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Post by Empire of Rashad on Jul 26, 2023 2:42:50 GMT
Dorian Manacare watched the the lands of Rashad spread out beneath him as the airship glided across the surprisingly clear sky, below was much activity, The peasants hard at work while nobles continued their squabbles. The city of Tromfoss soon emerged before him as a shining beacon of Rashadian culture, The city was well over 12 centuries old but for the most part didn't look it, The centrepiece of the city, sat atop the large cliffs at the northernmost point of the city sat the Royal Palace, its gilded towers piercing the sky almost reaching to the hight of the airship as it started to descend towards the city.
A regiment of Vylder Guards flanked the red carpet as he headed towards the edge of the Field, awaiting him was a golden carriage with beautiful jet black horses at the front, inside the Carriage sitting opposite from him was a middle aged woman dressing in a fine white dress, a Purple sash around her shoulder, atop her head was a small crown, encrusted with Diamonds and Sapphires. She introduced herself as Baldehuia Vylder, his soon to be wife. They managed some small talk as the carriage progressed from the landing field up to the Palace.
Once arriving at the palace he and his wife to be received a gunfire salute as they Headed into the palace to await the arrival of the other guests including his Imperial Majesty. However before that, Duke Hildwulf Vylder wanted the chance to meet his potential son in Law, He decided to take him to the highest spire of the Palace, his old frame barely making it, even with the assistance of Dorian. He stared out over the city pointing out many of the attractions before turning to Dorian.
"What do you know of Rashad boy?"
"Not much beyond the names of the Dukedoms."
"Then I want to give you some advice, Learn how to use a sword, if challenged you need to defend yourself. The Dukedoms will always be conflicting, so I suggest you pay close attention to what happens today, when the other dukes arrive, try to make friends, It will be hard as an outsider, but you must prove to them your honour and maintain your wits about you, Trouble is brewing and I would see my house in order before I pass. Thus I will"...
He was Cut short with a grasping of breath, clutching his chest. Dorian called out for help down below while helping Hildwulf to sit down, His old frame having finally failed as some last words escaped his lips
"Don't ... trust ... Baldehuia"
The Duke passed watching the city beneath him, in his hands he clasped his sword with a scroll bound around it, The sword sliding towards Dorian as Footsteps where heard below clambering up the stairs, Dorian quickly grabbed the scroll and pocketed it while laying the sword across Hildwulf's chest. 2 guards burst onto the balcony as Dorian slumped against the opposite wall not quite believing the last few moments
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Jul 26, 2023 5:02:17 GMT
The Body of the duke was carried down the stairs and laid in his chambers, His four daughters gather around the body paying their respects, Dorian stood in the door as the doctor entered and confirmed what they all knew, Duke Hildwulf Vylder was dead, cause of death was identified as Natural Causes given his age, clearing Dorian of any wrongdoing. Baldehuia was first to speak.
"May he rest in peace, at 94 one of the eldest dukes in our history and a beacon to all others to come, now I wish for us to carry out his final command and have this wedding for the survival of this house"
"We must wait the week of mourning to respect our farther" Shot back Geatfleda
The two sisters beginning a stand off as Seaxburg, Rimilde and Dorian stood back and let them argue as an officer of the guard entered and informed them that the Emperor had arrived and asked for what to do, Baldehuia shot one last retort at her sister before grabbing Dorian's arm and storming towards the main hall. Closely followed by her sisters and the bewildered officer. They entered the great hall and bowed together as the Emperor approached them and inquired to the lack of an appropriate greeting for their Emperor. Baldehuia stood and spoke
"Your Imperial Majesty, Our Farther, The Duke Vylder has passed, His years have caught up to him, we where taking the time to mourn him, explaining our lack of a proper greeting."
Alchred was taken aback at this sudden news before collecting himself.
"This changes things, I assume this was your betrothed, (nodding at Dorian)"?
