Gigantic Optimism XXVI Lighthearted is the Head that Wears the Crown
Sidon is being fitted for his royal diadem he had finally given the blacksmith the proper measurements. The new piece a simple silver crown with small diamonds adorning the edges of the band it is a much better fit than his prince crown ever was. Sidon is evaluating the piece in the reflection of his sleeping pool the image's slight distortion giving him pause. This causes the designer of the piece to hand the prince a mirror, Sidon admires the piece with his new viewpoint and enjoys it. There really was a regal air to the piece he had to admit it was functional too and would last for a very long time. Removing the head dress the craftsman places the crown back into a box lined with a particularly soft dried out seaweed it took some time to remove the smell but once done there was no better material for keeping the luster of a diamond. Sidon politely kicks out this group ready for his next guest.
This being the morning of the coronation various people had been ushered in to see to various aspects without giving away the particulars of the event to the general public. Baz had gone over the security detail with him first thing this morning. Then Sidon had been given two Ceremonial Tridents to wear in an x pattern on his back, followed by the royal secretary informing him of cancellations, Sidon himself at that point had summoned the chef checking once again that Voltfin was not on the menu ending with the encounter just mentioned. Waiting Sidon looks around the room when Kora enters she sees Sidon staring at a helmet on the wall. She barely registers what Sidon was up to before he all but places her on the bed. "Sorry madame Kora I only have limited time today, I may rush you even more than usual. Smiling as he said it Sidon charms his way into a short interview.
Taking advantage of the brief chance to rest he was provided Sidon lowers himself into the sleeping pool's placid waters, submerged to his shoulders. "This is not about Dorado surely, he has been doing a great job lately, or do you know something I do not." "No to the first part but yes to the second I know the latest news from the Akala Beach Sandseal research project."
" I asked her why she wanted to do this, she did not say has she told you." " She has." This is the only answer he gave but, he remembers her reasoning she had needed to give back to Dorn, and to leave an actual legacy one a board could not just arbitrarily take away from her. His kingship was for a similar reason the people had loved his sister been kind to him as a boy if they wanted him as king because they thought he could protect them he would do so, gladly. Kora renews their conversation filling in the prince on the great progress of the project, "Even Batma was pleased with all the various breeding pairs." After a laugh at the breeders expense they exchange some pleasantries about Dorado before the travel expert departs. "Some of my old travel companions did make the trip it would be good to see them, again I should track them down who knows how long they will stay." With this unneeded explanation she leaves and Sidon turns to the door knowing his next appointment is not far behind. "This must be how father feels!" Thinks the prince ruefully, Doreaphan would have heartily agreed if he was privy to the thought.
Dorephan observes his kingdom once again from the main plaza, supervising the decorating of the Domain by several workers. He fails to hear the approach of the Sheikah retinue their covert movements hiding their prescence. This small group only has three members, Paya the ancient leader of the sheikah through the wrinkles, Dorephan can still see the demure young polite women he had met assisting her predecessor Impa during their final meetings. A young female Sheikah with an eye patch and a male with a small singular tuft of facial hair Dorephan had heard it called a soul patch. These two are acting as Paya's litter bearers though not in her employ they had jumped at the chance to escort the leader of Kakariko village. Balancing on her perch the woman turn around to speak.
"Well met King Dorephan," She pauses slightly gathering strength for a second utterance, the large zora waits giving himself time to appreciate that her voice was high without being shrill there was some steel there that he did not recall from her younger days. " Everything s going well here, our accommodations were excellent." She bows slightly avoiding toppling from her pallet this bow allows her to disguise her second pause. "It must be bittersweet for you, King Dorephan to finally step down after so many years, not all leaders get that chance." "Wise leaders foresee that possibility and train their replacements." This ends their conversation about Impa that never mentioned her specifically. The passing had been sudden he knew but, no one outside that village had learned of the specific details. "I am not going anywhere Paya my time is still to come until it does, I can advise my son when needed. It is not bittersweet I never intended to rule this long, today is not what I initially pictured my retirement to be. Not at all Sidon will do a fine job, he is ready." A dreary silence follows Dorephan shouts some instructions at the decorators shooing them away from Mipha's statue when he turns back Paya and her bearers are gone leaving nothing behind to show they were ever there.
The pearls are cold he is almost shivering, in the nascent heat supplied by the setting sun, despite the lack of light his black pearl strands attached to his broad chest gain a luster, while his tridents sparkle, from the fading light. Sidon looks like a conquering king despite his lack of mail, the Zora armor was only to be worn for kings and princes marrying into the title, and such a king would only be crowned if his wife wished for him to rule in her stead. Hence the strands of black pearls clinging to Sidon as he stands outside his own kingdom awaiting the signal to enter the Domain to rule it a privilege granted to him by birth and merit. A second light source blazes to life hundreds of luminous stones shed more light than is usually within the capacity of the stones, enhanced by the slime from a bio luminescent sea slug saved for specilal occasions. The individual domain denizens hold forth their own stones. Paya's other subjects can spot the green light all the way in Kakariko village. Sidon marches into his hometown smiling, as he gazes at the guests and townsfolk that anticipate his arrival.
The crowd is mostly Zora, a few select guests of the other races are interspersed among the crowd including Paya's retinue, a Gerudo regiment accompanying Bacta, a few unaffiliated Rito are roosting on the outskirts of the crowd satisfying their curiosity. The crowd can only look at Sidon his slow march through their midst drawing every eye to him. Dorephan stands at the end of the street just outside his court. In the king's grasp is the box prepared that morning, for the royal headpiece. Sidon proceeds to his father unsheathing the tridents strapped to his back, he lays them down at his father's feet. Dorephan recites coronation the oath in zora much to the chagrin of the uninvited Rito observing the proceedings, while a translator was present for the actual guests some look on in bafflement. Sidon kneels as he listens to the following rite "This crown unlike your weapons shall be a near constant companion for you a reminder of the Zora people you shall serve, henceforth until you choose an heir worthy of in war or statecraft you shall defend the people of this domain and its allies." The crowd gasps as the circlet is removed from the bag and placed gingerly upon Sidon's head. Raising himself up amidst thunderous applause Sidon smiles, turns, and bows for the audience completing the ceremony. The new king feasts with his subjects and guests, during the festivities the four champions move to congratulate him Sidon thinks about the group as they approach "I suppose for once I am the first Bacta will one day be queen, and as Dragon's rest grows Vestus may have to step down to lead them. We shall all have to lead my time as a champion has prepared me to govern it shall do the same for my friends." That night as Sidon falls asleep, he is exhausted too tired to remove the crown he is still wearing it in the morning.
Author's Note I felt Kora should have some role and messenger felt appropriate, Sidon also needed some introspection here which is why there are so few character interactions this chapter my favorite detail is the Rito gatecrashers people always try to get into big events it just makes it more real. Next week we visit the Sandseel research center, to give Karlovaa some time to be introspective before Sidon drops by just in time for Beatrice's big day.
Sincerely, 4Coyote