Mars Underneath The Sceptre of Eternity

Politics and Proposals

One by one all warlords, oligarchs, soldiers, palace attendants and former thralls paid their final tribute to Zealeoness. At last Grand Seer entered the yard along with two High Seers and a group of Trainee Seers in red robes. The Rod of Justice was in his hand and one of his Trainee Seers was carrying a big white orb on a red cloth covered tray. Some novices in purple robes were ringing small golden bells in a monotonous way. Grand Seer stopped before the cot on which Zealeoness was lying; High Seers also stopped beside him. His Trainee Seers in red robes placed the orb on a wooden stool. Ten novices in purple robes continued ringing bells in their hands.

Grand Seer knelt before Zealeoness's body and one of the novices placed a wooden stool before him. A disciple placed that white orb on it. Grand Seer lifted his hand and the Rod of Justice in the air. Two High Seers also raised their respective white rods in the air. The First High Seer was carrying the Rod of Unseen and the second one was carrying the Rod of Light. They started waving their hands and the Grand Seer started chanting incomprehensible hymns in Ancient language; which only Seers could understand. After finishing the ritual; Grand Seer rose and two High Seers stopped waving their hands.

"Nightfall;" the Grand Seer declared in cold voice; "Nightfall is the time for her cremation. This is no ordinary death, but the soul has been sucked out of her body." He paused and noticed the fear in every face.

Ergonn knew the hint; he asked softly, "Creatures living under Mount Oganaka."

"Yes, King Ergonn; the Celestial Tide has started. A rare planetary conjunction is going to happen after many thousand years later. Usually in every decade planetary conjunction between Kronos and Zefs occurs and this event creates an unnatural tide in the Dark Sea and River Tophette goes downward. It allows every King to reach beyond the Mountain of Fire; but this time; the Evil Moon has come again near our sacred planet and it is providing unnatural strength to the Soul Suckers living in Terra Tenebris. They will again try to occupy the Martian surface from us and you have to defeat them." He told all those words in one breath.

Fear spread among the men gathered in the court; Ergonn tried to pacify his men and said, "As long as I'm alive, I'll not let any dark power to conquer our kingdom." He raised his both hands in the air and tried to pacify his men. Though Ergonn hardly believed in myths and mythology, but he knew the people of Terra Aquillaan believed those stories deeply.

The Grand Seer and his men left the courtyard with their orb and bells. Ergonn felt relieved, but he did not show it in his face. The Grand Seer was the only man who supported his accession to the throne. Now, Deodara's cousin's sudden arrival did not please Ergonn; he might have come here for claiming Deoes birth right. It meant another war of succession. Ergonn thought to make strategies to counter such claim.

As a King, Ergonn was expected to proceed with Zealeoness's funeral. He asked cot bearers to carry the cot and asked warlords, oligarchs, merchants and soldiers to follow him in a procession. The cot bearers took their positions; others stood in a neat line. Warlords were leading the procession followed by Oligarchs and merchants; at the tail of the procession ordinary soldiers, palace attendants and thralls stood. Gatekeepers of the palace blew two gigantic golden horns together and the main entrance way was opened.

Ergonn saw plebeian folk were waiting eagerly to see their former queen, but they were not allowed to join the procession. Suddenly, he thought something and called warlord H'orden.

"Allow them to join at the tail of the procession." He ordered.

Though Warlord H'orden did not like Ergonn's order, but he obeyed it without question.