Chapter 217 - Bk 2 (13)

The monks purified the room with sticks of incense waved out of thin air. As at this moment, it was clear this was not a conventional coronation. The rulers and ruler's representatives present could deduce what this kind of coronation was from the rumours of its legends. At this, they could not help but frown. What does the religion mean by this? Are they declaring their stance? Only one person had been crowned this way in the history of Thriergor, he was the king of Thriergor. If this is not a declaration, what was it? Many representatives became uncomfortable as their ruler was not here and their response to this would be seen as the response of their kingdoms. They could handle Juhntt, but what about the religion?

At this time, a monk faced Prince Adrian while the others shook tiny bells in what seemed to be a rhythm. They started a chant as Prince Adrian bowed six times. When he had finished, the chanting stopped. At this, Prince Adrian took to his knees.

"Your body humbled by the last bow." the leading monk said.

"Your spirit purified by the eighty ringing bells" he continued and the ringing stopped. He then waved his hand and a crown appeared in his palm. One look and one could tell this was not the crown of Juhntt.

"An old era ends." the monks chorused and Queen Raine's crown vanished from her head.

"A new one begins." the head monk completed as he placed the crown in his hands on Prince Adrian's head.

"Rise King Adrian of Juhntt, root of the broken tree." and Prince Adrian rose as the hall exploded in a silent noise.

Many were aware of what just happened. The religion may not have named him king of Thriergor, but they declared Juhntt the root of Thriergor. Thriergor is a word from the Vermin Isles of the higher realms, one of the lost languages meaning, the broken tree. The religion named them this after the great divide that split their world into This-side and Other-side from their former name, Ergai, which meant the lone fruit.

This was a declaration. Whoever ruled Juhntt ruled Thriergor and many were not happy with this. But the coronation had finished before they had a chance to raise their concerns. Even if they could, what would they say in the presence of the religion? Many were getting jittery in their seats as the monks left the hall in twos.

"Juhntt accepts the mistakes of the past and forges towards the future. After great tragedy, all that is left is good. In this line, this king will solidify this with a marriage, between the royal house and the house of Krain. With the blessing of the gods as I take a wife," he raised his hand towards Amie, who was not sure if she was still breathing as she made her way towards him and took his hand.

"Amie Krain of Steinhouse" he said and the entire hall chilled.