Abdicate (Lucian)

The monk's confession not not wholly unwelcome despite it being not much of an answer. The lack of a no did not always mean "yes". But it didn't mean "no" either, and Tehniyat could negotiate if she had to. "I've been meditating for some days now, and I shall continue to meditate on this decision," she began, looking straight at Lucian once more, green eyes glittering with honesty and vigor.

"Her Grace Akihana shall be in charge of both the Princess Kanzaki as well as the citizens of Hoshigakure. She understands all the people of this blessed nation. The commoners, the ninja, the royals, the pious, the poor. She will prove a worthy teacher for Princess Kanzaki when it is time for the young princess to ascend the throne. Kanzaki has much growing up to do and I can't think of a better person she could ward with than Her Grace, Akihana."

It was one answer, it was the only answer. The Queensguard she had dispatched to retrieve the blonde ninja would be back shortly, and Hoshi's Queen would return with them. Akihana was the princess that was promised. Once she had returned, Tehniyat would pronounce her Queen with full ceremony and then leave.

"As for me, I have my own promises to keep, I may not have a purpose in Haven but I do elsewhere. I will travel to Bird Country and keep my family's honor. Ser Lucian, would you be so kind as to company me on my travels when I do leave this country? It is unheard of for a Princess to travel alone and I do not wish to cripple Hoshigakure by bringing a full compliment of guards with me. "

Now, there was an interesting thought, Akihana Akari. Lucian had met the woman once and she seemed nice enough, but nothing too special. Yet the people of Hoshigakure adored her as one of their own. Of course, not one to be a spoil sport the Nazar felt no need to correct them.

He had spent considerable time in the libraries studying the royal bloodlines and Akihana was not among them. In fact, it would appear as if the woman was not native to Hoshigakure at all. Odd no? Yet here Tehniyat was suggesting that the blonde could guide the village for better. Curious to say the least for a village so rooted in tradition.

But who was he to argue?

/rant

"It would be my pleasure," Lucian replied with a shallow bow. "I can't say I have done much reading on the Bird Country, is it nice?"

Perhaps a change in venue would be for the better. Better to forget the blood of Hoshigakure for a while. He had considered leaving, so who was he to look a gift horse in the mouth now? Plus, it would give him a chance to see more of the world. It was a win-win.

At his quick agreement, Tehniyat was taken slightly aback. Not that it showed on her features in any way. But the fact that he was able to agree with such indifference made her wonder what it was the young monk was running from. Was she responsible for this? If there was time to wallow in guilt over the things she had done, it was not now and it certainly wouldn't be anytime in the future. No, guilt and regrets were for those who had the spare time.

And in Bird Country, Princess Tehniyat would have a lot of spare time.

"Then it appears we both have some packing to do," she offered as politely as she could. I have a few affairs I need to settle before I can leave and I'm afraid that will take a few weeks. I will send a message to Bird Country by the end of the week declaring my intentions of travel. Her Grace Kanzaki should be well enough by then and Her Grace Akihana should be our of mourning soon. Hoshi will indeed be heartened at seeing her again."

With that, the princess walked a few paces away, extracting from it's scabbard the sword of Ishbala, another representation of the many religious items that decorated the shrine. Historians would say the sword hadn't been used in the way she intended since three hundred years ago when a dying Queen knighted her final guard but desperate times. And ceremonies must be upheld.

"Ser Lucian, please kneel."

Nodding once Lucian remained silent as Tehniyat went on about preparations. After all, it seemed her words were more for herself than him; she was a princess with a vast wardrobe and countless possessions. He, on the other hand, had not a drop of royalty in his blood and could count on his hands what he would be bringing with him. 

In a way, the boy could only pity the woman across from him. She had her whole life planned for her at birth. And despite her obvious riches, her life did not rest in her own hands. Perhaps it was not something many thought about, but, among the perfectly maintained relics, it became increasingly clear to the Nazar that in the eyes of many Tehniyat may not be more than one of ceremonial cups lining the room. She had her uses and danced to the will of others. Or, at the very least, other's expectations.

Such thoughts, instead of degrading his image of the princess, only served to strengthen it. Day in and day out she held up what could only be a facade. Certainly, Lucian had seen cracks in her facade, but only in the most extreme of circumstances. And though Tehniyat was not physically strong, he could respect the strength of character she possessed. Of course, such respect engendered doubt that he could willingly allow the strings of an invisible puppeteer to dictate his every move. 

Tehniyat's words pulled him from his reflection, though they didn't make much sense.

Kneel? 

Why would he kneel? 

Furrowing his brow he slowly complied.

As the monk performed the requested gesture, the princess laid naked steel to his shoulder, performing the knighting ceremony as best she could without the fanfare. The paperwork would come later but right now, ceremony was more important than fanfare. Had Ser Lucian been a noble receiving the honor, he might have considered it rude to not have the ceremony in front of an admiring court, as it was this suited them just fine.

"I, Princess Tehniyat Bukhari of Hoshigakure in my capacity as Queen Regent dub you, Ser Lucian Nazar, a wondering Queensguard." The words spoken, she lifted the sword, sheathing it carefully but not allowing the man to rise just yet.

"You have but a few weeks left in this glorious country of ours. Take the time to say goodbye to any friends you've made, collect your possessions, eat your favorite local foods, visit the places you have yet had the opportunity to thus far. In a few weeks, we leave." The order was not given without sadness but it was given nonetheless.

"As soon as Her Grace Akihana is crowned, we will depart for Bird Country. Your duty is to escort me there and should you wish to stay, you will be more than welcome as my sworn shield. However should you wish to travel onwords, that is up to you. I trust you will carry the rank of both Queensguard and Wanderer close to your heart and represent Hoshigakure in the best of lights when required to."

The paper work for the rank would be dealt with later that day as Tehniyat sat by her cousin's bed, pondering the decision she had made but for now, the princess stood where she was, firm in her view of what had to be done.

'You may rise."

The words echoed through Lucian's mind as he knelt. He understood each word being said, but when strung together they became a message he couldn't yet comprehend. Him? A Queensguard. The idea was a bit odd. He was not a native to Hoshigakure, was he trusted that much? All these thoughts and more raced through the bald boy's head as Tehniyat spoke and even if the princess had allowed him to stand he doubted he could. Perhaps that was why being knighted required the kneeling?

"I will take my leave then," Lucian responded as he stood. "It will be an honor to represent Hoshigakure in my travels."

No flowery 'thank yous' or gushing praise for the crown. No, this was not the place nor was Lucian that kind of person. He had given his word and would stand by it whatever path he may follow.

If not stopped the man would then bow deeply and go on his way. He didn't have much to pack, but he had plenty of people to say farewell to. At the moment, a small girl and her grandmother came to mind. Some food would probably also be good.

[Exit, claiming A-rank and Wanderer Status]

Watching Lucian leave, Tehniyat could feel the uncertainty in the room just as she could the inevitability. Aunt Shiera had said a Queen was first and foremost for her people but more than words, the old monarch had lived her claim. She had made sure Haven remained safe even after she was one with the stars.

Now it was Tehniyat's turn to do the same.

Turning to the altar once more, the young princess found herself on her knees again, lost in deep prayer once more.

(Exit Tehniyat)

Approved.