Coronation of Leto III

[Kaiser Leto III]

He was a simple noble from the eastern part of the Empire. It had been since 3002 ASC (more then 700 years!) that a Kildarian had taken the Throne. Leto III praised his ancestor, Mahamantot I, and his successors (most notably Mors V). They had stabilised the Imperial Republic after a very chaotic and depressing age and had rebuilt it, while protecting its old values and traditions.
While entering the impressive capital, Shirekeep, on a horse, Leto thought about the people who would serve under him: would they accept his rule? More important, certain nobles were eager to receive the title of the 100th Kaiser of Shireroth, and were ogling to avoid that Leto would get coronated as such.
Leto laughed his musing away while looking to the happy faces of the Shirekeepians. The future Kaiser waved to the people while his parade of knights and himself slowly passed the houses and several monuments.

When the parade had finally reached Raynor's Keep, preparations could be made for the coronation. A noble, Arviður, had sworn loyalty to the new Kaiser from the moment the news was revealed by Leto's predecessor, Kaiser Aurangzeb. He would be rewarded for it, just like the other loyal nobles.
"Send him an invitation to sit on the front row," declared the future Kaiser, "The same for Erik, who is still rebelling against the Throne. Maybe we get a fight."

An hour later, the Kaiser was ready to start the coronation and entered the Throne Room with loud singing. Once seated down, Leto looked to his subject... err... fellow nobles and showed them the Sword of Life.
"Nobles of Shireroth and beyond,
I'm proud to welcome you all in my humble palace. My arrival shouldn't be a surprise for those who listened to the predictions of the seers. Even those who avoid this kind of predictions could have known it, as my arrival has been announced in what some called 'the Articles of Coalition'.

A bit more about the Empire now. We're facing a period of peace and stability. My biggest wish is to sustain the current economic situation, and perhaps even stimulate and develop it further.
AtIn this occasion I want to announce that I will go on a trip through the Imperial Republic to get to know the several Duchies and their culture better. This will be known as my Joyous Entries. Every Duke will have to give me a list of places we will visit. This however is a matter for later, please enjoy the party: free drinks for everyone!"

[Kaiser Leto III]

And before people begin arguing about it: I fully support the statementabout Amokolia and Victoria.

[Arviður]

Being honoured to have been seated on the front row in the grand hall, Arviður reflected upon the earlier hours of the day when he had had an audience with the predecessor of Kaiser the desired, Aurangzeb. There were tough negotiations between the two, and at no point had Aurangzeb even given the slightest hint that he was to leave the throne. It was a surprise to Arviður, and because of this, he had mixed feelings. He was happy that the reign of Aurangzeb had been a prosperous one, excited with Leto III and his reign, but was at the same time worried. The Kaiser, Leto, was not a person with whom Arviður had had many dealings... He knew not much about him. What would happen to the negotiations? What would happen to Shireroth? What turns would this land take? So many questions were buzzing in Arviður's head, but... but... it was to be good.

[Kaiser Leto III]

So many questions were buzzing in Arviður's head, but... but... it was to be good.

And the Gods saw that it was good.

[Erik Mortis]

Sitting in the front row the Earl of Dolor plotted. With the change of government always came an opportunity. His agents would be in position by now, ready to make their move. Subconsciously conditioned to remember nothing of their orders, simply with the compulsion to carry them out.

The Earl knew better than to look behind him, at the window above the entrance of the hall. There a single piece of the stain glass mosaic had been removed. Behind that single opening into their hall was a sniper, ready to take his shot. Dressed as an Imperial Guard, the man has aroused little suspicion. A lone soldier, in the service of the Kaiser.

Should that fail, within the crowd was a man with obsidian darts. Not easily detected. With such a throng of people before the Kaiser, no one would have time to pay much attention to what simply looked to be an eccentric Yardistani with pins in his hair and a flute in his belt. A troubadour. A wandering bard, and nothing more. Pins plus flute equals dart gun was the equation in the Earls mind. One subtle and one not so subtle means of assassination.

The Earl had no real expectations that either plan would succeed. But a War of Assassins had to begin somewhere. Outright war against the last Kaiser had failed. None truly had the will for outright warfare anymore. Who could really blame them, war was long, messy and so banal.

Things would be very interesting indeed for this, Leto III.

