The Sultan Part 3 (standard:fantasy, 1882 words) [3/3] show all parts
Author: Imaginator	Added: Jan 05 2006	Views/Reads: 2709/2029	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Amr takes solace in the arms of his new love and Amr's coronation.

Amr fought back his grief as the golden litter bore them slowly up the
steps of Court, now decorated in fine silk banners in a rainbow of 
colors and designs, each one representing a noble family, all trimmed 
in black and gold to mourn the prior Sultan.  Banners and brocades of 
purple and gold glittered in the sunlight outlining the single golden 
throne that now stood on a tall blindingly jeweled dais with the two 
others thrones set aside.  An immense crowd of people, along with the 
media and photographers on spindly raised platforms of their own 
created a droning roar of conversation.  That is until the golden 
litter bearing two people shrouded by hangings of bright amethyst silk 
and golden gossamer.  As the noise suddenly dropped the crowd seemed to 
be suddenly holding its breath.  The humming hiss of several whispers 
began as it was noticed there were two people in the litter.  The 
whispers silenced when the barked order of Captain Odji rang out 
sharply. 

“All Halt!” the Captains face glowed with concentration as he continued
to bark orders in formal style to the litter bearers and honor guard.  
The heavy litter, covered by patterned purple and gold rugs of the 
finest weave, was set gently on the hard stone.  A murmur went through 
the crowd like a bolt of lightning as the hangings of the litter 
parted, and Eros could be seen sitting with his arm around Amr.  Amr 
was silently pleased that the murmurs he could hear were more of relief 
than negative, it showed Eros had not been kidding when he said it had 
been known about Amr's preferences for some time now. 

A line of trumpeters began to blare their horns as the Royal Guardsmen
lined the walkway to the throne, wearing their finest white and gold 
tunics with purple breeches, ceremonial golden swords held in a high 
arch.  Amr slowly climbed off the litter and stood regally gazing at 
the crowd, then deliberately turned his back and offered his hand to 
Eros, who reluctantly took it and stepped from the litter as well.  
Eros's blushing pink face showing his reluctance to be the focus of the 
crowd's attention, still grasping Amr's hand tightly he allowed himself 
to be led. The crowd oohh'ed and aahh'ed upon getting a good look at 
the fine red headed good looks of Eros resplendent in his blue and 
silver attire with the glittering emeralds. 

Slowly processing toward the throne amid the blare of trumpets, with
slow easy steps, Eros's face was bright red with embarrassment by the 
time Amr passed him off to Erina, who squeezed his hand and gave him a 
knowing sultry smile.  Winking at Amr, Erina led Eros to a place at the 
end of the line of Royal Family members who stood glittering and 
glowing in fine silks and gems far larger than any others in the crowd, 
and also the only ones with any shoulder room. 

There was a shattering silence accompanied by the cessation of the
coronation march, the level of murmur dropping low but not quite 
stopping as speculation about just who the young man wearing the robes 
and the ring of a Consort was.  The royal historian began to shout a 
long list of the Sultans who had come before.  Slowly and sadly ending 
with the name of Amr's father,  Ruatan Om Rizt.  As the name was spoken 
the former Sultan's body was borne up on a black flat litter covered 
with the banner of the Royal House.  The glittering golden crown, made 
of thin gold wire entwined around the Stones of justice, rested upon 
the unmoving covered chest. 

The crowd bowed low as the High Magister ceremonially lifted the crown
and intoned the Royal Oath and the Magic transference spell so the 
crown would accept his head, a usurpers head would be instantly 
vaporized by trying on the crown due to the powerful magic embedded in 
the Stones.  Amr placed his hands on the crown, repeating the Oath and 
meaning it with all his heart.  The Stones remaining dark, as no lie 
was told in the acceptance of the Oath.  As Amr dropped his hands the 
crowd, as one, bowed low again and remained low until the litter 
bearing the former Sultan was out of sight down the Steps on its way to 
the Royal Mausoleum, Where all but one of the former Sultans now 
rested.  The high Magister kept his arm high until the litter had 
disappeared then amid the renewed blare of trumpets he slowly set rhe 
crown on Amr's head, and bowed low The crowd of people roaring its 
approval in a final cheer and handfuls of confetti so that the air was 
filled with glittering, flipping and twirling pieces of paper. 

Amr nodded at Boyo who with the help of several Guardsmen were able to
bring a second throne to the Dais.  Eros stood in stunned silence, 


Click here to read the rest of this story (108 more lines)