EPISODE 128: IMPERIUS GRAND SUMMIT 3
— Edryan Queendom, Year 7291. Season: Color Fading.
“Welcome nobles, merchants, schools, and those who possess the might to be here. Should you be standing within our halls, know that my royal family is personally invested in communing with you to develop our Edryan Queendom into a greater state. We are History. ”
All around Carine, the people watched with baited breaths. There was no sound in Lougan Hall and tens of thousands of eyes gazed at the multiple screens that appeared throughout the hall. Carine hadn’t noticed when the [Mages] snuck into place and now the summit was at its start.
A hot, jubilant, excitement overtook him as he gazed at the screen and the young man standing within. He stood on a balcony, and below him were thirty-three tables spread throughout a large hall. Of the thirty-three, three in the very front were empty as they signified the fallen ducal houses that once stood by the Edryani’s side. Carine recognized all thirty-three houses.
The three fallen ducal houses were the Ahuum, Maar, and finally the Enlar. Behind their tables were the new Great Houses of Edryan, starting with those of her [Heroes]: Drumian, Consus, Gamal, Romus, Oni, Musa. After them, it was the rest who held the greatest might within the country: Adel, Cahoon, Jarrah, Ursisus, Indrian, Kain, Nepos, Coal, Dioni, Lorde, Khan, Ca’Ronna, Carter, Zeno, Liaon, Koi, Lance, Yelwho, Usaap, Ohhao, Fuschia, Al’Lan, Drrow, and finally, the Ode.
“I welcome you, my great families—I welcome the Drumian, who’ve guarded not just their home but my own. I welcome the Musa, whose magical knowledge is reshaping Edryan as we speak. I welcome the…”
Carine listened as the prince spoke of every Great House below, acknowledging a single trait or aspect about them before moving on. His words were insightful and helped Carine understand where the house stood in terms of the Edryan economy. Each sentence specified what that house brought to Edryan, whether it was warriors, trade, craftsmanship, or more qualities that enhanced the country. These families were the oldest, with some being as old as Edryan herself.
“ We are Destiny. For this world cannot ignore our might. They have forgotten who the magi-humans are, and our Goddess has sent me as their divine punishment to remind them… Edryan is still here, her people live, breathe, and thrive! I am a punishment sent to remind them—the hammer of justice, and you my citizens are the anvil on which we will forge the world anew.”
Carine felt his chest heat up at the words of his Holy Prince. His fist clenched, and the young man thought himself ready to set down the pen and pick up the sword. The crowd shifted at the words of the [Chosen of Madris], many stepping closer to the screen before them. The entire hall shifted, its residents resonating with the words of their [Chosen]. For what he said could only be the truth. For what he did was stand at the forefront and show them what it meant to be a magi, what it meant to be the weapon their Goddess wielded in the conquest of the Elrunian Realm.
Carine felt pride swell within him, he turned to gaze at Rose but found the woman missing. He shook his head before his attention returned to the Holy Prince.
The Holy Prince of Edryan stood on a large balcony that overlooked a massive hall. He wore a simple black tunic but gold rings, bracelets, and other accessories were displayed on his person. The only color on the tunic was a small symbol, Carine recognized as the Holy Prince’s coat of arms.
“ We are Magi. Naturally gifted with magic, charm, and a bit of charisma.”
The watching crowd chuckled. Even those of the Great Houses in the present of His Highness laughed. Carine and many others around him laughed. In that small moment, the Holy Prince didn’t seem like a figure, a divine one, that was unreachable. Instead, Carine could almost see him as one of his cousins, nephews, or family friend.
A powerful aura erupted from the Holy Prince, displaying golden light that billowed out in continuous waves like the sun itself. That feeling of closeness to him dispersed, and those watching from the Lougan Hall remember who it was they were gazing at.
This was not a cousin, nephew, or family friend.
This was Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani—Chosen of Madris.
Upon the Mortal Plain…
His words were Her words.
His actions were Her actions.
His thoughts were Her thoughts.
Carine didn’t realize it, but his knees slowly lost strength as he, and those around him, kneeled. His head jerked to the left and many in Lougan Hall were the same as they positioned their bodies in that direction. He was there.
They could feel it.
They could feel it.
They could feel it.
It was not just them, but those of the Great Houses who sat underneath the Holy Prince directly kneeled. The power of their Goddess compelled them.
For He was Her Messenger.
“My mother, our Queen, our [Hero], who protected the integrity of our Great Edryan has summoned you—for a change will occur in these lands.”
Carine felt apprehensive at the words of the [Chosen] as did many. The voice of the Holy Prince was light as he spoke, gone was the strong and powerful voice. Now, even from this distance, Carine could feel a hint of danger—like a blade was pressed against his neck.
