grace of GOD, Queen of the Númenedain, Princess of Númenost and Minas Amath, Protector of the Adunians, Master of the Sharadûn, Templar of the Archangel Michael, Knight of the Realm BE IT ENACTED by the King’s Majesty, and by the consent of the Estates, in this Royal Diet assembled; In witness whereof We have signed this Treaty at the Hand of Horen on the eighteenth of Sun’s Smile in the fourth year of Our reign, HIS MAJESTY, Edmund II Alstion, By the Grace of God, King of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of His other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balamena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm.

THE ORDER OF SERVICE CORONATION OF HIS MAJESTY KING EDMUND II TEMPLE OF EXALTED PROPHETS ON THE 17th Tobias’s Bounty 1941 I. THE PROCESSION On the morning of the day, the King shall be baptised in the Silver Sea, and with an ampulla of holy oil ready for the rite to be delivered. Bishop of Buron: “It was Exalted Horen who was first baptised by the angel Tesion in the Grotto of Gamesh. As the Book of Sealing says, ‘The Prophet pours out the horn upon seekers of God, and they are inducted into the ranks of the faithful.’ Do you come as a seeker of God, swearing to obey the path of Virtue?” King: “I do.” Bishop of Buron: “Do you put your faith in His truth: the Holy Scrolls, the Exalted, and His Church?” King: “I do.” Bishop of Buron: “The Book of Horen says, ‘I cleanse you, and you join God’s servants.” The King will then be lowered into the Silver Sea, and he shall then submerge himself in its waters fully. Bishop of Buron: “I baptise you in the name of Almighty God. Be cleansed by these Waters of Gamesh, and be free from all sin and vice.” The King shall then be taken to the Palace and given his gown and other chains of office with HM The Queen Mother in attendance. They shall then, with the remainder of the Royal Household and the nobility in attendance, gather in the throne room of the Palace to commence the procession. Immediately at the same time, with the High Pontiff, Archbishop, the Curia, and the Bishop of Buron already vested in their capes, they shall make a procession from the entrance of the Temple to the Altar, and there shall form beside it by rank of Office, excepting for the Archbishop of Albarosa who shall stand beside the High Pontiff. II. THE ENTRANCE INTO THE TEMPLE The King, as soon as he enters the door of the Temple, is met with the following prayer: As the prayer is being said the King shall pass up through the Temple, pausing before ascension to the dais having been met by a group of young people, who will say: “Your Majesty, as children of this Kingdom we welcome you in the name of our Almighty God, the King of Kings, and wish you a long and happy reign.” The King shall then pass up the altar and his Throne, and he shall make an adoration to it, then sitting on his adjacent chair. III. GREETING AND INTRODUCTION The High Pontiff then will say: “The Grace and love of Almighty God and His Exalted be with you. Amen.” High Pontiff: “Dearly beloved, we are gathered to offer our worship and devotion to Almighty God; to celebrate His most Canonist nations; and to pray for Edmund, King; and to witness his anointing and Crowning, as he is consecrated for life to the service of his people.” IV. THE ASCENSION The High Pontiff, staying where he is. The Archbishop of Albarosa, Lord Chancellor, Grand-Master, and the King's Chamberlain shall each go to one of the four corners of the Temple, and shall each with a loud voice speak to the People gathered. The King shall as this is being done turn to stand ahead of his throne and show his face to the four corners of the Temple. Archbishop (upper left): “I present to you King Edmund, your undisputed King; All who come this day to do your homage; are you willing?” Lord Chancellor (upper right): “I present to you King Edmund, your undisputed King; All who come this day to do your homage; are you willing?” Grand-Master (lower left): “I present to you King Edmund, your undisputed King; All who come this day to do your homage; are you willing?” King’s Chamberlain (lower right): “I present to you King Edmund, your undisputed King; All who come this day to do your homage; are you willing?” The People: “Yes!” V. THE HOLY SCROLLS The King, having returned to his chair, the High Pontiff standing before him shall administer an Oath on the Holy Scrolls: High Pontiff: “Before you are the testaments of the Exalted, the Holy Scrolls revealed by God. Will you swear yourself to their holy truth?” King: “I will.” High Pontiff: “Wilt thou temper thy manners from all evil and as far as thou art able, with God’s help, change them to all good?” King: “I will.” High Pontiff: “Wilt thou give thyself up to divine business, and remove thyself from lowly cares, as far as human frailty permits?” King: “I will.” High Pontiff: “Wilt thou keep wisdom and restraint in thyself, and incline others to the same?” King: “I will.” High Pontiff: “Wilt thou devote thyself to thy Kingdom, revealed in the sign of Saint Godwin of Aaun, and to thy subjects, the people of God?” King: “I will.” VI. THE CHARTER OATH The gathered Estates of the Realm surround the King in his chair. The Grand Peer places the Great Charter of Aaun and the King places his hand against it. They speak in turn, starting with the Grand Peer and then the Grand Prince of Minitz, and