The Inner Sanctum, in a park, overlooking the palace, millions of Tristans were gathered. The park was immaculate. The Queen and the palace workers had done a good job in that respect.
From the well-manicured lawns to the almost-glowing glare of flowers against the morning sun made the resplendent park even more elegant.
The Tristanites present were full of joy and wonder as they looked at their city. Many had never even gone past Icutum, while others had only ever heard of Tristan. Now to be in the capital, and in the heart of the city, this was a pleasure never before seen.
All around the seating area, the public waited for the official start. This was an exciting day and an exciting week indeed.
Soon after, the most waited event took place. The Queen and her guests finally landed after touring the whole Tristan. There had been loud cheers from those that were not intending to attend, but not as compared to the ululations she received at the Park.
What was even more shocking was that there was music playing in the background. Many who did not expect to hear the music or any part of the proceedings were shocked to hear the music with clarity.
Of course, they quickly found the speakers and where the music was coming from. The oohs and aahs as they wowed at the new technology was understood, especially when they saw people handling the PA systems.
The Queen was looking immaculate in her brilliant white battledress. The elegance was only matched by her regality as the monarch of this entire Kingdom.
People celebrated her not just for who she was but because of what she represented. The unity of a continent.
The bridge between different cities. It had been achieved after so much animosity and hatred, mostly because of the rivalry that existed between the cities. Now it was done.
Many waited to see what would happen moving forward, the changes that would come about, but for the moment, they enjoyed the party.
The Queen and her entourage made their way to the dais. Overlooking the dais, there was an open space that people were not allowed to cross, but with a special reason.
No one knew why this section was restricted, but as soon as the Queen sat down and everyone was quiet, percussion music started playing in the background, followed by the sound of feet falling.
Those far away craned their eyes to see, and those nearby took it all in. The sight of a marching army came into the park. The military parade, a way of introducing the various arms of the military.
Lord Fray was the master of the ceremony. His voice was bold and charismatic. His speech was full of colorful words as he described each arm of the military to the Queen and everyone gathered.
The Golden suit of the Kingdom Police led the way. They were only one group consisting of 50 men arranged in 5 rows. There was a commander at the lead of the middle column, making the number 51.
Lord Fray was quick to describe these with their new mandate. Many people wondered what that was all about. Watching them, Commander Manga got goosebumps. These were his people.
Following closely were the Light Blue suits of Regional Police. These came in 30 units consisting of 50 people per unit arranged in rows of five. They held their weapons by the side and swung the other hand.
Every unit had a Commander and a flag-bearer. Every unit held their flag up high to represent the various regions. The one in the lead was Tristan's and their leviathan sigil flying high.
The crowd, and the leaders present, were eager to see the performance of their people. Needless to say, there had been a lot of thought put in place to determine the arrangement. Many diplomats had squabbled over this.
Interestingly, for the bigger cities such as Fulah and Kitum were fighting for positions, the smaller regions were just happy to be represented. The smaller cities also had their pieces of pies to fight for.
Next came the Army in their Jungle Green suits. Same arrangement, but these were only in 3 groups. It was a sharp contrast against the police blues.
There was only one flag bearer at the lead of the procession. Everyone in the other units belonged to the same group, hence no need for repetition. These took the official sigil of the military, which at the time had been a sword.
Behind them came the Navy in their Navy blue suits. Same formation, but their sigil was a ship. Nothing much had been done for the navy, so Barda was planning on taking time to focus on seafaring, but he still had a lot on his plate.
Soon came the Air Force. Theirs was the most magnificent entry. 3 ships floated to the start of the parade, but instead of landing, they hovered 5 meters high.
Then, the ropes dropped and men rappeled down the airship in Grey suits. Once they landed, they forced 3 rows as the others, following the formation. If Catalina had had her way, she would have made them fire their rifles just because. This was the extent she was allowed.
When they got to where the Queen was, they saluted her as a way of acknowledging her as their leader and commander.
Given that the readers have experienced parades before, they might not appreciate the magnificence of this. The blood of those watching boiled as they heard the mandate these people would carry.
Soon afterward, the soldiers exited the park where the event was being held. Time for the ceremony to begin. This time, Madame Ismay took to the stage. Another silence overtook the crowd.
"Bring forth the Kingdom Mazer!" She declared. 3 men came out carrying a wooden chest. Once they got to the stage, they opened the chest and pulled out a bowl-looking object.
At the same time, a large metal ring measuring 2 meters in diameter was placed at the front of the dais. On it was 30 tubes placed equidistantly from each other.
"In the days of old, a mazer just like this would be used to hold contracts and bid agreements. Today, we gather to witness the union of this glorious continent into one Kingdom."
"Now, as then, we have this Mazer to bring Unity to all of Tristan! By dropping a few drops of blood into the mazer, they declare their allegiance to the Kingdom.
"Your Majesty, Queen Maara, please step forward." The Queen did as she was bid. A dagger was placed on the chest where the mazer had been in.
She took the dagger and cut her palm with it, flinching as she did. Next, she squeezed and blood flowed into the bowl. At the same time, Tristan's sigil was placed on the metal ring.
After her came the other leaders, King Helios being in the lead. He was the closest ally to Tristan during the war, and his city had the profile to earn him that.
Every citizen who had shown up applauded when their leader took to the stage to drop their blood, sealing the kingdom as one entity. Not just a loosely formed alliance but an everlasting covenant to unite the Kingdom forever.
"As of this day, I, Queen Maara of Tristan, declare Tristan to a Kingdom with me as the leader. All cities and regions under Tristan shall be, henceforth, be declared as counties!"
The Queen made the declarations after all the leaders had dropped their blood in the mazer. Lord Abu was called forth to seal the treaty with magic, binding Tristan as a Kingdom.
What followed were 7 days of partying and celebrations. The Kingdom of Tristan spared no expense in this endeavor. They were sending a loud message. This is what it feels like to be a Tristanite!