Eleanor:

It was now the occasion of the new King's coronation.

It was held in the town square. Usually, the square, an expanse of grass surrounded by a few trees, was either empty or used for the markets. But, today, the elevated stage on one side was occupied by the few remaining nobles, a smattering of wealthy merchants, a handful of senior guards (including Jane), plus a few lowly servants and ushers. Plus, of course, the Treasurer and the to-be new King.

Even Eleanor was up there on the stage, in the row with the other nobles.

She wasn't impressed about being press-ganged into sitting in the public view.

The Treasurer and Kalitran merely want me to add more gravitas to the proceedings. And, probably, to emphasise that I don't want to be the Queen.

Most of the town's occupants were packed into the square and overflowing into the surrounding streets. By dint of Eleanor's influence, the Misfits and the others were in a relatively prestigious position, not too far from the stage. Although Aragon wasn't available, he was on crowd control duty.

The majordomo, with a deep voice, called out for silence. When a suitable hush had descended upon the throng, the Treasurer made a short speech, introducing Kalitran.

Eleanor also made a short speech.

Mere platitudes, nicely spoken. I hope the food after this is worthwhile.

She got some enthusiastic applause.

Then, the majordomo placed the crown on Kalitran's head and pronounced him King. There was more applause from the crowd. Then, like a mob of school children escaping from their classrooms at the end of the day, the dignitaries on the platform all vacated it.

The platform wasn’t left empty, for it was now the turn of the entertainers to do their stuff. The tavern opened its doors for free beer, and those hired to do the catering started to set out the food.

It was party time!

Lena:

Lena was sitting on the ground, like everybody else. To her left was Mason, leaning against her, looking somewhat fearful of all the crowds. To her right was Becky, holding Lena's hand. She was busy looking around at all the people without showing much anxiety.

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At least my kids are behaving themselves.

That wasn't much of a coronation. I thought they would be much more extravagant. I guess all the important people have left this dump at the end of nowhere.

Eleanor had come down and sought out the group when all dignitaries had vacated the stage.

"Say, Eleanor, was the old king's coronation like this?" said Lena as Eleanor sat down on the other side of Mason.

Eleanor sniffed in disdain.

"Nothing like this. I was twelve when he was crowned. There were three whole days of ceremonies and parades, the coronation took up all of the daylight hours of the next day, and the partying and drunken debauchery lasted the entire night and most of the next day. Things only got back to normal after another two days. "

"So, the mighty empire has crumbled to almost nothing, hey?"

"Yeah. And it will be nothing when the slavers sweep through, eventually. Nonetheless, I was bored out of my brain the entire time."

"But not this time?"

"Of course not! It was too short to be boring. Plus, I have much better company this time!" said Eleanor.

Lena leant her head towards Mason.

"There you are, Mason. Eleanor regards you as much better company!"

Mason looked puzzled, looking between Lena and Eleanor.

"Of course you are, sweetie," said Eleanor, briefly stroking Mason's head.

Ha ha! I've got her interacting directly with Mason. Now, to do the same for Becky.

"Say, Eleanor, could you take Becky and get us four some food? I'll look after Mason, and the Misfits have already agreed to look after themselves, Esther, and Evereena."

Eleanor didn't quibble, and soon she, plus the others, returned with a heap of food.

The Treasurer:

Straight after the coronation, the Treasurer, Kalitran and a few top guards returned to the palace.

Once there, Kalitran took the crown off his head.

"This thing is bloody heavy; what is it, solid gold?"

"Actually, sire, it's merely gold-plated. Shall I put it back into its display cabinet?"

"Yes, do so. Then bring some tea to the King's office."

When the Treasurer arrived at the office with a tray containing a pot of tea, a teacup, a saucer, and snacks, Kalitran was already hard at work. Without any fuss, he had claimed the previously not much-used office has his own. He was sitting in the King's comfy chair at the King's work desk and reading through the first papers he had taken from the IN box.

"Ah, thanks," said Kalitran as he poured himself a cup of tea.

He wrote some comments on the paper, signed it, and handed it to the Treasurer.

"Here, you might as well take this now. It's a good idea, so can you hand it to the person dealing with it?"

"Yes sire."

The Treasurer walked out of the room, softly closing the door.

Good, good. He's not shirking the work. What a change from the previous King!

Narrator:

Meanwhile, somewhere in crowded streets, a low life acted in a heinous way. Being stupid as well, he was rapidly caught. The guards shoved him into one of the cells in the castle's dungeon. Not being too pleased with his actions, they may have roughed him up just a little. Fortunately, Captain Jane was on hand and managed to prevent the situation from getting completely out of hand.

By the following day, another sheet of paper reporting the crime ended up in the King's IN box.