so on: Grand Peer: “Edmund, you stand here without a Crown to adorn your head. Do you deem yourself worthy of such an honour?” King: “I do.” Minitz: “Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the Peoples of the United Kingdom of Aaun by their customs and traditions?” King: “I will.” Stran: “Will you to all your kingly power cause Liberty and Justice to be executed in all your judgements?” King: “I will.” High Peak: “Will you to the utmost of your kingly power maintain the laws of Almighty God?” “I will.” Hohengarten: “Will you to the utmost of your kingly power maintain and preserve the Church in Aaun, as established by law, and commit yourself to the charge of their rights and privileges?” King: “I will.” Velen: “And how shall you conduct yourself, for as long as you shall live?” King: “With honour, mercy, and righteousness.” Stassion: “And for what cause shall you raise your sword?” King: “For peace.” Alstion: “And when will your duty end?” King: “Only in death will my duty end.” Then the Estates will return to their former positions. The King will leave his chair and go to the Altar. He will make the solemn oath and say these words: “The things which I have today promised, I will perform for all my life. So help me God.” The King will return to his chair. VIII. THE SERMON Given by the High Pontiff. IX. THE ANOINTING The Bishop of Buron passes the ampulla filled with Holy Oil to the Archbishop of Albarosa, and then he to the High Pontiff. The King in the meantime shall go before the altar, behind the throne, and out of sight to be surrounded by the High Pontiff, the Archbishop of Albarosa, and the Bishop of Buron. The King’s Chamberlain shall disrobe him. Being uncovered, the King kneels at the altar, there the Holy Oil is poured from the ampulla and the High Pontiff anoints the King on his Hands, Breast, and Head, and he shall say quietly: “Be your hands anointed. Be your breast anointed. Be your head anointed. As kings and the Exalted were before you anointed, as Godfrey was anointed by Eshtael with the Waters of Gamesh, so are you anointed, blessed, consecrated King over your People to rule and govern for your life. Amen.” The King will then walk ahead of the throne and the King’s Chamberlain shall vest him with his robes of state and then he shall sit down. X. NOBLES PRESENTING THE REGALIA The Governor of the King’s Person shall then deliver to the King a Ring of his Office, and they shall then put it on the finger of the King’s right hand. They shall say: “Receive this Ring of your dignity and majesty, as you are on this day made by God to be our governor.” The Grand Peer will then present to the King the Medallion of Waldenfest. They shall say: “Receive this Medal as protector of Waldenia, its customs and traditions, and time honoured liberties. Now and forever.” The Grand Prince of Minitz will then deliver the Sceptre of Rebuke, placing it in the King’s right hand, saying: “Receive this Sceptre of Rebuke, as Godfrey was given by the Aengul Eshtael, and so you become his heir and our ruler, as you are on this day made the Defender of our Liberties forever.” XII. THE PUTTING ON OF THE CROWN The People shall be asked to rise and the Archbishop before the Altar shall take the Crown into his hands carefully. He shall say: “Almighty God, King of Kings; Bless this Crown, and so consecrate your servant Edmund, whose head you have ordained by Divine Providence, into royal majesty; that he may be filled with your everlasting Grace and that he shall have a long and happy life. Amen.” The Archbishop shall then slowly step down from the altar and pass on the Crown to the High Pontiff, who will then step ahead of the seated King and put it down upon the King’s head. The High Pontiff shall then step directly adjacent to the throne, showing the Crowned King to the People. He shall then say: “God save The King!” XV. THE OATHS OF ALLEGIANCE At the end of the fanfare and exhortation of the Crowned King, all the Estates and Peers present shall stand before the Throne. The Archbishop and Bishop of Buron shall take their place at first ahead of them, and then they will both kneel down before the King and take either hand, and shall say: “I, Armand, Archbishop of Albarosa.” “I, Mikhael, Bishop of Buron.” “Will be faithful and true to you, our Sovereign King of Aaun, protector of our Faith, and unto your heirs and successors. So help me God.” And then the Estates and Peers shall give homage according to their station (in order of Princes, Dukes, Margraves, Counts, Barons) in the same manner by ascending the steps of the throne and kneeling before the King, and shall say: “I, [N] of [N], do solemnly swear to be your man of life and limb; faith and truth I will bear unto you, and will live and die against your enemies. So help me God.” And so each of them will rise and touch the Crown on the King’s head. When all the homages are ended, the full group of them will shout as one: “God save King Edmund!” After this acclaim, the High Pontiff shall say: “Blessings of Almighty God be upon you and keep you. May the Exalted protect you always. Amen.” XVI. THE OUTWARDS PROCESSION The King shall then descend from the throne, carrying all items of Regalia and shall lead a neat procession out of the Temple, and then all will follow the Royal Party to the Palace for Court and petitions. The entirety of Canondom is invited.

