Chapter 121
Part 18
Heid out Six’s reasons and suggestions about the time-bubbles in simple points, and concluded with;
“For these reasons, I’m going to stick to the schedule I announced earlier; one week after the time-
bubbles end, the new gods will Ascend.
“I’m sure The Assembly will find practical solutions to the political quandary we find ourselves in.
Personally, I suggest we allow gods to serve as rulers. The core of the new policy of the gods since the
end of The War Of The Founding is that the gods are now citizens of The Just Alliance with the same
rights as the rest of us, no more and no less. Including the right to rule a nation, if their rule has
legitimacy and they have the consent of the nation’s people. I hope to continue as Prince of Hilia after
my Ascension.
“I suggest we wait until a week after the other potential new gods and I have Ascended, and then hold
The Tournament of Governors. Let any enter the tournament who think they have the ability to provide
us with the very best possible leadership, be they mortals or gods. And then, if The Assembly and the
people of The Just Alliance all want the winners to lead us until the war with the demons is over, then I
suggest they be empowered to do so.
“Now it’s been suggested that this huge gathering might be a huge celebration, and we definitely
have things worth celebrating. But The Assembly of The Just Alliance may want to convene to discuss
or decide some of the issues that’ve been raised before we all start to party.”
Somonik and Amirgath appeared on the dais beside him.
“We think not.” Amirgath stated. “You will not bring the new gods to Ascension for seven weeks. We
need to decide whether gods can rule before we schedule the tournament, so we will know whether to
include gods as participants, both new and old. No decisions need to be made immediately, and the
issues that have been raised will require discussion among smaller groups before they are ready to be
debated by the full Assembly.
“Therefore, I ask if The Assembly of The Just Alliance will agree to meet here in closed session in one
week, three hours before midnight Standard Time?”
“Let the record show that all have agreed.” Somonik announced, then raised his head high and red
his wings.
“And now, we acknowledge the gift of magic and longevity to those whocked it! We acknowledge that
soon, we will have many new gods! We acknowledge our gains in warcraft, magic use, psionics, and
social organization! May all of Keran offer our gratitude to those who have given us these gifts with a
fitting asion! We honor the residents of the Hiliani time-bubble!”
This was met by a huge and cacophonous cheering that seemed to shake the world.
To their surprise, Mark, his family, all the residents of Homestead, and the senior Hiliani Sylvan all
appeared standing on a transparent surface thirty meters above the dais, just below the great
Revealing, having been Translocated and supported by Amirgath.
“Take a bow, you deserve it!” Amirgathughed at their surprise, so they did all bow to the assembly
and the world in response to their audience’s increasingly manic apuse. Then many of them began
spontaneously hugging each other as they appreciated the crowd’s gratitude, while others just grinned
and waved, and the unicorns pranced and reared. When they’d basked in the admiration as long as
they wanted to, Amirgath put them back in their ces as he dered to all the world; “And now, let the
celebration begin!”
Jaunty music was heard throughout the great hall, and the light dimmed a bit more. Many began
dancing, while the Xervian servers became very busy taking orders for snacks, drinks, alcoholic
beverages, and other mild intoxicants. Unlike other meetings here, no chairs had been provided, which
promoted mixing and mingling among all the many and diverse attendees.
“Now this is going to be one momentous party!” Kragorram chuckled.
“I think I’ll change into something more appropriate.” Povon smiled. In a blink, she Translocated to The
Lair of The Lord Regent, then returned in a much smaller Simcrum of herself about five meters long,
which put her at eye level with a tall human.
“Good idea, Mother.” Karzog chuckled, and did the same.
So did Kragorram a momentter, and he gave Povon a cuddle with one arm and his tail, which she
returned.
“There. Now we are of a size to dance with most of the attendees, should we wish to.” sheughed.
“I wonder what song this is? It’s nice!” Talia smiled as she bounced a bit to the lively tune. “It sure
makes it hard to stand still!”
Visinniria appeared among them. “It’s a sailor’s song from Felion called ‘Coming Into Port.’” she
revealed with a smile. “Selia, Human Goddess of Music, has chosen a selection of music that should
appeal to almost everyone of every nation and race.”
“Giant sailors or gnome sailors?” Val asked with a giggle.
“Giant sailors.” Visinniriaughed.
Please check at N/?vel(D)rama.Org.
“Ah. Well, shall we mingle?” Val suggested with a grin. “I’d sure like to meet some people from all the
races I’ve never met before. I’m sure our void-survival spells will work in the water section, so we can
meet the Mer and some of those others in there. I guess there must be Hidden races under the sea
too, because there must be three or four races of people swimming around in there that I’ve never even
heard of before.”
“I wonder if they’ll let us go into the Hidden Nation’s woods over there.” Six pondered as they began
strolling through the crowd. As usual, this was made easier by the fact that most of those within fifteen
meters of their party moved with them as best they could, and some of them rose up and flew to
escape the congestion.
“I’m sure they will.” Visinniria assured him. “They’re all just here as Simcrums anyway, so they have
absolutely nothing to fear. They’re just shy, and feel ufortable in such a vast and open room.”
“I notice the Sylvan and Serminaki dragons have settled on the opposite side of the room from The
Hidden Nation, and to some extent, there’s a spectrum of aggression between them.” Fire pointed out.
“And some of those Sylvan must be ours; those are our challenge circles going up over there.”
“That’s Senior Dolimatbene setting things up over there.” Six noted with a grin. “It looks like her and the
rest of them that came out from Hiliani are doing our work for us, as far as poprizing our system
among the rest of the Sylvan. I bet she’s casting the Moderate Drunkenness too!”
“Good!” Valughed. “That frees us up for more fun things! How can we get into the water section,
anyway?”
“Just walk through the portals at floor level.” Visinniria informed her. “When we get closer, you’ll see
Selkies using the portals.”
“I wonder where Kovink Seg Mivtz is.” Povon mused. “Since he’s now officially Prince of The Sylvan
Nation, I’m sure he’s here somewhere.”
“I expect he’s with the rest of the gnomes over there.” Alilia said as she indicated to her left.
“Actually, I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, Lord Regent,” a young gnome grinned as he
appeared a meter in the air in front of her, “And I am entirely at your service.”
He gave an ornate bow while floating along in front of her at her walking pace, moving backwards, and
sweeping his pointed red hat off with a grand gesture.
“And I am equally delighted to meet the rest of this augustpany.” he continued in aically
squeaky voice as he straightened, reced his hat, and sped his hands behind his back, still floating
through the air backwards. He was about forty-six centimeters tall, with the white hair and ruddy
elves of Thon, and sported gold buckles on his shiny ck shoes.
“You’ve done well for yourself Kovink, and in a short time.” Povon told him with a nod as they all
continued making their way to the water-filled section. “I congratte you.”
“Thank you, Lord Regent.” he acknowledged with a nod.
There was a pause.
“Ah, was that all you wished to say to me?” Kovink asked in mild surprise.
“Yes.” she nodded. “I wanted to meet you. I’ve taken your measure now. That is all.”
“I see. In that case, I’ll take my leave of you, and…”
“I have a matter I wish to discuss with you.” Fire bluntly stated as she floated up to confront him.
“You’ve built the most effective criminal and business empire on Keran. What have you done to
prepare them to fight the demons?”