Post

Unified Empiricus wrote:

_{BALMORAL ESTATE | SCOTLAND}

When the letter arrived it went straight to Queen Mary, otherwise known as Maria to her family in Iberia. As brief as it was, she read it before looking up towards the window, her grandchildren playing out on the grass outside the family estate in Scotland, all but Arthur who was no doubt in his study with the Red Box. She stood up and marched out of the room, her footsteps echoing off the ancient wood and through the hallways before she came to the door of Arthur's study. Without knocking, she opened the door, to which Arthur ceased signing Government papers and looked up to see who it was.

"Granny?" he said, surprised.
Without instantly replying, she closed the door behind her. "...I've just received a letter," she began, "...from Rictiovarus. It's fashionably short of course but he says it's an emergency. Now you know where my loyalties lie, I would ne-"
"You don't need to reassure me of anything." Arthur said, interrupting. "And I know you'd probably go with or without me. I get the feeling he wants me there too."
"Yes, as it happens he's specifically requested you come too." she replied.

Arthur thought for a moment before putting down his pen and putting documents back into the Red Box marked with the words "THE KING" embossed in gold lettering. "Alright. I'll have Martin get us some insight from MI6 we can go over on the way there." he said, to which Mary returned a thankful smile. At that, the King and the Queen Grandmother made arrangements to leave for Iberia immediately.

DAYS LATER
As the HMS Vanguard neared the coasts of the Empire, specifically Ciudad Astraryen Mary would see her family home, the place she grew up on the Magdalena Peninsula, a tree she new, on the hills near the house would be visible with silhouettes under it, sitting down on chairs with others around. As they continued towards the Bay they'd see the city itself, though many of its charming buildings still remained amongst them would be colossal statues located at what presumably is the city centre. The statues are Radigis, the legendary General and prince Ragaelyx, the brutal justiciar and ​Heir, Valar and the twin Princes, Daemon & Valar. The centre also had white pillars with golden dragons and eagles atop them, it seemed like it came from ancient Rome or Greece.

As the Vanguard docked at the ferry there would be about about 500 troops waiting in formation along with adoring crowds. As both Mary and Arthur stepped onto the pavement the Honour guard commanders then shouted several commands
"Praesentia arma!"
"trahunt tuum spathis! Praesentia spathis!"

All the soldiers then entered present arms while officers took out their swords, turning their faces to the royals. The formations stood on either side of the royals, forming a line to a group of vehicles and a rather elderly man at the end wearing a black uniform with dozens of ribbons on his chest from Service. As Mary and Arthur stood in front of him, Mary would come to recognize him as Edgar Vila, the head of the Astraryen house guard.. seemingly still doing his job at his advanced age. He was slightly hunched with an ornate cane planted on the ground.
"Your Imperial Highness!", Edgar greeted the princess.
"After all these years... you're finally home. As you can see, us locals have missed you.", he'd laugh before gesturing to the cheering crowds before looking at Arthur.
"And you my boy!-.. Your Majesty, if you were here alone I have no doubt you'd be getting jeered.", he'd chuckle before patting Arthur on the shoulder, opening the door to the topless car behind him.
"I'm just kidding boy, you're handsome, the crowds would love you no matter what you say."

They'd begin driving off and into city, passing more crowds and more formations of soldiers.. though as they got closer to the city centre.. they'd hear horns, chants, drums and marching.. then as it all came into view there had to be tens of thousands of troops, all bearing different banners and representing different armies as well as divisions.. suddenly all kneeled minus the bearers of banners. There was silence, it felt almost religious with the statues and pillars standing around them... then the silence was broken by an ear shattering chant.

"¡bienvenida a casa princesa!"

"Ave, Regina Maria!"

"The armies pleaded with your brother to be here. We all missed you, your highness."

As they continued large portions of the city seemed to be under construction, being remade into something anew. As they approach the Magdalena Peninsula walls were visible, they reached rather high and the outside of them were draped with Astraryen banners bearing the coat of arms. Outside of them even more soldiers and onlookers waited as the gates began to open.

Another horn blared, higher in pitch and the skies seemed filled with the floating Golden Wings, the elite jetpack infantry of the Imperial Guard.. though their jetpacks didn't seem active even with their wings expanded, from a distance something seemed off about them, their armour scorched in places, some of them had pad posture, slouching to their lefts or rights... a far cry from what they used to be it seemed.

"So tell me princess, how long has it been? This old man has bad memories now a-days.", Edgar chuckled.