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Post by bookity101 on Aug 10, 2009 21:07:29 GMT -5
Noel shook paws with the red squirrel, and then turned back to the otter a Mr. Otto Kurtz. He smiled; obviously they had not caught onto the fact that he used the word formerly when referring to his title. He looked behind him at Myles, smiling at the lad. “Mr. Kurtz, Mr. Whirlpaw I don’t think that you registered that I said formerly the Duke of Pemingburrough.”
He bowed to them, this time it wasn’t a polite bow of greeting, it was a full bow, as one would give to the king, without kneeling of course. He straightened his eye’s twinkling and finished his sentence “At your service. I do believe that I will go with you.” He motioned for Myles to move up beside him. “Besides I have some friends in the inside, if there on duty, maybe there won’t have to be any blood shed over the matter.”
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Post by Ladorak on Aug 10, 2009 22:33:58 GMT -5
Otto's mind had been in overdrive that he hadn't exactly caught the "former" that Noel had used. A Duke was a rather high title, right above Marquis and Earl. It was as far as Otto knew the highest one could go before outright King....unless of course one counted that silly rank that Kostritz had of Archduke.
There was no longer any doubt in the otter's mind now about loyalty to the cause coming from this meerkat. "Friends on the inside you say? Should prove very useful I think. Happy to have you aboard Captain!" Otto acknowledged the bow with a nod, noting it's serious tone and no nonsense air. He didn't question the meerkat's motives because it didn't matter to him. The important thing was that he had decided, and decided in favor of what Otto knew to be right. A republic was what Rosferia needed at this point...their current government was on the rocks after all.
"Alright then, let us prepare to move out to the Armory! We'll take what we need there and be on our way to the Palace! I doubt we'll have serious opposition at this point. We've got a clean operation lined up. The National Guard should have no problem joining us once we're on the move. Thank you for your support once again Captain. Do be safe....it could get violent before the night is out." The only violence Otto could predict however would come from the Scarlet Guard....it all hinged on them and what they themselves would do.....
**************
The doors to the Arsenal were forced in, a rending crack that burst the tranquility of the interior halls and causing the duty officer to jerk up from where he'd been half asleep in his chair. Going for his pistol, the young gerbil tried his best to point it at whoever was coming through....but he was met by a multitude of beasts, all streaming in and surrounding his desk. There were nearly 10,000 beasts in the streets now, and they needed armaments if they were going to protect themselves at the Palace. It would also give them a means of fighting back if the Scarlet Guard proved uncooperative.
The young gerbil was trembling in his boots as a large, imposing crocodile strode up to him and calmly reached out, lowering his pistol with his massive hand. "Now, now...no need for violence tonight lad. Either join up with us and open those gates or be tossed out into the street, it's your call."
"I....I can't do that sir." the gerbil stammered. "I have orders to mind the Arsenal, and they were quite strict that..."
"Is that what you think....or what your superiors think? You have the keys to those gates I assume?" Milton asked the terrified guard. The gerbil didn't seem to respond however. Behind his desk was a locked and barred gate, a cage really, that stretched quite far back into the building. Inside were pikes, muskets, swords, and bayonets. All the weapons necessary for an uprising like this. The Arsenal hadn't quite counted on such a massive demonstration taking place and consequently was only lightly defended.
"Open the gate." Milton ordered, a bit more firmly this time. When still no response was forthcoming the gerbil was seized by his arms and led outside, thrown down into the street and given a sharp kick on his rump to send him on his way. No effort was made to stop him. The Palace would be forewarned anyways by the tocsin, and hiding the attack now would be pointless. The more beasts who knew about it the better, as that just gave the insurgents the potential to recruit more to their cause.
"Break that gate open!" Otto ordered, and the padlock was immediately attacked by beasts with hammers and chisels, beating the metalwork in and twisting it until it finally gave and snapped, breaking off cleanly and not getting stuck in the iron loop. Pulling the lock out and tossing it aside, the gates were flung open and beasts began arming themselves, taking whatever suited their fancy. There was more than enough to go around. The Cosnair Arsenal had enough weapons to arm a decent sized army, and there would be plenty leftover after this crowd got done with it.
"Best take what you need now mates." Otto said to Sciurus, Noel, and Myles. "This is our one and only stop for weapons. After this we march upon the King's Palace. Unsure how the Scarlet Guard will react, though chances are I don't think they'll be too friendly. So stock up and make sure if you take a rifle or pistol to bring plenty of ammunition. That's one advantage I want us to have over the Guard. More ammunition than they'll have access to." was the otter's explanation. The Scarlet Guard carried 50 rounds each and enough powder of course to fire those 50 rounds...but after that they'd be dry, with no hope of resupply since the insurgents now had the Arsenal.
