The Kingdoms of Man
Capitulum VI
Previous ChapterNext ChapterA tall mirror stood in Princess Celestia’s bedchambers. Its obvious purpose was known to everypony: it was for Princess Celestia whenever she wanted to gaze at herself, of course. Its not-so-obvious purpose was only known to the Princess, and that purpose was communication.
So when the gems embedded in the oval frame of the mirror shone a bright white and hummed a solid tone, Princess Celestia got up from one of her seats and cast a unique spell on the mirror. She then looked into it as the sound and light dissipated.
It was a man, wrinkles cutting impossibly deep into his face. A face that Princess Celestia had known for quite some time. The man managed a smile and said, “Greetings, Princess.”
Princess Celestia smiled and said back, “Hello, Regnator.”
Regnator smiled back and loosened up somewhat. He then said, “How long must it have been since I was but a stranger to you?”
Celestia giggled, then said, “Too long, friend.”
Regnator dropped the smile, and then sighed. He then told Celestia, “It never would seem to end, would it?”
Celestia also dropped her smile, and asked, “Reg?”
Regnator laughed weakly and said, “If I had a bit for every time you called me that...”
Celestia grew more concerned and asked, “Reg, what’s wrong?”
Regnator then said, “We’ve been attacked by an organized pack of young dragons.”
An attack this soon?
Regnator continued, “ We’ve lost... so much, Celestia.”
Celestia grew more concerned and asked, “H-How much, Reg?”
Regnator said, “The kings are dead, Celestia.”
Celestia gasped. One King of Man was bad enough, but all of them?
Regnator continued, “But this is not all.”
Celestia listened attentively as Regnator continued. “We have also lost the mana garden and mana stores. They were destroyed in the attack, along with the homes of many. Many of those who dwelt there also perished. They are homeless now.”
Celestia gulped then said fearfully, “But you do have mana left, don’t you?”
He shook his head, then said, “I gave away my last potions for the defense. It seemed to have found its way into the hands of the kings. They died in the defense, their inexperience with the body-enhancing magic of mana proving fatal. Those bottles should have instead gone to those who actually had trained to use them, d--”
Regnator then had a coughing fit, racking his old body. He then seemed contemplative. He said, “Perhaps this is for the best.”
Celestia could only ask, “What?”
Regnator then replied by saying, “It’s about time to pass the torch, Celestia. It’s been a good run, but...”
Celestia cut in, saying, “No, don’t say that, Reg. We can still-”
Regnator cut Celestia off, then said, “Celestia. It is the end of an era, make no mistake. I may be sustained by distilled magic, but I am beginning to suspect that my body isn’t suitable for immortality.”
Regnator then had another coughing fit, growing visibly weaker. He then continued, “I’m also beginning to suspect that immortality is a song and dance unfit for men.”
Celestia gripped the frame of the mirror with her hooves and said, “Reg, this ‘song and dance’ is not suitable for any of us, yet we will perform. Please... won’t you stay?”
Regnator pressed one of his aged hands to the mirror, and Celestia mirrored Regnator’s action. Regnator then said, “Celestia... I’ve danced and I’ve sung with you for a long time now. Yet I can’t anymore. My voice grows faint, and my body grows weak. It’ll take a while for the mana garden to make more potions, yet I don’t have that long. Celestia... after all our adventures, our close calls, and our time together... I’m finally dying.”
In that instant, Princess Celestia would have given up her kingdom just to be able to hold Regnator one more time. Tears welled up in her eyes, and her mouth quivered as she pressed her face into the glass. Regnator mirrored her action, also longing for one last moment. They held this position for what seemed like forever, then Regnator finally said,
“Goodbye, my Princess of the Sun.”
With that, he collapsed out of view of the mirror. Princess Celestia wept.
Earlier that day...
Regnator Ligia addressed the people.
“
A short coughing fit shook Regnator, and he continued his speech.
“<Let me amend that. Let you live for the safety for us all.>
The crowd of soldiers and civilians murmured, but Regnator continued.
The murmur grow exponentially until Fatum withdrew something from his coat and fired several shots into the air.
The silence after the shots was almost as deafening as the gun itself. Regnator said,
“”
He motioned aside, and an aide with a scroll stepped up, and read with a booming voice,
“<The laws and decrees have been modified by High King Regnator Ligia. By decree he has instituted the following:
Sanction limiting advanced machining to the Ligia Guard: Lifted.
