Into Darkness and Desolation
(Prequel to Alone With Myself)
Chapter Two: The Coronation
©2002-2003, WriteByMyself, All Rights Reserved.
Any duplication, in whole or in part, is expressly prohibited without the written consent of the author.
REVISION DATE: 13 April 2003

Special thanks to this chapter's proofreaders: Christin, Ed, John, Alastair, and Lars

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"I am returned and am off to see the Exarch to prepare for the Coronation."

The guard was torn because he had the choice to turn Miki over to the Exarch and claim credit for finding him, or he could let Miki go alone and retain his dignity. The guard finally decided to let it go. "Yes, sir. I expect you'll find him in the chapel office." The guard finished with a smart salute.

Miki returned the salute, as only a serious child could. For anyone observing it, the scene was almost comical. Miki motioned for Nigel to follow. Together, they passed another set of trees and rock piles. There were many such contrivances to make the village seem smaller than the city it really was. It also enabled any outsider to be captured and killed, or on rare occasions released.

Miki, of course, knew the way, and went straight for the chapel. Fortunately, they passed no further guards. Miki barged into the chapel and went straight to the Exarch's office. He was not used to knocking or asking permission.

"Exarch Putin, I have come for the preparations."

"My Lord! Where have you been?" exclaimed the Exarch, quite uncharacteristically.

"I went for a walk."

The Exarch knew this was a lie. However, one didn't call the King-In-Waiting a liar. It was bad for one's career and future. "I see, your Highness. I am glad you have returned from your walk safely. I would like to suggest that perhaps you bring a guard on any future spontaneous walks. For your own good, of course, Highness."

"Of course," replied Miki in English. Manners dictated one didn't speak in front of guests in a language they couldn't understand.

"And who might you be?" said the Exarch with poorly disguised scorn in his voice.

"My name is Nigel," he replied. Though he had trouble with the thick accents, he appreciated the fact that these people were making an effort to speak to him in his own language.

"Nigel? I see." said the Exarch with a long, drawn-out breath, "I am the Exarch Putin, and I don't recollect ever meeting you before. You don't look like you're from around here."

"I'm not. I'm from England. We're here on holiday."

"I see. Well, Nigel, you pose an interesting problem."

Nigel was confused, but Miki sensed the danger. "He's with me, Exarch. He's my friend."

"I see," said the Exarch, repeating the phrase for a third time. Everyone knew the Exarch was generally in good control of himself. But when he became redundant, he was upset. It was one of the well-known signs of his irritation.

"We must complete my coronation, Exarch. Then we must plan our migration."

Nigel listened to the conversation and thought it was stilted. Then again, he realized Miki always talked that way. It was perhaps, he thought, because English wasn't Miki's first language. Nigel also came to a stunning realization. He realized that Miki was going to be the King. He wondered how he'd explain this to his parents.

The Exarch eyed Nigel, "You may attend the coronation, but we'll have to find you something more appropriate to wear."

Exarch Putin clapped his hands and two servants came forth immediately. "Take this young man and make him presentable," he indicated Nigel by a wave of his hand. "And take his Highness to his chambers to prepare."

Miki and Nigel were led off in separate directions. Nigel just went in the direction indicated, not having understood the exchange.

*******

Nigel was measured by a tailor, as a suit was to be made to fit him properly. Nigel had

worn suits before, so this didn't seem a major undertaking to him. He thought it odd how many exacting measurements were taken. It was a trial to his patience, because everything was communicated by gestures since the tailor spoke no English whatsoever.

He wondered how Miki was faring, and if he'd see him again before long.

*******

Miki was clothed in deep purple velvet robes, which were hastily being re-sewn to fit. The tailor was scurrying about madly, "This simply won't be done in time. If your Highness would please stop fidgeting it would make everything so much easier." The tailor clucked about like an old woman, knowing full well he'd have the robes ready on time and in perfect condition.

The jeweller was working on taking head measurements to make the crown fit properly. "Dear, dear. This crown just won't fit. I'll have to make a new band and attach the old crown to it. It's the only way it'll be done in time." The signet was much easier to adjust.

Miki was irritated at all the attention but he kept his mouth shut because he knew the more he talked and complained the longer it would take.

Soon, a barber was working on his hair, snipping away at stray and unruly hairs. "Your Highness will be a proper sight when I'm done."