Otto was banking on this being decisive in hopefully convincing the King to step down without resistance. But if worse came to worst....then the crowd would most certainly not be caught unprepared for any resistance.
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Post by Carrow on Aug 11, 2009 5:34:39 GMT -5
Having done his part in getting the gate open, and with the blood singing in his ears, Sciurus went to select a weapon. A surge of adrenaline was now coursing through the squirrel. He was no longer a timid creature, it seemed. In fact, the Sciurus that could now be seen searching the Arsenal for a suitable secondary weapon looked to be an entirely different squirrel to what he had been even a week previously.
Taking his friend's advice, the squirrel decided that it would be either a rifle or pistol that he chose. After a moment of careful deliberation, Sciurus chose a pistol, and a considerable amount of ammunition was taken to go with it. With his stave in his left paw, the squirrel placed the pistol into his belt after twirling it in his other paw, testing how it felt to grip. He was now well covered for both paw-to-paw combat and longer-ranged attacks. The squirrel headed back outside, waiting for his friends to join him. At a time when he knew he could be quite close to death if things didn't go according to plan, Sciurus had never felt more alive than this. He could be quite a fierce fighter when he needed to be, and as he did now, the squirrel was going to do everything he could to help, in the likely event that the uprising was met with resistance.
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Post by bookity101 on Aug 11, 2009 20:48:36 GMT -5
Noel looked around, checking Myles' rush to grab the biggest rifle that he could carry. He wore his own sword, and knew that if he or Myles carried to many visible armaments he would not be allowed past the Scarlet Guard to speak to Maklos. His friend had recently been given a job inside the palace, he also was a good friend of several of the higher-up in the Scarlet Guard. Maybe Noel could convince him to talk them out of shooting into the crowd. When your out numbered by 1,000 to one, they might see reason and just stand down... besides Augustine wasn't even their monarch...
With this plan in mind, Noel selected two small double-barreled pistols for himself and Myles, looking over the disappointed face that he Myles would be wearing. He quickly moved over to an assortment of knives having to push and shove his way to get to them. Most beasts seemed to go for the biggest, baddest looking thing that they could find, so they pretty much avoided the knives. He placed a dirk on the inside of his boot, and a smaller knife inside the cuff of both sleeves. He also gave similar knives to Myles, speaking low to him his plan. He had filled both pouches he carried with enough powder and ammunition for 20 shots out of both barrels, leaving Myles to meet him at the front gate, he ran to find Otto or Sciurus to tell them that he was going ahead.
As he reached the front gate, he saw Sciurus standing there, waiting for the others from hisi group. Noel approached him, Noel stooped short of running the beast over from behind. He rounded in front of him, clearing his throat so he wouldn't startle him. "Mr. Whirlpaw, Please tell Mr. Kurtz that I and Myles have gone ahead to try to talk an old friend into joining us." With that Noel and Myles, who had joined him by now, dashed off to the waiting carriage, jumped in and headed for the Palace with all speed.
****** Just a little while later, the carriage had barely stopped when Noel and Myles jumped out and ran up the steps, skidding to a stop in front of the Guard*. He looked around wildly, trying to find the Major, but unable to spot in the midst of the all the beasts. Giving up he finally yelled. "Where is Major Von Bachmann! I must speak to him! I have news that must reach the ears of the King!" Noel looked over at Myles, just to be sure that he knew that he wasn't switching sides, he just needed to get inside the palace....
><><<><><><><><>< Miri's curiosity was getting the better of her, she made her way to the front door and looked out, trying to see what was going on outside. Instead of seeing what she thought would be clear streets this early in the morning, instead she saw a mass of beasts of all ages, just milling around outside, shouting things like "Down with the king!" and "Long live a free Rosferia!" Miri shook her head as she headed for the door, then puased, pivoted on on paw, and turned back to Monty saying, "Hey Boss, do we have to find Spindrick today... or can we take a break and find out what is causing all this hullabaloo?"
((*I'm assuming their on the front steps, if not I guess Noel is already through the gate and what not....)) ((Post number 200!))
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Post by Ladorak on Aug 11, 2009 22:39:24 GMT -5
((Congrats! Keep up the good work!))
The crowd was gathering momentum and moving through the streets now. Gaining beasts as they went, they were swollen to thousands, and several National Guard regiments were joining them on the way. Because of Santere keeping his word and withdrawing the cannon from the bridges, both sides of the capital were able to unite unopposed on their march on the Palace.
The young Captain Boneparte Lantzer had left his rental house and had moved in the direction of the King's Palace. He figured that's where everyone was heading, and planned to head to the shop of the brother of his good friend. The brother lived and worked practically next door to Augustine's Palace and would have a good vantage point to watch any unfolding events.
