Star"Your Lord/Ladyship, peerless Lord/Lady von Valancius! I am the master of ceremonies of Rykad Minoris. Everything is in place for your Triumph. Allow me to give you a brief summary of the upcoming event."
YOU"Speak."
Star"You will take the road, now familiar to you, from here to the starport. You will be accompanied by your comrades-in-arms and a guard of honour. The body of the heretic known as 'the prophet Aurora' will be pulled in your wake as a battle trophy. A stop is planned in the middle of the road. There, grateful citizens will rush toward you, praising you for their salvation."
Star"Not to worry: this is a thoroughly choreographed interlude! The group of the grateful people will be composed exclusively of loyal citizens vetted by us. Members of the military. Young people, attractive and physically fit. A few healthy children."
Star"Once they have said their praise, the procession will move on. Governor Medineh will await you by the starport. It is also where the pyre has been built for burning the body of the heretic known as Aurora. You will be handed a flamer blessed by a representative of the Ecclesiarchy. You can choose to personally perform the burning. But if you wish to underscore the amicable alliance between House von Valancius and House Winterscale, it will be fitting to pass the honour of the burning to Governor Medineh. However, the choice is yours!"
YOU"Speak."continues where this line first appears above
YOU"An excellent plan. I am ready to start the Triumph!"
Star"Of course, Your Lord/Ladyship!"
end of branch
YOU"This is disgusting. I do not want a staged show of 'gratitude.' Allow the ordinary people of Rykad Minoris to speak to me or skip this farce altogether!"
StarThe master of ceremonies' eyes widen. "My sincerest apologies, Your Lord/Ladyship! No thought could be further from my mind than incurring your anger! Let the, er, ordinary people through, you say? I'll see what can be done!"
end of branch
YOU"I wish to start the Triumph at once. Give the order!"
Star"Of course, Your Lord/Ladyship!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"An excellent plan. I am ready to start the Triumph!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"This is disgusting. I do not want a staged show of 'gratitude.' Allow the ordinary people of Rykad Minoris to speak to me or skip this farce altogether!"continues where this line first appears above
YOU"I wish to start the Triumph at once. Give the order!"continues where this line first appears above