"Hear now, barber, I've just taken his head measurement and if you thin his hair, the crown won't fit right."

Miki was incredulous as the barber and jeweller got in a shouting match over who needed to complete their task first. It was very frustrating to listen to them argue as he sat there.

The Exarch came in to check on his young charge, "How is everything going?" he asked to Miki.

Everyone else in the room thought the question was directed at them and an amalgamation of shouting and screaming came forth. "Silence!"

"Miki, how is everything going?"

"As you can see, Exarch, it is going just as well as can be expected. Nothing changes here."

"So I see." He glanced about before speaking, "You shall all keep in mind that this coronation shall take place tomorrow and that nothing will spoil it."

The Exarch returned his attention to Miki. "Tomorrow in the morning, we'll have the ceremony. It should be a short ceremony. After that you will have a brief recess to get into more appropriate attire, and then you'll begin your first working day as King."

"What do I have to do at the ceremony?"

"Not much really. There are speeches, and you are asked questions. All you have to do is answer the questions with the appropriate yes or no answer. When it's near the end, the crown will be placed upon your head and then you will be King. It is customary at that time for you to say a few words."

"It sounds so easy."

"It is. The only requirement is to put the crown on your head and have you accept the oath of office. The rest of the show is for the people."

"Do they care?"

"Of course. Any monarchy requires the support of the people. You must keep them happy and give them what they want. They expect any monarchy to be full of traditions and trappings. Do you understand?"

"Yes, I see," lied Miki. He didn't see at all. He thought it was stupid.

After what seemed an interminable amount of time, filled with last minute measurements and instructions and seemingly trivial details, Miki was allowed to go to sleep with a warning that tomorrow would be an early day.

*******

Nigel was brought food by a servant who spoke English with a thick, barely intelligible accent. "After you are done eating, you should be gett some sleep."

"But I have to return to my parents," complained Nigel.

"I'm sorry, but we can't allow that right now. Besides, it isn't my decision, so you'll just have to wait," stated the servant matter-of-factly.

The servant didn't want to explain to Nigel that he'd probably never be allowed out of the kingdom again. Nigel looked defeated, but he kept the proverbial stiff upper lip. He wouldn't be seeing either his parents or Miki again tonight, and he wasn't even tired. He spent most of the evening staring into blackness, absorbed in his own thoughts about this mysterious place and even more mysterious people. He wondered exactly what he had gotten himself into.

Morning came and Nigel was awakened by the smell of breakfast. He opened his eyes to see a tray of warm bread, ham, and eggs being brought in. "Eat this, young master, then we'll have to get you ready." Nigel ate, all alone.

When he was done, the tailor came in with his clothes, and helped Nigel to get ready. Afterwards, a servant took Nigel to the coronation hall where he waited for the ceremony.

*******

Morning came and Miki was also awakened by the smell of breakfast. He opened his eyes to see a tray of not only bacon, ham, and eggs being brought in, but also many other foods including fresh fruits, toasted pastries, and warm bread. "Eat whatever you'd like, your Highness, then we'll have to get you ready." Miki ate surrounded by doting servants.

The servants spent quite some time getting Miki ready, not even giving him leave to take a bath by himself. Although he was embarrassed, he was used to it. He had always had to contend with "bath by committee" as he called it.

After that, he was dressed, all without having to lift a finger. He stood there and was poked, prodded, stuck, and manhandled. Left with nothing to do but think, he tried to decide what he would say in his coronation speech. Although the Exarch said it was customary he had also clearly imparted the message that it was obligatory.

Finally, he was done. The only things left were the crown and signet which he wouldn't see until he was presented with them at the ceremony, but he knew they would be flawlessly perfect.

"Your Highness, let us go! It is time for the processional," said a guard.

The door to Miki's chamber was thrust open. In the hall was the Exarch along with a number of guards and a portable throne with handles so it could be carried. It was clear now to Miki that he'd be carried and not permitted to walk to the coronation. He supposed it was an honour, but he though it to be ostentatious. Then again, wasn't that part of the role of a monarchy?

He sat on the portable throne, and four burly guards lifted him, setting the handles upon their shoulders and holding them fast with their hands. A drummer began softly hammering out a slow marching beat, and they walked in time with it. Miki glanced about surreptitiously and saw there were nearly a hundred people in the processional.

