Eternal Mortality: One Last Try
The planet Osa. For the moment she is calm. At least in one part of the world. In the city of Islagrad a leader has died, it's said he and his wife were poisoned by spies. But no one has been allowed to look at the bodies, and the wife's body is not being placed with her husband's. If there is a body to place that is.
A few undertakers carry the coffin to a vehicle to transport the body to the gravesite.
"Carful damn it!"
*thud*
"Ow! ... OH SHIT!"
"Vasili, cover his mouth before the guards drag him away."
"I think he broke his foot sir."
"The watch will break the rest of him if they seen him drop the first consoles coffin."
The fur in the coffin is none other than Ronald Fastolf. First Console of the Principality of Valtovka. He is a hero to his people, by his will he united his country into a shaky, but functioning republic, and he always credited his wife with giving him the inspiration and motives to do so. But now, he is just a corpse.
"I don't understand why they didn't cremate him."
"Will you shut your mouth boy!?"
"What? I mean, normally we cremate the royals."
"Let's just get this over with ok?"
The undertakers load him in the back of their truck and drive down Main Street with a police escort. Thousands of people line the streets; they have come to wish their beloved leader goodbye. It's a cold winter day, but aside from a light snow fall everything is peaceful, even the noise from the engines of vehicles seems to be drowned out.
"Okay, lower him down."
"You're not going to say any words?"
"No."
"But these people are expecting a service; it's not right just to send him..."
"I was instructed not to say anything. Now, lower him down and get the shovels."
"As you will..."
In truth, Ronald's death was necessary. You see, there is a plan. A grand scheme if you will. And it is time for Ronald's son to play his part, just as he father did. Normally the eldest son would take his father's place, but thanks to the fashion of Ronald's demise the second born will instead take his place. This does not fit with the scheme. The second born, he is... not fully aware of himself, shall we say. While his elder brother is totally ignorant of himself. For the scheme to work, the pawn must be ignorant.
The first born son is John Fastolf. A hearty furson with strong people skills, and a built figure he has been bread for his position from birth, but at his father's death he gave up his birthright, forfeiting it to his brother. He serves The Judge, but he does not know it. Nor does the Judge have a use for him.
The second is Ian Fastolf. A cold and pale furson who can ignite the fire in the souls of the populace with his honeyed words, or break the hearts of his enemies with his astonishing cruelty. He was mostly left to manage himself for most of his childhood; this has made him bitter and cold inside. He serves The Deceiver somewhat knowingly, and The Deceiver always has a use for an able pawn.
It would seem The Deceiver has his hands in this divine plot. Just as he has in the past.
After the body was lowered the crowd of people began to migrate to the imperial palace, awaiting a speech from their new leader. The palace is a fairly large building, that's shaped rather like a box; it has four floors and is generally considered ugly. Its only saving grace is the gardens that surround the sides and back, on the front there are many windows and a balcony for addressing the public.
The crowd continues to wait in silence holding candles, mourning the dead and awaiting the living. After a few minutes, the doors of the balcony open, two Gray Watch officers emerge from the building first; their long gray trench coats blowing in the wind, their faces convey little emotion. A few seconds after them, a snow leopard appears, and walks to the railing. He raises his right paw to the crowd, in it he holds a necklace, it is a silver chain, and attached to it, is the Fastolf Star. It is, or rather was his fathers. He dawns it around his neck. After that, one of the guards fixes a sash across him, the other places a cape on his back. The crowd drops their candles, and starts a thunderous applause. The time for mourning is over.
The crowd cheers in unison.
"Hail Fastolf!"
"Hail Valtovka!"
"Hail Fastolf!"
"Hail Valtovka!"
Ian Fastolf, First Console of the Principality of Valtovka. In life he will come to wear the title "The Heartless" But in death, he shall wear the title "The Life Giver".
Oh mortals, you will now see us? Will you now understand? You have shunned us, and our blessings, you are unwilling to accept our will. We have sent you a way, a way for eternal peace, a balance. But you've destroyed it. So now, we try again, and the false god corrupts our plan. Mortal, it's not your place, the power you wield is not your own. It's devouring you. Soon Deceiver, you'll be nothing more than the power you stole, the power refuse to let go. Is it so hard to believe that you're wrong? Is it so hard to believe that we have your best interests at heart? In the end, your actions will be your punishment. Condemn yourself if you must, Robin.
And so it begins, for the last time. If there can be no salvation for Osa, then there will be an end.
"He, who bares the Star, has the key to the mountain. And therefore the answers he seeks."