The doors of the palace opened, and out came a young fair woman. She stood at the top of the stairs, looking down on the square below her. She gazed at the city in front of her. People stopped their activities, and looked back at her in anticipating silence. She stepped down, and as people made way she walked to the monument. There she cleared her voice, and began:
“People of Celtia! I, Ceri Ui Neill, am the rightful heir to the throne. I am your queen, as mandated by the laws in the Fenechas, whose source of legitimacy comes from the gods themselves. I stand before you in the shadow of the monument to our ancestors. Those who went before us who lived through peace and strife, celebration and tragedy, feast and famine.
As I stand here I cannot help but think of Lanicos, the son of Boudicca who set us on the path to greatness. In his time the Celtic people faced a great trial as his children fell upon each other. Her daughter Ceri, for who I am named after, led us out of the strife of that time into a period of peace and prosperity. Then that peace was shattered by the selfish actions of the Arakonath brothers who sought to seize power for themselves and cared not who was hurt or killed by their actions as they set the city ablaze and murdered innocent men, women and even children in cold blood. Lugaid, brother of late High King Conganchnes, who was as dear to me as my own father, put down the rebellion but in his wisdom showed mercy to those who had been led astray and rebuilt the city from the ashes, creating a better stronger Dun Eideann.
We are once more in such times. A once trusted man has wrongfully proclaimed himself High King after the opportune death of my husband's father. Criostoir ab Iorweth has betrayed his oaths and spat on his word, seeking, like the rebellious children of Lanicos and the Arokonath brothers before him, to claim power for his own selfish ends. But like my ancestor for who I am named I will lead us through the coming trials and like Lugaid I will neither bend nor break before the storm of treason.
Through every trial the Celtic people have faced we have come out greater. Reforged into a stronger people by the fires through which we pass.
By the spirits of my ancestors I swear to cast down the usurper who threatens to once more destroy our people for his own petty ends. And I pledge that when all is done I will continue as Lugaid has done in creating a fairer and more just society.
We have not forgotten the deeds he once did for your kingdom, and for that reason alone I am willing to have mercy on your corrupted soul. Come now, accept your faults, and avoid a much more painful punishment. I trust you may listen to the High Queen, for you have already chosen to ignore respectable nobles.
If this man decides to continue his defiance, I implore all right thinking people to oppose him. I call on all warriors to ignore his commands, for he is relieved of his position. I order the man to be brought by force if he does not willingly come to us. May the gods have mercy on his soul shall he choose to not face the law.
May the gods be with you.”
And with that she returned to the palace.
ooc:
Session 7 Turn 1 is now locked. Processing Time has begun.