Letters Patent for the P R I N C I P A L I T Y O F M E R R Y W E A T H E R Issued and Confirmed in the name of the King in the year 1939 WE have desired not to forget the virtues by which you bring honour to your House at home and abroad, when you first imbued this Our kingdom of Aaun with your loyalty and zealotry, and in foreign provinces represented the commonweal; and also at your own expense did you by singular purpose shape this Our Regency and have since been vigorous and brave in your defence of Us; and you have been greatly commended by your peers, and by those foreign princes who you treat with; but We have desired to honour you and the legal heirs of your body by mark of Our Grace; Know ye that We, of Our Special Grace, and Royal Right by this the great seal of the Realm given to Us by special commission of King James, and with good counsel, We have created you again Our trusty Cousin Heinrich von Alstreim to the title of P R I N C E O F M E R R Y W E A T H E R. And for Us, Our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto him the dignity and honour of the P R I N C E O F M E R R Y W E A T H E R; investing him with the said Principality by girding him with a Sword, having his name and certain items of heraldry etched upon its forte, and putting a Coronet on his head, and giving into his hand a Golden Rod, to have and to hold the said dignity of his Principality unto him and his heirs. By these Presents granting for Us, Our heirs and successors, that he and his heirs may possess a seat in the Royal Diet, transferring all previous rights and privileges, including those of the Immortal Order of Emperor Henry the Lion, and of Our grant of kinship, to be granted enjoyed and sustained now and forever. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, constitute and declare the bounds of the Principality aforesaid shall be the whole of the Langkette Mountain Pass, stretching northward up until the plateau of Hohengarten and southward up until the plateau of the Mont Sant Godwyn. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right from time to time and forever to collect routine taxes on Our behalf, in a manner and method of his and his successors choosing; And further We will and by these Presents constitute and direct that for Us, Our heirs and successors, We tax them at the annual value of two-hundred marks, and that a variable remainder may and shall be paid a year in marks or kind as directed. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right to raise militia and to use them for the apprehension of divers felons, fugitives, outlaws and strays and further for protection from Our enemies present and future, and also that he shall be the chief defender of this Our Crownlands as M A S T E R O F T H E L A N G K E T T E P A S S. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the exclusive right of the mines within the said Langkette Mountain Pass. And We do also will by these Presents that for Us, Our heirs and successors, grant that he and his successors possess the right of P F A L Z G R A F and may approach Us, Our heirs and successors, and may receive Our response with their heads covered, and that further We Ourself shall call him and his successors ‘my cousin’. In Witness whereof We have caused these Our Letters to be made Patent Witness Ourself at the Hand of Horen the tenth of Horen’s Calling in the second year of Our Reign. ✿ ‘STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY’ TANDEM TRIUMPHANS Ends.

