Kolumejalim II
 

[Moderator\'\'s Note: Bob provides us with Arjai\'\'s report (Part 2). ]

From their vantage point in the balcony of the immense square chamber
of the High Chancery, Lord Arjai and Lady Chitlasha had a good view of
the Imperial Dais below, which was topped with the great golden seal of
the Empire.

Meeting, greeting and conversing with old friends and bitter enemies in
a convivial fashion, the mightest persons of the Empire were gathered to
observe the beginning of the rituals of the Kolumejalim. Few would stay
for all the rites, which were lengthy and took several days, but none who
could attend would risk their chance to be present at the historic
presentation
of the candidates.

A hush fell over the murmuring crowd as ancient Lord Aknallu, the highest
of the members of the High Chancery, stepped forth to address the crowd.

"In the name of the Gods and in the Name of the Seal Emperor of Tsolyanu,
who sits forever in the Golden Tower of Avanthar, let us observe now the
Kolumejalim, the Rite of Choosing Emperors, as handed down to us through
tradition and ritual from the mouths of the Gods themselves, as revealed
by the Priest Pavar!"

Then did the hidden musicians and cantors undertake the grand music heard
only during the Kolumejalim, but for which they practiced every day of
their lives for years. From alcoves hidden behind stonework came songs
of glory and empire, nobility and faithfulness to the Gods of Tsolyanu.

While the songs rang out, the various candidates entered and took up
stations upon and around the great dais. When the music was complete,
Korrikada hiKurrtashmu stood forth as the first speaker for his candidate
Prince Mirusiya. He issued a brash and martial declaration, bestowing
credit for the salvation of the Empire upon his Prince with unreserved
grandeur. Around them in the crowd, Arjai could see displeased looks
and whispered comments: all knew that it was the union of the Princes
Taksuru, Rereshqala and Mirusiya which was finally victorious over the
former occupant of the Petal Throne. Few wished to see that alliance
fractured, and such partisan claims as Lord Korrikada were making did
not contribute to the union.

Next stood forth Kettukal, formerly High General of the Empire, and
staunch ally of the departed Prince Eselne. About him were arrayed
the finest surviving warriors of Eselne\'\'s army, who stood like gleaming
statues, moving not a muscle. "We are here," barked the general, "We
are loyal in all ways to the Emperor. All that is in the past is in the
past. All that was between us is put aside. The Army of the Empire
supports the Empire, the Army of the Empire is the sword of the Emperor!"

The crowd roared its approval of General Kettukal\'\'s grace and diplomacy,
which cast Korrikada\'\'s own brashness in stark relief. In one simple yet
powerful statement, Kettukal had sealed the rift of civil strife between
the forces of Eselne and the other Princes. No one present could doubt
that at that moment Kettukal and all his men were ready to sacrifice their
lives at the behest of whoever was named Emperor of Tsolyanu.

Following Kettukal came a representative of the Temple of Belkhanu.
Their candidate was not present, he claimed, and Chitlasha and Arjai
exchanged meaningful glances -- Lord Kirchta was, they knew, presiding
as Emperor in the Tsolyanu of an entirely different plane! He went on
to speak in the uncharismatic fashion of his Temple of the establishment
of good government, and the building of order. People began to stir
restlessly, and some at the back filed from the hall. Sensing their
unease, Lord Aknallu called a halt to the day\'\'s proceedings, and all
retired to their palaces and temples for an evening of festivities.

The next day, the seventh of Hasanpor, the presentations began again.
First to speak was the representative of the Temple of Dlamelish, announcing
the renouncement of the gold on behalf of their candidate, young
Princess Nareshana. "She had an arrangement with the lad from Hru\'\'u,"
whispered Chitlasha to her husband, "the two of them will renounce together
in exchange for certain favors granted by Prince Mirusiya."

Next stood the representative of Prince Rereshqala. "The words of the
mighty Prince are these," he declared, "That he shall, at last, renounce
the Gold, not in recognition of his own advancing years, but in truth out
of a deep love of his Empire, that it should not be divided again." The
crowd murmured its approval, for this was expected, but also welcome.

In quick succession the representatives for Prince Surundano and Princess
Asudlana -- who was hitherto unknown -- renounced their claims.
Then stood forth a representative in the dark blue of the Temple of
Ksarul. "Prince Mridobu," he began, and the crowd hushed. The Prince
had been missing and assumed dead for over a year -- was he now to emerge
and stake his claim? "Has no voice in these matters!" finished the
representative. The Prince, then, remained missing.

Prince Hehineshmu Tlakotani, of the Temple of Hru\'\'u, stood himself to
renounce his own claim. A scruffy and unkempt youth, he seemed entirely
out of place among the high persons, and would likely follow timid
Prince Surundano of the Temple of Thumis into a life of obscurity within
his Temple.

