It was twenty minutes before Andreas' coronation was scheduled to start, and Bayen hadn't arrived yet. Of course, he wasn't necessary for the ceremony, but he had promised to be there an hour early to help out.
Suddenly, the walls suddenly started changing. Novan relics melded into the sides of the room, and the shape changed, even the chairs beneath everyone... the Tokians at least recognized where they now were. The Tokian Royal Palace in Rielrar. A teleportation spell!
Now in Rielrar, Toketi...
Bayen appeared in a plume of golden smoke at the front of the room, looking harried. "Let's do this quickly. Tsunade, get up here please." Confused, the Princess ascended to meet him on the dais. Bayen looked straight at her as he slowly drew the royal sabre from his side. Tsunade watched the blade unflinchingly. "Ta hai höt vodaeuKrartan dasTsunade. Ratit kot yasKagzen."
The crowd broke out into hushed whispers. This was Tokish, but it was very familiar...
Bayen raised the sabre to eye level. "Doi na khijai nasKherari?"
Tsunade suddenly realized was what going on. There was only one reply. She swallowed. "Haö, ya khijai."
Bayen brought the sabre even higher, then brought it down quickly. The flat part of the blade landed lightly on her shoulder. "Dag, ya khikai deRealnpalant Kagzen Tsunade ronToketi deFövvan. Tashei, yasRov, na shon rei Toketi." He took the Crown from his own head and set it gently on hers. Then Bayen spoke in English. "I give you Tsunade ronToketi V, the new Queen of Toketi."
There was silence for a good fifteen seconds, then reluctantly at first, a few people began to clap. The applause grew slowly in fervor, but by the end it was a wild cheer for the new sovereign.
As the applause finally died down, Bayen held up his hands for attention. "First, let me apologize for the suddenness, especially on this day which should be Andreas'. It was unavoidable if we were to prevent war. You see, I've received word of a possible threat to the Crown of Toketi. An internal threat." Bayen let the words sink in. Traitors in Toketi? "I had reason to believe that a coup was imminent. Two separate sources informed me of up to two separate groups working independently to seize control of the Throne. While the actual members of either are unknown, it seems that several were in the highest circles of Tokian authority - that is, nobles directly under me. However, I have found evidence that the orchestrator of one or more of these groups was from another Gralan nation - I don't know which.
"It was a conundrum. There were two groups working for domination over the Tokian Throne; bloodshed seemed inevitable. This is my attempt to deflect war. One part is my abdication which you just witnessed. If the unrest was due to a personal problem with me, it should be settled now that I am out of power. This was a possible reason, but not the most likely. I believe the real reason had to do with Gralus. Toketi is a privileged member because its head gets a vote in the Triumvirate. This was the reason I cut this so close. I was in the Gralan capital filing legal papers.
"My last act as King, performed ten minutes or so before my abdication, was to formally announce with great reluctance the withdrawal of Toketi from the Confederation of Gralus. This act will not be constitutionally sound for one week, during which a veto by the new Queen is possible; however, Tsunade, I highly advise you follow the withdrawal through, for the safety of Toketi. This week will be the most dangerous of action against you, for reasons that should be obvious, and a few which aren't. Keep yourself well protected. By no means will all danger be gone once Toketi is officially out of Gralus, but at least some may be alleviated.
"As you can now see, all this had to be sudden. If I had acted more slowly, even given an announcement the day before, a coup could be irrevocably begun before the night was over. I could not take anyone's counsel or tell anyone of what I planned, because it is likely that the conspiracy has penetrated the highest levels of nobility, as I have explained. I could not be sure of who to trust.
"After I planned it for today, I heard that Andreas was also being coronated at the same time. It was dangerous opportunity for any enemies, for after Andreas is coronated, the balance of the Triumvirate will be disrupted and a new President will have to be elected. A conspiracy could take control of Toketi and the Presidency in one fell swoop. That's why I had to do this first.
"Now, hopefully, any motivation a conspiracy had to initiate a coup is removed. I am gone, so personal affronts should't matter any more. We are on track to leave Gralus, so control of the Triumvirate or Senate can no longer be a reason. We are, if all has gone well, safe for the moment.
"I will remain a citizen of Toketi, and can give occasional advice, but I cannot continue to make decisions on behalf of the nation, lest this plan for safety fail.
"Tsunade, my Queen, the future of Toketi lies in your hands. Use your power wisely." He paused for a few seconds, then turned to Andreas. "Sorry again about stealing your thunder and disrupting preparations for your coronation, but sadly it was necessary for the reasons I've explained. Now hopefully you can proceed in peace. We still have about five minutes before it's scheduled to start." Bayen snapped his fingers, and the walls melted back into the Novan chamber where Andreas' coronation was about to start.
Well, I think I've explained myself in character enough. Tsunade, congratulations, you are the new Queen of Toketi! (I'll transfer the Royal Funds into your account.
) I can't be King forever, and following in the tradition of our first Tokian King, I'm abdicating before I'm done with micronationalism so I can stick around and still participate. This was a time where I could do some good and stop a war by stepping down.I was also reluctant to leave Gralus, but that seemed to be the primary cause of this, so I have already filed the paperwork. We had some good times, but now it seems we must go our separate ways.
Sorry, Andreas, and those of you not involved with this who got dragged along, but this really did have to happen right now. But, hopefully, it's over now. You can all go back to your drinks. You have five minutes before the real ceremony of the day begins.
So let's go BACK TO NOVATAINIA!
)
), but those are possibly the type of people I'm talking about. That's why I thought I'd give Tsunade a chance... people like her (except Atticus so far) and she's up next.
). Things might be rough for a little bit as everyone adjusts to the new situation and rulers, but I wouldn't have done this if I didn't have faith in the people of Gralus and Toketi to pull through in the end.
