NationStates Jolt Archive

St Olav's Cathedral
Krogstad
1100 Hours

The church bells tolled out the hour as the Royal Limousine pulled up to the front. After the bodyguards had exited, a young man dressed in a conservative black suit stepped out and the party began walking down the path into the 12th Century Gothic cathedral. The regal trimmings had disappeared, replaced by black trim normally reserved for Good Friday services. The young man was the soon-to-be King of the land of Hryvinia, and the funeral was for his father, who had passed away only a week ago. As they entered the church the bodyguards left their weapons in the cloakroom, as it was not considered proper to enter the House of God with instruments of death. The guards remained in the entrance to the church as their regent (for he was not yet King) strode through the spacious church, examining the pews and decor to be sure everything was perfect. Suddenly, a monk wearing the traditional brown robes strode up to him and began to speak.

"Your Majesty, the Archbishop wishes to speak with you. He's in his office," the monk said before turning back to his work. He did not bow, as one never bows to a mortal in the house of The Lord.

A short walk later, Sverre found himself in the office of the Archbishop of Krogstad, Sven Gorensson. The Archbishop was arguably the second most powerful person within the nation after the King himself, and as Sverre was within his realm, he bowed slightly to Gorensson before continuing.

"You wanted to see me Archbishop?," he queried, taking a seat in one of the plush chairs on the opposite side of Gorensson's desk.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I just wanted to give you a rundown of the schedule as presented to me by Your Majesty's Council. Your father's earthly remains have arrived already, and the guests are due to begin arriving any minute. The eulogies will be read during the service, after which your father will be interred in the Royal Crypt in the cemetery here. If there's anything you need to have added or changed, now would be the time to say so."

After a short period of silence, Sverre replied. "Everything sounds good to me. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go pray in the chapel. Send one of your monks to inform me when the guests start arriving."

"Your wish is my command, Your Majesty. God bless you and keep you," Gorensson said with a slight bow as Sverre exited his chambers.

"This is the pilot of the Shansekian Executive Plane to all passengers and crew. We are about to land at Krogstad International Airport. I have activated the seatbelt sign..."

"WHEEEEE!!!" shouted the president as the plane started its descent towards the airport, electing stares from the cabinet and crew.

"Sir, control yourself," muttered the Chief Adviser. "It's only a plane landing. And after all, we're supposed to be in mourning."

"Riiight," sighed the president, calming himself as the plane approached the runway. "I hear the pilot is pretty good a-" The president's remarked was interrupted by particularly large BUMP. "-t...landing a plane." The president nearly collapsed in laughter until his aides reminded him of the situation.

As the stairs came out of the jet, a red carpet followed, and the security detail left the plane, followed by the president and his cabinet and then the rear security. Walking formally (difficult for the president) in their completely black clothes, they walked through the airport to their limousines parked outside the airport, and started the drive to the funeral.

The Boeing 707 Winged it's way towards Krogstad International Airport, Hryvinia.

"-KZZT- This is the pilot of Flight 917 Heavy, carrying Foreign Affairs Bureau Cheif Niklaus Tezla. Be advised, we will land in 5 Minutes.-KZZT-"

The Jet deployed it's wheels, executing a textbook landing on the north Runway. It rolled to a stop, bofore opening it's rear door, letting loose a gaggle of Black-dressed Dignitaries. Among them was the Dapper-looking Tezla, wearing a bowler hat and trying to keep a straight face. They boarded the black limousines before heading to the funeral venue.

St. Olav's Cathedral
Krogstad
1115 Hours

Sverre had been in the chapel for fifteen minutes, praying and meditating, when his cell phone vibrated ever so slightly. Groaning slightly, he withdrew the Motorola from it's holster and spoke.

"This is King Sverre, what can I do for you?," Sverre queried, having seen that the number was coming from within the Cathedral.

"The first guests have arrived m'lord," the monk on the other end replied.

"Very well, I shall be at the door within fifteen minutes," Sverre replied, snapping the phone shut. With that, he stood up and began walking down the corridor that led to the stairs to the main church.

A few minutes later, he was standing in the door of the church as the first guests arrived. "Hm. That makes the Shansekian and the Norsikian delegations if I'm not mistaken. That Shansekian had better control himself, for his own sake. I've heard...things...about their kind from the Zukariaans," Sverre said, attempting to hide the contempt in his voice. He could barely respect one who signed over their people's freedom without a fight.

"I will attend."

Generalissimo J.L.

OOC: Hryv, me nation's called Norsikia, if you don't mind...

OOC: fixed :)