A banner was then brought forth, dark red with the emblem of Prince
Eselne. No words were spoken for the fallen Prince, and after a time
the banner was lowered and removed.

Following the presentation of Prince Eselne\'\'s banner, a representative
from the Temple of Dilinala announced that young Princess Ke\'\'el
Tlakotani did renounce the Gold in favor of Mighty Prince Mirusiya.

Then Prince Taksuru himself stood forth. It was expected that he would
renounce the Gold in exchange for the High Generalship of the Empire.
But it was not to be so. "I stand for the Gold!" he cried, and a wave
of shocked exclamations swept the room, "As is my right and my duty
to the Empire."

The shock of this announcement had hardly sunk in, when a tall figure
in brown robes stood forth. Beneath the copper skullcap was the craggy
face of Lord Jayargo. This was unexpected, for he represented Prince
Dhich\'\'une and was his very lieutenant in Avanthar. None could believe
that he had made his way into this very hall, and all dreaded his
announcement. Would he declare that Prince Dhich\'\'une would stand for
the Gold?

"Mighty Lords and Ladies, I protest!" he cried, "Lord Aknallu, call off
this charade! There is but one Emperor, and he is Eternal Splendor!
This undertaking is illegitimate and illegal, carried out in haste and
without notification!"

"Enough Lord Jayargo!" barked Aknallu, his voice powerful despite his
years. "This proceeding is more legitimate than that forced upon the
High Chancery by your master following the passing of mighty Emperor
Hirkane! If this undertaking is illegitimate, let your master file
a grievance! If it is meaningless, let your master ignore it! But
if he wishes to participate, let him arrive and do so! Else," cried
Aknallu, relishing the irony of his declaration, "if he cannot arrive
in time to declare his candidacy for the Gold, he forfeits his claim
to the candidates who are present!"

His face purple with fury, Lord Jayargo stalked off the dais and
disappeared up an aisle. Arjai watched closely, for he had been
acquainted with Jayargo years before, when they sailed to Livyanu
together. It did not surprise him that Jayargo\'\'s figure was
never silhouetted in the doorway of departure, yet it was clear
to all that he had gone.

Finally Prince Mirusiya stood forth upon the dais, and all eyes turned
to him.

"I Mirusiya Tlakotani do claim the Gold, as is my right and is my
duty to the Empire and to the Gods! I am the Emperor of Tsolyanu,
my sword has been guided by the Gods, my feet are firm planted in
the Empire\'\'s soil, my arms have wrested open the door to the Golden
Tower! I claim the Petal Throne as the son of Hirkane Tlakotani,
The Stone Upon Which the Universe Rests!"

Despite themselves, some of the Prince\'\'s supporters roared their
approval and beat the floor with their feet before being quieted
by their comrades. After this unseemly breech of protocol, an
unexpected event took place.

Prince Taksuru Tlakotani stood, and marched up to where Prince Mirusiya
still faced the crowd upon the dais.

"In the interests of the Empire, and on behalf of my brother, I hereby
renounce all claim to the Gold. I do this to prevent further war, to
heal all divisions, and to honor the Petal Throne!"

As the crowd discarded with propriety and roared its approval, Lady
Chitlasha leaned over to whisper to her husband. "Clever," she
spoke in his ear, "very clever -- they presented a divided front to
draw out Dhich\'\'une, to see what he would do. If he was going to
challenge them at all it would have been when he thought them
divided over the Gold. Once Lord Jayargo played his meager hand,
once Prince Dhich\'\'une\'\'s representative was forced off the field,
the Princes once again closed ranks."

"That was indeed clever -- a strategem with the handiwork of our Prince
Taksuru upon it!" replied Arjai, "Did you know I once lunched with him
in our..."

But he was interrupted by the Prince, who had begun speaking again.

"We are brothers," declared Mirusiya, and he stepped forth to embrace
Prince Taksuru. "We are builders! We live together, we die together!
Avanthar is the capital of the Universe because we make it so! We
include a third!" and with this they turned to Prince Rereshqala,
who nodded to acknowledge their attention.

"Three beautiful lights are in the sky over Bey Su!" cried Mirusiya,
"The Gods smile upon our Empire and upon the Emperor in the Golden
Tower! Go forth! Celebrate! Let the festivities not cease until
the Golden Door closes, and let them thereafter renew for many days!
I have claimed it, we have won it, the Empire of the Petal Throne!"

The roaring and cheering echoed throughout the audience chamber of
the High Chancery of the Priesthoods in Bey Su in a manner most
unbecoming its dignity and grandeur. But, for a while, even
stodgy Lord Aknallu grinned like the lad he once was.
-----
Chris Davis Moderator, The Blue Room blueroom@prin.edu
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