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Astratt, Sindar-Astrasia (9 Quartyr 1588)
It was a downcast evening in the capital of Sindar-Astrasia. The sinking sun was barely noticeable as it slid beneath the horizon, hidden behind a veil of thick clouds. Coupled with this, the ringing of the bells of the local Messanic Church for the evening prayer seemed more ominous than usual as it resounded throughout the streets.
The people of Astratt, perhaps noticing the darkening skies, began opening their umbrellas. It was another Monday, and the well-kept sidewalks of Astratt's main boulevards were now being filled by throngs eager to wrap up the day and go back to their homes. The roads reflected this, with more and more vehicles filing in in the slowly increasing traffic.
Still, the wide avenues of the old city - constructed centuries ago - managed the larger volume of vehicles well enough. Movement along Astratt remained smooth, allowing a particular and peculiar convoy to travel to its destination unabated. A black SUV was at its head, tailed by a similarly-hued sedan and another SUV of the same type. At their tail were six covered army trucks.
The sight of a military vehicle in the downtown caught the eye of many passersby. It was certainly unexpected, considering there were no large-scale security issues which threatened the capital at this time. Curious but exhausted people shrugged of the sight after a second glance, although the consistent and imaginative watchers had already formed an idea where such a convoy could possibly be heading to.
-
It was half an hour past six, yet passionate voices debating matters of state could still be heard quite easily inside the chambers of Astratt's capitol.
The Sindarese-Astrasian lower house of parliament, the House of Commons, was an assembly of more or less two hundred elected representatives. It was the lifeblood of the country's democratic system, having legislative primacy compared to the largely symbolic and remedial functions held by the upper house. The Sindarese-Astrasian Parliament altogether was a product of political transformations in the country more than a century ago, being borne in 1461 - one year after the secession of Sindar-Astrasia from the United Provinces of Adwest and one year before the United Provinces fell into civil conflict.
The nature and process of how the institution replaced aristocracy as the center of Sindarese-Astrasian politics, however, was also bitter, and began with the union of two formerly independent and powerful dukedoms.
The westernmost duchy, Sindar, was ruled by the House Ferros - liberal-minded, Brigidnan-educated, and generally uninterested in what they saw as the throes of absolute power. Their reformist attitudes were unsurprising mostly because of their origins; the Ferros clan were extremely wealthy merchants who were prominent in the sea lanes of Western Kvaenna. They usurped control over Sindar in the late 14th century from the already-forgotten and extinct Sindarese noble line which had been ruling for centuries, exploiting dynastic rivalries already cemented in the then confederate Adwest to ensure the stability of their position. Another factor which aided their success was their promise to uplift tyranny - to provide the growing middle class a voice in political affairs and the large working class social reforms. That they did and more. By the time of the 15th century, the House Ferros had turned Sindar into a constitutional state which did not suffer the same extent of social upheaval brewing in other parts of Adwest.
On the other end of the spectrum was the Duchy of Astrasia - rural and traditional. The rulers of Astrasia - from the House Redever - lived detached and content from the rest of the country. But like other parts of Adwest then, kept a tight fist over dissent in their domains and was weary of the intentions of other nobles interested in their land or imposing some form of control over them. To extend their security, the rulers of Astrasia pursued a strategy of covert territorial expansion, in the form of strategic alliances through marriages. The task was simple and somewhat easy, as their ancient dynastic line already held considerable prestige among most Adwestene noble magnates. The House Redever had ingrained itself with the likes of the Dohlbergs, Falsens, and eventually the Ferros of Sindar.
The marriage of Lord Caius II Redever of Astrasia to Lady Maud Ferros of Sindar in 1449 appeared a strategic success for the former, but would ultimately have unseen ramifications in the coming years. Such misfortunes began two years later, with the birth of their first child and the heir to both the thrones of Astrasia and Sindar, and would reach its apex six years after with the death of Cauis II. His child, Desmond I, had not yet reached legal age to succeed him, and so power would be relegated to other figures. A Regency Council whose composition were selected members of the Sindarese parliament and selected vassals of the Astrasian ruler was established, and Lady Ferros was initially nominated to stand as regent and duchess of the two domains until Desmond I became legal. But the vassals of the deceased Caius II were loathe to accept what they saw as a non-noble as their liege. A struggle then burst forth, as accusations that Caius II was murdered by the Lady Ferros for Sindar's gain began to arise.
