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When Xan nudges him, Jemel remembers himself and leans in to translate the ceremony.

Gelen Zain finishes and Atticul stands, to speak words about his uncle. He speaks for a long time, telling tales of the devout Emperor and his great achievements. How he was thrust suddenly to the Imperial Throne after the great shame of Emperor Ascendent Markus was uncovered. The many conquests that followed, the taking of the East. Although, Jemel notes he does not mention Pluma-Ferris by name or the Ferric Wall. Perhaps this is in consideration of Xan being among the guests, or perhaps it is because Atticul does not want to dwell in any detail on the many triumphs of Damon Darekul. Beside Jemel, Xan simply watches Atticul, face like stone.

“Many say,” Atticul continues, his dark eyes glittering like the opulent jet embroidery on his jacket, “all this was achieved because of Selim’s devotion to Zai. He was already wed to his God when he took the throne and had forsworn taking any wife or having any sons of his own. Because of this, my own beloved father was charged to continue the Darek line. Selim was a great man and a greater Emperor, but I will not be an Emperor like him. Many things will be different under my reign. Far greater. And I will not be foisting the duty of continuing the rule of the Dareks to my siblings. Prince Umbert may be my named heir, but I promise you that is only until I sire many strong sons.”

Atticul pauses and some murmuring turns into a little cheering. Jemel looks to Inez, sat on the dais. Pale and expressionless as ever. She still has her dog upon her lap. She is holding the scruffy pet tightly, as if it is the only thing keeping her alive. However did a creature like that come to be the treasured pet of a future Empress?

When Jemel tells Xan what Atticul has just said, Xan reacts for the first time. He murmurs, “They are cheering your emperor because he says he will fuck his wife?”

“The Empire will be safer with a clear line of succession. Umbert is of the female line.”

Xan makes a scoffing noise. Jemel turns his head and looks directly at him, finding Xan looking back. Xan says, “Atticul is happy his uncle is dead. All can see it.”

Jemel’s breath catches. No one here can speak Plumian he is sure, but saying such things is dangerous.

Xan says, “You think so too.”

“Don’t,” Jemel says and looks away.

On the dais, Atticul takes a breath. He raises his voice to say, “My uncle’s grandest decision was to align the laws of the empire with the Book of the Rules, however, I do not believe this benefitted our empire and its subjects. There are many rules that do not fit with a great and modern land. I will keep the Book of the Rules enshrined as our laws, but under my reign, The Book of the Rules will be rewritten by Gelen Zain.” There is a murmuring of interest and some confusion at this, but Atticul continues. “In addition, Gelen Zain will speak with the priests of other faiths, combining their teachings to create a series of laws that bring together the wisdom of all.”

This is met with gasps. Jemel hears a few people muttering to each other. He is unsurprised. He has never heard anything like this. Truly? Other priests? Other faiths?

Atticul announces, “I introduce to you the first of these other faiths. A Grand High Priest of Lucent, who will join us for this commendation.”

A woman stands from the crowd and walks up onto the stage to stand beside Selim’s body. A Lucent priest with a gold ram’s skull on her head. Jemel is shocked to see this. What next, a Priam on the inner council?

Xan looks at Jemel and Jemel realises that in his shock, he has stopped telling him what is happening. In Plumian he says, “Atticul plans to change the laws of the Empire, to change the Book of the Rules itself and include the writings of other faiths.”

Xan shrugs, “That seems reasonable.”

Jemel doesn’t know what to say to that. It is not only unreasonable, but it is also unthinkable, and to declare such a thing at Selim’s Commendation to Zai. He simply nods and says, “I suppose we will see.”

Atticul concludes his speech with a formal low bow, marking himself as the servant of all his subjects.

Gelen Zain steps forward to make the final rites, scattering bread and sweet water on the body, but when that is done, the Lucent priest moves forward to place a line of gold dals along Selim’s chest.

A Lucent death rite. Jemel feels strangely sickened to see it. Surely this is heresy, but who would declare it so? Even the Zai Mother, sitting beside her choir of brides, is simply watching on. Of all the men Atticul could have commended to Zai in this way, surely none would have detested such a thing so much as Selim.

The Choir of Brides begin a new hymn to close the ceremony, harmonising in great beautiful runs of ascending notes as the bells of the temple start to ring out slow, dolorous chimes. Jemel has few strong feelings about Emperor Selim and his loss, but the power of the final piece of music leaves him blinking wetly.

“So now I have seen an Azurian death rite,” Xan says, sounding as if the emotional music has affected him not at all.

Truly, Jemel thinks, swallowing hard, he has seen the strangest Azurian death rite there has ever been. Jemel has read much history, many accounts of the death rites of Darek Emperors. He has never heard of one where the new Emperor used the ceremony to pronounce about the glory of his own reign and deny that the faith of Zai is the only true faith.

As the people begin to file out of the temple, Atticul approaches the seats in the North Circle. Jemel does not think a man as powerful as Emperor Ascendant Atticul could possibly be walking towards him, but as he gets nearer he says, “Ah, my great Plumian envoy. I am sorry I have been too busy preparing for this momentous ceremony to receive you. You arrived at quite an inopportune moment.”

He laughs. His breath smells like moonleaf.

Jemel repeats what Atticul has just said in Plumian and Xan simply raises a brow.

Atticul doesn’t seem at all bothered by this rudeness, perhaps thinking Xan is slow witted, or that Jemel’s Plumian is hard for him to follow. He simply continues, “But now, my Plumian, I am all yours. Attend me on the morrow in the Hall of Six Crowns. We will negotiate the greatest peace treaty this world has ever known and declare ourselves brothers.”

Atticul pauses, allowing Jemel to translate.

Xan nods and Atticul says, “Perhaps literally. A marriage to an Azurian noble woman would cement things very well and my sweet sister, the Lilac Doe will be a widow when I execute her traitorous husband at my ascension. I plan to take his head myself.” He laughs again. “Would you like my sister’s hand? She has a son, but he will need to remain here as my heir. She can reign with you on your isle. I assume you wish to be King of Pluma-Ferris.”

Jemel repeats this, curious whether Xan will finally speak. This is a wild offer. The hand of Ferra, Pluma-Ferris given over to him to rule. He said the word king, although surely Atticul could only make Xan the Warden of an isle that was part of the empire. And even that would be likely to cause uproar in the Rose Court.