The day of the coronation was almost blindingly bright, the sun glittering on the golden accents on the palace gates. The grounds had been prepared the day before, and the coronation was set for mid afternoon. Huge green banners with the royal crest were hung on either side of the great steps that led up to the grand doorway. A green carpet woven with gold and silver threads defined the path up the steps that the army officers would take to swear their allegiance to Hakan after he was crowned.
The nobles arrived first, their clothes like jewels in the brilliant sunlight. The men escorted ladies wearing velvets, silks, and satins, with feathers and flowers in their hair. The highest-ranking nobles were accorded the honor of the positions closest to the stairs. I reviewed my words in my head as I waited, studying them from a shadowed nook just behind the stairs. I took no great pains to hide myself, but I did not want their attention either.
The noblemen were all on the soft side to my eyes, although from their stride and bearing I could see that a few of the men had served in the army at some point. That was good. Though I do not believe that being a soldier necessarily qualifies one to lead, it can provide a perspective that many noblemen probably need. The mood was very festive and I was glad to see them smiling for it promised little resistance to Hakan’s rule. Of course he could earn their resistance soon enough, but at least it would not face him without reason.
The women were like flowers dancing in the wind, their laughter like the sound of many small streams. They were very different from the women of the border. I could not have said which I preferred, for they were like different species, but if I had to choose, I thought the calm kindness of a simple farm woman would be more to my taste than the sparkling laughter of those bright and cultured ladies. But perhaps I did them an injustice, for I can’t say that I knew them to be less than kind. I had no call to be judging either kind of woman.
Behind the highest ranked nobility there were lesser nobility and some of the richer merchants of Stonehaven. Those of other regions had not had time to hear the news yet nor to travel to Stonehaven, but Hakan was right not to delay the coronation longer. High ranking suvari officers formed a line on one side of the green carpet, the highest ranking closest to the top of the steps. Sikke Bakar was near the top, while Hayato was a few steps from the bottom.
The kedani officers formed their own line on the other side. I saw Katsu Itxaro near the top of the steps. I hadn’t thought he had time to ride to Stonehaven, but he must have ridden hard ahead of his men. Yoshiro Kepa was also there. The officers gathered in small groups to speak to each other, for there was some time yet before they would have to be in position. Among the military men, the feeling seemed to be of great relief, and I suppose it was justified. Though I hadn’t seen much of their side of it, they had been on the verge of a war with Rikuto that none of them had wanted, pointless bloodshed narrowly averted.
Inside I changed into the clothes that the seamstress had brought me, the ones prepared for the coronation itself. There was a shirt of fine silk, and over that a tunic of rich green brocade edged in gold. The breeches were a darker shade of the same green and a thicker, sturdier cloth. I was glad they weren’t the same shade; I had a momentary vision of myself as a tall stern vegetable, a broccoli or a bean of some sort. For Hakan’s sake I would wear the clothes, but I felt rather ridiculous.
I liked the boots much better. The deep brown leather was beautifully soft and well sewn, with an intricate design about the top stitched in subtle brown thread. They fit perfectly, and I supposed the bootmaker had taken the measurements during the days I was fevered. The belt was of the same dark leather and muted the green, which made me feel a bit less absurd.
The cloak was beautifully made of a heavy cloth that was more than serviceable, though it was far too beautiful to risk dirtying. It was edged with a wide border of gold, the threads woven into an intricate design of vines, and between my shoulders was the royal crest in gold and silver threads. The gold on my clothes was worth more than I’d ever held before, except for the one time I held Hakan’s little bag of coins for a moment. There was also an exquisitely made longsword, the hilt wrapped in dark leather. A flowing script ran up the blade like a tongue of fire. It was a beautiful weapon, far better than any I’d ever held, made by a true artist.
The actual coronation I remember almost as a blur. I stood well back from the steps, and I doubt many in the crowd even noticed that I was there at first. Hakan was regal and commanding in his address. He spoke first, which was a bit unusual, but in the absence of a sitting king it was unavoidable. He praised me more than he should have, and my throat tightened until I feared I would be unable to speak myself.
His voice carried well in the warm afternoon air. “My father cannot be here today to crown me king. As you know, I could have chosen to crown myself. Instead, I have asked my friend Kemen Sendoa to crown me king, as my father would have done if he were alive. Kemen Sendoa is a man who embodies everything that is noble and honorable in Erdem. I could ask for no better friend and no better ally as I serve Erdem as your king. I have been honored by his trust in me and his support thus far, and as king I shall endeavor to be worthy of the trust he and you have placed in me.”
I stood in front of the great crowd and let my voice ring out, my hands clasped tightly behind my back to hide their shaking. Hakan stood beside me, young, proud and very handsome. His smile was very solemn and very regal when he bowed his head to accept the crown that I placed on his head.
Then I knelt to swear my allegiance to him as king. I presented him with the hilt of my sword, and he took it and bowed in respect before handing it back to me. He caught my eye with a warm and gracious smile as I rose, and he thanked me quietly and very seriously before he turned to accept the oaths of the officers who came before him.
Each knelt in turn and presented his sword, swearing the oath with head bowed in respect. I stood well back while the men walked up the steps each in turn. I could see the hilt of his sword, and I was relieved to note that he was wise enough not to use my sword for the final part of the ceremony. The king’s sword is a symbol of his protection of the people, and the same sword has been used for generations at the coronation.
When the last of the officers had vowed their loyalty, Hakan drew the royal sword and held it upright before him to take his own oath. The words were familiar to me from history, but they acquired a new solemnity when I saw Hakan’s eyes glistening with his emotion.
“With the sword I will defend my country. With the shield, I will defend it. My learning, my wisdom, my gold, my blood, and every treasure I possess shall be for the protection of the people of Erdem. On the honor with which I stand before you, I swear to serve the people of Erdem until my dying breath.”
He knelt and bowed his head, the golden crown glittering. We knelt to give him full respect for this great oath. My heart fluttered with awe, and my own eyes were not dry when I rose.
The End