Jazmel looked up and caught sight of the elf man. He was staring directly at him, at the hand that Sadé was holding Jazmel’s with.
“Hello Alrin, these guys are my friends and the faction I belong to. The Black Wing Faction.” She introduced them but the young elf simply stared at Jazmel.
Paldane reared his head up and hissed at the elf who looked away with disdain.
“A faction? They are beneath you my princess.” he said simply, and Jazmel felt his Mana coil around his body and flare in his stomach.
“I would watch my words.” Jazmel said, suddenly holding himself back.
“Alrin, you do me a dishonour. They are my friends, and the faction was our making, if you talk of them like that. You talk of me.” She said and the elf seemed to surrender to her.
“Things will change when you become the princess of Teneriel. I hope you know that.” He said and Jazmel rolled his eyes, as he moved off.
“I hate that guy.” Sadé said under her breath but close enough that Jazmel could hear, and he laughed.
“Don’t waste feeling on him. today is the day for you and your family.” Jazmel said and Sadé nodded, soothed by his words.
“We are about to start, come and I will seat you all. You are not far from us.” She explained and she led the way, into a breakaway of trees. They had been planted or preened so that a large area was free, and chairs and tables had been placed around. It reminded Jazmel of the constellations of stars and a large altar and pulpit had been raised at the northern part of the clearing.
Jazmel and the black wing faction was seated at a table threw rows from the pulpit. But close enough that Jazmel could see all their faces. People were being seated now, and Jazmel sat beside Katie and Baek simply stood behind them, comfortable to stand.
Sadé sat with them for a time, but she told them when the coronation happened. She would need to move and sit with her family and clan.
“Look!” Sadé said and when Jazmel looked at the entrance of the clearing. He smiled; it was his friend the king of the dwarves. Frae entered and he was leading a full troop of kings guards. They looked around and Sadé rose up to greet him, he saw Jazmel and moved over to greet him. he looked different and Jazmel realised he had completed his tier tribulation.
“You are a ranker now!” Jazmel said, clasping forearms with Frae whose skin had darkened and he took on the likeness of rock and stone.
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“I see that the heart of the mountain helped you.” Jazmel said and Frae grinned before hugging Jazmel.
“It did indeed, the mountain stirs within me.” He smiled and then pulling from his ring, he brought out three large crates and offered them to Sadé.
“To your mother and you, gifts from the dwarves of Orevalor.” He inclined his head in a solid bow and Jazmel had to admit he was shocked at how regal Frae was.
“You are very welcome dear dwarf. Thank you from me and my clan.” She curtsied and then leant down and kissed the dwarf on the cheek, he grinned and patted her hand gently.
“You are kind fair elf.” Frae said and then he turned and led his dwarves away to his seat.
Sadé left, trumpeters sounded their horns and trumpets. Jazmel sat with his people and waited, watching to see what would happen.
The trumpets sung and Jazmel watched as a concession entered the clearing.
Elves in ceremonial gowns and headdresses stepped into the clearing and taking one step every few seconds. They walked into the clearing, down the middle and towards the altar. When the first two reached it, they split and went to the very end of the altar and at the end all of them were lined up before the altar on the lowest step.
Next came a priest, or something to that respect. She was old and elderly, she walked slowly and took her time. But when she reached the pulpit, she stepped the second step and beckoned. Sadé stepped up and stood on the step above her.
Finally the trumpets sang again, a tune most regal and monarchic. Then Jazmel saw Entil and Araea moving along the walkway and heading towards the pulpit. They walked slowly, in the same gait and Jazmel wondered if it was part of the ceremony.
Entil led her to the pulpit and then climbed to stand beside his daughter. But Araea continued, carrying on towards the top of the pulpit and standing on her own but surrounded by her family. Jazmel liked the sentiment and nodded in respect and admiration.
DING!
THE TENERIEL FOREST HAS REGISTERED ITS REQUIREMENTS!
…
THE CLAN HAS MET THE CONDITIONS TO TIER UP!
THE CLAN CAN NOW BECOME A KINGDOM!!
…
WILL YOU CHOOSE A QUEEN?
Y/N?
The system announced to all present and Araea stepped forward and though he couldn’t see it. he assumed the system was showing her a different side, the faction interface but for a kingdom. She seemed to be picking and selecting things.
DING!
ELDER ARAEA MASTER TIER I
OF THE TENERIEL FOREST CLAN HAS BEEN CHOSEN
WILL YOU BE QUEEN?
Y/N?
She seemed to accept because she raised her hands. Just above her head and Mana seemed to materialise, he watched it sparkle and glimmer. A brilliant display of Mana and then a crown formed, a grand design of gold and mithril. Jazmel could see the system energy coursing through the crown. Araea took it into her hands and held it reverently, holding it near her stomach. So she could get a better look at it.
“What is that.” Araea said looking to the sky and everyone in the clearing, decided to turn and look to the sky. Jazmel looked above and saw a sight unlike anything he had seen before. Men riding on the back of beasts, hundreds of them. It was a beast tide, and they were heading towards the coronation ceremony.