Post

FIRST STEPS
Harmonia, Hiere
The Second Council of Notables
0800 Hours

Queen Patricia rose from her throne and smiled at the council before her, arranged in a semi-circle around two men on their knees. The room was far more crowded than it had been the day before; around 90% of those summoned had come, those attending for the first time standing timidly near the back of the room. Outside, distant gunfire signalled the demise of the remaining 10%. There would be no rebellion in Hiere.

"Welcome all to the Second Council of Notables! As you all know, I am Queen Patricia the First, sovereign of Harmonia and of the Hierian nation. Our last assembly was rather brief, and as such we shall ensure that this Council observes all the necessary formalities."

As Queen Patricia spoke she walked forward, stepping down a set of stairs and towards the two men kneeling in the centre of the room. They were all stood in the Grand Hall of Harmonia, an absolutely massive structure complete with gleaming marble floors, a stained glass ceiling, a red and gold embroidered carpet and a massive bema with the Queen's throne atop. The throne itself was a humble but powerful design, dark oak with red cushioning and a few hints of gold to access the carved surface. It was a glorious sight, quite offset by the clump of confused guests in diverse outfits standing before Patricia. The Queen observed them, and gave a little chuckle.

"We will have to establish a dress code. Nonetheless, such frivolous standards will do nothing but delay our business at hand. Until we can appoint tailors to prepare for us a common uniform, this much shall do."

"Your majesty, if I may..."

The Queen looked behind her and nodded at Lord Huesmann, who bowed and then turned his gaze to the room.

"Though I am most certain, sirs and ma'ms, that no offence was meant your failure to observe Royal Custom - as I am equally certain that few of you are privy to the proper procedures when addressed by a monarch - I nonetheless feel it is my duty to inform you all as to the necessary course of action in instances such as that which is currently occurring. When approached by a Monarch, the assembly shall bow themselves so as to lower their eyes to the level of the Monarch's belt, or lower. The assembly shall maintain this posture until the Monarch expressly orders they return to a standing position, or until the Monarch crosses out of the room or upon the Bema."

The Lord Huesmann then raised his eyebrows at the 'Notables,' who immediately bowed in the fashion described by the Lord. Content, Huesmann continued.

"When spoken to by a Monarch, the subject shall give this same bow and hold for a period of at least five seconds, after which they shall rise and remove their hat should they be wearing one. It is only once the Monarch nods in approval that the subject may respond should the Monarch's words have been communicated in the form of a question. At no time during the exchange will the subject meet the gaze of the Monarch, and they shall instead train their eyes to the Monarch's chin so as to keep their line of sight below that of the Monarch's."

The Queen smiled again and looked at the room of billionaires and officers bowing down before her.

"You may all rise."

The Notables straightened up as Huesmann concluded his lecture.

"Finally, if you are asked to depart a Monarch's presence, you shall make a full bow as quickly as you feel is appropriate, and shall then retire from the room without ever turning your back to the Monarch."

Satisfied, the Queen turned her attention to the two men kneeling upon the ground before her.

"Before my Council proceeds with the necessary administrative business, I would like to address these two gentlemen. Mr. Samuel Dawkins and Mr. Percy Thompson, please rise."

The individual on the left, a stout and elderly man with a thick moustache, angrily shoved himself to his feet as a nearby soldier in ceremonial dress raised his rifle from the man's back. To the right, the tall and slender Mr. Thompson attempted to rise but struggled. The Queen waved to a second soldier, who assisted the man to his feet. Thompson thanked the soldier quietly and then straightened out his jacket before clasping his hands together. The Queen looked them both over before speaking.

"Mr. Dawkins and Mr. Thompson, you have been accused of multiple crimes ranging from Malicious Mischief to High Treason, with the most severe amounting to capital offences. In deliberations, you have been deemed guilty by a Judicial Council that I have overseen personally. You will be taken from this Hall and executed either by hanging, by firing squad or by lethal injection, according to your personal preferences. I shall now hear your final pleas before justice is fulfilled."

Dawkins, the stout man, began shouting immediately upon the conclusion of the Queen's statements.

"I have nothing to say to you and this... this lynch mob! You're all nothing but cowards and empty suits, and my only regret is that I won't be able to see your illegitimate sh*thole of a county crumble."

The Queen gave Dawkins and death glare and then waved at the soldier near him, the latter grabbing his prisoners and dragging him through the crowd to a waiting group of MPs. All attention now turned to Thompson, who stood silent and alone. Patricia waited for a moment, then stepped over towards him.

"And you, Mr. Thompson? Or does Mr. Dawkins speak for the both of you?"

The tall man cleared his throat then looked at Patricia's chin as Mr. Huesmann had detailed.

"I do not feel that it is my place to apologize, for it is clear that I have made my decision by my treason. I shall not deny that I conspired against the crown, and took up arms to challenge it. I made my decision for a number of reasons, but I can assure you that money and personal gain had nothing to do with it. I shall not draw this process out with a description of my personal circumstances, but I chose to take the course of action which I thought would benefit those dearest to me. I have lost, and hold no animosity towards my betters, that being your Majesty and the honourable Marshal Pinnard."

Queen Patricia stared at Thompson, then back at Huesmann, who traded a glance. When she returned her gaze to Thompson, her gaze was warmer than the cold stare she had given him before.

"Mr. Thompson, your assets shall be dissolved and your property shall either be claimed by the Crown or demolished. Your previously held titles will be abolished, and your citizenship shall be revoked. You shall be taken from this place, and placed in the South Harmonia Remedial Institute for a period of two months."

Thompson's expression did not change as his own attending soldier grabbed him by the elbow and guided him out the door, taking careful steps backwards until they were out of the hall.