NationStates Jolt Archive

The solemn-looking, almond-eyed, middle-aged woman steps up to the podium. After a moment of silence to gain everyone's attention, she begins to speak.

"Ladies and gentlemen, representatives of the media and concerned citizens, I am Royal Councellor Ashila. On behalf of our Beloved Emperor, His Holiness Ushar XVI, I am releasing the following declaration:

"The Palace does not comment on the rumors recently floating about The Holy Sister Teshara's alledged disappearance.
Furthermore, We remind the citizens that The Holy Sister has her duties which she has ever been delighted to do diligently.
Further declarations will be issued at need to know basis. Thank you all for coming. We now allow you to return to your homes."

The crowd begins to disperse quickly, knowing full well that 'being allowed to leave' is actually a command. Some mutterings can be heard from the crowd, many look concerned, but most seem not to care.

At a corner table in the Ivory Elephant tavern the theories of the reason for her disappearance range from serious illness to being kidnapped by 'our closest friends'. Very quietly the patrons also discuss the possibility of an assassination either by enemy state, the freddies or even him. The discussion dies quicly as a Guard of the Royal Green enters the tavern. After a few seconds of silence, the patrons begin discussing less inflammatory subjects.

{OOC SPOILER: Those wanting to know what has happened to her should read this thread (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=344656).

The Royal Councellor Ashila crosses the Turtle Shell Square and unceremoniously slips in through the sidegate in the southern palace wall. Half an hour later she enters the throne room, walks in and kneels in front of the short, stocky man sitting at the desk in the corner.

His Holiness, Emperor Ushar XVII looks down at the woman in front of him. "Ashila, come and sit", he says and continues as the woman quickly sits on the other side of the desk, "Now, where is my young sister?"

The Royal Councellor studies the Emperor's round, pleasant looking face that is starting to show signs of premature aging. He knows, he has that look in his eyes. Like a cat that just ate the mouse. He has found out where she is.

Ashila shakes her head slowly. "I do not know Ushar, we have not been able to find a trace in the Palace...", she begins only to be interrupted quickly.

"Hah", exclaims the clearly delighted man, "I love you dearly for not spoiling my fun, dear Ashila. I know you had your fingers in this."

The Emperor Ushar laughs suddenly heartily, looking at his own age of thirty-two. "She has gone to Pantera with the other candidates. By the Turtle, I do hope she finds happiness there. They are even more rash than her there."

The Emperor picks up a piece of paper from his desk. "This telegram says that the Lord Reaver has announced he wishes to wed Teshara. Of course, it is not an official announcement, so we await."


"Now, let us discuss the budget for willow exports and then, we shall retire early", the Emperor says and turns to study a pile of papers on his desk, a boyish smile on his usually serious face.

TO: His Holiness, Emperor Ushar XVII

Your Grace, it is with great expectation that I write this letter. The Lands of Pantera have been torn by war and strife for many months now, and all seemed dark when the sun rose yesterday. Yet, as it sank below the horizon, a ray of light shone in Pantera. This light was your sister, the Lady Teshara, and in her I saw a strength that I loved on sight...

So, I do ask your blessing upon our union. I vow to be a strong husband to her, and to give her many strong sons and beautiful daughters to carry on our line.

If you agree, and I intend that you will, regardless of the cost, I invite you to Pantera. I intend to be married within the week, and I look forward to discussion the future relations of our nation with you...

Dayne the Evenstar
Lord Reaver of Pantera
Drag the Waters of War

TO: Lord Reaver of Pantera, Dayne the Evenstar

Royal Brother,

Your news greatly delight my heart, for of all my siblings Teshara is probably the dearest to me. If you have not discovered why, you soon shall. She is also one to give me most grief with her rash actions and sometimes the tongue like the sting of the ray. But undoubtedly, you shall discover this yourself, as well as the rest.

As much as I would wish to attend, it is quite impossible. It is the one irrefutable law of our nation that the Emperor never leaves the Island. I shall, however, immediately dispatch the Royal Councillor Ashila, Consort to the throne as well as the sister of Our Sister Shara's mother, Elisha.

Furthermore, I extend an invitation to the both of you to visit us as soon as you can after the wedding. Both Ourselves, the Family and even the citizens will eagerly wish to see Shara again. Indeed, there have been rumours that she has been kidnapped or murdered and it would greatly help if the people were to see her again.

