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[h2][b][u]The Heartlands[/u][/b][/h2]
[u][b]Final Act[/b][/u]
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[i]Ceveut, 12th of Gerna | 1200 AU[/i]
[i]Location: North Gate of Lalrial[/i]
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Still visible in the low hanging noonday sun. The bright white spires of the great city of Lalrial-- the heart of the Empire-- soon came into view as the growing company consisting of Prince Jakinius Valarien, Princess Lynette Zarand, and the flamboyant King Aethlar VI neared the city gates. The great walls stood as imposing sentinels as if to guard against all the world. The wide opening was built so that two separate gateways needed to be passed before one could enter the city proper. At the outer gate stood four guardsmen dressed in the livery of the Heartlands. Dark green undergarments lined with gold and a tabard possessing a white phoenix on a green backdrop which was worn over a plated cuirass. They carried halberds in hand and were adorned in helmets that allowed only their eyes to be seen. In front and positioned in the middle of the company-- with two coaches bringing up the rear-- was Jakinius himself on his white charger. He wore no helm himself, allowing his ashen silver hair to be visible to even the men on the walls.  

	The King of Gwethydd swaggered a few paces behind Prince Jakinius on his large stallion, the gemstones in his silver circlet glittering in the sunlight. He was flanked on both sides by his sisters, riding side saddle - Eadgifu smirked and flipped her silvery blonde hair over her shoulder as she rode, while Princess Haldetrude rode placidly, offering a small and gracious smiles to anyone who met her gaze. Both were dressed in green velvet dresses emblazoned with the arms of the Caernavir. Gaewin, the king’s bastard brother, had ridden ahead at some speed to prepare things for the King’s arrival in the capital.

	However, from the gates began emerging members of the Phoenix Guard in order, the first to emerge were Mardanis Shieldbearer and Laikar Steelskin, the Captain and the second in command respectively. The second to emerge were the more notable members, such as Marianna Shattershield and the massive Morgon Shattershield. Before long, almost twenty more knights of the Phoenix Guard emerged out of the gates.

	Without a word, Mardanis and Laikar approached Jakinius Valarien and both knelt in front of him. “My Emperor, my name is Mardanis Shieldbearer, captain of the Phoenix Guard and I, along with the strongest members of the Phoenix Guard have come pledge our loyalty to you!” And as if on cue, the rest of Phoenix Guard knelt in front of the prince.

	Jakinius was caught off guard for a moment as the gold feather cloaks of the renowned Phoenix Guard appeared and suddenly pledged themselves to him. He spared a quick glance toward Metinnus who himself seemed just as surprised as he. The King of Gwethydd reared his horse, his eyes widening with shock and admiration at the sight. Recovering quickly and seizing this moment Jakinius looked down toward Mardanis and said, "Lord Mardanis of Khomeria. Your support is both unexpected as it is humbling. I have heard tale of your skills with sword and how well you served my father when he was Chosen of Kammeth. I am not yet the holder of the title emperor of fair Ethica. Yet, I shall accept your homage-- come you would honor me further by accompanying us to the Tower if the Pheonix." 

	“May I join, cousin?” A bright voice piped from behind the glittering guards. Quickly shuffling past the order of knights, Sophsi made her way to Jakinius. A light makeup was padded under her eyes to hide her sleeplessness, but her large vulpine smile stole any attention towards it.

	“I had heard news of your impending arrival and made sure that I would get a chance to see you before the politics of the city sapped your mind,” she joked.

	"Dearest cousin Sophsi! It has been far too long, of course, you may join us-- we have much catching up I would imagine." Jakinius then frowned slightly upon seeing Sophsi was without her own mount. "Yet, I would not have a lady of the court, let alone anyone of my blood, walk on foot."

	But before he could descend from his steed and offer it-- Metinnus  perhaps having predicted this knowing his old friend-- easily dismounted from his own destrier and walked it to Sophsi before bowing and offering her the reigns. "If it would please you milady you may have my horse. House Amrothan trained so you know you will be in good hands." He then offered a glance to Jakinius and smiled, "after all we can't have the possible future emperor walk into Lalrial on foot either can we? I shall walk with the Phoenix Guard." 

	“Only if you truly insist,” Sophsi smiled, letting her fingers grasp the reins, “I’m not above a little walking.” 

