After a year of uncertainty, sparsity, and Unpleasantness, the Eidru Empire was getting back into full swing. Dretuary seventh (the eighth month) marked the official end to the most stringent restrictions. Border control was relaxed, allowing properly vetted parties through the Imperial borders, and internal travel within the Empire was open to the Nobility, Merchants, and properly papered laypeople once again. Patrols were still in place, but curfews were set back to midnight across the board.

Celebrations erupted in cities across the Empire, with an official Parade in Old Sanctville featuring all of the Enforcer squads and Military units that helped liberate towns and saw action over the past year, keeping the Eidru homeland safe from various threats.

The Empress of the Eidru Empire, Abionne Megantani the II, was scheduled to give a rallying speech after the Parade from the Royal Palace in Shadowmirre, transmitted and relayed via magic by the most trusted Eidruian Mages to every major city of the extended empire. The speech was meant to enlighten and reassure the masses and reaffirm the Empire’s far-reaching might despite recent difficulties.

Thrilled to be back in Old Sanctville, Frannie and Argento were keen to visit friends and family after so long in isolation. Being reunited with her sisters, nieces, and nephews was a relief. Isabella and the kids had gone back to Brentanado with Maria and Priscilla when she and Argento went with Azure. Maria and her husband, the Arch Baron Rolo Symonette Arcantando of Brentanado, brought Isabella, Benny, Penny, and Pingo from Brentanado to the Hansinas here in Old Sanctville.

There was nothing more important to Countess Hansina than family. Something everyone knew, including Azure, who swooped in before the travel restrictions were lifted to arrange the matter.

The crowds were large and lively but orderly and well aware of the fragility of the public peace. The city was crawling with soldiers, Eidruian Enforcers, and Nobles of all ranks. Frannie and Argento watched the Parade from a constructed riser reserved and roped off with The Arsenaults, Symonettes, and Hansinas. Argento and a troupe of Hansina boys lined up around the box to keep it secure. There were dozens of boxes stationed along the parade route meant to keep the nobility separate while allowing the rest of the citizenry to attend and enjoy the Parade safely.

The Countess Hansina had always put Francine off, an austere, somewhat cold woman. This time, Francine had to take a second look at her as she ascended the few short steps to the front row of their box. A servant pushed her decrepitly elderly husband around beside her everywhere they went. Today, Count Hansina was hand-lifted into the box by a few young men standing guard.

The countess gave orders like a rifle firing; she reminded Francine of Azure in that way. No one dared argue or question her, and in the event they did, she never screamed or reacted violently, at least not that Francine had ever seen.

As the countess accepted Mistress Arsenault’s eager praise, A dull roar started down the way, with the stamp of feet and the beat of drums vibrating beneath the crowd’s cheers, sending a wave of animus through the people surrounding them and the box itself. Mistress Arsenault shifted from general idle chatter about everyone’s dress and the kindness of the Hansinas at hosting them directly to her high-doting praise for Azure.

Azure’s voice could be heard above it all, clearly ringing out as the line approached. Hearing her daughter’s voice only sent Mistress Arsenault into a tittering frenzy. She rocked the whole riser, latching onto Mister Arsenault as he puffed away on his pipe, doing his level best to ignore his wife’s antics.

    “The end of the Unpleasantness is at hand. All resume your former lives and rejoice. You are invited one and all to listen and hear the words of your illustrious Queen and Empress Abionne Megantani the Second; look upon The Instrument of Malediction, the Sword of the Mother of Heroes, Treasure of All the Eidruian people. Retrieved from the devious clutches of the False Heroes, I Walk the Mother’s mighty footsteps now to rededicate this revered piece of History.”

Azure, in Full regalia, led the line, wearing a new cape depicting the Edruian Enforcer’s crest, holding aloft a sword sending out beams of blue light. She was pumping it, keeping the marching pace for the entire column, the plume on her hat bobbing in time to her marching step. The ladies Adrema hovered Aloft, Neisha casting spells to amplify Azure’s voice and monitor the crowds. At the same time, Ginny flew above and someway in front, spellbook hovering in front of her face, crystal ball in hand, capturing the Parade and Azure’s speech in real-time.

As Francine stood and cheered with as much enthusiasm as she thought appropriate, she saw Countess Hansina drop her handkerchief to get the attention of one of the young men lined up around the edge of the box and pointed up at Ginny, flying above the Parade as it passed. Francine couldn’t see who she was signaling to, even leaning over the edge of the box since several heads turned to look her way and started discussing amongst themselves.

Lady Styles, in her red Armour with white Angelic Wings, and Lady Kekhet, in a similar red full plate with a swirling fire pattern etched into the metal carrying a flaming sword, marched behind Azure, making a very intimidating pair.

