"Did you kill him?" The Queen asked Evony as she put on her blood-red under-armor in front of a very large mirror inside the large dressing room while the Seneschal attended to her.

The Queen had traveled to the province of Rhaxma, Regnant Einiah's hometown, where his Tomb was located to stand Watch – for the final time.

There had only been a handful of times The Queen had ever stood Watch over Regnant Einiah's sarcophagus, the first being during his funeral soon after the War of the Five Monarchs. She was the newly Recognized Queen, and the Realm was in tatters after a devastating war that nearly destroyed the Realm. Now, over 1400 years later the Realm has not only been restored to its previous glory but raised to new heights.

But Helen was right. It was time. Ari had done her duty. Now it was time for the Realm's next chapter, and with Bo's Recognition Destiny itself had decreed it was time. Time to say good-bye to the past and face a new future.

"Ari! He was my brother!" Evony replied in an exasperated tone as she raised her arms while the Seneschal tightened her fittings.

"And?" Grand Primus Atílio Cheles challenged while he put on his leggings.

"Et tu, Atílio?" Evony replied with feigned surprise. Atílio tilted his head.

"Granted, I would've had every right to kill him if the Realm knew about his questionable business dealings, but still, no." Evony explained.

"How's Parisa taking it?" Saladin asked while he checked himself in the mirror and adjusted the collar on his under-armor.

"Like she lost the best son the Realm ever produced when he was one of the stupidest Fae the Realm ever produced. It's exasperating to hear, really." Evony replied.

"Parents can be blind." Ari commented.

"Blind perhaps, but deaf and dumb too?" Evony replied. They all rolled their eyes response.

Originally, The Queen planned to stand Watch alone but Saladin, Atílio, Evony wouldn't hear of it. They all fought together, side by side, as Warriors during the War of the Five Monarchs, and stood together during the first Watch, and now would stand together again for the final Watch.

"Where's The Princess Royal? Still on Falshage Aquilaria?" Evony asked.

"For close to ten days now. They're expected to return in another week." Saladin answered.

"A vacation during the Convocation?" Evony questioned.

"Given what all they've been through lately, completely understandable." Ari replied.

"If they're going to rule after you they need to develop tougher hides." Evony said.

"Evony!" Ari gently chastised. Just then the doors opened, and Bostanji Jedrick Leonhard entered the Dressing Room.

Words could barely describe the massiveness of Bostanji Jedrick Leonhard, Head of the Regnant Guard. In the face, he looked like a seasoned Viking. He wore his blondish-brown hair in a pony tail when he didn't have helmet on. He stood 20-feet in height. His shoulders, from one point to the other 10 feet across, his arms were hulkishly thick and veiny and his body was so broad he looked as if he were chiseled from the thickness of a mountain. His voice was soft, yet firm, deep, commanding and he spoke with tempo of seasoned, yet thoughtful leader.

"Yes, Jedrick?" The Queen prompted.

"Her Royal Highness is here." Jedrick announced and then stepped off to the side as Bo entered the room.

"Bo! What are you doing here?" The Queen asked in surprise. Bostanji Leonhard then turned and left, and the doors closed behind him. "I thought you were planning to be away another week?"

"Your Majesty." Bo greeted with a curtsey. "We returned early so we could be here with you. We know how much Regnant Einiah meant to you. There was no way we could miss this."

"Lauren's here too?" Ari asked in surprise.

"She is already seated with The Queen Consort in the Royal Box. The children are back at Presidium proper." Bo replied.

"Your return wasn't necessary. We all understood." Ari said.

"Most of us, anyway." Grand Primus Cheles mumbled as he glanced at Evony.

"Well, well. Thinking like a Sovereign, after all." Evony quipped as she stepped into clear view. Bo turned, and her mouth dropped at the sight of Evony in under armor.

"You're a Knight of the Guard?" Bo asked surprised.

"You didn't know I was a Knight?" Evony asked.

"I knew you were a Warrior who fought in the War of the Five Monarchs, but not a Knight." Bo replied.

"Finding out a lot of things aren't you, Your Royal Highness?" Evony said with a bit of smartness.

