[b]Volcano of Esphoros, Central Reinnam[/b]

A low rumbling fills the air of the volcanic peninsula that the country of Reinnam encompasses. Fires burn atop large torches that are set up all around a large volcano that is spewing out ash and sparks, with packs of people surrounding it completely. Amidst the sea of redheads stand two men: one older, one younger, with jet black hair. Everybody seems to have their eyes focused on these two. The older one is adorned with a heavy red cloak, trimmed at the top with the fur of a large fire cat. A crown made to look like spikes and made of silver is held to his long, black hair, which reaches down his back, and curtains his face in the front to reveal a pair of thin blue eyes and a crooked nose, while a pair of thin lips can barely be made out under a long beard. The wrinkles at the mans eyes show his age, as well as the fact that he is slouched against the large golden rod that he grips tightly between his two hands. Despite all that, the people in the crowd look at him as if he is a god. 

Meanwhile, behind him stands a man in his early twenties. He, too, has the jet black hair, though his is much shorter, and slightly frayed off to one side. A metal rod pierces through the upper half of his left ear, accompanied by one atop his right eyebrow- a common practice among young Saphri warriors. His eyes are much wider than the older mans, but show similar traits, hinting at their relationship. The younger man, however, has a smaller, more attractive nose which sits above a mouth that always seems to be shaped into a smile. His posture, as well, shows the mans confidence and pride, not even slouched in the slightest, with arms loosely crossed in front of his chest. 

These two make up the upper half of the royal family- The Shezerade, or King, and his Shezah, or prince. Unlike the other members of the royal family, it is demanded by ancient law and tradition that these two be present today, for a grand ceremony. The largest volcano on the island, belonging to the god of fire and life, Esphoros, has become active for the first time in nearly thirty years. Most people will not see it active more than once in a life time, if that, so the fact the Shezerade has now seen two is considered a great sign, and thus a celebration has been held. 

All along the perimeter people can be heard shouting the names of Shezerade Pheras II, as well as Esphoros. Some are spreading the belief that the sign means Pheras II is Esphoros himself, while others simply argue that it means the Shezerade has received a blessing from the god, that will give him the lifespan of a normal man. Either way, it would not be a first. Pheras I, Pheras II's great grandfather, was said to be Esphoros incarnated, and lived to the age of sixty five- an incredibly long life for a Saphri. If the same proves to be true for Pheras II, the name would surely be made something of great honor, and no longer be given out as freely to new members of the royal family.

Behind the Shezerade, the Shezah, prince Shelas, watches the crowd with wary eyes. On top of being the Shezah, he also serves as the head of his fathers personal bodyguard, after winning great honors during the last conflict the people of Reinnam were a part of. He is thought of by most people in the country to be an extremely gifted individual, as his physical abilities outdo that of even his father at the same age, giving him the title “Godcrusher”, meaning that his strength is thought to rival that of the god of strength, Arimas. 

With the prince holding the Godcrusher title, and the Serrate having witnessed two explosions of Esphoros' volcano, the people have it set in their beliefs that this will be the start of a great era for the Saphri people. Of course, they didn't simply make all of this up themselves. It was all a part of a fortune told by the Guzima, or High Priest, Melden. He lives alone with only two other monks on a mountain neighboring Esphoros' volcano, where it is said he can speak directly with the gods, making any message he delivers a message directly from the gods. It was by this method that the prince received the “Godcrusher” title, and that the prophecy about the Shezerade was born. 

Just as the volcano began to rumble louder, the Guzima stepped out of the crowd, helped by two trainee monks. They all wore simple white robes marked in dark red with the symbol of the Saphri Pantheon. The Guzima himself had a white sash wrapped around his eyes as well, also embroidered with the mark of the Pantheon. He was clearly old and frail, as the trainees seemed to be lifting him without a problem. His body had already began to go through the late-life atrophy that plagues all Saphri, making some of his bones visible through his skin, giving him a near skeletal look. He was missing a few teeth, which ws visible behind his thin, cracked lips. The hair on his head had long since left him, and the only real sense he had left was his sense of hearing. 

Upon reaching the front where the Shezerade and Shezah stood, the two trainees slowly lowered their master, and remained with their heads pressed to the ground for the remainder of the ceremony. With the Guzima finally at the front, the ceremony could finally begin. 

With a weak and dry voice, the Guzima spoke to the crowd, as he weakly lifted his arms as high as he could, which was barely even past his stomach. 

“Good people of Reinnam. This eruption is the seventeenth eruption since the gods gave this land it's name. As such, I have been given a message directly from the great Esphoros, to share with you all here today. He says that what we were told earlier is correct. That the fact our Shezerade has witnessed two eruptions in his life is a sign of great prosperity for our people.”

As the Guzima spoke, the Shezerade simply smiled and nodded, as if this was all that he had expected to hear. 'That's right, praise me more.' he thought while watching the crowd cheer up as the words.

“However.” said the Guzima. “However. It is to my great displeasure, as well as pleasure, that I can announce that Esphoros says it will not be Pheras II who will lead us into this great era. Instead, it will be the Godcrusher, our Shezah, Shelas. Esphoros has said that with his strength, pride and determination, this nation will be stronger than it has been since the first Shezerade was named by my ancestors, and created Reinnam by the will of the gods. The gods do, however, say that it is by the strength and greatness of Pheras II that this era will come about. They say that if his will is strong enough, his reign will set the guidelines for his son's greatness.”

By the end of the speech, the Guzima's voice had reduced to a hoarse whisper, so that only those in very close proximity could make out what he said at the end. Upon finishing his sentence, the Guzima sat down on his knees, and another monk immediately rushed to his side with a small wooden cup full of water. With a quick thanks, the Guzima thanked the man, who quickly slunk back into the crowd, not wanting to be noticed. 

However, nobody's eyes were on the man. They were all glued to the face of the Shezerade, who looked absolutely mortified. Here, he had been expecting a prophecy about how great he would be, and how he was the incarnation of a god. Instead, they worshiped his son, and essentially told him his only importance was making sure that his son had a nice, pampered route to the future they had given him.

Red with embarrassment and anger, the Shezerade shouted out to the crowd in a way that even the blinded Guzima could see his emotions clear as day.

“Thank you all for coming to this [i]great[/i] event, and for listening to the [i]great[/i] prophecy, about my [i]great[/i] son! And let us thank the [i]great[/i] Guzima for his [i]wise[/i] words, which he has so kindly shared with each of us. Together, we all make this land great, not just the royals and the monks. Without the dedication of you all, the plans the gods set out for us surely would [i]never[/i] come to fruition. I [i]eagerly[/i] await working with each and every one of you to make the great future for my son, a [i]reality[/i].”

With a hiss in the last word, the Shezerade gave a brisk turn, planted his rod firmly into the ground, and snapped at his guards.

“We're leaving.”

Without even a hint of acknowledgment to the Guzima, the Shezerade, Shezah and the rest of the guard quickly made their way back to the road, where a rough, yet embellished wooden carriage awaited them.