In a span of three years, the Lady Ferros emerged victorious in the game of intrigue, subduing the Astrasian lords who opposed her regency. As the absolute ruler of Astrasia, and with support from Sindar, she would turn the duchy upside down just as her predecessors did before. All other lords but she were stripped of their titles, and the greatest irony came about; the Lady Ferros used her limitless powers in Astrasia to bring about the institutions and values of Sindarese democracy there. She then severed her newly-expanded domains from the rest of Adwest, with the warring factions remaining the United Provinces too caught up in their own struggles to challenge the Lady Ferros.
By the time the House Redever retook the throne in 1469, their power had all but disappeared. Desmond I resented what his mother had left her; a geographically larger domain and near-absolute shackles constraining him. During those times, Desmond I had been the recipient of an offer by Gregory III - the first monarch of a newly-unified Adwest - to help take back what he lost, in exchange for returning to Adwest. Yet the young ruler declined this, and accepted his position as a national symbol with merely grumbles. This pivotal decision was one reason why his successors disliked him relative to his father; he had failed to take the opportunity to restore things as they were when the situation still presented a chance.
Today, Desmond IV was intent on not only taking up the cudgels but also correcting that historical error.
Rain had already descended upon Astratt as the Grand Duke disembarked from his sedan, which bore no markings whatsoever. He glared at the entrance to the Sindarese-Astrasian capitol, moving his vision slowly upward up to the towers of the building. An aide in a suit held an umbrella over his head, and with a vocal gesture, he and the Grand Duke began taking steps to the stairs leading to the entrance. Behind him, a large contingent of troops from Desmond IV's personal retinue disembarked from their trucks. Most of the platoons followed their monarch inside the capitol, while others took positions outside and around the building.
The Astrasian Retinue was the personal guard of the ruler of Astrasia, and is perhaps the only thing the Lady Ferros decided to keep intact in the course of changes she instituted upon being appointed regent. Their loyalty was unquestionable after all, and although since then they have been assigned merely a ceremonial role alongside the liege they serve, the Grand Duke found good use of them for his plans today and in the upcoming months.
Desmond IV, having sensed the possibility to make use of his retinue ever since the marriage of his brother to Sophia, had approached the deceased Garithos Ashford several years ago; the Lord Protector then offered assistance to secretly rearm and enlarge the guard from the size of a regiment to that of a bloated brigade. From 1577 onwards, he recruited and sent loyal men to be trained and to stay in Adwest until the time was right, all the while keeping the rest of the ceremonial retinue in his palace. What he had brought with him today were the troops who have spent the last ten years preparing in Adwest and ready to serve him - they were only flown in the previous week upon the conclusion of his meeting with Sophia.
The Grand Duke took bold strides, completely ignoring the stares and mutters he and his company were being thrown with. They reached the entrance to the chambers of the House of Commons, and for once noticed acutely the coat of arms of the House Redever carved into the large wooden doors. He almost spat at this insult.
The Grand Duke craned his head to who looked like the captain of his guards, giving a terse nod.
The captain understood this and took a position in front of his liege. He then began banging on the wooden doors with his clenched fist. At the first instance of this, the clamor which could previously be heard behind the doors immediately disappeared. It did not give way however, and the captain reengaged more forcefully.
It was in the third instance when the wooden doors finally opened from the inside, and the Grand Duke wasted no minute marching in - his attention and direction were on the elevated platform behind the balustrades were the house speaker and the parliamentary clerks were seated. Yells began to echo from both sides of the chamber upon the sight of armed men entering, leading to the Sindarese-Astrasian Prime Minister to immediately stand up and approach the Grand Duke.
Eustace Cosgrave, a sinewy and mustached man nineteen years the junior of Desmond IV, was visibly alarmed as he came near his liege. He prevented himself from physically yanking the elderly Grand Duke by the arm, almost completely certain of the monarch's intentions today. He instead took a quick step and obstructed the Grand Duke's route, arms folded. With his best efforts to remain calm, Cosgrave addressed the Grand Duke.
"Your majesty, what is the meaning of this?"
The Grand Duke was nettled by this abrupt obstruction. He took the accusatory glance of his Prime Minister for a second, before gesturing again to his contingent of troops. The captain of the guard then walked up and furiously hit Cosgrave's midsection with the butt of his rifle, who growled in pain and fell to his legs. The first arrest of the night was conducted as the captain placed handcuffs on Cosgrave and escorted him out of the chamber. Fear replaced the anger of many MPs at that display of force, and many had returned to their benches awaiting what was to come.