Unfortunately for the meerkat, he encountered a rather large crowd that was moving throughout the streets, waving banners and brandishing weapons. Taking immediate notice of him, one of them shouted out to him. "Oy! This one's dressed rather fancy ain't he? Wonder if he's an aristocrat? He's gotta be, judging by his looks!" The crowd roared with disapproval. Boneparte hastily looked down at his attire and indeed, his uniform rather did look spiffy on him. But he was by far no aristocrat. He was the lowest of the nobility, and had little to no money to his name.
"Why don't we rip 'im to pieces and drag 'is body through the streets! Down with the First Estate!" shouted one particularly aggressive member in the crowd. They began advancing towards him, and he started backing away. What to do...what to do!?
"No, no!" he cried. "I'm not...an aristocrat! Far from it!"
"Oh yeah? Then prove it! Shout Long Live the Republic! Go on! Say it! Say it or we cut your ears off!" a rather savage looking jerboa stepped forward, drawing a cutlass from his belt. Boneparte needed no further persuading.
"LONG LIVE THE REPUBLIC!" he yelled at the top of his lungs, and threw a salute to the crowd. "Down with the King! Long live liberty!" the young meerkat only hoped this would be sufficient. The crowd cheered him and nodding approvingly.
"Very well then...go on! You joining us or what?" asked one beast.
"No....no I WILL...but I must find my friend first. Let me go on my way and I'll be in front of the Palace promptly." Boneparte promised. The crowd started talking amongst themselves again, losing interest in the meerkat. It was for the better. Boneparte had no intention of joining in on the revolt. His situation was precarious enough as it was. Help one side you upset the other. He didn't want to risk it right now, and besides, he felt this had little to do with him. He was a foreigner after all, and did not consider himself Rosferian despite being a technically born Rosferian citizen. He'd watch of course, but that would be the extent of what he'd do.
He just had to get to his friend's brother's shop.....He quickened his pace a bit, leaving the crowd behind and making his way closer to the Palace.....
***************
"Sire....the Assembly has ignored your request. They continue to debate about the abolition of the slave trade. There are only a few members present though....I'd say no more than 85 or so. Certainly no more than 100." Augustine felt like his world was dropping out from under him at Spinfer's news.
He shook his head, feeling as if he were having a massive headache. The leopard pondered what to do. It was early morning now, but the sun's rays weren't yet up. "Spinfer....I..." he was going to say, but was cut off by the arrival of Major Karl von Bachmann, his head of the Scarlet Guard.
"Sire! There are massive crowds moving against the Palace! I will mobilize my beasts at once if you so please. The National Guard are deserting en masse and joining the insurgents...those traitorous dogs! They're turning the cannons defiantly against the Palace! I require orders Your Highness." the mongoose gazed into his King's eyes with determination and resolve. He would die tonight if need be. So long as it meant his monarch would be safe.
"Uh....assemble the Guard....where the devil is Gottschalk?" Augustine demanded.
"Unknown sir. He hasn't returned from City Hall yet. I think that...."
"Major Von Bachmann!" a member of the Scarlet Guard had come up to the mongoose now and saluted.
"What?" snapped von Bachmann. He was busy. Couldn't this soldier see that?
"You are being summoned at the front gate sir! A Captain Noel Telious....of the Navy sir...he says he has news for the King's ears." Augustine looked disbelievingly at the messenger. News? What could a naval officer possibly want to tell him?
"Urgh.....fine. I'll be down there presently. Your Highness...I'll assemble the Guard." Von Bachmann stated, saluting his Majesty and exiting the room, walking with his soldier. "Send word for my beasts to take up positions outside the Palace and also at the windows. We'll create a strong point at the staircase just inside the doors but KEEP the doors blocked. We'll fall back through them if necessary, but I don't want the rebel scum gaining access unless they overwhelm our first position."
"Yes sir!" the soldier saluted and hurried off to pass on the Major's orders. Of all the blasted things to occur....what the hell did a naval Captain want? Telious....wasn't he some Duke or something? Was he looking for protection? What was this news for the King? Taking the stairs two at a time, the Major reached the foyer and strode through the double doors of the Palace, moving past the line of his Guards that blocked the entrance.
"Well?" he asked, looking down from the steps at the meerkat. "Duke Telious is it? What can I help you with? Make it quick....I'll be needed elsewhere soon." the mongoose said testily. To him, everybeast not inside the Palace was a suspect. He knew full well that most royalist naval officers had deserted to other nations, and those that remained behind were generally republicans. So who was this meerkat and what did he want?