G O D F R E Y S T R I U M P H T H E L O W L A N D S U N I T E D ‘What’s he that wishes so?’ WHEREAS, It hath pleased Almighty God to deliver us our present realm, and by his great gifts the dignity of our estate, we have wanted for little. However, for all this that we have been granted, our United Kingdom of Aaun has lacked one thing, and that is to say the unity of our sovereign territory: the Lowlands. Her Majesty, the Queen of the Petra, did benevolently see to it that this should be rectified. With an exchange of our claims, the government there has dissolved the oaths of fealty from all who tennant and live on the western portion of the lowlands peninsula, and our United Kingdom of Aaun has annexed it as an integral part of our Realm wholly truly and forever. And know that whilst history had borne us no great triumphs, but that the pleasure of Almighty God is with those who abide. And time has borne us boundless fruits. Old men forget, yet all will be forgotten, but for now, for our labour, we rejoice and sing by our hearths the names of those men who delivered our current happiness: Charles and James the Kings, Minitz, Merryweather, Stran, Hohengarten and Velen, High Peak and Lemon Hill. And now, to our tapestry, Stassion. Here is the origin of justice, the precursor of all virtues, this United Kingdom of Aaun - our blessed Heartlands of peace. AND SO LET IT BE KNOWN that from this day until the ending of the world these Royal Lowlands are UNITED, and those names shall be remembered, those happy few. AND SO LET IT BE KNOWN that His Royal Highness Richard Novellen swears humble affection true allegiance and unwavering obedience to His Majesty Edmund II, who is now by the Grace of God the King of the Lowlands. Given at the Hand of Horen on the twenty-fifth of Godfreys Triumph in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirty-eight. ✿ BY THE CONSENT OF OUR ROYAL DIET, His Serene Highness, Brandt Wilheim Barclay Großfürst von Minitz, KBS, GMSTSR GMVBE, KIH, Duke of Kanunsberg, Count of Neu Brandthof, Viscount of Tucay, Baron of Boriënwald and Brandthof, Lord of Durres, Warden of the Franklands, High Chieftain of the Reinmaren, LORD VANDALORE His Highness, Heinrich II Lothar von Alstreim Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine, Landgrave of Alstreim, Baron of Corwinsburg and Lord of Blackwater His Grace, Ser Istvan Ivanovich Duke of Stran, Voivode of Vaška, Count of Pravets, Baron of Vsensk, and Godansk, Lord of Andregrad, Hetman of the Host of St. Arpad, Keeper of the Hussariya, Protector of Raev and the Vaškan Steppe His Lordship, Olivier Diuexmont de Rosius Margrave of High Peak, Count of Beaufoy and Arentaniebourg, Baron of Rosius, Lord of Mont Louis, Lord Commander of the Rose Guard and Protector of Arentania His Lordship, Seigmund Otto von Reuss Margrave of Velen, Count of Revedin and Cantal, Baron of Mons Velena and Alsace, Defender of the Velenic Peoples His Lordship, Konstantin Edmund von Augusten Count of Hohengarten ‘STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY’ TANDEM TRIUMPHANS Ends.