Sanction limiting research and development to the Ligia Guard: Lifted.
Sanction limiting the use of mana potions and mana flower growing to the Ligia Guard: Lifted.>”
Regnator cut in, saying, “
The aide rolled his eyes, but continued, to the stunned silence of the populace
“< In additions, the following decrees are in effect:
The Legions of Reme are hereby merged with the Ligia Guard. All Legionnaires are now under the jurisdiction of the guard, and the command structure will also merge to manage the new Legions of the Guard.
In addition, the Armored Wall of Laceda are hereby merged with the Ligia Guard. All Hoplites of the Armored Wall are now under Ligia Guard’s jurisdiction, and the command structure of the Armored Wall is now merged with the Guard’s command structure to better manage the Hoplites of Laceda.
Finally, the Order of Abraxas are hereby merged with the Ligia Guard. All Knights of Abraxas are now under the jurisdiction of the Guard, and the command structure of the Order of Abraxas are to merge also with the Guard.>”
Regnator chuckled and said, “
The aide sighed forcibly, then said,
“
The aide then turned to Regnator and asked in a hushed voice, “
Regnator hushed the aide, then said, “
Fatum grimaced and said, “
Regnator laughed and then said, “
Fatum grew frustrated and said, “<But... one does not simply retire from Kingship... my King.>”
Regnator pointed to the scroll that Fatum held and said sternly, “
Fatum looked down and read aloud to the populace.
“< The last item of business is the banner of the Kingdoms. With these many changes being made... it becomes necessary to adopt a new banner to signify this. Where we were divided before....>”
A black banner arose, with a white cross maltese on it.
“
Regnator stepped forward and said aloud,
“
Present time...
Orator and Marce sat in Orator’s personal quarters on a commissioned frigate, minds heavy with thought and bellies heavy with hot food. Their troops were equally heavy, as comfortable as they were in their own quarters. Orator had just received a message from the kingdoms detailing the attack and the new situation that they were now subject to. These rapid series of events were still being processed by the men, and they kept their thoughts to themselves for a brief moment, their silence being punctuated by the sounds of a ship at sea.
Orator finally broke the silence aboard and said, leaning back in his chair,
“
Marce sighed, then said, rubbing his face in contemplation,
“
Marce leaned forward in his rickety seat, holding his hands on the table. He then said,
“
Fatum burst into Regnator’s personal quarters, and said in an almost-shouting voice, “
That’s when he saw a prone Regnator at the base of a tall, oval mirror. Princess Celestia was still in the mirror, trying to compose herself. Fatum then hurried over and cradled Regnator in his arms. He spoke softly, "
Princess Celestia noticed the newcomer, and asked through misty eyes, “R-Reg?”
Fatum composed himself and said, “My name is Fatum Ligia, Princess.”
Celestia’s eyes widened in surprise. She had spoke to Fatum as a boy. Now, he seemed just like Regnator... Celestia shook herself from her thoughts and asked, “Is he...?”
Fatum nodded solemnly. Celestia nearly broke down again, but asked Fatum, “So, are you his...”
Fatum answered factually, “I’m among his 60th generation.”
Celestia then stared at Fatum for a moment, studying his young features. So, Regnator had lived through 60 generations of his family line, witnessing his children and their children grow up and die in succession? She didn’t know if she could live through that. Evidently, Regnator had. Celestia then asked Fatum, “So, you are the heir?”
Fatum nodded. He looked up at Celestia, then said, “Regnator’s made a lot of changes before passing, changes I’m now having to implement. My father and my father’s fathers and their fathers were always under Regnator’s shadow, and now suddenly it seems I’ve been thrust into the light now that his shadow’s gone.”
Celestia looked down at Regnator, then back to Fatum. She said, “And now you’re afraid of being blinded and burned now that his control is lost.”
Fatum stated simply, “Yes. I know I’ve taken the lessons, studied our vast history... but--”
Fatum struggled to contain his composure as he continued, “b-but what if I can’t lead? I don’t know how to sustain a marching army, or how to handle being King, I...”
Celestia cut in and said, “Don’t worry, Fatum. I’ve been leading kingdoms as long as he has. I can help.”
Fatum looked into Celestia’s eyes and found himself calming down. He knew that Regnator had confided in Princess Celestia, and now he felt that he could confide in her, too. They both bore the same sad smile on their faces.
Author's Note
Credit for the art again goes to Kdogfour.
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