[MR] Further News from the Coronation of Tsar Vladimir and Tsaritsa Kalisa

[E. L. Wimett]

As the day waned the baronage and populace of Atlantia took shelter in the 
coolness of the feast hall to hear the words of their undoubted Sovereigns, 
Vladimir and Kalisa.

The Tsar began His court by greeting His subjects there assembled and 
expressing His pleasure and admiration for the activities of the day.

He then called forth Baron Flaithrí Ó Cearnaigh and asked if Baron Flaithrí 
were still willing to serve as His champion.  Upon his assent, the Tsar bade 
him join His retinue.

Tsaritsa Kalisa then called forward Master Aedan Aylwin and confirmed that 
he was still willing to serve as Her rapier champion.  Expressing his 
eagerness to serve, he joined Her retinue.

Finally, the Tsaritsa summoned Sir William Shoprat and asked him to be Her 
heavy champion.  Upon his agreement, he too joined the Tsaritsa's retinue.

Count Bryan of Sacred Stone and Countess Brianna O Duinn then came into 
court and were raised to the rank of Duke and Duchess by the hands of the 
Tsar and Tsaritsa.

Immediately thereafter Tsar Vladimir summoned the royal guards to bring 
forward Mistress Alesia Gillefalyn.  Slowly, shoulders hunched, rosy gown 
torn (most becomingly) and hair gone grey during her term of imprisonment, 
the Kingdom Seneschal came forward.  Assuming His sternest mien, the Tsar 
chided her for flouting His will under the guise of adherence to the law and 
stripped her of the office of Seneschal of Atlantia.  Furthermore, He 
decreed that she should be imprisoned in the newly established Royal Prison 
on the island of Jamaica, forced by the guards to sit by the pool, deprived 
of her quills, without internet access and compelled to drink fruity drinks.

As the prisoner was escorted away from court, the Tsar recalled that 
Atlantia requires a Seneschal and proclaimed that Baroness Bessenyei Rozsa, 
the emergency deputy to Mistress Alesia should at once assume the office of 
Seneschal of Atlantia.

After such a sad spectacle, it greatly lightened the hearts of all present 
when the children of Atlantia were called forward and, after a spirited 
chase, fell upon the guardian of the Royal Toys and seized upon the booty he 
bore.

Tsar Vladimir next called for Jarl Timmeke Haakonson of Nordheim who 
manifested some dread upon entering court, no doubt thinking of his strongly 
expressed claim to the Crown earlier in the day.  However, the Tsar spoke 
most favorably of the brewing efforts of Jarl Timmeke, bestowing upon him a 
Coral Branch in recognition of those efforts.

Then, in response to a call for any for whom Coronation was their first 
event, one lady bravely advanced to be greeted by the Tsaritsa and presented 
with a cast token with which to remember the day.

The Tsar bade Lady Ysabella Cacemoine come before Him and, after a brief 
explanation of the Blackfox Awards, presented her with a token and scroll 
for the Blackfox Award for Best Layout and Design among publications drawn 
from throughout the Knowne World.

The autocrat, Dona Mariana Francisco was summoned thereafter and with the 
assistance of her deputies, announced the champions and presented the prizes 
for the martial and arts and sciences competitions held through the day.

The Tsar and Tsaritsa then granted to Mistress Tannis of Tir-y-Don leave to 
address the court.  After explaining the quest on which she had embarked at 
Twelfth Night to commemorate her thirtieth year in the Order of the Pelican, 
she called forward Dona Mariana and asked if she would accept a quest token 
from her hand.  Upon receiving a positive response from Dona Mariana, she 
requested leave to present a second token.

Lady Rose of Tir-y-Don was called forward but did not respond.  As all 
assumed Rose was in her usual place in the kitchen, at the Tsar's command 
she was summoned with strong men pounding upon the doors that secured the 
kitchen from the feast hall in an effort to call her forth.  Suddenly 
Countess Adelicia of Cumbria ran into court leading Rose by the hand, having 
found her in a dark corner of the hall where she had fled thinking it must 
all be a mistake.  Mistress Tannis noted the many services already 
accomplished by one who was not yet sixteen and asked her to accept a quest 
token which Rose did with a blush.

As the hall settled, Tsaritsa Kalisa asked Lady Cristina Iarina Chakinaia to 
come before her.  Noting the exquisite craftsmanship of the Coronation garb 
which she had prepared, in particular the many hours spent in the elaborate 
embroidery which truly befitted a Tsar and Tsaritsa, She bestowed on Lady 
Cristina Her Award of the Undine.

Upon ascertaining from Lady Cristina that she had not labored alone in 
preparing the royal garb, the Tsaritsa also called forth Mistress Marjory 
Winterbourne and Duchess Marie-Simone de Barjavel 'la Fildena and bestowed 
Undines upon them as well.

Tsar Vladimir then appeared to draw court to a conclusion by noting that it 
had been a short court which was both a good and bad thing, a good thing 
because it had been a long day but also a bad thing because the Tsar and 
Tsaritsa had had so few recommendations for those to honor in court.  He 
reminded both baronage and populace that the eyes of the Tsar and Tsaritsa 
cannot be everywhere at all times and solicited award recommendations for 
those whom They justly might honor.

As the Tsar fell silent, suddenly there was an commotion at the back of the 
hall and Master Rhys Terfan Greydragon, Clerk of Law of Atlantia, burst into 
court, upbraiding Tsar Vladimir for proclaiming earlier in the day that His 
word was above the Law of Atlantia.  Tossing down his gauntlet, he 
challenged the Tsar to equestrian combat at the War of the Wings to defend 
that claim.  As the populace watched with bated breath, remembering the 
awful fate of Mistress Alesia, the Tsar slowly descended from the throne and 
bent to pick up the gauntlet, amiably accepting the invitation to an 
equestrian rendezvous in the field at Eichenburg.

As the Tsar returned to His throne, He bade the herald close court so that 
there might be no further interruptions which might delay the feast.

So was it said, so was it done, by my witness as herald to the Tsar and 
Tsaritsa upon the day of Coronation,

Alisoun