Representing the party of the Kingdom of the Petra, Her Majesty Renile I Representing the party of the United Kingdom of Aaun, His Excellency Olivier Dieuxmont The Petran party immediately and forever rescinds the sovereign and territorial claim of the lowlands (lowlands 3), releasing all who live there and reside there in tenancy to the Petran state by those said people's consent. The party of the United Kingdom of Aaun immediately clarifies forever and alone its sovereign right and territorial claim of the lowlands. The party of the United Kingdom of Aaun consents to annex the land as a core and integral part of their sovereign polity; immediately accepting oaths of fealty from those who live and reside there; And also the Kingdom of the Petra party affirms and the United Kingdom of Aaun accepts the sovereign right and territorial claim of the Petran party to the Langkette Pass (birch_forest_1) BE IT ENACTED by the King’s Majesty, and by the consent of the Estates, in this Royal Diet assembled; In witness whereof We have signed this Amendment at the Hand of Horen on the twenty-fifth of Godfrey’s Triumph in the first year of Our reign, HIS MAJESTY, Edmund II Alstion, By the Grace of God, King of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of His other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balamena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Richard Leonus Novellen, Count of Stassion, Baron of Renzfeld AND, HER MAJESTY, Renilde I, By the Grace of God, Queen of the Petra, Countess of Temesch and Moere, Marchioness of the East March Ends.

The C O N S T A N C E R I V E R A C C O R D S Issued and Confirmed by His Excellency the High Emissary on the 5th Sigismund’s End 1937 ARTICLE I - SOVEREIGNTY The United Kingdom of Aaun and the Kingdom of the Petra, or henceforth ‘the parties’, recognise each other’s sovereignty and the rule of their domains, and their respective monarchs. ARTICLE II - NON-AGGRESSION The parties pledge to each other to adhere to principles of peace between each other, they shall not wage war upon one another, nor shall they raise arms against one another or try to bring harm to the integrity of one another’s sovereign nation. ARTICLE III: CLAIMS AND BORDERS The parties agree that, in aid of peace and mutual understanding, as well as the inviolability of borders, that territorial claims shall be treated as the sovereign right of each party to designate, the forsaid not to be disregarded or maligned in any way; And recognising this to be an undeniable truth, the parties commit forever to uphold and not to infringe on their mutually agreed territorial claims, either by claiming in any way or settling meddling dishonouring or subverting the forsaid; That is to say, The meadowlands shall be the sovereign right of the party of the Kingdom of the Petra to claim entirely alone and forever; The Alpes des Saintes and the forests they nestle up to the western edges of the Silver Sea shall be the sovereign right of the party of the United Kingdom of Aaun to claim entirely alone and forever. ARTICLE IV - TRADE AGREEMENT The parties are to exchange stalls free of rent in their respective capitals to foster outstanding economic ties. Any tariffs beforehand imposed are revoked, and the creation of new ones are forbidden. The parties are in agreement towards access of facilities pertaining to materials restricted in their respective lands. This includes but not limited to as applicable; horse farms, wheat fields, and mines to produce greater steels; That is to say, the Petran party accepts and allows six miners freedom to move through the said party’s territory for the express purpose of prospecting for the rare mineral Daemonsteel, and declares that they are not to be disturbed for those purposes should they present their letters of warrant; And further, the party of the United Kingdom of Aaun accepts and allows a stables to be made in the Crownlands beside Whitespire for the breeding of purebred horses, and declares that any stablehand of the Petran party are not to be disturbed for those purposes should they present their letters of warrant. ARTICLE V: DIPLOMATIC PRINCIPLES The parties jointly agree on the principle of the exchange of envoys to each others governments to aid and facilitate dialogue and mutual understanding; to this end, the party of the United Kingdom of Aaun will send an envoy pro-tempore to the Kingdom, and the reverse party is willing to be summoned for diplomatic meetings on request of His Majesty’s Government. The parties jointly agree on the principle of the inviolability and immutability of diplomatic freedom; that is to say, envoys or any other messengers of government shall have freedom of movement within each party’s territory; further, they shall not be prosecuted by local or national authorities on any suit civil or criminal unless their home country waives their right to their said immunity. The parties reserve the right to formally expel a diplomat that they consider to have severely undermined the national integrity and order of either party’s realm. ARTICLE VI - DURATION This Agreement shall be in effect for a period of sixteen years, after which the parties shall convene once again for renegotiations. BE IT ENACTED by the King’s Majesty, and by the consent of the Estates, in this Royal Diet assembled; In witness whereof We have signed this Treaty at the Hand of Horen on the second of Owyn’s Flame in the fourteenth year of Our reign, HIS MAJESTY, Edmund II Alstion, By the Grace of God, King of the United Kingdom of Aaun and of His other Territories King, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Corazon and Balamena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire, Protector of the Realm AND, HER MAJESTY, Renilde I, By the Grace of God, Queen of the Petra, Countess of Temesch and Moere, Marchioness of the East March Ends.

