Chapter 32; Home at Last
The Royal Shuttle touched down on its last stop, Starion II. As before, the newly furloughed and retired soldiers and sailors poured from the jump area and ran into the waiting arms of their families and friends. Also as before, the crowds grew to view the Royal Family and especially their local hero, General Z. They milled around them as they emerged into the sunlight, cheering and calling their names.
Arin and his family went to their Grandfather's house to await the election resulting and to rest from the rigors of the campaign. Siri felt the days of her pregnancy drawing to a close and was glad for the stopping place.
Finally the Election Day dawned bright and sunny. Coming from the polling place with his family after voting, Arin looked up at the sky, remembering his boyhood days here with his Nan and Pops on a holiday. "How far away those days seem," he thought, "I hope this sunny day is an omen."
Taking Siri's arm, he felt her tense with a major contraction. One look in her eyes and he said nothing but knew all. Hailing a passing flitter, they proceeded directly to the Med Center. All else forgotten, Arin and the joyous family waited, watched and helped where they could to bring the new life into the world. By the time little Zintaurus, the younger prince of the realm, was born, the day had passed and the sun was setting. Only then did anyone remember to check the News Reports.
The news was full of election stories. First, the news was full of stories about the overwhelming rebirth of a new Empire. Both Arin and Siri had been elected to the Senate to represent Taurus. The third most popular story was about the birth of the Crown Prince Zintaurus. Finally, the thrilling news was that Zintaurus Medio was the new senator from his home planet.
Arin sat quietly with his family. He marveled. “We were once two yet one. Now, we are three and yet one.”
Siri smiled and held their wee prince up for his new daddy, and Arin held him self consciously. "How like a man," joked Siri. "This man holds an Empire in his hands yet he cannot hold his own babe.”
Arin looked at her grinning. She touched his arm, “I will teach you. And Zinny will teach you. Now with this peace and our re-born Empire, we will have the time for this lesson and many more.”
Two nights late, a reception was held at his Grandfather’s villa. When they got there from the hospital and stepped out of the flitter, they were astounded by the size of the crowd. Every man, woman and child that could cram themselves into the lawn of that residence had done so. Every surrounding window and rooftop was also crowded with cheering throngs of people.
Arin and his family walked out onto his Grandfather's balcony and looked down on the cheering crowds. As they saw him, they fell silent, bowing their heads in salute. The newly elected Senator from this planet came forward to Arin and said, "I, along with all my fellow Starrions, pledge you our lives, our swords and our love. We will follow you into this new day and your New Empire." The crowds below roared their ascent.
Arin was stunned by this display of affection. He held up his hand for silence and said gravely, "I look out at this gathering before us. I do not see subjects. I see comrades of hard fought battles and rugged struggles in prison."
Two weeks later, the newly elected Senate convened on Arth for the first time under the New Empire. The first order of business was to elect a New Emperor. Among the candidates were all of the members of the Council and General Zintaurus Medio. Arin was hoping that his grandfather would be elected and had voted for him as the Senator from his new home world, Taurus.
There were too many people who wanted Arin to lead them. They appreciated Arin's clever, fiery leadership in the last, victorious days of the war and his quiet, gentle leadership in Dagaz Prison. In their eyes, his powers of leadership were proven. They were great advocates over the next few days for his election. In two days of furious negotiating without Arin's knowledge, his family wrapped up deals that would bring Arin to the Throne. The next morning, sensing the trend, the fourth vote of the Planetorial Senate voted unanimously to endorse the ascendancy of Arin to the Jeweled Throne.
Arin walked down a staircase to the level below. Once there, he knelt before the stunned, silent crowd and bowed saying, "I pledge you all my life, my sword, and my undying love."
Rising, he grabbed the hands of the nearest two people, and they grabbed two others. And so it went until the hands of whole crowd were joined physically as one cheering together for the new born Empire.
Senator Z, the beloved, came down to stand by his grandson. He lifted Arin's hand high. In it he put the Jeweled Scepter of the House of Menzi and declared, "I give you Arin, the Just, Leader of us all!"
Arin returned to the balcony microphones and held his hands up for quiet. After several minutes of sustained cheering, the noise level abated to where he could be heard and said, "We have much to celebrate. I give you my son and heir, Zintaurus, the small."
Cheering throngs lined the road as the Menzis slowly made their way on foot as they had done for hundreds of years to the Jeweled Palace for the ascendancy of Arin I, Emperor of the New Empire. Carrying his son, Arin walked along the road back to his home just as he had dreamed it so many times.
Reaching the refurnished palace, they all went into the Throne Room for the ceremony. As he had done before on the night of the election, his grandfather handed him the Jeweled Scepter and said, "I give you Arin I, a new Emperor for a New Empire and a new day for us all."
Thank You for reading my novel.
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