NationStates Jolt Archive

"My dear friends,

A long, long time ago, our borders were attacked by the invaders from Waldonzia. It was a short war, but one that resulted in many victims. Several years ago, on this very day, that war came to an end.

A grand feast was organised back then, and now we shall do it again, as we look back and bless the many years of peace our country has enjoyed since then.

I invite you all as we celebrate the peace, and bring honour to those that died in battle, shedding their own blood for their fellow Goth."

The invitation had been sent two weeks ago...and today was the day of the feast. Dinner maids were setting out plates on the long tables that were set in a square, and a small stage was set in the middle.
Soon this plane would be fillen with nation's leaders and delegates, eating, laughing, drinking in the shadow of the great spire of Lacuna Coil while mages and bards astonished the crowd with tricks and shannanigans.

Zaek stood in his chambers, near the top of the spire and looked down through the window-opening. The scene below resembled in many ways an antfarm, with servants rushing about getting everything ready. Zaek looked towards the night sky, it would be another beautiful Gothicum night.
The temperature was comfortable, the sky was clear and the moon full, raining down her magic on the plains of Gothicum.

Dressed in dark grey shirt with golden lining, and his dark trousers, Zaek Invictus, the nations leader carefully tred off the stairs downstairs, where he was met by a stableboy, presenting Zaek the reigns of a beautiful Nightwolf, who waited for his rider standing proud and strong.Zaek mounted the ride, and made his way to the small airstrip just a few leagues away from the festivities, where the airplanes carrying the nation's leaders and delegates would arrive.

There he dismounted the Nightwolf and waited for the first of the guests to arrive.

Queen Silver Siren looked over the landscape of Gothicum once more, her sister Richenda beside her looking stony faced and tense her children talking in their excited voices babbling about nothing.... She suddenly missed the presence of her husband but she thought it best he stay in SilverCities as regent in her absence...

She was worried about Richenda... ever since she came home she had seemed like a shell of her former self, she wouldn even talk about what happened with Dayne.. she hoped perhaps this gathering would cheer her...

She shook out her silver hair running a slender hand through it and despaired as the twins Anthony and Beth began squabbling making objects blink and and out of existence....

Zaek saw the first plane approach.. Like every other plane that would enter Gothicum airspace tonight, it was escorted by a wing of the Valkyrie Honour Guard.

He smiled to himself...that's a Silvercities plane...that must be Siren and her two children.

Zaek immediately beckoned one of the coaches to him, and said to the driver.

"I want these guests to be handled with the utmost respect and etiquette, they are important friends to us..."

The driver nodded as he gave reigns to the Nightwolves and took his position to welcome the guests.

As the plane landed the young twins nearly leapt out of their seats," ooh mom look its all dark.." Beth had her little face pressed against the window of the plane "Why is it nighttime already?"

Silver just smiled and replied lightly," it just is dear daughter, that is how this land works... " she took her children's hands and lead them off the lane followed by a sullen Richenda.

"Now remember you two try to keep yourselves under control. just think you get to see Uncle Zaek and Aunt Rothana.. I know they will be delighted to see how you have grown.."

Richenda's eyes lit up at the mention of her twin, she missed her terribly...

Zaek stood at ht e end of the lane...a wide smile on his face. It had been long since he saw Silver and his nephew and niece.

"Siren! Richenda...my have the winter passed so quick, it seems so long since we last met. Though I must say you both don't look a day older!"

He knelt down on one knee.

"Anthony..Beth...How about you give your uncle a hug" he smiled, delighted by the joy of these two young lives, who seemed careless and free.

Beth looked at the man who called himself her uncle and her silver gaze took him in slowly while her mind sent out a tenitive tendril of thought to scan him. She then grinned and raced to hug Zaek,"Hi I kinda know who you are my mom told me, why is it night and what are those?" she pointed to the wolves on the horizon "Do you have kids here? Do we have to go to bed since it is night time?"

Anthony just watched silently, his mind taking in every impression his more outgoing twin sent him and he smiled shyly as he kept close to his mother.

"Zaek it is wonderful to see you again... how is Rothana?" Siren detached her still babbling daughter and hugged her Brother in law.

Richenda smiled as warmly as she could,"Hello again.. it has been a long time.."

Zaek kissed Siren warmly on the cheek, and did the same for Richenda.

"She's back at the spire, nerous about seeing you two again..."

He turned to Beth.

"And you, such an inquiring mind...It is night here because the Spirits gave Gothicum long, clear and beautiful nights. And that is a Nightwolf, we use them instead of horses, they're very friendly, you can even pet them. And you'll have to ask your mother about the bedtime"

He smiled warmly.

"Mes demoiselles, your coach awaits"

Siren and Richenda accompanied by the twins follow Zaek to the waiting conveyance.

Richenda let her mind wander back to the last time she was here... and her mind flashed on the night Dayne proposed and her eyes filled with crystal tears.She quickly ran a hand over her large blue eyes and breathed deeply.

I will not let memories of HIM spoil seeing my sister again...

Richenda hoped that Zaek had a good supply of whisky.. she felt in dire need of a drink... A slender hand ran through her long, russet tresses and then slid across the hilt of her dagger snugly tucked away in her belt. She then touched again on memories of the night she, her sister, Zaek and a few others defended the spire. She then smiled and wondered if her sister has become a master swordswoman by now....

After a short ride they arrived at the citadel formed around the spire. Outside the walls stood Rothana, beautiful as ever in her flamboyant military outfit, the outfit of the Queen of the Stormcrows. At her side was a new face, a young girl, who looked around 19 in human years. Her slightly pointed ears and white hair gave away her drow lineage, but she did not have the hate and bloodlust in her eyes, like her ancestors had many years ago.

The coach stopped and Zaek opened the door, upon which the children jumped out and ran to Rothana. Richenda hastly stepped out to greet her sister, but when Silver wanted to step out, Zaek held her arm.

"Silver, is everything allright with Richenda? She looks like a ghost of her former self... And where is Dayne?"