Chapter 3
At New Russville, everything was made ready for its debut as a completed city. Natonito, Bathsheba, and Cherie were dressed in their finest dark blue clothing, circled by those charming Great Purple Hairstreaks, and sat in seats on honor in the citidel overlooking the massive city below. The troops and townspeople were all dressed in their best clothing, and all were happy for the moment.
"After all the hard work and drama of rebels attempting to thwart the will of the empire, I am happy to say that the people of this fine city, the soldiers, the workers, and the merchants and farmers have kept up your work and your watch and have turned ruins into a beautiful city. This is not only a tribute to our emperor, but to the people of the empire as well. You can look with pride at what your hands have helped construct and protect. Behold now your city," Natonito said to a cheering audience.
"Bravo!" shouted the audience.
"Since I was enjoying a three week honeymoon with my newlywed, my sister-in-law, and my nephew, I was unable to see the completion of this town. In a small way, I can even thank the rebels for this day of glory. Had it not been for the rebels, my life would have been much less happy. After all, I would not have been here, and neither would the Imperial Guard, had it not been for a revolt that attempted to stop construction in its tracks. Had it not been for the revolt, I would not have found out how capable of a general we have in General Van Larken we have here, or how capable and brave you all are as people. In fact, I would not have married my sweetheart here had it not been for finding out that she was the daughter of the treacherous Duke. Luckily for all of us, his two lovely daughters have avoided the taint of treachery."
The people continue cheering, glad that the Directrix, for all his fussiness and all of his pride, praised the people for their work in the city. After all, he realized that the fate of the empire lied as much in the belief of the people in its being beneficial to them as it did on fear and terror. A smart man, the Directrix knew that when people loved someone that they also feared, it provided two strong motives to obeying and helping them, and in continuing the status quo, which the Directrix wanted to preserve, being second-in-command of a large and thriving empire. The sight of the people dressed in their finest clothes praising him and themselves moved the emotional Directrix to tears of joy.
"I am at a loss of words to describe my joy at this day. May this fine city live in history forever as a thriving and brave city of the empire, a city filled with loyalty towards the empire and profitable trade, a city of love and a city of light. Even if the clouds over our heads seldom are broken, may there never be clouds in our hearts. It is only through the empire that we are able to find light in this dark land. May this town be a city of bright hope for the future, for if we know one thing, it is that change is the only thing we can be sure of. Another thing I hope we can be sure of is our ability to handle that change. It is with this hope that I talk to you today. After all, we are not just celebrating a city, but the future that will be encased here, the marriages, the births, the deaths, the friendships, the families, the businesses, the churches, and the schools. All of this you will be responsible for what this city will be. I now leave you to this town. May it thrive under your care," Natonito closed and sat down.
After a lot of cheering, the new city partied religiously for the rest of the day. Natonito and Bathsheba and Cherie all walked around and talked with the nobles and generals and city officials, who were all thrilled that the city was finished and that it was, for the moment at least, safe. All enjoyed Secfenian Ale as well as Ruby Red Wine, and were quite buzzed by the end of the night. For once it seems, everyone from the lowest servant to the Directrix himself had something to celebrate. Few events like this one capture the true egalitarian nature of life. We all are born, we all die, we all cry, and we all rejoice. There are few times when all can rejoice without evil motive though, and this was one. All hoped for wealth, love, and joy in the future, and while some would have more of these than others, all had the same bright hope.
As the night wore down, Natonito, his wife, and his sister-in-law went to their troop ship, and with the Imperial Guard, they left quietly as the town slept off the effects of a massive hangover and headed back to West Fenia and the Imperial Palace. They said their goodbyes to the beautiful stone city and silently glided back to where they came, much different than when they left the city only some seven weeks before.
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