“I will reverse what you have done Jors!” Atlan raged as his sword punched through Jors’ chest.

Jors’ body slowly slid down the blade, his laughter echoing throughout the battlefield.

“It matters not old friend. I really have won this time.” He wheezed his eyes closing for the last time.

Falling to his knees Atlan released his blade and howled into the wind.

The swirling battlefield slowly disappeared showing a group of exhausted children. The market square slowly dimmed as the great illusory formation shut down allowing the spectators to get a good look at the performers.

Cheers and applause broke out throughout the area as thousands of onlookers roared in approval. Grabbing Justains offered hand, Orchid was pulled upright and dusted himself off. Looking at each other with massive grins they started to wave at the crowds. Pleased with the performance, they were almost skipping as they joined the rest of the group and went out of the square to make room for the next group of performers.

“It went well.” Justain tried to sound modest but his smile threatened to break across his face.

“Why so glum your highness the Crown Prince!” Orchid laughed.

“I haven’t been confirmed as Crown Prince yet little Purple.”

“With this performance, it’s sure to be. A successful performance at the Festival of the Veil is considered a brilliant sign of prosperity, and with the group we used, the formation was powered more effectively than any time in the last thousand years, it’s a spectacle that won’t be repeated for a very long time.” Orchids good mood was infectious and his loud voice made all the performers nearby cheerful.

“That’s still not enough to confirm my position, uncle Herman’s been acting suspicious since your escapades during the gala last year.” Resigned, Justain sat and started to loosen his performance clothes.

“We’ll handle whatever that cantankerous old bastard throws at us.” Orchid was firm, and made a few punching motions for emphasis. “Let’s go see the king’s speech, it should start soon.”

“First let’s get changed into something less ridiculous.” Justain demanded, walking into the temporary changing area that had been set up for the performances.

“Don’t spy on Ilse changing!” Orchid called after him as he followed.

His rejoinder was met by snickers and a stone hurled into his arm by a glaring and blushing Ilse.

* * * * * *

Dressed and refreshed, they wandered back to the reserved seating area of the square. The Festival of the Veil had been established as a reminder of the creation of the Veil and the end of the Age of Gods. Initially intended as just a day of remembrance, over time it had developed into a full-blown celebration and major commercial interest as the lead up to the festival brought massive amounts of goods and people into the city. The current King of Eich had taken the traditional performances and added many new events and competitions, expanding the scope of the festival even further. He accompanied this with a speech that covered the events of the year and various other information on upcoming events that he felt were important for the people to know. This Speech had been dubbed as the ‘State of the Nation’ and bards would repeat it word for word at towns and villages throughout the country.

Finding seats during the end of the final performance they grabbed some food and drinks from wandering salespeople and settled themselves, their friends slowly coming to join them.

Cheering broke out as the performance came to an end. Guards came forward to sweep the area and a large pedestal was set up, blazing red in color and emblazoned with the crest of the royal family.

Fanfare burst out from musicians stationed around the square, the sound reverberating throughout the area. Soldiers of the royal guard trooped into the square and spread out in front of the pedestal in defense, roaring cheers, deafening, in support of the martial might of the country. Burst of coloured lights and swirls of the elements shaped like animals howled around the square and court magicians in their official robes floated down from the sky. All the troops and mages faced the pedestal and knelt a hush coming to the crowds as they waited.

Marching across the square in a massive suit of armor without a helmet, King Friedrich Haupsberg II, defender of the Drachen hills, Prince of Sauvigne, Duke of Raleigh, strode towards the pedestal, his aura towering above all those around him, regal features set him apart from normal people. Sharp eyes swept all before him and his graying hair only added to his majesty.

“Your father really knows how to make an entrance.” Orchid breathed as the king reached his destination.

“Quiet, Orchid, you’ll get us in trouble.” Justain whispered back.

“We’re not children Justain, and your father isn’t lecturing us either. You’re allowed to talk.” Giving his friend a strange look he shook his head and waited for the Kings speech.

“This year has marked many changes in our great nation.” The king began, his deep voice being amplified by the court magicians. “Since the invasion of the Compact, we have lived in peace and our people have prospered. This is an age where the highest positions are in the hands of citizens who began as small clerks. Whoever you may be, if you have the ability, you can rise to positions of power and nobility. Titles are now a reward and no longer a privilege to be used by people to oppress others.”

Roars of approval met this statement of the Kings.

“The peace we have enjoyed has come on the backs of our military and it is every citizen’s duty to honor their courage and sacrifice in defense of our homes. I remind you of this because our neighbors are eyeing our lands once more. They see our silence as weakness, our diplomacy as empty words. We are the people of Eich, defenders of the Veil and guardians of the East. We have never bowed down to foreign invaders and will respond accordingly to any threat that comes against us.”

The king’s eyes swept the crowd and he raised his arms in triumph.

“We are prosperous, we are proud and we will never be defeated. Remember this, for it is my vow as the Descendant of Haupsberg to lead our people through strength and weakness. I ask of you. Are you ready to defend our homeland?”

Fanatical shouts crashed throughout the square as the citizens were worked up into a frenzy. Orchids heart was pounding as the words resonated inside of him.

Defense of the Homeland. That will always be my goal.

“You have seen our strength, the performance by our future Knights and Mages so vibrant that its like has not been seen in centuries! You have heard their names for the last few years as some of the most talented children of our country will be joining the Academy a week from now. The Disciple of the Ice Witch, The Star of the West, The Bard of the East and the Lord of Swords, to name but a few. Praise them for they shall be the backbone of the coming years and their victories will be ours to cherish! What do we have to fear when our brightest and most talented vastly outstrip the so-called geniuses of other nations?”

“He’s talking about you and your girl. That should make you happy.” Orchid laughed.

A glare and shushing sound from Justain was all that came in response.

Returning to the Kings Speech, Orchid only listened with half his mind

“… in addition, a new tariff on magical goods coming from the Romanche empire will be instituted along with an exemption for suppliers of herbs and rare metals…. Salaries of government employees and members of the military will be increased by 5 percent…… sanctions on Illati goods and services…. Death sentence for the remaining members of the Fiendhand syndicate….”

This is it then. Next is the academy. Mothers happiness when she discusses the ‘interesting new curriculum’ worries me a lot. Super a lot. Like super massive a lot. What is going on at the academy this year? I haven’t been able to get anything from any of my sources. I’m worried.

Feeling tired, he started to doze off as the King droned on, the cheers of the crowd drowned out by his exhaustion.