Historians

04.

01.24.4010

Who would have thought that after taking so long that everything would hit me in a landslide of emotion? I'm not used to being blindsided and with this past week alone I feel like I can honestly say I have had enough to last the rest of my lifetime. I felt like a ton of bricks hit me square in the stomach knocking me so off balance. You don't expect the wind to get knocked out of you but when it just hits there is no stopping it. It takes something special to pick you up and convince you to dust yourself off.

Anastasia looked out over her view of the capitol from her room window. It had been three days since the night she was proclaimed heir to her father. The days had flown by between learning her duties as they would be and understanding the workings of politics. Their system helped keep corrupt individuals from coming to power but there was secrecy and danger that lurked around every corner. All in hopes of gaining more than what they had, it was horrifying how many politicians would turn on each other just to find favor with the Gran Seim. It reminded Anastasia a quote she had once read that there was no loyalty among thieves. Anastasia began the day with a new excitement though. Part of her new wardrobe had arrived. It had been a surprise that the seamstress in the capital had been able to work so fast at creating the new outfits designed to help Anastasia navigate the halls of the Gran Seim's Court Building. She struggled to keep up with her father and the Magistrate for two reasons. The first reason has they had much longer legs and the second that her skirts weighed her down so much that if she walked too fast she'd be more likely to fall off balance than keep up. She hoped to impress them by not having to make them slow down to her pace. Everything with them was always business and one meeting after another. Anastasia turned away from the window and sipped her tea. There was a soft knock at the door and then Tiffani pushed her way in carrying an oddly shaped bottle. "Tiffani please don't tell me you've created a new potion for my hair." Tiffani smiled. "No miss, I learned last time to test it on someone else first last time I tried something new. This is a bottle of perfume that was brought here yesterday from an anonymous sender. We just had to check it to make sure it wasn't poisonous before I could bring it to you." That was also a new aspect to her life. There were people who didn't like the government and even more who did not like that a woman was rumored to be stepping up. She smelled the perfume as Tiffani pulled the stopped out. It smelled like eucalyptus and spearmint. It was a strong but pleasant smell that seemed to relax her. "Shall we try it today miss?" Anastasia nodded and then set down her tea to begin getting ready for the day.

Anastasia couldn't help but fidget in her seat as she waited for the council meeting to begin. It was the same thing every morning. Politicians voice individual concerns that had been brought to their attention the day prior, and then the meeting opened to the public where individuals could step up and address the upper council. Her seat was placed just so that no one would see her or her father. The Historian did not make public appearances in political ongoings but observed and listened to analyze the meetings. There were times that Anastasia could not help but rise to watch the proceedings when things seemed to grow heated. Those were the parts worth watching because men that could get heated or passionate about things were dangerous men. She felt it important to make note of them, she had even begun to take note of who they were and what they spoke about. Her father told her she took their role far too seriously at the council meetings but the Gran Seim had complimented her on her thoroughness. With the pounding of a gavel the meeting was signaled to start. All present rose save for the Gran Seim himself. Then everyone repeated the Oath of Burden. "I vow to thee our Gran Seim. To uphold the law and burden of knowledge. To protect the people and their future by guiding them through to a better day." The lead politician remained standing while the rest of the room sat. "Gran Seim the Council comes forth on this day to present you with the concerns from Greenwood, Talitabi, Muckister, Krantuk, Raunhling, and Branmyster." The Gran Seim inclined his head. Then the Politician who represented Greenwood stood. "Gran Seim it has been brought to my attention that there is unrest amongst my district. Rumor has spread that spies lurk within each family household and that has neighbors turning on neighbors. It has already caused some fatalities, many wounded, and far too many arrested for our jail." The Magistrate stood in response to the politician's remarks. "Your concerns have been heard, Internal Affairs will see if the rumor of spies is true and if so what we can do to alleviate the stress of such a situation." Anastasia had come to understand what that meant was that if there were spies that were not supposed to be there they would be pulled but else wise the politicians just took back to their people that the Gran Seim knew and would take care of the spies. With his concern spoke the politician and the Magistrate took their seats. Next was a twig of a man who represented Talitabi. "Gran Seim, There is concern amongst my people that they will not have enough food to last the winter given the poor turnout we had from this past season. I fear there may be someone stealing from the ration supply." A round man from the district next to Talitabi rose. "Yarald has more than enough supply to assist your district." The scrawny man grinned at the offer. Then the Magistrate spoke. "I can pass a note to the appropriate division to investigate you theft suspicion. If one is stealing you shall find out." Next was the politician from Muckister who voiced a concern from his people that there was rumor to be a woman in a position of power. He argued that he was not against the position but that he was unsure how to handle his people. It was then decided that Anastasia would make a trip out to the district if she was officially given the position to quell the fears of the people. The last three politicians voiced similar concerns about Anastasia taking up the position, but this was not wholly uncommon. Each day the number of districts she would need to visit grew.