"Thank you for the thought, Bo. But the well-being of your family should be your paramount focus." Ari said to Bo.

"You're our paramount focus, Your Majesty." Bo replied. The doors opened again and Bostanji Leonhard re-entered the room.

"Your Majesty?" Bostanji Leonhard prompted as he re-entered the room. "Everything is ready."

"Zeze?" The Queen asked.

"His Grand Serene Highness awaits your arrival at the entrance to the Tomb chamber."

"Abebe?" The Queen asked.

"Regnant Einiah's Principal Companion is already seated with The Queen Consort." Bostanji Leonhard replied.

"My children?" The Queen asked Bostanji Leonhard.

"The Ruling children are in their respective positions amongst the Knights. Including Her Serene Highness Atia." Bostanji Leonhard.

"Atia was supposed to join her mother in the Royal Box?" Ari challenged. Bostanji Leonhard let out a sigh in response. The Queen smiled.

"That's what I get for having determined children." The Queen replied.

"Your Majesty, His Grand Serene Highness is also accompanied by Rajah Hesiodos Kalidor." Bostanji Leonhard informed.

"Was all that necessary?" Grand Primus Cheles questioned as he looked at The Queen.

"Guess he wants to make his presence known too." Evony snarked.

"Thank you, Bostanji." The Queen replied then turned back to the mirror.

"Whose Zeze?" Bo asked.

"Zeze is the son of Regnant Einiah." Saladin answered.

"And Rajah…?" Bo asked.

"Hesiodos Kalidor." Saladin finished.

"Helen's ex." The Queen answered flatly.

"Oh." Bo said quietly.

"His presence at this event is appropriate. He and a number of Rajahs are Knights, but to specifically accompany the son of a former Regnant is…telling." Regent Saladin informed.

"You haven't met him yet?" Evony asked astonished.

"No. Not yet." Bo replied.

"Well, he's the Rajah of the Empyrean Inferno." Evony informed.

"Place sounds intimidating." Bo said.

"It should. It's a hellfire-like plane." Evony replied.

"An entire plane composed of fire?" Bo asked incredulous at the thought.

"It has cities, towns, palaces just like other planes. There are parts of it where the flames burn but doesn't emit any heat, and there are parts where it would make volcanos seem tame." Evony replied.

"How's that possible?" Bo asked.

"Nature of the plane. Plus, they're shifters. Just like The Queen Consort. They can exist in one state outside of their plane and then exist in their natural state on their plane." Evony replied.

"I keep forgetting The Queen Consort possesses that particular ability." Bo noted.

"You should visit the plane one day. It's actually quite a blast." Evony explained.

"Only you would find hellfire fun." Bo said sarcastically.

"Shall we move along?" The Queen prompted.

The Seneschal then went around and placed an ornate, gold-colored bracelet-like device with a dark, brown button in the center of the bracelet on the left forearms of The Queen, Regent Saladin, Grand Primus Cheles and Grand Ducal Marquis left forearms and stepped back.

In unison, they all depressed the button in the center of the bracelet on it, and a shimmering golden armor suddenly took over their bodies to include their hands.

The plate-mail armor was not the expected clunky armor, but more elastic, form-fitting armor. The chest plates and extremity armor were silver but the decorative carvings on them were outlined in gold. The forearm plates were so large they looked like shields in it of themselves. The spiked shoulder plates were connected across the chest with a thick golden collar as if it were ripped from caged wire. The Seneschal then wrapped a red-colored, decorative belted cloak around each of their waists. One half of it went down to the top of their thighs while the other half draped thee left side of their bodies down to their knees.

"Wow!" was all Bo could say after she witnessed the transformation.

Bostanji Leonhard stepped off to the side and Bo quickly followed suit. The Queen then led them out of the dressing room and down a long corridor to the entrance of the Tomb. His Grand Serene Highness Zeze Rahinotep, and Rajah Hesiodos Kalidor in his humanoid form stood at the entrance.

"Your Majesty!" greeted Zeze and Rajah Kalidor in unison as they both bowed.

"Zeze! It's good to see you again!" The Queen greeted.

"You as well, Your Majesty." Zeze replied.

