Blair
The Commonwealth of Drala made a grand show, and display when the ‘Longsword’, and it’s support starships arrived in the Bastion star system. Space fireworks went off as fast light craft performed daring maneuvers. The display continued in the lower atmosphere of the world as the shuttle carried Blair, her family, and staff to the surface. She watched from the window as the grand spectacle went off. It was a sight which Blair had never seen before, and took her breath away.
The sight of Bastion reminded her of her own homeworld of Goldenfield, which was of no surprise to her. They had both been worlds settled by the vast Fabian Dominion, star systems both abandoned by the dominion during their slow fall in the west, although Goldenfield had reminded part of the Dominion for much longer. They were also both star systems settled by the Furse after the Fabians had abandoned them, although Goldenfield had been settled by the Furse first. First thousands of years ago, and then again when her own ancestors were granted the star system to defend against Furse raids which laid waste to much of the former Fabian star systems of the north west, among other worlds.
Bastion, and Goldenfield also shared in common their large populations, something rare in the Commonwealth, although not as rare in the Kingdom of Salians, but neither was it common. More than twenty billion called both worlds home, although Blair knew from all she had read on the Commonwealth that Bastion had at least another five billion than Goldenfield. The structures of Bastion, even before they had landed, looked to be in much worse condition than that of Goldenfield though, or rebuilt with a design, and style which did not match that of the original Fabian builders.
The shuttle landed, and Blair looked out the window at the thousands upon thousands surrounding the landing craft, and the large finely dressed party that stood gathered inside the rows of finally decorated, ornate, and ceremonial armor of the King of the Commonwealth’s personal guard. The thirteen members of his King’s Guard stood nearby him in their red, and white armor trimmed with gold, and flowing capes made them stick out from the other members of the King’s Guard Forces, and they surrounded their king, and his family like armored statues.
Even from the shuttle Blair could see the king stand out among the large gathering of people, his tall stance towered over much of those around him, but the simple, yet gold circlet around his head marked him out as the king, clear as day for anyone to see.
Blair stood from her seat with her family, and made her way off the shuttle as the main hatch was opened, and ramp lowered to the landing pad below. “Have you ever seen such a sight?” she asked her elder brother in a whisper as they walked down the ramp side by side, and took in the cheering crowd, fireworks in the sky, and sky-craft buzzing above them.
Duncan laughed gently as they made their way together with the gathered people below. “Kings enjoy such displays. King Cerwyn is no different, although I do believe that this may even have him beat.” He let out a large smile as he looked at his sister. “So I guess the answer is no, and nor do I think I will ever see such a sight again. Gods only know how much this display cost.”
Blair nodded. “By the gods is it beautiful though,” she said as he took in the thousands who cheered, and shouted. “I could get used to such a thing though.”
The man with the circle upon his head stepped forward, and raised a hand. The crowd stopped it’s chanting, and cheered, but one could not say it went quiet. “Welcome to Bastion!” he said with open arms. “Welcome to the Commonwealth of Drala, it is an honor to meet you once again, the both of you,” King Oswald said as his eyes moved from Duncan, to Blair.
“Thank you lord king,” Duncan replied, and bowed his head down respectful to the king, who little more than three years ago were at war, and was defeated at the Battle of Redoubt. She had met the King shortly after that defeat when he, and her brother had made peace, and her hand had been promised to seal the peace agreement to a member of the royal house. She could never forget what the king had whispered to her during that meeting, and the thought brought a smile to her face as her brother, and the king exchanged pleasantries.
Blair had to admit that for a man seventy three year old, he looked good. He was five years younger than her own brother, and fifty three years younger than herself, but he looked no more than forty. He looked better in person than in the holos. It shouldn’t have surprised her. The Commonwealth of Drala has always been more advanced than the Kingdom of Salians in anti-age technology. In truth it was more advanced in most areas.
“May I present my sister,” Blair heard her brother state as he gestured towards her. She looked at the tall king, his shoulder length curly dark golden blond hair blowing lightly in the breeze of the air.
“Lord King,” Blair said respectfully, and bowed down, with her arms spread wide.
Welcome,” King Oswald said as he reached out, and lightly took hold of Blair’s hand, and bent down low as he brought her hand to his lips, and kissed it gently. “You are more beautiful than the last time I set eyes upon you.”
Blair could feel herself blushing as the king dropped her hand. “You are too kind, lord king,” she said with a broad smile. “And this!” She continued. “It is just amazing.”
“Non-sense, it was the least we could do to welcome you so far from home,” the king replied, and then waved his hand. “News of the marriage has been met with great enthusiasm throughout the Commonwealth, but none more than here on Bastion. Please, let me introduce you to the rest of the royal family.” He stopped, and looked at with his azure eyes, and large smile. “In time your own family.”