Fury followed them with a massive cage hoisted above her head; inside stood the prisoners taken from the siege and recapturing of Old Sanctville. The remainder of the “False Heroes” joined with a rogue faction of the Church of the Callers. Since stricken from their ranks and denounced as heretics and traitors against the Empire.

The cage was made just for this occasion. Twisting iron bars about ten feet high surrounded a twenty-foot square platform with a rig underneath designed to be carried from below. Filled with hundreds of surprisingly docile prisoners shoved in shoulder to shoulder. It cast a shadow the size of the platoon of soldiers marching behind her.

The line went on, Alternating groups of soldiers and Enforcers with a drumline pounding out a rhythm. As they passed, Azure’s speech rang out again. She gave it repeatedly so the entire city could hear her words. She finally stopped the procession at the aged steps of The Mother’s Temple.

Carriages ferried Nobles from the boxes on the roads parallel to the Parade route to make their way and arrive at Temple Square in time to watch the finale. For precisely this reason, Francine’s group was assigned to one of the earliest boxes. They easily made it to Temple Square and were already waiting when Azure marched up. Though it was only a few minutes, the carriage ride with the Arsenaults from one end of the Parade route to the other was insufferable.

And not just because of the constant pointless chatter centered almost entirely around Azure. Francine was still unaccustomed to wearing a gun holster and was uncomfortable sitting in the carriage with a gun tucked under her arm. It wasn’t a big deal when she was standing, moving, and even sitting in a regular chair, but she scrunched in like this and pressed it between her torso and arm.

Across the square from The Mother’s Temple, a colossal fire was burning in the Caller’s Sacrosanct Brazier. Ginny, still flying above the square using her crystal ball, cast another spell through it, and suddenly, the image of the Queen was relayed to the space above the flames larger than life, her voice heard at an easy-listening volume by everyone within ten miles, whether they could see the image or not.

The Queen gave a rousing speech to her subjects in every city across the Empire, supported by mages like Ginny, sent out to project her image and voice and enforce her words. The Empress enacted the first sweeping reform to come off the Unpleasantness, but what would not be the last: a recounting of the Angel and Devil touched. Something formerly adjudicated by Grand Dukes in their territories would now be enforced by royally appointed mages, mostly taken from the Eidruian enforcers and select Knightly Orders.

The other significant bit of News was announced right as the speech ended. Turqotolia was being lowered in status to level a three Empire member, but everyone knew what that meant; murmurs passed through the crowd as the Queen finished her address. Turqetolia and the “Copper Clad Alliance” had succeeded? The only other level three member of the Empire was the Udotis Commonwealth, a member of the Empire in name only since a civil revolt fought through hundreds of mostly peaceful protests and dozens of lengthy court cases convinced the crown it was worth it — nothing but a peace and commerce treaty still linking them.

As the crowds Turned back, the priests of the Temple of the Mother opened the doors; the high priest came out, and in front of the crowd, Azure knelt, presenting the Implement of Malediction. They poured a bottle of holy water over her head and the sacred artifact as she offered it to them. The sword, already glowing blue, blasted blue-white rays so brightly that the crowd, even the priests, shielded their eyes.

When the flare receded and everyone’s eyes returned, Azure stood; sword held skyward, triumphant, cape and plume waving in the breeze. The crowd went wild cheering. So wild you almost couldn’t hear the screams as the prisoner’s cage was set atop the flames and ringed with magical flaming chains.

As you know, these are early chapters, and I thought I would check in to mention some of the changes I have made. Some of the most important changes include: Adding more character development for Francine's family, Argento, especially since he sticks around for a while.  I have also been refining plot points and adding more characters and locations that will appear later in the series. In addition, I have been changing some things for readability and sensitivity. 

Some language that was part of the institutions of humanity here, don't need to be part of a fantasy book. Even one meant to include a discussion of inequality and the danger of fascism.  For example, I have been editing out the use of the common title 'Master' and replacing it with 'Mister'. It isn't perfect, but I am open to discussion on a point like that. If you find anything else that could use consideration please let me know. Thank you 

CH 14~ A Resounding Triumph

Second Chances Can't Be Ignored

After a year of uncertainty, sparsity, and Unpleasantness, the Eidru Empire was getting back into full swing. Dretuary seventh (the eighth month) marked the official end to the most stringent restrictions. Border control was relaxed, allowing properly vetted parties through the Imperial borders, and internal travel within the Empire was open to the Nobility, Merchants, and properly papered laypeople once again. Patrols were still in place, but curfews were set back to midnight across the board.



CH 14~ A Resounding Triumph

Second Chances Can't Be Ignored

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My Mother Earth

CH 14~ A Resounding Triumph

Second Chances Can't Be Ignored

This is an Exclusive Story for supporters of .css-13w9qce-Text{display:inline-block;color:var(--text-accent);}K.B. Silver

About the Creator

K.B. Silver

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My Mother Earth

This is an Exclusive Story for supporters of K.B. Silver