"I take it this the first opportunity for you to meet The Princess Royal." The Queen introduced.

"The honor is mine. Twice I have been privileged to witness the Recognition of a Sovereign. Your Majesty's and yours." Grand Serene Highness Zeze said to Bo.

"Grand Serene Highness Zeze. An honor." Bo greeted.

"Hesiodos." The Queen greeted.

"Your Majesty." Rajah Kaildor greeted.

"I didn't know you would be escorting Zeze." This was more of a statement than a query from the Queen.

"Regnant Einiah was not only the Sovereign but a close mentor and friend, as you are aware. I felt I could not do otherwise, given the nature of this particular Watch." Rajah Kalidor replied.

"Of course." The Queen replied.

"Regent Saladin, I see my father's Principal Companion, Abebe is seated next to The Queen Consort, and not behind her with my father's other Companions, as protocol would dictate." This also was a statement from Zeze.

"Out of respect for Regnant Einiah's particular and well-known feelings for Abebe we decided to accord her the unique honor, as it was accorded to her during previous Watches." Regent Saladin replied.

Zeze's mother, Her Majesty, Queen Consort Lesedi had died before Regnant Einiah. He never remarried, and instead had only taken Companions, several at once even, but there was a special one he held dear above all the rest: Abebe. And Zeze couldn't stand her.

"It's bad enough I have to later occupy the same room as the bastards she produced for him at the Reception, but…." Zeze challenged.

"Your Grand Serene Highness." Regent Saladin cautioned.

"What?" Zeze said as he haughtily adjusted his armor. "She's a Companion! A common, cheap, bed warmer who…!" Zeze tiraded.

"You forget yourself, Zeze, in present company." The Queen chided.

"Oh…yes. My apologies, Your Royal Highness." Zeze replied as he offered a quick and chivalrous bow in Bo's direction. "My issues are with my family, not yours." Bo said nothing. Zeze turned to Evony.

"Grand Ducal Marquis! Welcome back!"

"Thank you, Your Excellency." Evony replied.

"I must say your return was…unexpected." Zeze said evenly.

"But nevertheless, welcome as you said." Evony replied.

"Of course. What else could it have been? I'm just not sure what you and Rana McCorrigan intend with this Inclusion proposal." Zeze said.

"As we have presented, nothing more, nothing less." Evony replied.

"It's my understanding you call rana McCorrigan 'Trick'?" Zeze queried.

"Yes, we call my grandfather that." Bo replied. "What's you point?"

"How well do you know your grandfather?" Zeze challenged.

"Extremely well." Bo replied firmly. Zeze looked intently at Bo.

"I doubt you know you grandfather hardly at all." Zeze said in a cautious tone.

"What does that…!" Bo challenged.

"Shall we, then?" The Queen interrupted. Bo stepped off to the side as His Grand Serene Highness Zeze Rahinotep, Regent Saladin, Grand Primus Cheles, Grand Ducal Marquis, Rajah Kalidor and Bostandji Leonard all lined up, on either side of the The Queen.

The Tomb itself which housed the sarcophagus of Regnant Einiah Rahinotep, was a colossal, square enclave, 30 times the size of a football stadium with openings on each side of it. Above each of the four entrances were engraved, expansive pictorials of Einiah's most famous battle scenes, and above that, balconies for visitors, which were packed for this special evening. Above the balconies was a pyramid-shaped roof opening that exposed the evening sky.

Regnant Einiah's sarcophagus sat atop a 50-foot tall Mayan-looking pyramid platform with stairs on each side that led to the actual sarcophagus itself. The sarcophagus itself was 20-foot long, gold in color, shaped in an irregular pentagon, and had both descriptive and ornate markings all over it.

"All this architecture looks like a cross between the Egyptian and Mayan cultures." Bo said.

"Fae had visited the Human plane long before Trick led an emigration there. The influences of the Presidium are everywhere on the Human Plane." Evony replied.

"I still have so many questions." Bo said.

"And the answers will come. In time." Evony replied.

