Originally Posted by
Monstrous Bird of Qin, Ou Ki
Sakin's little... proclamation had caused quite a stir on Reshlan. Nothing of the sort that took place on other worlds, but certain sections of the population now had concerns. A large crowd had gathered outside the rebuilt palace, and Nevanlinna now stood on the speakers' balcony in order to address said concerns. From her perch, she gazed down upon her people, flanked by Luop and her mother.
...no, that was wrong. In this situation, she did not want to look down upon. Stepping onto the railing, she launched herself over and floated down into the crowd, which parted to allow her safe landing. Her mother and Luop moved to follow, but she motioned for them to stay where they were--a show of trust in her people. They remained silent, looking at her expectantly.
"My people, I know recent... messages have given rise to concerns about the motives of both myself and my offworlder friends," she said. "However, I can assure you that this Sakin is naught but a deceiver. He would not raise you up to godhood, but rather reduce you to mere slaves yet again. I will admit, I cannot make you an offer as grand as godhood... merely that I ask you to look within your hearts to remember that I have never, not once, acted against you."
"When the Phyrigian drought descended upon the land, who was it that gave voice to the voiceless and entreated the lords and ladies of unaffected lands to redirect their excess crops and water to those who truly needed it?"
The crowd responded, almost in unison. "You, your highness!"
"And when rogue nobles conspired to steal your farms and businesses, rendering you not even serfs, but slaves, who was it that uncovered and unraveled their foul plot?"
Again, they responded, with more fervor. "You!"
There were many such instances she could list.
"I could go on, but I'm sure that each and every one of you can remember many other times I have acted on your behalf when no one else could or would. Perhaps personally, in some cases," she said. "Sakin's words are sweet, yes, but they ring hollow, and I ask you... how do you know he tells the truth? He is simply a voice from the ether, whispering honeyed words directly into your minds. If you would turn on me, who has always been on your side, often to my own detriment, in favor of an unknown voice from a person of unknown origin and character, then so be it. But I, for one, have faith that the Threshlings, free of Auroc's influence, are not a people so keen to turn their backs on one who has shown her people nothing but loyalty and love in favor of voices from the sky.
A murmur rose up in the crowd, as her people discussed the matter amongst themselves. Soon enough, they seemed to reach a consensus...
That murmuring became a cheer, and some in the crowd yelled over that cheering (amazing, given how loud it was,) offering anecdotes about various matters she'd helped them with, either personally or simply as part of a group. And she remembered each and every one of those times, her heart swelling to see those people--her people--now doing so well, in small part due to her efforts years ago.
Although being the center of attention like this, much to her surprise, felt... rather uncomfortable. But then, she had spent approximately two centuries living as a magitech hermit in Vaikuntha, so being around people at all was rather uncomfortable. In a good way, if that made any sense at all.
After some more interaction, the crowd dispersed, and she returned to the balcony.
"That was risky, your highness," said Luop.
"Yes, it was... but also necessary. I needed to show them that I truly do not consider myself above them. I am a public servant, not some cloistered royal or noble dictating from on high."
Her mother stepped forth. "It worked splendidly... you're quickly coming into your own as a leader."
"Speaking of, please mobilize the knights and imperial guard," said Nevanlinna, as she strode back into the palace. "We may need to fend off... interlopers soon, or at the very least, ride to the defense of our allies, unofficial as they are."
Her mother nodded and left to attend to that matter. She was still the queen and her official authority still exceeded Nevanlinna's... although her own popularity with the people far exceeded her mother's. Less-so with the nobles, since she had often worked against their interests over the years, but the Knights, at least, largely respected her, if only because of her sheer martial and magical might.
She sighed. "What a troublesome individual, this Sakin..."