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Jul 27, 2023 1:49:07 GMT
"I will want to speak to you in private while these women mourn the loss of their farther"The Officer lead Dorian and the Emperor to the late Duke's Closet, The room itself was rather large, with a massive portrait taking up one wall of the Room, from his knowledge of Rashad he concluded it must be Alwyne the First of House Vylder, The first Rashadian Emperor:  The Opposite wall housed a massive book collection with everything from History to mathematical studies. The Emperor waved off the officer and asked him to guard the door while Dorian and he took seats at the desk. "I always respected house Vylder, As the founding house of this Empire and for me to have the honour to continue his Legacy (nodding at the painting), but I now turn to you who is to continue the legacy of the Duke Vylder, I will allow the marriage to continue as I wish not not see the collapse of such a Noble house, what sort of precedent does that set?, but I must ask something of you in return.""Anything my Emperor""You will marry Baldehuia and secure the lineage of the house, but I need you to swear an oath of Loyalty to me, There are storm clouds brewing and I will need allies if I am to keep the throne. I will have more details to discuss when you are married."Dorian sat in momentary silence before quickly recovering and getting up and leaving the room with the Emperor. As they walked into the main chamber the room was bustling with activity, The other dukes had arrived along with their attendants, filling the room. "DUKES OF RASHAD" bellowed the Emperor, "Our colleague, Duke Vylder has passed without an heir, but due to the arrangements made before his death, his 1st born daughter is to marry, this Man (gesturing to Dorian). However with the risk of us all gathered in the same place we will have the wedding now, in this palace, The Arch Bishop will be brought here and we will have proceedings here to avoid unnecessary risks" Dorian watched as the crowd dispersed and servants got to work polishing every surface and setting out chairs for the limited audience. He was then lead to the chambers of the Duke Vylder but some servants and was to be dressed in the full attire of the duke Vylder. The heaviest part was defiantly the breastplate encrusted with jewels and lined with gold. Over the top was a think fur Cloak patterned with the Sphinx of house Vylder. He was then escorted back into the great hall where it had completely transformed, There was a small line of chairs along both edges of the hall and a podium had been erected at the far end of the room which had then been draped with Blue and gold carpets. Dorian made his way to the Podium and waited for proceedings to start
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Jul 27, 2023 2:47:36 GMT
The Archbishop arrived 5 min later and took his place on the podium while the dukes and their wives took their seats, while a band was hastily assembled and in the dining hall off to the side the servants where preparing for the Feast. Dorians eyes began to wander along the walls then to the roof of what was soon to be his Palace. ![]() In the upper galleries he noticed the guards lining the balconies in their purple uniforms standing tall above proceedings. Dorian was startled when the trumpets started but quickly got over it.  Baldehuia was dressed in a fine white dress, a small coronet sat upon her head as she made her way down the aisle. The emperor himself had taken her hand and was walking her down in place of her farther, behind them walked her three sisters Dressed in a similar white. The couple soon stood together for the first time and waited through the process. |
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Jul 27, 2023 5:04:30 GMT
The Arch-Bishop stood before the crowd and couple and officiated the occasion, For Dorian it went past as a breeze, with him not remembering much other then snapping back to attention for "I do". Following the ceremony a small memorial service was held for the late Duke Vylder before a small crowning ceremony for the new Duke Vylder. Soon Dorian Vylder, and his fellow dukes, followed the Emperor into a dining room followed by their wives.  They would soon find themselves drinking and toasting to the old and new Emperor well into the night, it wasn't until after midnight that the couples would start their dancing, Dorian found himself swept away by Baldehuia's dancing ability well outmatching his, it was clear to him that this was something she had practiced for much of her life, They spent a good few hours dancing around and making small talk, getting to know one another, it was clear that his wife had a surprisingly good grasp of politics, especially for a Rashadian Woman with them ending up taking about the great struggles of nations while Dorian tried to avoid stepping on her foot. She also expressed interest in the study of Horticulture which struck much closer to home with Dorian, as they both tired out from the dancing they made their way to a window watching the flashing lights of the city below while comparing the intricacies of medicinal herbs and Wheat threshing. It was almost 3am when the couple made their way back the the Duchess chambers, where they collapsed together on a bed where they would stay until the sun woke them only a few hours later... |
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Post by Empire of Rashad on Jul 27, 2023 6:13:55 GMT
NOTICE
Death of Duke Vylder
Dies at 95 in peace and company of Family
His memory will be preserved in history for his importance and impact on this Dukedom
A public ceremony will be held 1 week from today where people can pay their respects
Marriage of Duke and Duchess Vylder
Yesterday Dorian Vylder and Baldehuia Vylder where married before the Gods, Emperor and fellow Dukes
Tomorrow all Military units and nobles of Voplira will be offering an oath of Loyalty to the new Duke Vylder.
By the Authority of his highness Duke Dorian Vylder |
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