P R O C L A M A T I O N O F A S C E N S I O N WHEREAS, it hath pleased Almighty God to call His servant and our late Sovereign J A M E S to His heavenly Skies, and by whose decease the Royal Crown of this United Kingdom of Aaun rightfully and singularly moves to the Prince Edmund Alexander according to the devises of the last Will and Testament of His Majesty, the succession of the Royal House of Alstion, and the power of the Great Charter of this Realm. We, therefore, the Lords of this Realm being here assisted by these members of His late Majesty’s High Council, and by the Executors of our late Sovereign’s last Will and Testament, and with other numbers of Gentlemen and Ladies of Quality, and representatives of the Citizens of Whitespire, do now hereby with one voice publish and proclaim that the Prince Edmund Alexander is now, by the decease of our late Sovereign James of Glorious and unending memory, become our rightful and lawful K I N G E D M U N D, by Grace of God K I N G O F T H E U N I T E D K I N G D O M O F A A U N and all His other Territories King, P R I N C E O F A L S T I O N, Duke of Corazon and Balemena, Count of Enswerp and Whitespire. To whom we do give all humble affection true allegiance and unwavering obedience; and also recognising the charge of the forsaid Executors to have the public and private government of His Majesty the King Edmund until he shall fully complete his eighteenth year. We pray to Almighty God, by whose great gifts Kings do reign, to bless the Royal King Edmund with long and happy years. Given at the Hand of Horen on the fifth of Harren’s Folly in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirty-seven. ✿ AS THE ESTATES, His Serene Highness, Brandt Wilheim Barclay Großfürst von Minitz, KBS, GMSTSR GMVBE, KIH, Duke of Kanunsberg, Count of Neu Brandthof, Viscount of Tucay, Baron of Boriënwald and Brandthof, Lord of Durres, Warden of the Franklands, High Chieftain of the Reinmaren, LORD VANDALORE His Highness, Heinrich II Lothar von Alstreim Prince of Merryweather and the Rhine, Landgrave of Alstreim, Baron of Corwinsburg and Lord of Blackwater His Grace, Ser Istvan Ivanovich Duke of Stran, Voivode of Vaška, Count of Pravets, Baron of Vsensk, and Godansk, Lord of Andregrad, Hetman of the Host of St. Arpad, Keeper of the Hussariya, Protector of Raev and the Vaškan Steppe His Lordship, Olivier Dieauxmont de Rosius Margrave of High Peak, Count of Beaufoy and Arentaniebourg, Baron of Rosius, Lord of Mont Louis, Lord Commander of the Rose Guard and Protector of Arentania His Lordship, Seigmund Otto von Reuss Margrave of Velen, Count of Revedin and Cantal, Baron of Mons Velena and Alsace, Defender of the Velenic Peoples His Lordship, Konstantin Edmund von Augusten Count of Hohengarten AS THE EXECUTORS, His Eminence, Father Arnaud de Novellen Archbishop of Albarosa, Pontifical Chamberlain, Cardinal of the Canonist Church, Pastor of the Crownlands, Prince of the Petra, Headmaster of the Holy University of Albarosa, Burgrave of Horensberg, Steward of Corbenic. Her Royal Majesty, the Queen Mother Viscountess of Valence Ser Gawyn Tiber Grandmaster of the Knightly Order of the Circle of Saint Godwin of Aaun Her Ladyship, Melina Dieuxmont de Rosius His Lordship, Louis Owyn Haverlock Prince of the Haverlocks, Lieutenant of the Legion of Aaun, and Patriarch of House Haverlock AS THE CITY GOVERNMENT, His Lordship, Fernand de Lewes Lord Mayor of Whitespire, Baron of Virdain His Grace, Fr. Mikhael Bishop of Buron His Lordship, Ser Leopold Alexander Haverlock Knight of the Knightly Order of the Circle of Saint Godwin of Aaun, Ward Representative of the City Council of Whitespire, Lieutenant of the Legion of Aaun, and Heir to House Haverlock Her Ladyship, Julitta Laurelai Haverlock Head Physician of Saint Amyas’ Hospital & The Medical Society of St. Catherines' 'STRENGTH THROUGH UNITY' GOD SAVE THE KING Ends.