They finally approached the throne room and entered. The crowd rose and applauded with thunderous clapping. The Exarch raised his left hand and the crowd immediately became silent and sat down quickly, with nary a sound. The portable throne was set down near the stairs leading to the podium. Miki got up and was escorted to the official throne by the Exarch himself.

"Do not sit until I instruct you," he whispered quietly into Miki's ear as the portable throne was carried off.

Miki looked around and spied Nigel sitting off in the wing. It wasn't hard to spot him as there were almost no children present. Seeing him here made Miki a bit less nervous. He had a brief feeling of guilt, knowing Nigel couldn't understand a word that was spoken.

The Exarch addressed the crowd. "Before you is your future King!" The crowd applauded enthusiastically and surged to their feet. "Will you have him? Yea or Nay?" The crowd responded with a loud affirmative.

"Please be seated," he commanded as the crowd quieted.

"I knew the King, our recently departed and most beloved King Pavel Vonamoor, for many years. He ruled wisely and justly. Though it sounds cliché, it is true. There is no better king than one who is wise and just." There was applause despite the efforts of the Exarch to silence the crowd with his hand.

"The King loved his son, and he has, I believe, trained him well. I, too, have trained him. I have been entrusted to be his advisor until he reaches his majority." This was received less enthusiastically but politely nonetheless. It was true a regent would be needed until the King came of age. Although the Exarch was the spiritual leader of the Kingdom, he was always greeted with some skepticism.

"And so we shall begin!" exclaimed the Exarch, motioning Miki to his knees. Servants quickly slid a cushion under this King-in-Waiting's knees as he bent down.

"Whereas by the law and ancient usage of this Realm, the Kings have always taken a solemn oath before the Exarch at their respective coronations, to maintain the statutes, laws, and customs of the Realm, and all the people and inhabitants thereof, in their spiritual and civil rights and properties: but forasmuch as the oath itself on such occasion administered, hath heretofore been framed in doubtful words and expressions, with relation to ancient laws and constitutions at this time unknown: to the end therefore that one uniform oath may be in all times to come taken by the Kings of this Realm, and to them respectively administered at the times of their coronation."

"Do you so understand this so far?"

"I do," said Miki though he was struggling with the archaic language.

"Will you solemnly promise and swear to govern the people of this Kingdom, and the dominions thereto belonging wherever they may be, according to the statutes agreed upon, and the laws and customs of the same?"

"I solemnly promise so to do." said Miki figuring to answer archaic language and solemnity with the same.

"Will you to your power cause law and justice in mercy to be executed in all your judgements?"

"I will."

"Will you, to the utmost of your power, maintain the laws of our religion, the true profession of the religion established by law, and will you preserve unto the Exarch and his lessers of this Realm, all such rights and privileges as by law do or shall appertain unto them, or any of them?"

"All this I do promise."

"Very good. Lay your hand on this sceptre and take your oath."

Miki had been told he had to say this exactly right, and he had practised it all night. "The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep: So help me to do so in the name of the people."

The cheer rose quickly, much like the surge of an avalanche. "Long live the King! Long live the King!"

It was nearly ten minutes before it died down enough to speak again.

"Does the King wish to speak?"

"I do so wish to speak," said Miki. He realized his error.

"We do so wish to speak," he corrected himself.

"We are now the King, and we will try to be the best King besides my dearest, beloved, and recently departed father. We are new at this and trust in the Exarch to guide our hand in all that we do. Our father had instructed us upon his deathbed, that we should lead our people underground to safety. We promised to do so, and this we shall undertake." He paused because he knew this was news to the people, and it was enormous news of a life-altering nature.

"As King, we understand we can make laws and commands and none may alter them. But being new, we will consult with our advisors before taking rash actions. Even so, we make one decree, even now, before we descend from the dais to begin our royal duties."

The Exarch was clearly taken aback, but Miki was now the King and he could do nothing to stop him. The room grew silent.

"It is a simple thing, yet not so simple as well. To become great you must have good friends -- people in whom you can place trust and receive trust. Without friends despair will consume you and in that, the ability to govern wisely is weakened." Miki continued, switching to English for the last sentence, "Thus, I proclaim my friend Nigel, a friend of the realm!" He repeated it in Russian for the people.

With that, Miki strode confidently forward towards the door so he could go to his chambers. The guards quickly opened the door, and as he exited the measured and polite applause began.