The Grand Duke then ascended to the platform and occupied the place of the house speaker, who by now had also been arrested. With one gloved hand, he adjusted the small mic meant to amplify the speaker's voice, and then spoke with resolute spirit.
"Representatives of the state. You are gathered here to fulfill the will of the people of Sindar-Astrasia, my people, and I thank you all for your service."
The MPs, already disdained by the incarceration of two of their own, watched on with worry. The Grand Duke's regiment did the same, stiff as they stood guard over all exits and entrances to the chamber.
"The Grand Duchy of Sindar-Astrasia has seen great peace and prosperity in the recent years, all because of your contributions. However, our nation has now reached a state of visceral decay and decadence. Moreover, our nation has been led down a path which threatens to undermine the great peace and prosperity I have made mention of. It is through no fault of you individually, but rather is a byproduct of the misguided ideas which have plagued the minds of my people, and by extension, the minds of all of you. Our once proud nation has lost the foundations it was built upon, and our so-called 'leaders', yourselves included, have only eroded these foundations even more instead of choosing to restore them. Again, this is through no individual fault of all of you, but to reverse this unfortunate course of self-destruction, it is imperative that I now make this important decision."
The Grand Duke observed the reactions of the MPs. Many were aghast by their expressions, while others still kept their silence while simultaneously recording the moment through their phones. He raised his hand upon noticing this, pointing a finger at one of those recording him who was particularly close. Within seconds, the offender had his phone seized and himself forced to kneel by one of the Grand Duke's footmen. Desmond IV continued.
"With the powers vested in me by ancient rite, written and preserved by the provisions of the constitution of 1460, I, Desmond Redever, fourth of my name, Grand Duke of Sindar and Astrasia, hereby dissolve this parliament and dismiss all members of parliament from their duties until further notice. I and my duly-appointed council will inherit lawmaking power and will guide the nation away from the abyss it has fallen into - in line with this, I will hereby suspend the constitution of 1460 as a prerequisite to the creation of a new national and royal charter for the nation. You will all be kept in detention until the political transition is over."
The final pronouncement sent the more riled up MPs into a frenzy, shouting obscenities and demands at the Grand Duke. All of these would be met with the same way as all the others, and it wasn't long before the Astrasian Regiment began the mass arrests.
It was a downcast evening in the capital of Sindar-Astrasia. The sinking sun was barely noticeable as it slid beneath the horizon, hidden behind a veil of thick clouds. Coupled with this, the ringing of the bells of the local Messanic Church for the evening prayer seemed more ominous than usual as it resounded throughout the streets.
The people of Astratt, perhaps noticing the darkening skies, began opening their umbrellas. It was another Monday, and the well-kept sidewalks of Astratt's main boulevards were now being filled by throngs eager to wrap up the day and go back to their homes. The roads reflected this, with more and more vehicles filing in in the slowly increasing traffic.
Still, the wide avenues of the old city - constructed centuries ago - managed the larger volume of vehicles well enough. Movement along Astratt remained smooth, allowing a particular and peculiar convoy to travel to its destination unabated. A black SUV was at its head, tailed by a similarly-hued sedan and another SUV of the same type. At their tail were six covered army trucks.
The sight of a military vehicle in the downtown caught the eye of many passersby. It was certainly unexpected, considering there were no large-scale security issues which threatened the capital at this time. Curious but exhausted people shrugged of the sight after a second glance, although the consistent and imaginative watchers had already formed an idea where such a convoy could possibly be heading to.
-
It was half an hour past six, yet passionate voices debating matters of state could still be heard quite easily inside the chambers of Astratt's capitol.
The Sindarese-Astrasian lower house of parliament, the House of Commons, was an assembly of more or less two hundred elected representatives. It was the lifeblood of the country's democratic system, having legislative primacy compared to the largely symbolic and remedial functions held by the upper house. The Sindarese-Astrasian Parliament altogether was a product of political transformations in the country more than a century ago, being borne in 1461 - one year after the secession of Sindar-Astrasia from the United Provinces of Adwest and one year before the United Provinces fell into civil conflict.
The nature and process of how the institution replaced aristocracy as the center of Sindarese-Astrasian politics, however, was also bitter, and began with the union of two formerly independent and powerful dukedoms.
