Cold March (Rework in progress)

Prologue

At one point in history, all of Nixorb was covered by frost. The surface of the oceans, although not solid ice, could barely support any form of life. The Erthairian continent, perhaps once crawling with wild life, only saw a few persistent species stand victorious in the struggle against a climate that killed most larger organisms, and the soil so frozen that the only vegetation to survive were the plants that would turn into literal ice-breakers. Many considered it a wonder how civilisations could have emerged so early as they did, considering the worst periods barely had ended by the time that recorded history began.

The so called "Cold Era" truly put the very existence of Nixorbian life to the test, forging organisms that could survive even the toughest of glacial conditions. However, because of one simple detail – one tiny, yet so crucial flaw in the analysis of historical and geological data, this narrative was highly questioned. The reason for this doubt was the bipedal species that would come to dominate the continent of Erthair. The reason for the doubt was the taziin.

Sharing a common ancestor with the tree-dwelling necroiins of Mortonia, the taziin were too tall to hold any flexibility, yet too skinny to be even the slightest intimidating. Their hairless bodies could not even take the zero degrees Rømer temperature which rarely was exceeded, yet their skins would figuratively burn to ash after prolonged exposure to the sun that finally broke through the eternal mist and melted the equatorial tundra. Their eyesight was neither bad nor good in comparison to other creatures, but only a mere percent of them still had the ability to even smell the tiniest scent.

Yet, despite their fragile bodies, their oblong feet that would sink through the deep snow, their lacking senses, and even their lack in numbers, they came to become sentient beings that would soon rule the continent when the sun emerged, bringing prosperity as well as destruction upon the people of what would be known as Erthair.

However, even fourteen epochs – more than two thousand years – after the scripts of ancient civilisations had witnessed of the end of the Cold Era, it would seem that the so called Northpeninsula had been forgotten by both deities and demons. And this particular day, that was particularly apparent in the small Principality of Sneireich.

From the permanent trenches against the Waestezian border to the city of Sneistadt, all that could be heard was a snow storm so characteristic to the Northpeninsulan winter that it was barely commented on by the citizens of the principality. Storms like these, as sudden and intensive as they were, could wipe out any society of Erthair Proper, the equatorial region of the continent. But for the people of the Northpeninsula, be they the Waestezian natives or heirs to the Genin and Erthairian settlers, storms like these were mere disturbances, granted that closing most workplaces could be considered mere disturbances.

Thus, despite ninety percent of the Sneireicher population living in the capital, the only sign of life in the streets were the shy lights of the lamp posts and the personnel carriers of the Ortnungkorps patrolling the streets. However, apart from the military police, there was one profession that would not allow this weather to hinder their work; for in the southern wing of the Sneistadt city hall, both houses of parliament had assembled by orders from his Sovereign Majesty, Prince Jordtein von Zweispitz.

Forming a half circle around the lectern, essentially all the members of parliament were dressed in black double-buttoned coats and warm capes of various lengths. Some wore black bow ties, others even darker neckties; some wore ascots, and one or two wore white cravats. Just by looking into at the crowd of pale, bony politicians dressed in naught but black and white, one could easily be under the illusion that they considered each other equal. By the deities, how mistaken one would be believing that.

"Thank You, von Reichwaldt," the Chancellor told the de facto leader of the informal aristocratic faction, as he finished his speech defending the nobles' exemption from most forms of taxes. "I hereby declare the debate over."

At the front row of the People's House, two of the Coalition's four leaders sighed loudly to express their disagreement with the Chancellor once again giving the last word to the Noble House.

"Next speaker," the Chancellor continued, only casting a spiteful glare at the Coalition leaders. "Is our newly elected monarch. Honourable members of parliament, stand up for his Princely Majesty, Prince Jordtein I."

Not even the republicans refused the Chancellor's order, as the Prince made his way towards lectern. Supported by a cane, he tried to straighten his crooked back as he slowly moved forward. Once a tall man of great pride, he now seemed very much like an elder at the edge of death, despite being a lot younger than he looked. Perhaps his appearance gave off the aura of a wise old man, or perhaps he simply was chosen to succeed the heir-less Prince Siekmacht because both houses had faith in his two sons, granted they favoured different sons.

"Mister Chancellor, members of parliament," he said, nodding to the mentioned people in the same order as brought up. "I have brought You here today so that we can pass the tax reforms before the end of the year."

Most members of the People's House looked at him with either scepticism or curiosity.

"However, one other important matter has been brought to my attention; and I deem that it cannot be ignored. It has come to my attention that the Noble House has been mismanaging its duties."

As soon the MPs realised what the Prince had just said, a storm of protests from the nobles drowned out the sound of the actual storm outside.

"Silence!" the Chancellor demanded as soon as he had recovered from the shock, but he would then immediately stare at his monarch with the eyes of a confused child.

"Thank You, Mister Chancellor," the Prince continued.

"It is my responsibility, my duty, to protect the Realm from corruption and threats against the rule of law. And with that in mind, I have deemed that the Noble House has failed in its duty to scrutinise the People's House in the interest of our country. Instead, the house has vetoed every step towards democracy, every bill in the interest of the people, and every bill except those so controversial that they would hurt the People's House. It is painfully obvious that..." - the Prince started coughing hysterically, making the entire room hold their breaths. But as soon as the coughing stopped, he continued.

"It is painfully obvious that the Noble House has been nothing but an interest group for my predecessors. Said predecessors have abused their powers to appoint and remove members of the Noble House to remove those seeking progress in exchange for reactionary fanatics. But I will not allow this to continue. In the name of the people of Sneireich, I hereby remove the following members of the Noble House from office."

And with those words, he looked into the eyes of every single one of the twenty-five members of the Noble House, as he said their full names and titles. Not even was he closed to finished though, when the whole house hastily rose from their seats and started to menacingly move towards the lectern. However, they did not come very far before soldiers in grey uniforms had placed themselves between the Prince and the parliament, raising their bayonets as if expecting a cavalry charge.

"Thou... thou canst not do this!" the Prince heard the Chancellor stutter behind him. "This is an illegal coup!"

"I expect proper manners from You, Mister Chancellor," he calmly told the trembling man whom he now had turned to. "It is my legal right to rearrange the Noble House during any of its assemblies. Now, Mister Chancellor, I suggest that Ye sit down and stick to Your duties."

Looking around the room, seeking eye contact with everyone from soldiers to MPs, as if he was searching for anything that could help him, the Chancellor hopelessly sunk down into his chair, with the eyes of a man who had just had his world shattered.

"I will hereby correct the mistakes of my predecessors by reappointing Kurt von Weilordt and Ewelin von Vlussbach as members of the Noble House."

And with those words, a soldier opened the door for the two Coalition leaders who up until then had not been present.

"Now, Mister Chancellor, I believe we have a reform to pass."