“Today, it is the start of the Imperius Grand Summit. There will be eight events, one for each day of the week,” the Holy Prince said. His aura diminished and Carine felt himself able to rise, but he and the rest of Lougan Hall remained kneeling.
“Our event today is the Royal Procession. It is a celebration of the Edryani and Edryan and the distance we’ve come as a unified nation. Eat, drink, make merry as the morrow will be the Ancestral Remembrance. Tomorrow we honor not just the former Kings and Queens of our Great Edryan. We honor those who fell in her protection. Who provided light to keep the dark at bay. Who summoned fire, to provide warmth on the chilly nights. We honor your ancestors, who went through hardships to grant their families better opportunities. Who sacrificed so that you do not have to.”
The words of the [Chosen] especially resonated with Carine. He still possessed memories of his great-grandfather, although he was only a few years old when he left for the Promised Land. The memories of the man never faded, and Carine cherished them always. Tomorrow wasn’t just honoring the royal family, it honored the Holmes and the testament of time they’d struggled through. Now, they were thriving, enough so that Carine could walk a different path than his father, and his.
“On the third day, we will hold our most important event. A Sacrifice of Three! ”
The eyes of the Holy Prince shined. Reverently, he looked upward. His eyes seemed to go past the ceiling and into the sky itself. Within it, Carine imagined his gaze settled on the Promised Land itself. Their afterlife was Promised, but the land and position they held within it could only be determined by their mortal actions.
“It is the primary factor in which my royal family summoned those of prominence within Edryan. For we shall honor the most significant thing in our lives. For we shall honor Her. Honor Goddess Madris and Her three faces, The Sage, The Lavish, and The Challenger.”
Every single person released a small prayer at the words of the Holy Prince. Had they been paying attention, they would have noticed how he looked intrigued at the nobles beneath him. His gaze didn’t seem to be on any noble house in particular, instead, it traveled around and upward as if it were tracking something. The [Chosen of Madris] stayed silent for nearly a minute before he continued.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“From there we will undergo the Artisan Showcase. For it is our craftsmen who have turned Edryan into the beautiful state she is. [Artist], [Sculptors], [Poets] and more… present your work—for those who can achieve greatness on that day will receive a commission from the crown.”
A massive ripple spread through the kneeling crowd and excited murmurs sounded. Carine couldn’t help but feel a tinge of disappointment, after all, he was not like Princess Carina, who turned an artisan class into one of a combatant.
“Do not fear for those who lack the more artistic touch. This showcase welcomes all Artisans. If you believe you have an item, idea, or technology that will add value to Edryan then now is the opportunity to showcase it. No matter if you are a [Blacksmith], [Tinker], [Lawyer], or [Glassmaker]. Come and stand on the stage in front of all of Edryan. Even if my royal family does not catch your eye, my Great Houses are present as well.”
At the mention of the Great Houses, those beneath the prince shifted. Like those in Lougan Hall, they hadn’t yet risen, and the prince hadn’t commanded them to return to their seats.
“Edryan’s merchants, traders… rejoice! For the fifth day is your day! We are on the verge of an evolved form of trade as more and more begin to use and understand the value of the Rail System. It is not yet a month old since completion—not even a week, yet the value of exchanged goods that have traveled on the first Rails has exceeded five million Edri. More Rails will be built, until all of Edrya is connected and can benefit from this new system of transportation. The Prosperity and Commerce welcomes you to build stronger bonds and create everlasting trade.”
Carine hissed at the number spoken by the Holy Prince. His family was one of the first who utilize the Rail System, and this was the primary reason for their invitation to the Imperius Grand Summit. They’d experienced a significant rise in their trade, and to know the amount of value that passed on the Rail System within the first month was astonishing. That amount was easily what a medium to larger size merchant house made within a year. Knowing that in less than a month such an amount was exchanged through the Rail System made the Holme do a quick calculation at the future expectations. The Rail System was not used by many of the merchant houses and traders within the country. If it continued to scale and eventually a majority of the country’s goods were traveling upon it, then Edryan could easily move over a hundred million in value per month.
Carine returned his attention to the Holy Prince. “[Warriors], [Mages], experts of all combative professions… The Challenger’s Ring calls for you. FIGHT! Your name is too small if I’ve yet to hear of it. FIGHT! If there is one truth to believe in Edryan—then know that The Fist is Respected! The skills you have polished for years are for the NOW! FIGHT! Our Goddess’s first domain is one of WAR! Now is your opportunity to display your skills before Her. FIGHT! ”
Carine felt like chicken blood was injected directly into his veins. Those kneeling instantly stood, fists clenched and teeth bared in a display of fierceness. For a moment, Carine truly despaired at his lack of a combative class. The words of the [Chosen of Madris] were powerful enough to bring those watching to a state of excitement. The warriors present, mainly residing in other halls, were the most affected. They no longer looked at those around them with positive regard for who knew if today’s friend was tomorrow’s Challenger.
