Steel Wolf

A Queen is Crowned

The Shark's Widow was made fast to the troop ship, Kennitt's Blade, the sea almost as smooth as glass. Captain Withburn had willingly given her ship and crew into the service of the Crown. Her one request was that she remain captain of the vessel. Even though Serenna hadn't taken the Oath of Coronation, her first order was to appoint Charleen Withburn as Royal Captain for the remainder of the voyage. The Vice Prime Minister had made the journey, remaining aboard the Kennitt's Blade while the news was delivered.

With their numbers suddenly increased to nearly five hundred, Tanaya told her squad to stand down completely until they made landfall. While preparations were made for the coronation ceremony, Garrison Commander Torm spoke with Tanaya. She described in detail everything she saw and did after their escape from the city.

Over four hundred Queen's Guards now stood ranked and filed in gleaming gold armor, trimmed with silver, on the top deck of the Shark's Widow. The rest stood watch at the Queen's quarters or as lookouts, in search of potential trouble. Front row center was Tanaya's squad of death dealers, clad in the highly polished silver with gold trim armor of the Royal Guard. No alchemical mages had come for the ceremony. The Queen's Guard garrison commander, Anston Torm, stood at the forefront, facing the assemblage.

Receiving a visual cue from the afterdeck of the Shark's Widow, Anston raised both armored arms above his head, then slowly lowered them to his sides. The guards turned left and right smartly, took two steps and faced forward once more. This created a wide aisle for the Coronation procession.

The Vice Prime Minister strode forward, clad in ceremonial garb, carrying a large tome. He was followed by a Guard carrying a large box. Two Guards who carried unlit torches followed him.

As he reached a small dais at the bow of the ship, he turned, motioning those present to kneel.

Tanaya, wearing a gorgeous white and rose-colored dress with puffy pleated sleeves, slowly walked down the aisle toward the bow. Her long curly hair sported five braids, in honor of the five instructors she had bested in the Trial of Subdual. The two on each side of her head were twisted together and braided with the third, symbolizing the unity of the Queen's Guard. Her train was long enough to be attended by two Guards holding it off the deck. Though the ceremony was very serious, they both snickered at seeing the enormous tomboyish commander in a dress. Since their faceplates were lowered, none could see the grins which threatened to rip their faces apart. Those closest to the aisle heard the snickers, and sensing the cause of their comrade's mirth, began chuckling themselves. Tanaya understood their snickers and chuckled herself.

Serenna began her walk. Head held high, raven-black hair peeking from under the ceremonial skullcap which displayed scenes from the history of the kingdom. Her flowing purple and gold dress billowed and moved of its own accord, lightly tossed by the breeze. The long train of her dress was held aloft by four Guards, two on each side.

As she passed the kneeling guards, each row stood, turned smartly, and took two steps toward the center, thus closing the aisle. Symbolic in nature, it demonstrated unwavering loyalty to the protection of the Queen. The rows stood facing each other until Serenna reached the dais, presenting herself to the Vice Prime Minister.

Commander Torm raised his faceplate and shouted down the line.

"Eyes! FRONT!" he yelled.

As one, the assemblage turned to face the dais and stand at attention. Torm did an about-face, speaking to the Vice Prime Minister.

"Your Honor, all is in readiness." He lowered his faceplate, turned and strode smartly to stand beside Serenna.

"Serenna Newlander," began the Vice Prime Minister, Silas Coderre, "will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of this Kingdom, and its domains and jurisdictions, according to the statutes thereto agreed in Ministry, obeying the laws and customs of the same?"