A Coronation and a Tragedy

By Student Kasnith Trellik

Published by Acadamian Aikkao

Those in attendance of the Royal Coronation: King Sylf Starkholm, Sir Urist, Xorshir Hordlan, Ronk AceoPain, Vandal Tkhanzar, Matron Laelanis Zareerae, and Draug Vork'tar.

The day had dawned well enough. The streets of Val Miran were being transformed and the King's friends, entourage, and admirers had already begun to gather within the Central Square. Children waved flags and young and old alike had come out to line the streets in support. Garland was hung everywhere. Well wishers, however, were not limited to just friends, but also those who followed a dogma directly opposite that of the Crown. With the arrival of the Demon Tkhanzar and the ever beautiful and politically smart Matron Laelanis, tensions were high as the food was brought forth for the ceremony.

While King Sylf had indeed extended the invitation that all were welcome should they concede to the terms of non-violence upon this happy day, not everyone was entirely comfortable with this arrangement. It was apparent the Demon could smell this fear as it did little to comfort anyone with its grins and projections. At one point it even berated Ronk for his lack of singing. Mysteriously, prior to the commencement of Sylf's coronation speech, the vandal, the Matron, and Draug departed, much to the relief of those in attendance. That relief was to be short lived.

King Sylf's eloquent speech outlined his promises and platform upon which he was raised to King, a position vacant for many years. He expressed his gratitude to the goodly citizens of Val Miran for accepting him as King and promised to do right by every individual within the city to undo the damages caused by the war. He promised that good things would come to all and peace and prosperity would return to the walls of the city. During this time it is said that a message came from the Circle of Seers that enemies had been sighted at the Gates. Seconds after the official coronation, a loud BOOM was heard and the earth itself moved enough to toss Ithrier's emissary into the throne. Yet, in good keeping to the citizens of Val Miran, the Knights and King Sylf remained with the town to continue both the celebration for the uplifting of the citizens spirits and a show of solidarity that the town and its people were more important than the four walls of the Castle.

Rumors abounded about a possible Siege Engine, but what precisely took place is still uncertain. What is certain is that from within the Great Chasm the destruction is easily ascertained from a distance. A tower was felled and walls were cracked in spider web fashion. Several pieces of wall are laying about the Castle. The extent of the damage to the inside is said to be nearly as bad as the outside. Further information on what precisely happened may come in later tomes after attempts to gain interviews with the Demon, the Matron, and Draug.