Esmerelda watched as the mighty king Swintel called the kindom with an eagle's cry. She trotted over to the square. The other creatures had gathered as well, from Gargoyles to Unicorns to Cerberus. They all gathered.
She whinnied and bowed her head as Swintel silenced them. The mighty Gryphon flew overhead, and the creatures watched as he landed gracefully on his throne. "My son, Wintrel is of age to become the king of our peaceful home. I am of age to retire. Today shall be his Corination."
Esmerelda shuddered as Swintel announced this, Wintrel was a dark and meanhearted soul. He wasn't worthy of the title of king of Lyphom. She heard others murmor anxiously, and knew she was not the only one frightened by the idea.
Gargoyles muttered between themselves, Hydras gasped worriedly, and Unicorns stomped their hooves in protest.
Swintel quieted them with a warning cry. Immediately they silenced. "He has learned the ways of the kingdom, and is worthy of the throne." The leader stepped aside to let his son enter.
The dark Gryphon spread his wings.
"Why thank you, father." Wintrel said calmly, as if he hadn't heard the uproar. "I accept your kind offer."
"Then let the corination begin!" A unicorn trotted out. It used it's horn to gently remove the crown from the mighty leader's head. Swintel nodded his approval. The unicorn walked over to Wintrel.
"Go ahead." Wintrel told him. The unicorn whinnied and placed the crown atop the Gryphon's head.
All of the creatures below dipped their heads to the new king. "Long live Wintrel! Long live Wintrel!" The halfhearted chant broke out across the square.
Wintrel again raised his head, showing off the crown that now rest on it. "That crown ought to be pretty big to fit on his head." Esmerelda muttered to a nearby Gargoyle. It quietly laughed it's chokey laugh.
Now the ceremony had to finish. The unicorn took some of Swintel's blood that had been taken before the ceremony and poured it over the crown. Swintel did not look fearful of what he knew would happen next. He collapsed in pain. His blood on the crown was killing him. This was the last part of the ceremony.
The unicorn forced Wintrel to watch as his father died. Wintrel knew not to fight the unicorn's grip. He had to finish the ceremony.
Esmerelda hides her eyes. The Gargoyle next to her stares in unimaginable horror. Today was the start of the Sceptrum of Nex quod Obscurum. This means Rule of Death and Darkness.
Little did the creatures know that Wintrel's reign was not the only thing to be fearful about. The realm of Klaraux had been threatening war. The ever-lasting winter over there had caused immense hunger, and the rulers there were greedy. Wintrel would lead them straight into a dangerous, bloody battle that no one would get out of unscathed.
As Swintel fell to the ground, finally dead, the unicorn let the new king turn his head. Again, the subjects chanted, "Long live King Wintrel! Long live King Wintrel!" Esmerelda barely chanted. Her voice was weak. It sounded as if a rat had just swallowed water after a long cold rain. The Gargoyle nudged her. "Bad times await us, eh?" it grunted.
Esmerelda nodded, "Yes, they do..." She, being a unicorn, could not help feeling wretched because of the ceremony. She had not gotten chosen for the coronation, that was good. Every time one was held, the name of a unicorn was drawn from a bucket or barrel, and whomever's name was chosen was to be the unicorn for the coronation. Her family had a lucky streak, they had never been chosen.
"Wintrel is bad news. Wouldn't catch me crossing him." A Hydra whispered to them. Hydras weren't usually caught speaking with other species, but everyone could relate to their troubles.
Suddenly, a nearby unicorn squire muttered something, "Sceptrum of Nex quod Obscurum." But were the words he spoke true?