“When I began to speak, I mentioned there would be a change within the lands of Edryan. That change comes from these events, but there are two final announcements that are to be solidified on the seventh, the Council of Nobles, and the eighth day, the Celebration of Beginning. It is time for Edryan to enter a new era. I have envisioned a Golden Age—neigh, I Have Promised It. ”
The aura of the [Chosen of Madris] strengthened—its light became a blinding barrier that made it difficult to see his physical body. To Carine, and many others in Lougan Hall, the [Chosen] appeared like a God descending to the Mortal Realm.
“Our country… our Great Edryan for as long as it has existed has been a monarchy. One ruled by the Edryanis… Today I am proud to announce we shall split that burden. We shall change our country into a Constitutional Monarchy.”
It was silent enough to hear the beat of your heart thunder within your chest. At least Carine felt this way. The Great Houses under the Crown Prince each held a different reaction. Some looked around, observing their peers. Others held still and silently watched the [Chosen]. Regardless, they waited, for they knew His Highness Lawruthian would not leave them without more information.
“A change in government…,” he questioned.
“Many of you will be confused by my words, fear not, for all will be explained upon the seventh day when we hold our Council of Nobles. My final news, well…, I cannot deliver it without Edryan’s [Seven Heroes]—without my mother, our Queen. If you are not sitting, then sit now. ”
Carine followed the instructions of His Highness and quickly plopped down, as did many others.
Six figures quickly rose into the hair. Carine could not mistake their reputable hair color, regardless of where he was. Their names were engraved into his mind, after all, they were part of the idols he grew up hearing stories of.
Akeem Oni—Red Flame.
Camilla Romus—Heart of Magic.
Margret Musa—Magi of Theory.
Liana Drumian—The Queen’s Guard.
Vivian Conus—Harvester of the Wildwood.
Marna Gamal—Daughter of Life.
Their names and heroic classes were carved deep into the foundations of the current Edryan society.
One by one, they rose and flew to the gently hover behind the Holy Prince.
Titiana Koltius Verlio Edryani—Iron-Blooded Queen.
Her appearance was sudden, like a trick of the light or a figment of the imagination… one moment she wasn’t there, the next she was.
Yet, Carine stared confused. Something wasn’t quite right… namely… her size. It seemed… larger?
Carine rubbed his eyes and stared again. Yet now he noticed those standing behind the Holy Prince were also larger. Carine’s eyes flickered to the nobles of the Great Houses, who were in the presence of it all.
He watched as hands shook, and faces appeared shocked, no, it was disbelief that was present on their faces. Carine didn’t understand what he was looking at, and thus he returned his attention to the Holy Prince of Edryan.
“Edryans… do you remember our Princess… my great-great-grandmother?”
Carine shuddered at his words. How could he forget? His family owed a great debt to her.
The Crown Prince’s voice was soft, and light as he spoke. The various crowds leaned in closer as if they could not hear what he was saying.
“She was an educated woman, who valued the health and prosperity of Edryan’s citizens above all else. During her life, she began several programs that accelerated Edryan by hundreds of years. Under her guidance, we no longer looked to be mundane and behind those who call themselves the Middle and Upper Kingdoms. Not once had she wielded a blade, yet she did the impossible… and rose to become a demigoddess. The first one our Edryan Queendom had seen in centuries… in millenniums. That is no longer the case. ”
Two figures stepped forward to stand near the Holy Son of Edryan and his large mother. Carine felt his throat tighten up, and he stared in disbelief.
“It… can’t be…,” he said. His words weren’t the only ones to be spoken in Lougan Hall. Others, like him, who began to realize the direction the Holy Prince was headed, spoke.
“Impossible…”
“It’s been centuries…”
“Hero.”
“Heroes.”
“ Heroes…, ” a multitude of voices stated in unison.
“ Today it is with please I announce our Great Edryan has three new demigoddesses: Margret Musa—Demigoddess of Spell-Crafting, Camilla Romus—Demigoddess of Battle-Magic, ” he paused and looked back at his mother. She smiled down at him, their features so much alike that they’d appeared as nearly the opposite version of one another.
“ My mother, Queen Titiana Koltius Verlio Edryani—Demigoddess of Love. ”