We shall remain awaiting to hear further news and to gaze upon your faces in the not so distant future.

Ushar XVI
His Holiness the Emperor of Atarkhos
The Shell of the Island and Chosen of the Great Turtle

On nearly each streetlight in Kilppari the annoyingly bright posters catch the eye of even the casual passer-by.

THE REAVER'S BRIDE

The Holy Sister Teshara to Wed Lord Reaver of Pantera


The full tale tomorrow!
Only on EVENING RAY!

Very little else is discussed that evening in the taverns and teashops surrounding the Turtle Shell Square.

The next afternoon scores of people queued outside the kiosks, the most enthusiastic having arrived an hour before the Evening Ray was to come out. Others walked past, shaking their heads in dismay.

As the carts arrived and the most popular tabloid in Atarkhos was put on display, enthusiastic jingle of small coins and the rustling of paper became the prevalent sounds on the square. Almost invariably every one buying the Ray turned to page 7.


7

ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCED

A few days ago we heard rumours that Holy Sister Teshara had disappeared from the Palace. Now the mystery is solved.
Early this morning an announcement was made in the Capital of Pantera that Lord Reaver of Pantera, Dayne the Evenstar intends to wed our missing princess.

The sources present report that both parties were smiling often and that Lady Teshara blushed at least twice. "She seems quite pleased", our source at The Seastone Palace says. "Of course it is a political arrangement, no-one denies that. But he is very impressive. Many of the others are quite jealous, even if they deny it."

By 'others' our source refers to the delegation of young ladies that were sent to Pantera to allow Lord Reaver to make his own choice. There are speculations about what exactly made him pick just Teshara. Thinking of their names, however, does it not seem almost destined? Our 'silver star' and the Evenstar of Pantera.

Our source ends the report, "I have little doubt that they will be suited for each other quite well."

It was a pleasant morning. A few fluffy clouds decorated the blue sky, the sun shone brightly and a gentle breeze brought the scent of the almond blossoms from the garden to the balcony.

A short, stocky man sat alone eating nuts and lazily leafing through yesterday's paper. The sound of rustling paper suddenly ceased and he leaned down to read the article closer.

He shook his head and mumbled a curse. How, by the Turtle, could the Evening Ray know all that already? And why had he not been told? No, he knew why. The paper was occupied by the freddies. Oblivious to the fact that the papers was owned bt the government, it kept printing more and more annoying stuff.

Well, the news was no longer hidden, best get prepared for a news confedence. The Emperor Ushar XVI did not like speaking in public. But Ashila was gone, he would have to soon.

As he sat there, brooding, a page brought a letter. Ushar read it through, his excitement lever rising. "Well, this at least looks to be going right. Two marriages within a few weeks...."

Ushar leaned backward, closed his eyes and got started in thinkin what he should sat during the press conferende.

The Square fell silent. It seemed the thousands gathered even held their breath as Ushar stepped on the podium. This was out of the ordinary, very much out of the ordinary. A few of the older people recalled a time when the Emperor-That-Had-Been had come himself to speak to the people. It was when the Rheassa had erupted, burying under her cloak of lava the entire Island of Rhea and its 2 million people. The people looked up to the podium nervously.

As if sensing their worry, the short, stocky man in gold and emerald enladen robe and a crown that resembled a huge golden onion began his address.
"Our Beloved Atarkhans, rejoice! A new era dawns on the Blessed Island!"

Ushar paused, looking over the silent crowd. To ascertain he had been understood he added, "This is good news!" He smiled as the populace began to stomp their feet, finally understanding they were not being sent to war or told their loved ones had died.

"We are opening the island to some selected foreigners as well as seeking to secure our position in the global politics", The Emperor noted that the people's concentration started to wander after he had spoken about the economic benefits of his plan. There was no point throwing pearls to frogs, he decided and moved on to a part that would interest most.

"Now, this all will take time, of course. Years. But it has already begun. Holy Sister Teshara will, as our diligent press has reported already, marry the Lord Reaver of Pantera. We have also began negotiations with certain other nations, hoping to reach similar goals."

Ushar smiled a while silently watching until the people stopped talking and then he added, "I shall also be taking a sixth wife, but she will not be a foreigner. It is Royal Councellor Ashila, I will have as my wife." He let his words fade into the wind, giving them time to reach everyone.

"That will be all", Ushar said and walked down. Shadowed by a platoon of guards, he began making his way back to the Palace.