Suddenly, transvortexes opened within each of the four entrances and, in unison, marched four massive sets of formations. Each of the four parade formations had the four rings of protection and service arms dressed in their respective formal armor, represented: The First Ring was the Regnant Guard. As the Household Guard, The Regnant Guard were always given the first rows of honor in a formation to reflect their continuous protection over the Regnant. The Second Ring in the formation was the Monadori Sanctuary. The Third Ring was the Combined Armies. The Fourth and final Ring was the Knights of the Guard. Their entrance actually made Bo take a step back.

"That's impressive!", was all Bo could muster.

At the head of one formation was Her Serene Highness Elena, Bashan of the Knights of the Guard. At the head of another formation was Her Serene Highness Ariella, Deputy Bashan of the Knights of the Guard. At the head of a third formation was His Serene Highness Antony, in his capacities as both Rana and Pashan of the Combined Armies. At the head of last formation was The Acharyani of the Monadori Sanctuary. In all, a total of 1,500,000 Fae were amassed amongst the four formations.

In addition to the four formations there were four honor positions placed at an angle between the four formations which made the entire formation take on an Octagon shape.

The first position was reserved for a representative from the Grand Ducals, and out stepped Grand Ducal Theodosia de Morvois in her Knights of the Guard regalia.

"She never seems to miss an opportunity, does she?" Zeze commented.

"Nope."

"She reminds me of someone." Zeze said with intent and then glanced back at Evony.

"Am I missing something, Your Grand Serene Highness?" Evony challenged.

"You? Why, never." Zeze said as he continued to observe the formation. "Which is my point exactly." Grand Primus Cheles and Grand Ducal Marquis exchanged looks.

The second position was reserved for a representative from the Parliament of Fae, and out stepped Deputy Taioseach Xavier Hagiel in his regalia as Taioseach since he was not a Knight of the Guard.

The third position was reserved for a representative from the Communities of Health and Prosperity and out stepped Her Serene Highness Maxima Prescotti as Head of CHP her Knights of the Guard regalia.

"She must make you proud, Your Majesty." Rajah Kalidor commented.

"She does. As does all our children Helen has blessed us with." The Queen replied which earned her a quick side look from Regent Saladin.

The fourth and final position was reserved for a representative from the Rajah's.

"That's my cue." Rajah Kalidor said then depressed a button along the side of his shoulder armor and a golden helmet formed over his entire head. He walked out to his position and extended out his Searcon sword to match the swords carried by the Fae in the formations.

"I've never seen anything so impressive!" Bo commented in utter awe.

"What makes this Watch significant from previous watches is this time the sarcophagus will descend into a cavern below and will be sealed off forever." Grand Primus Cheles explained.

"It is something Her Majesty has refused to allow – until now." Zeze added.

"I had my reasons, Zeze." The Queen replied.

"I know, Your Majesty." Zeze acquiesced. "I know you loved and admired my father."

Evony whispered into Bo's ear.

"This will be you one day." Evony replied with double-meaning. Bo quickly looked at her and then back out at the formations.

The visitors in the balconies fell deathly silent as The Seer entered the Tomb, followed by eight adherents, six of them carried swords of various designs, one carried an amulet and rolled fabric of some sort, and one carried the Athenaeum.

The Seer always walked somewhat slowly with a cane-staff, and Bo wasn't sure how she made it anywhere let alone how she would make it up all those stairs to the sarcophagus. The audience quietly watched her ascend the stairs. There was a high back chair waiting for her at the top along with a single podium. When she finally made it up to the top she sat in the chair flanked by her two Adherents. One of her two Adherents then went and placed the Athenaeum on the nearby podium, opened it to a specific page, mouthed something quietly, and then went and stood next The Seer.

Suddenly, thousands of ornately cream-white decorated balloons lit inside with torches were released from the balconies and the surrounding crowds.

"Ready?" The Queen prompted. Then The Queen, His Grand Serene Highness Zeze Rahinotep, Regent Saladin, Grand Primus Cheles, Grand Ducal Marquis all touched their shoulder collars and their helmets formed over each of their heads. In the case of The Queen not only did a helmet form but a long cape. It was blood-red on the inside, and ornate gold on the outside.