[W.Payne]

William Payne was just proud to have made it to coronation, not that he could have missed it. It's not everyday that one of your close friends gets coronated as the Kaiser of all of Shireroth. He sat there for a few moments remembering the hospitality that Leto had shown him when he first arrived in Shireroth. Yes, this would be a great era of prosperity for Shireroth.

[Kaiser Leto III]

The new Kaiser took the Sword of Life. In the legend it was told that it was forged by Lumina and given to Viviantia. The Sword, which once more had returned to the Mortal Realm after the abdication of the former Kaiser, was personally given by both Goddesses to Leto in a dream. When the dream was over and the new Kaiser woke up, the Sword was laying on his bed. It was a sign of Lumina, the Goddess of Light and his personal patron.

Leto III putted the Sword in the air. Suddenly the Sword began to give a bright, white light, directly followed by a shot which missed the new Kaiser. The projectile flew a centimetre from his Imperial ear.
The people in the Throne Room started to panic and looked in the direction of the window.
"Get him!" shouted one of the officers to the guards, who were stunned by the attempted murder.
After some minutes, the guards who surrounded the Kaiser for protection, were once more moving to their place while Leto urged the people to stay calm.
"Please, let this little accident not ruin the party," He said as calm as possible in this kind of situation, "By the way, welcome to my coronation, Dutch Payne."

[Erik Mortis]

As the coronation resumed a man in the crowd, whom had slowly been making his way forward scratched his head. The Imperial trumpeters were about to play a note as part of the ceremony, perhaps a bit of flute would add to the melody. The man, reached down to the flute at his belt, pulled it to his mouth and blew. The Obsidian dart would catch the Kaiser in the jugular vein, a subtle toxin would prevent the wound from clotting. He would bleed out in moments. Not as swift as other poisons, but other poisons would be expected. The man blew into the flute, and the dart flew forth.

In the fervor of the crowd a women raised her hands in praise of the new Kaiser, she spoke a brief apology to the bard she collided with. Suddenly she was in shock. The Kaiser clutched at his shoulder, a shining shard of black glass was jutting out of it. Another attempt! She heard a man next to her curse and take flight.

Guards once more rushed in toward the Kaiser. He was bleeding. A doctor rushed to his side. Why was he still bleeding?

[Erik Mortis]

The Earl of Dolor once more rose from his seat. A look of surprise upon his face. It was a lie of course. He had had some hope for success, but there was no surprise in this failure. To have even wounded the Kaiser was a victory. Perhaps the toxin may yet do its work. Blood still flowed, though the wound was minor compared to what it should have been.

The gunman has already been captured, but had died in the scuffle. Perhaps the second man would escape. He would have to see to it his own people captured the "bard". No need leaving ends untied.

The Kaiser would survive. The Earl saw the doctor inject the Kaiser with a clotting agent. A pity. Maybe he would have a stroke from a clot in the blood stream caused by the drug. Doubtful. Such a pity.

[Ari Rahikkala]

Hey, Your Niftiness, I think you're pretty cool. Here, have a random rock.

[Arviður]

Arviður saw everything, yet he didn't know who was responsible. It was clear this was planned, no random thug would do such a thing. Someone must have had a grudge... Could it be Erik? Arviður thought... He considered the fact that Erik had been in rebellion for as long as one could remember. No.. he wouldn't do such a horrid thing. Erik is, after all, a good man...

[Kaiser Leto III]

[Allot]

"Another one? Didn't we just have a coronation?" said Isabelle, who had come down with the Orange Plague (slightly worse than the Yellow Plague, but preferable to the Red Plague) and was lying in bed.

"Yes, your Grace," said the unfortunate adjutant, "You have also lost your bet to Eldynuil on the lifespan of Kaiser Aurangzeb. You predicted he would live forever."

Isabelle frowned. "Well, I clearly can't attend the coronation. Don't I have a Steward for this sort of thing?"
"No, your Grace."
"Ah. Well, I suppose we'll just have to Skype, won't we?"

Elwynn sends her congratulations via VoIP.

[Maximilian]

I hereby wish to congratulate Kaiser Leto III with his coronation on behalf of not only myself, but also on behalf of the Republiek der Nederlanden.

[AryezturMejorkhor]

Hail!