Post by Talia on Sept 26, 2010 17:13:10 GMT -5
The narrow alleyways of Arcanthor were bustling with life today; every man, woman and child seemed to be flooding the streets, some calling and shouting, brimming with excitement, others more evidently subdued but curious none-the-less. All were hoping for a glimpse, at the very least, of the man of the hour- their new King.
The coronation had been away from the city itself- the trials had produced such a flurry of events, and the need to crown a new monarch was so great that the coronation had been arranged immediately following the trials themselves. Few had even had the opportunity of seeing their king- the trials were so popular that not all had managed to be in attendance due to sheer numbers, and their newly named leader had been bustled off immediately following the succession announcement.
This man would decide their fate for an indefinite number of years. The only thing that the majority had heard were bits and pieces of rumors, snatches from various factions, barely believable pieces of conversation.
Naturally, they wanted to know. They needed to see.
As the sun beat down heavily upon his back, Riarallis could have sworn that his fur mantle weighed nigh near 100 pounds. He shifted his shoulders uncomfortably, suppressing the urge to snarl aloud at the unnecessary ceremonial regalia.
Really. Clothing was so unnecessary.
He could feel the sweat trickling and tickling a slow trail down his spine. The urge to Change was so great that he was forced to cast his attentions elsewhere, seeking a diversion lest he turn in front of his awe-struck subjects. It was unfortunate that his closest distraction was his advisers who flanked his sides, whispering words of encouragement and grumbling chiding remarks both at the same time.
"Best not to fidget, Your Grace," one said, a forced smile upon his face for the benefit of the common-folk. His other adviser to his right frowned, ever-so-slightly her dislike for her companion clear- at least, to him it was.
'Allis' face twisted into a parody of a smile as he forced a response from his lips. "If I wasn't forced to wear pounds of this ridiculous silk and fur, I'd be far better off and a fair bit more cooler, I would say. I would rather mingle with the people."
The man frowned again, this time more expressively, and shook his head in the negative.
"They are below you, Your Grace. You must not fraternize with the common folk."
Allis rolled his eyes, much to the chagrin of his surly adviser. The action brought a brief smile to the female adviser's face, however. He was beginning to like her.
"May I remind you that not so many days ago, I was one of these "common folk" that you speak of," he retorted scathingly. The man winced and quickly back-peddled, seeking to remain in his liege's good graces.
"Of course, Your Grace. Whatever you wish, of course," he wheedled.
Allis was already ignoring him, as he cast his attention on the crowd. One person in particular caught his attention- a young girl, tattered clothing with a mud smeared face, young and scrawny. Her sister sat upon her shoulders, the two of them excitedly pointing and jumping as he turned to face them.
He wasn't supposed to wave... ah bollocks. What use was being King if he couldn't do what he wanted?
In a flash, he had separated from his advisers, his guards behind him looking slightly aghast as he strode up to the youngsters, a broad smile on his face.
He knelt before the children, and the youngest looked away shyly, hiding behind her sister's head as she peered out from between tangled strands of hair. With a grin, he tussled the youngest girl's hair, laughing as she giggled aloud at the reaction, her little hands reaching out to grab his.
"Well hello there kitten," he said kindly. He was fully aware of his advisers at his back. He could feel the one's disapproval like a burning brand in the back of his head. He smiled at the elder girl then and patted her on the head.
"You must take good care of your sister. She seems to be in good hands."
The littlest girl nodded vigorously from her sister's shoulders desperate for approval and more recognition.
"Sissy does. She always dun her best!" said the little one brightly.
The elder sister smiled briefly, the expression lighting up her dirt-stained features for the briefest of moments.
"Good for you," responded Allis, before returning to his retinue with a final wave.
The female adviser's mouth was turned up at the corners, her grin evident. The other frowned sourly, knowing that his concerns would fall on deaf ears.
With one last bout of rebellion, Riarallis shrugged off his fur mantle and threw it over one shoulder, reveling in the soothing feel of the breeze caressing his now- much lighter- clothing.
The coronation had been away from the city itself- the trials had produced such a flurry of events, and the need to crown a new monarch was so great that the coronation had been arranged immediately following the trials themselves. Few had even had the opportunity of seeing their king- the trials were so popular that not all had managed to be in attendance due to sheer numbers, and their newly named leader had been bustled off immediately following the succession announcement.
This man would decide their fate for an indefinite number of years. The only thing that the majority had heard were bits and pieces of rumors, snatches from various factions, barely believable pieces of conversation.
Naturally, they wanted to know. They needed to see.
As the sun beat down heavily upon his back, Riarallis could have sworn that his fur mantle weighed nigh near 100 pounds. He shifted his shoulders uncomfortably, suppressing the urge to snarl aloud at the unnecessary ceremonial regalia.
Really. Clothing was so unnecessary.
He could feel the sweat trickling and tickling a slow trail down his spine. The urge to Change was so great that he was forced to cast his attentions elsewhere, seeking a diversion lest he turn in front of his awe-struck subjects. It was unfortunate that his closest distraction was his advisers who flanked his sides, whispering words of encouragement and grumbling chiding remarks both at the same time.
"Best not to fidget, Your Grace," one said, a forced smile upon his face for the benefit of the common-folk. His other adviser to his right frowned, ever-so-slightly her dislike for her companion clear- at least, to him it was.
'Allis' face twisted into a parody of a smile as he forced a response from his lips. "If I wasn't forced to wear pounds of this ridiculous silk and fur, I'd be far better off and a fair bit more cooler, I would say. I would rather mingle with the people."
The man frowned again, this time more expressively, and shook his head in the negative.
"They are below you, Your Grace. You must not fraternize with the common folk."
Allis rolled his eyes, much to the chagrin of his surly adviser. The action brought a brief smile to the female adviser's face, however. He was beginning to like her.
"May I remind you that not so many days ago, I was one of these "common folk" that you speak of," he retorted scathingly. The man winced and quickly back-peddled, seeking to remain in his liege's good graces.
"Of course, Your Grace. Whatever you wish, of course," he wheedled.
Allis was already ignoring him, as he cast his attention on the crowd. One person in particular caught his attention- a young girl, tattered clothing with a mud smeared face, young and scrawny. Her sister sat upon her shoulders, the two of them excitedly pointing and jumping as he turned to face them.
He wasn't supposed to wave... ah bollocks. What use was being King if he couldn't do what he wanted?
In a flash, he had separated from his advisers, his guards behind him looking slightly aghast as he strode up to the youngsters, a broad smile on his face.
He knelt before the children, and the youngest looked away shyly, hiding behind her sister's head as she peered out from between tangled strands of hair. With a grin, he tussled the youngest girl's hair, laughing as she giggled aloud at the reaction, her little hands reaching out to grab his.
"Well hello there kitten," he said kindly. He was fully aware of his advisers at his back. He could feel the one's disapproval like a burning brand in the back of his head. He smiled at the elder girl then and patted her on the head.
"You must take good care of your sister. She seems to be in good hands."
The littlest girl nodded vigorously from her sister's shoulders desperate for approval and more recognition.
"Sissy does. She always dun her best!" said the little one brightly.
The elder sister smiled briefly, the expression lighting up her dirt-stained features for the briefest of moments.
"Good for you," responded Allis, before returning to his retinue with a final wave.
The female adviser's mouth was turned up at the corners, her grin evident. The other frowned sourly, knowing that his concerns would fall on deaf ears.
With one last bout of rebellion, Riarallis shrugged off his fur mantle and threw it over one shoulder, reveling in the soothing feel of the breeze caressing his now- much lighter- clothing.