The westernmost duchy, Sindar, was ruled by the House Ferros - liberal-minded, Brigidnan-educated, and generally uninterested in what they saw as the throes of absolute power. Their reformist attitudes were unsurprising mostly because of their origins; the Ferros clan were extremely wealthy merchants who were prominent in the sea lanes of Western Kvaenna. They usurped control over Sindar in the late 14th century from the already-forgotten and extinct Sindarese noble line which had been ruling for centuries, exploiting dynastic rivalries already cemented in the then confederate Adwest to ensure the stability of their position. Another factor which aided their success was their promise to uplift tyranny - to provide the growing middle class a voice in political affairs and the large working class social reforms. That they did and more. By the time of the 15th century, the House Ferros had turned Sindar into a constitutional state which did not suffer the same extent of social upheaval brewing in other parts of Adwest.
On the other end of the spectrum was the Duchy of Astrasia - rural and traditional. The rulers of Astrasia - from the House Redever - lived detached and content from the rest of the country. But like other parts of Adwest then, kept a tight fist over dissent in their domains and was weary of the intentions of other nobles interested in their land or imposing some form of control over them. To extend their security, the rulers of Astrasia pursued a strategy of covert territorial expansion, in the form of strategic alliances through marriages. The task was simple and somewhat easy, as their ancient dynastic line already held considerable prestige among most Adwestene noble magnates. The House Redever had ingrained itself with the likes of the Dohlbergs, Falsens, and eventually the Ferros of Sindar.
The marriage of Lord Caius II Redever of Astrasia to Lady Maud Ferros of Sindar in 1449 appeared a strategic success for the former, but would ultimately have unseen ramifications in the coming years. Such misfortunes began two years later, with the birth of their first child and the heir to both the thrones of Astrasia and Sindar, and would reach its apex six years after with the death of Cauis II. His child, Desmond I, had not yet reached legal age to succeed him, and so power would be relegated to other figures. A Regency Council whose composition were selected members of the Sindarese parliament and selected vassals of the Astrasian ruler was established, and Lady Ferros was initially nominated to stand as regent and duchess of the two domains until Desmond I became legal. But the vassals of the deceased Caius II were loathe to accept what they saw as a non-noble as their liege. A struggle then burst forth, as accusations that Caius II was murdered by the Lady Ferros for Sindar's gain began to arise.
In a span of three years, the Lady Ferros emerged victorious in the game of intrigue, subduing the Astrasian lords who opposed her regency. As the absolute ruler of Astrasia, and with support from Sindar, she would turn the duchy upside down just as her predecessors did before. All other lords but she were stripped of their titles, and the greatest irony came about; the Lady Ferros used her limitless powers in Astrasia to bring about the institutions and values of Sindarese democracy there. She then severed her newly-expanded domains from the rest of Adwest, with the warring factions remaining the United Provinces too caught up in their own struggles to challenge the Lady Ferros.
By the time the House Redever retook the throne in 1469, their power had all but disappeared. Desmond I resented what his mother had left her; a geographically larger domain and near-absolute shackles constraining him. During those times, Desmond I had been the recipient of an offer by Gregory III - the first monarch of a newly-unified Adwest - to help take back what he lost, in exchange for returning to Adwest. Yet the young ruler declined this, and accepted his position as a national symbol with merely grumbles. This pivotal decision was one reason why his successors disliked him relative to his father; he had failed to take the opportunity to restore things as they were when the situation still presented a chance.
Today, Desmond IV was intent on not only taking up the cudgels but also correcting that historical error.
Rain had already descended upon Astratt as the Grand Duke disembarked from his sedan, which bore no markings whatsoever. He glared at the entrance to the Sindarese-Astrasian capitol, moving his vision slowly upward up to the towers of the building. An aide in a suit held an umbrella over his head, and with a vocal gesture, he and the Grand Duke began taking steps to the stairs leading to the entrance. Behind him, a large contingent of troops from Desmond IV's personal retinue disembarked from their trucks. Most of the platoons followed their monarch inside the capitol, while others took positions outside and around the building.
The Astrasian Retinue was the personal guard of the ruler of Astrasia, and is perhaps the only thing the Lady Ferros decided to keep intact in the course of changes she instituted upon being appointed regent. Their loyalty was unquestionable after all, and although since then they have been assigned merely a ceremonial role alongside the liege they serve, the Grand Duke found good use of them for his plans today and in the upcoming months.
Desmond IV, having sensed the possibility to make use of his retinue ever since the marriage of his brother to Sophia, had approached the deceased Garithos Ashford several years ago; the Lord Protector then offered assistance to secretly rearm and enlarge the guard from the size of a regiment to that of a bloated brigade. From 1577 onwards, he recruited and sent loyal men to be trained and to stay in Adwest until the time was right, all the while keeping the rest of the ceremonial retinue in his palace. What he had brought with him today were the troops who have spent the last ten years preparing in Adwest and ready to serve him - they were only flown in the previous week upon the conclusion of his meeting with Sophia.