A young boy high within the Hand of Horen finalises the arrangement of his playthings with neat precision. He was now five years old. With small quick eyes, with indomitable schedules; he is at home wherever he wakes: his mothers room, or his own, or the council chambers, or in some other place his mother happens to be. He is risen at five, says some small prayers; the words which he knew, the meaning lost on him at this early age. He breaks his fast, he attends to his toy-soldiers, and then flutters his lids shut for some rest. By six o’clock he is with his tutors, who carry in their heads the statutes of the Realm, the canticles and the words of the Exalted Prophets, the accounts of the king; the lineages, the incomes, the lands, the dignities. These days are long and arduous, and in spite of the attention he could not help to feel solemn isolation. Often, he looked out onto the Silver Sea. As he did so, on this day, above him the thunderous climbing of Counsellors of State disturbed his brief peace. He did not know the reason why. Nor would anyone tell him. By night he dreamt of ghosts rising and angels descending; the world turned upon itself, but he remained. He, Edmund, King of Aaun by the Grace of God. Though he barely knew it.

The Prince Edmund, Lord of Alba, felt the great weight of destiny upon his small shoulders. Though he did not know it. He scarcely knew his father was dead.

Louis-Etienne Olivier Dieuxmont de Rosius, who calls himself Olivier, places pen to paper and signs his name against this the pronouncement of his forthcoming matrimony. He whispers a prayer to Almighty God for His unbound Providence and for His other gifts that he - he, Olivier - might soon be wedded to the kindest and most understanding woman he knew. Asides from his mother.

Louis-Etienne Olivier Dieuxmont de Rosius, who simply calls himself ‘Olivier’, braces to take on the defining role of his life in this world; to safeguard his kingdom into the future and ensure peace amongst the realms of the descendants. He showed genuflection to his king upon the appointment being made, and prayed to Almighty God for the strength and courage to see his task through.

Olivier Dieuxmont, an eminent historian in the making, scrutinises the names, attempting - along with the spirits of all Alstion's past - to find the progeny of the similarly named but entirely unaffiliated 'Hans Carolus Alstion'. He could not.

As the beacons of Whitespire are lit a young man looks up towards the Hand of Horen, hopeful for the future the country he loves.

"Lairdy, ye can call yourself whit ye like - doesnae make it true. Whilst ye've been griftin fish, we've been protectin the royal alstions for a hundrit years, an will for a hundrit years more. Ye iver see us gae for glory? Have I iver call myself yer laird? An yet ye call yerself mine. Ye are na more ma chief than I king o Haense. Now git aff back tae yer island ye pesky scrounger." He - he, Iain Gromach - is simmering to his sister, who undeservedly receives his present tirade as a mere messenger. The aging Warden of the Daelish Crown has a foul-smelling shoe thrown at him.

Somewhere - in some manner of place set about crickets and woodpeckers - an aged, but perhaps not yet grey, Dael ponders His Majesty's address. A solemn man, he thinks of the boy he grew up alongside. A sober man, he thinks of the gambler who he once frequented round-tables with. A loyal man, he thinks of the King his dear friend James has become. Perhaps it is time, Iain Gromach thinks, to come back into his Kings service.