	"I do insist," Metinnus assured her before taking his place among the Phoenix Guard. 

	Aethlar finally seemed to regain his senses, bowing with chivalric flair to Sophsi. “My lady, I am King Aethlar of the Gwethyns. These are my sisters the Princess Haldetrude and Lady Eadgifu,” He said with a flourish. Both women inclined their heads simultaneously.

	“If the common folk did not support you already,” Eadgifu remarked with surprising directness to Prince Jakinius. “They will once they see you ride into the capital with the Phoenix Guard and the scions of two electoral houses at your back,” She said with a sly smirk. “Pageantry really can be paramount,”


	The group started forward once more now with the addition of a Valarein and the iconic Phoenix Guard. The guards at the gate recognized the heraldry of House Valarien and seeing no reason to bare his path gave the word to the watchmen atop the walls. As the company passed through the first gate a horn sounded. 

	"Prince Jakinius has returned! The Prince has returned!" Came the heralding shouts from the walls as the group cleared the gates. Down the main thoroughfare lane they went. 	People watching from streets or from windows as the stunning sight of the famed imperial guard caught the attention of more than a few. There was clear confusion among the crowd. Many whispering questions as to who had won the election and when had it occurred? The reception was somewhat cold to a few cheers, making for a rather mixed welcome. The hulking giant form of Olafgvar astride his own horse riding to the rear of Jakinius gave a hearty laugh. "Well, my prince! This must make for a rather interesting return for you. Seems the folk of the south know not if ta kiss ya welcome or hang ye high!"  

	The King of Gwethydd, though not famously intellectual, was at least intuitive in his understanding of how to work a crowd. The swaggering green banners of House Caernavir swayed gently in the city wind as he rode on, flanked by his two sisters. Haldetrude kept her head bent reverently low, her long auburn hair falling in curtains down the side of her horse while Eadgifu kept her own head held defiantly high, the soft wind stirring the curls of her silvery mane. Aethlar, for his part, offered wide and reassuring smiles to the people. At one point, his horse darted out from the cortege for a moment and the King offered a garland of green petalled flowers to an old peasant widow. Aethlar, with his flamboyant steel armour and distinctive livery, would have been a familiar sight to the people of the capital. “Will you not greet your prince?” He cried to the crowd, his voice loud but inviting. “Who has kept us from harm by the unforgiving northmen?”

	“Kammeth damn him and his seizure of power!” A random voice, clearly perturbed by rumors and the sight of the imperial guard called out. A rash of disagreement followed among the peasants and urban dwellers, some claiming Jakinius’ rights, others disagreeing.

	“Don’t worry,” Sophsi turned to Jakinius, “I had predicted this might come up, I have much to tell you-” Sophsi looked around and leaned forward on the destrier, “In private of course, dear cousin.”

	Jakinius nodded as he watched the crowd. "I would agree Sophsi, it seems we will have much to discuss when the opportunity arises. I have fears there is more going on in the capital than meets the eye." The company soon reached the higher districts closer to the heart of the city that was the gold white Pheonix tower. It rose high as the tallest structure in the city, easily dwarfing the tower Silver-Gold Tower of The Argentum. In the inner district almost, all the buildings were spires or towers that were owned by one noble or another. Here where the support of the crown had always been strongest the nobles who witnessed the arrival of Prince Jakinius openly cheered. It would seem the rumors had had more sway among the lower class of the city.   

	Sophsi seemed relieved by the cheer and offered a supportive smile, “must be nice being home.”

	And celebrating along the nobles of the city were the rest of the Phoenix Guard, all who had prepared itself for the arrival of the prince and were now cheering along with the nobles at the arrival of the prince. However, a messenger arrived in front of Jakinius, he knelt in front of him and spoke in a solemn tone.

	“Your highness, Prime Magistrate Alemia Shattershield of the Kingdom of Khomeria would like to meet you as soon as possible at a location most comfortable for you to discuss some matters.”

	Sophsi looked to Jakinius, “see what I meant about talking before you entered the city?”

Jakinius only sighed and said, "Well seems Lalrial has wasted little time in dragging me into local poltics. Very well then,  tell Prime Magistrate Alemia Shattershield I shall meet him on the morrow two candlemarks after sunrise at House Duvard's estate. I think it's high time I make me arrival in Lalrial known."