The Grand Duke took bold strides, completely ignoring the stares and mutters he and his company were being thrown with. They reached the entrance to the chambers of the House of Commons, and for once noticed acutely the coat of arms of the House Redever carved into the large wooden doors. He almost spat at this insult.
The Grand Duke craned his head to who looked like the captain of his guards, giving a terse nod.
The captain understood this and took a position in front of his liege. He then began banging on the wooden doors with his clenched fist. At the first instance of this, the clamor which could previously be heard behind the doors immediately disappeared. It did not give way however, and the captain reengaged more forcefully.
It was in the third instance when the wooden doors finally opened from the inside, and the Grand Duke wasted no minute marching in - his attention and direction were on the elevated platform behind the balustrades were the house speaker and the parliamentary clerks were seated. Yells began to echo from both sides of the chamber upon the sight of armed men entering, leading to the Sindarese-Astrasian Prime Minister to immediately stand up and approach the Grand Duke.
Eustace Cosgrave, a sinewy and mustached man nineteen years the junior of Desmond IV, was visibly alarmed as he came near his liege. He prevented himself from physically yanking the elderly Grand Duke by the arm, almost completely certain of the monarch's intentions today. He instead took a quick step and obstructed the Grand Duke's route, arms folded. With his best efforts to remain calm, Cosgrave addressed the Grand Duke.
"Your majesty, what is the meaning of this?"
The Grand Duke was nettled by this abrupt obstruction. He took the accusatory glance of his Prime Minister for a second, before gesturing again to his contingent of troops. The captain of the guard then walked up and furiously hit Cosgrave's midsection with the butt of his rifle, who growled in pain and fell to his legs. The first arrest of the night was conducted as the captain placed handcuffs on Cosgrave and escorted him out of the chamber. Fear replaced the anger of many MPs at that display of force, and many had returned to their benches awaiting what was to come.
The Grand Duke then ascended to the platform and occupied the place of the house speaker, who by now had also been arrested. With one gloved hand, he adjusted the small mic meant to amplify the speaker's voice, and then spoke with resolute spirit.
"Representatives of the state. You are gathered here to fulfill the will of the people of Sindar-Astrasia, my people, and I thank you all for your service."
The MPs, already disdained by the incarceration of two of their own, watched on with worry. The Grand Duke's regiment did the same, stiff as they stood guard over all exits and entrances to the chamber.
"The Grand Duchy of Sindar-Astrasia has seen great peace and prosperity in the recent years, all because of your contributions. However, our nation has now reached a state of visceral decay and decadence. Moreover, our nation has been led down a path which threatens to undermine the great peace and prosperity I have made mention of. It is through no fault of you individually, but rather is a byproduct of the misguided ideas which have plagued the minds of my people, and by extension, the minds of all of you. Our once proud nation has lost the foundations it was built upon, and our so-called 'leaders', yourselves included, have only eroded these foundations even more instead of choosing to restore them. Again, this is through no individual fault of all of you, but to reverse this unfortunate course of self-destruction, it is imperative that I now make this important decision."
The Grand Duke observed the reactions of the MPs. Many were aghast by their expressions, while others still kept their silence while simultaneously recording the moment through their phones. He raised his hand upon noticing this, pointing a finger at one of those recording him who was particularly close. Within seconds, the offender had his phone seized and himself forced to kneel by one of the Grand Duke's footmen. Desmond IV continued.
"With the powers vested in me by ancient rite, written and preserved by the provisions of the constitution of 1460, I, Desmond Redever, fourth of my name, Grand Duke of Sindar and Astrasia, hereby dissolve this parliament and dismiss all members of parliament from their duties until further notice. I and my duly-appointed council will inherit lawmaking power and will guide the nation away from the abyss it has fallen into - in line with this, I will hereby suspend the constitution of 1460 as a prerequisite to the creation of a new national and royal charter for the nation. You will all be kept in detention until the political transition is over."
The final pronouncement sent the more riled up MPs into a frenzy, shouting obscenities and demands at the Grand Duke. All of these would be met with the same way as all the others, and it wasn't long before the Astrasian Regiment began the mass arrests.
|| Democratic Republic of Mayari ||
There is no solution to the peasant problem but to wage armed struggle, conduct agrarian
revolution and build revolutionary base areas
There is no solution to the peasant problem but to wage armed struggle, conduct agrarian
revolution and build revolutionary base areas