With a flash of Logrus light, the ancient seat of power is suddenly occupied by a seated figure. This does not surprise any of those there present. What does surprise them is that there is another young looking female figure that appears standing alongside.
The man standing below the platform on which the seat sits makes a gesture with a hand and a loud gong is sounded, silencing the murmur of voices in the room.
The man standing below the platform speaks in a clear loud voice: “Let all bow down before His Most Imperial Majesty of the First and Greatest of all Realms, King Mandor of the Dragon Throne!” he then bows low before the King.
All those present milling before the platform bow down low, as guards and demon lackeys remain strictly at attention, noting all in the room.
The King speaks: “Let it be known that we have invited Saturday Stevens-Knight, formerly ranked as Eldrich Princess, to attend our court this day and lend what counsel she may seem fitting to our deliberations. She will stand to our right side.”
“Advance Lord Harold, our Noble Secretary, and name these persons and their business here before us.” says Mandor.
Lord Harold steps up to the left side of the platform to stand by the Dragon Throne. “Most Imperial Majesty, this day we present before you those fitting and worthy to claim the Duchy of Chanicut, that you may give your assent to the succession of that Noble and Ancient House.”
“Very well. Have all those who would claim this title met the strictures and provisions laid down by the Archduke Chanicut at the founding of the House?” asks Mandor.
“Yes, your Majesty. These seven candidates have completed the necessary qualification at various and diverse times, and had the same witnessed and testified.” says Lord Harold.
“Why do we see before us a gaggle of women, Lord Harold?” asks Mandor. “Was there not a qualified candidate to be found who is a man?”
“No, your Majesty. At this time there are no men of the blood of Chanicut who are qualified and wish to lay claim to the House.”
“Very well. Who is the first claimant who stands before us?” asks Mandor.
“May I present the Duchess Callista, heir of the late Duke Harmon, and holder of the title Duchess by virtue of being the eldest daughter of the Sister-Princess Deirdre of Rebma, from whence she has most recently come.” says Lord Harold.
“Would this be the self same Callista who was most recently serving as the Finance Minister of Rebma?” asks the King.
“It would, you Majesty.” replies Lord Harold.
“Would this be the self same Callista who conspired with the late Duke Harmon Chanicut, now deceased, in an attempt to wrest the throne of Rebma, thus depriving our own Ancient Nation of a trusted and valued friend and ally?”
“Yes, your Majesty.” says Lord Harold.
“Would this be the self same Callista, who’s plan ‘B’ has sent forth our Justiciar and all his forces to a far flung corner of reality, where in our name he now seeks to wrest the throne of Rebma, thus depriving our own Nation of a second trusted and valued friend and ally?”
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“What say you, my lady?” says Mandor as he turns to Saturday, stood beside him.
“I think that your majesty is disinclined to ascent to the granting of the Duchy to Callista?” says Saturday.
“I think we are in agreement.” says Mandor. “We do not ascent to the granting of the Duchy to Callista at this time. Let her return to the Queen to whom she swore allegiance and service, that her wise counsels might return order to that far flung corner of reality, and allow our good Justiciars to return to their homes here in our Great and Ancient Capital City.”
“As your majesty commands.” Lord Harold signals, and a squad of guards move to Callista and escort her from the throne room.
“Who comes next before us to claim the Duchy?” asks Mandor.
“May I present the Duchess Diana Chanicut-Karm, holder of that title by virtue of being the long lost widow of the last holder of the title to House Karm, who is a claimant by virtue of being the last living child of the Archduke Chanicut, founder of the House.” says Harold.
“Would this be the self same Diana who went into hiding when her beloved husband Duke Eadbhárd Karm was slaughtered by Benedict of Amber?” asks Mandor
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“Would this be the self same Diana, who has remained in hiding for over a millennia, rather than come forth and seek justice and restoration of that once great house to which she was married and sworn fealty?” asks Mandor.
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“Would this be the self same Diana, who only now seeks to claim another of our Great Houses after having done such stirling work with the first one over which she should have held stewardship?” asks Mandor.
“Yes, your Majesty.”
“”What say you, my lady?” says Mandor as he again turns to Saturday.
“I think that your Majesty is also disinclined to ascent to the granting of a second duchy to Diana, her having failed her duty to the first one.” says Saturday.
“We are in agreement.” says Mandor. “Let it be heard this day that we would not grant the Duchy of Chanicut to Diana, unless she were the last living claimant qualified to hold the title according to the strictures and provisions laid down by the Archduke Chanicut at the founding of the House. If Diana truly wishes to rule House Chanicut, then she should be seen in it, working for the Head of House that we will choose to appoint this day.”