The Queen stepped out first and the crowd extended their courtesies and then recovered. It was one of the few occasions where waiting for an acknowledgement was not expected. She ascended the long, high flight of stairs followed by His Grand Serene Highness Zeze Rahinotep, followed by Regent Saladin, followed by Grand Primus Cheles, who was followed by Grand Ducal Marquis, and lastly in their single file formation was Bostanji Leonard.

Once they reached the top they each took their positions: The Queen at the head of the sarcophagus, Regent Saladin to her left, while His Grand Serene Highness Zeze took up position on her right. Grand Ducal Marquis took up a position on Zeze's right while Grand Primus Cheles took up a position to the left of Regent Saladin. Bostanji Leonard, as Head of The Regnant Guard had the honor of standing opposite The Queen at the foot of the Regnant Einiah's Tomb. The Adherents then stepped forward and handed them their respective swords which they then then aligned to the middle of their bodies, extended their shields, and set on top of the swords so the shield rested on the cross-arm of the sword, and bowed their heads. The formations followed suit.

The Seer then rose from her chair as one of her Adherents rolled out small blanket in front of her. She sat on it cross-legged, then her eyes suddenly rolled upward, then became white and she began to rock back and forth, chanting softly entire time as well wishers filed in between the formations and circled the base of the stairs to pay their respects well into the morning.


Once the final well-wishers had paid their final respects, The Queen suddenly raised her head which everyone else to do the same. The Seer rose from her seated position, gave one final bow before the sarcophagus of Regnant Einiah, then turned, and descended the stairs with her Adherents.

The Queen, followed by Grand Primus Cheles, His Grand Serene Highness Zeze Rahinotep Grand Ducal Marquis, Regent Saladin and Bostanji Leonard descended down their respective stairs in a uniformed march, and reposted themselves in front of the formations. As the son of Regnant Einiah, Zeze had the honor of reposting in front of Antony. Evony had the distinct honor of reporting in front of Theodosia. Bostanji Leonard reposted himself to the rear of The Acharyani as if he formed the final ring of protection around them all. Regent Saladin did the same and reposted behind Antony's formation. Grand Primus Cheles reposted himself behind the Communities of Health and Prosperity.

The Queen then depressed a button and her helmet retracted. One of the Adherents stepped forward and placed the amulet they carried around her neck. Another Adherent stepped forward with the open Athenaeum. Her Serene Highness Elena, Bashan of the Knights of the Guard stepped forward with her sword, the sword of the Bashan with triangular edges cut on both side of it, and had red jewels embedded in the blade from the hilt to its tip. Elena then handed the sword to The Queen. The Queen grasped the amulet with one hand and then placed her hand on the Athenaeum. She closed her eyes for a couple minutes, and then reopened them. Her eyes were completely white.

The Queen looked at Zeze and said two words, "My son," in the voice of Regnant Einiah.

Tears immediately flowed down Zeze's cheeks.

"Father!" Zeze choked out desperately.

The Queen then stepped in front of Zeze and suddenly a hole opened in floor just a couple feet in front of them. She raised the enormous sword she carried and inserted half-way down, then turned to Zeze, and nodded at the sword.

"It is time, my son," spoke Regnant Einiah. Zeze could hardly see through his tears.

"Father! I wish to talk with you!" Zeze replied excitedly.

"It is time, my son," repeated Regnant Einiah.

"Father, please! Just a little time!" Zeze begged.

"Be at peace, my son." repeated Regnant Einiah. Zeze looked desperately all around, then looked up at the balcony in the direction of his siblings and extended family then back at the sword.

Zeze uttered one word, "Father", and then in a gush of tears, anger, frustration, and finality pushed the sword down to its hilt.

The floor surrounding the sarcophagus opened up, and the pyramidic platform upon which the sarcophagus sat descended deep into the ground. Once it had descended, the floor closed over it all, except for a shape depression that was the same shape and length as the sword in the hole. Zeze removed sword and then laid it into the depression, and then the sword was quickly overtaken by rock and seared into the floor itself.

Regnant Einiah Rahinotep, Sovereign of the Fae Realm, and Victor of the War of the Five Monarchs, had finally been laid to rest.

END