[center][h1]Second Rhaetian Republic[/h1][/center]
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First Consul Kohu Dosit stretched his back momentarily, careful to not upset his kajukki as he took a moment to relax. The small craft was sharply pointed at either end and propelled by a double bladed paddle; a leather skirting kept the water from flooding the vessels hollow interior. He lay the paddle across his lap and quickly drank several handfuls of the cold river water, leaning back for a moment and staring up at the rapidly narrowing white cliffs on either side of him. Trees crowded close about the clifftops and thick green ferns, fed by the river, presented an unbroken shoreline for as far as he could see.

The water beneath him, for the moment, was crystal clear and he could see schools of large yellow fish lazily rushing past him downriver toward the unseen sea so many hundreds of kilometres away. The river bottoms was of white stone, all of it having once fallen from the cliffs above; the stones had been rounded and smoothed by the rushing water so that he could have walked along the bottom with ease. 

The steadily growing roar of the river began to change in timbre as he floated along and he picked up his paddle, craning his head to see around the coming river bend. A pair of huge rocks, roughly the size of a horse, had fallen into the centre of the river and he would have to pass them to continue his journey. 

Beyond the stones, the rivers placid surface was turning into frothing white mass as the canyon narrowed into a series of angry looking rapids. He grinned and hefted his paddle, sweeping it backwards to direct his kajukki between the two stones. He felt himself drop, his stomach leaping into his throat, then he hit the water with a loud [i]crack[/i]. Ahead of him the rapids raged, the water pushing high and white over rocks beneath the surface. A deft twitch of the paddle and he began his descent into the canyon. It was a good day to be alive.
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Three hours later,  blanket around his shoulders and hands stretched out to a roaring fire, Kohu listened as his secretary read the letter from Arkron. He was sore, battered, bruised, and the exhilaration from his day on the river had been replaced by trepidation at the news of the kings death. 

"The inauguration ceremonies and festivities will take place five weeks from now in the royal palace in Arkronia. As honoured guests and subjects to the crown, your attendance is expected." The secretary finished, holding out the letter to Kohu until the First Consul shook his head. It went back into its envelope before getting tucked into a saddle bag.  

"Well that makes life interesting." Kohu muttered as he scootched closer to the blaze. The river had a way of chilling one to the bone and he suspected it was his Orchish heritage that made him robust enough to survive the trip. Maybe he should have a suit made that would keep him warm and dry. A thought for another day. " Nothing else?"

The secretary shook his head. Matthel had served as First Secretary for the last three First Consuls to lead Rhaetia, but Kohu was certainly the most fascinating of them all. The noticeably fit Ruline lived for excitement and adventure - riding rivers in his small boat was just one of several adrenaline packed activities he seemed to take joy in. No matter of state was ever rushed into and Kohu's exploits had made him infamous throughout the land and inspired a whole new generation of daredevils; the days of simply being good on horseback were swiftly drawing to a close. 

Kohu was also the youngest male in several generations to take the role of First Consul. Unlike several of his predecessors, he had not inherited wealth from his parents and was entirely self-made. It was a sign of a new age in the Republic as old money, long associated with blood ties to Arkronia, was slowly fading away. The spoiled youth of the rich were fewer and fewer as Kohu introduced taxes and policies to strangle old family monopolies and invigorate the majority of Rhaetians.

"Get the boat loaded up, we'll ride to Rhungora and summon the senate. Someone will have to go, but who..." Who indeed. The recent weakness in the Arkronian crown had brought a host of new issues to light within Rhaetia. The younger generations, emboldened by their adrenaline seeking leadership, had begun clamouring for more tax revenue to be kept at home and some even seemed determined to cause a crisis by calling for complete autonomy from the Crown. Two factions had been slowly developing in the senate and lines were being drawn in the sand between Republican and Royalist factions. So far there had been no blows but with Rhaetia clinging to the belief that every citizen had a voice, it was only a matter of time.

Two servants had hurried forward and began strapping the kajukki onto a patient donkey who swatted at them with a shit stained tail. Food and the First Consuls wet garments joined the load - horses were led forward and the small party mounted. Four soldiers, their armour a matted green in colour, formed up in pairs in front and behind. Once Kohu was satisfied that nothing had been forgotten he gave the river one more longing glance before nodding to his escort and riding for Rhungora.