“Diana, make your choice this day before our noble court. Are you Diana of Karm, or Diana of Chanicut? We no longer find your hyphen to be pleasing in our sight.”
“If your Majesty is disinclined to make me Duchess of Chanicut, then I will keep that which I already hold.” she says Diana.
“Very well. Let it be heard this day that the Ancient House of Karm is once more restored, and that the Duchess Diana Karm is its head, who will occupy Karmways, and is charged to make it once more an orderly and respected member of our ancient Court. We shall expect your tributes at the next scheduled assembly of the Houses.”
“Who comes next before us to claim the Duchy?” asks Mandor.
“May I present the Countess Brandr Chanicut, your Majesty, daughter of the late Duke Tubble Chanicut.” says Harold.
“Would this be the self same Countess Brandr who fought with the armies of the pretender Merlin in rebellion against our just and noble rule?” asks Mandor.
“It would, your Majesty.” says Harold.
“Would this be the self same Countess Brandr who thinks that she did service to me on the night that Merlin died, by betraying both Merlin and her grandfather Bleys, the leader of the rebel armies?”
“It would, your majesty.”
“Would this be the self same Countess Brandr who thinks that we would wish to have someone who could so easily slide her dagger into the back of the man to whom she had committed her sword in rebellion, standing beside us as a trusted and faithful counselor?”
“It would, your majesty.”
“What say you.my lady?” asks Mandor of Saturday.
“I think that you Majesty would be wise to place one such as her as far from the royal presence as reasonably possible.” says Saturday.
“We are in agreement.” says Mandor. “We do not ascent to the granting of the title of House Chanicut to a traitorous woman, firstly to our own noble rule, and more lately to the cause to which she pledged her sword. It is a pity that she was too late to draw the attention of the dying words of the pretender Merlin. Then perhaps she would have done a service for us fitting of recognition and reward. Let her be sent forth from Thelbane to find what comfort and solace she may elsewhere, for one century. Her name is to be stricken from the rolls of House Chanicut. Perhaps one of their Minor House allies will be willing to accept her service.”
“As you command, Majesty.” Again, Harold signals and guards come to escort a shocked and surprised Brandr from the throne room.
“We do seem to be getting through them at a goodly rate, Lord Harold. Who comes next before us to claim the Duchy?” asks Mandor.
“May I present the Countess Jane Chanicut, a younger daughter of the late Duke Tubble Chanicut, who is supported today in her claim by her own daughter the Lady Larisa Chanicut.” says Harold.
“So, we have a two-fer, do we Lord Secretary?” says Mandor.
“Yes, your Majesty.” says Harold.
“Have we ever heard record of any service of significance or note done in House Chanicut by either of these ladies, Lord Secretary?” asks Mandor.
“I can find no record, your Majesty.” answers Harold.
“We would hear the counsel of the Princess Suzanna of Geib. Step forward and tell us what you may regarding this claimant.” says Mandor.
A woman steps from the shadows at the sides of the great throne room and says “Most Noble Majesty, The Countess Jane is the youngest daughter of the Baroness Cornelia Wellesley Churchill. She normally resides in lands granted to the Duke Arthur Wellesley’s line in recognition of services rendered to one of your Most Noble Majesty’s predecessors. She is a contributor to the Wellesley Defence Review, and is believed to be responsible for the information relating to your loyal forces published by that body during the recent uprising.”
“So, basically, she is a Wellesley spy?” asks Mandor.
“That would be one interpretation of the facts, Most Noble Majesty.” says Suzanna.
Mandor looks at Saturday, who shakes her head.
“Next!” says Mandor.
“May I present the Countess Juno Chanicut, daughter of the late Duke Reynard Chanicut, and younger sister of the recently departed Duke Harmon Chanicut, who is supported today in her claim by her daughter the Lady Karla Chanicut.” says Harold.
“Another two-fer.” says Mandor.
“Yes, your Majesty.” says Harold.
“In the light of our previous deliberations this day, it would seem that unless we are to eviscerate the two of your for our viewing pleasure, and thus be forced to call back one of those we have already sent forth to other purposes, we have run out of alternatives. It is therefore with great pleasure the we ascent to the bestowing of the title and lands of Chanicut to the newly granted Duchess Juno. We look forward to your long and fruitful stewardship of this Great House, and the many tributes that it will bring before us.” says Mandor.
“We would speak now with the privy council. Court is ended this day.” says Mandor, and the huge gong once again sounds.