****************
Spinfer was pacing impatiently in the King's chambers. The Queen was with her husband, urging him to do SOMETHING and stop sitting there acting as if he had a headache...which he did. Spinfer was thinking things over.....trying to come up with the best possible solution that would avoid bloodshed. He thought he had a pretty good idea....and finally the stoat could wait no longer.
"Sire! I suggest we remove ourselves to the chambers of the Legislative Assembly! They'll have to listen to us then! I think you would be safest there. Without you remaining here well....what reason would there be to attack the Palace? The National Guard could all stand down and disperse back to their camps...and the populace could do the same. The crowd doesn't hate the Assembly after all."
"Abandon the Palace?" Augustine asked, looking up now from where he'd buried his face in his paws. "But....legally I'm not supposed to enter the Assembly while it's in session without a special invite...."
"To hell with legality Your Majesty! We need to act! Take your family, come with me. We'll proceed to the Assembly and get them to stop all of this! They can't keep ignoring things! If they do well...it could spell doom for the current government. There's still time to act.....we should move!" The leopard seemed to consider this for a moment. Looking to his wife, she shook her head.
"Here or there, you must do SOMETHING. Personally I think Spinfer's right....it would be safer. This place could become a deathtrap for us after all. Think of our family...." Augustine hated feeling weak like this. More often than not he had been proving indecisive but....his wife was right. What good COULD he do here except await the attack?
Standing up, he nodding firmly. "Very well then. Lead on Spinfer....I will take my family to the Assembly. There is nothing further to do here." Spinfer was overjoyed at this news, and was confident he had avoided bloodshed. Gathering the Royal Family together, Augustine and Spinfer led the way....but unfortunately for Augustine, as they exited the Palace there WAS in fact something left undone.
Augustine might have had his virtues (and some would say weaknesses) as a ruler who tried to be very fair...but the sad fact of life was that you couldn't please everybeast, and by trying to do so often left one vacillating and hesitant about committing to one such decision. It also made one forgetful because of how much they had to try and do. In Augustine's case, he had forgotten one very important thing......namely leaving orders with his Scarlet Guard, who had no idea that he was vacating the Palace and leaving them behind. With no orders informing him of the situation, Major von Bachmann would assume the obvious. Augustine was still in his Palace....for why wouldn't he be? None of the Guard had seen him leave. They were all at the front, defending the perimeter, and Augustine had left via the back, through the gardens. It was the shortest distance to the Assembly but by taking this action, Augustine had neglected to leave orders behind him, and how this would effect things would no doubt be seen very shortly as the crowds drew closer and closer to his Palace......
*****************
Monty checked his pistol inside his cloak. It was loaded and primed. Good. His cane sword of course was with him as well. "No...Spindrick is not my quarry tonight. I just want to see what's happening...as I'm sure you do as well. The night might prove to be dangerous....so let's try and avoid crowds if we can. We'll stick to side streets and stay off the main roads."
Throwing the door open that led into the night, the weasel detective motioned outside. "Come...let us be off!" he said, his cloak swirling about him a bit as it caught a draft of air as he moved outside. Looking in both directions and satisfied that there were nobeasts in sight, he started off for the direction of all the noise, his curiosity getting the better of him as he cautiously made his way down the empty street and towards the River Trist.
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Post by Carrow on Aug 12, 2009 5:48:17 GMT -5
Sciurus nodded. The squirrel turned to quickly ask Noel about this creature. He wanted to know who he was being quite curious to know whose help the meerkat Captain was trying to enlist, but found that Noel had left him as quickly as he had approached. "Oh, well, I suppose I'll find out in due course. I am quite intrigued as to the identity of this mysterious 'old friend', though, I have to say," the squirrel said to himself, as he dashed off to find his otter friend, reasoning that he was either in the Arsenal stocking up, or had already selected his weapons. A quick search of the area around the entrance to the Arsenal revealed Otto's whereabouts: the blue-furred otter was alone, getting things together. The squirrel was also curious to know what weapons his friend had chosen, so approached him, and waited until he was at the otter's side before speaking.
"Hello, Otto. Just passing on a message from Mister Telious. He says that he and the youngster, Myles, I think his name is, have, and I quote, 'gone ahead to try and talk an old friend into joining us'. I don't know about you, but I'm quite intrigued by our meerkat companion's words. Who do you suppose it could be? By the way, what weapons did you choose? I went for a pistol myself. I should think I'm as well covered as I could be in the event of resistance."
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Post by Ladorak on Aug 12, 2009 9:56:06 GMT -5
The crowd was emptying the Arsenal, taking what they needed but leaving plenty of the surplus left over. Otto was pleased with the progress, and could already tell that all over the city the march on the Palace was beginning. Just as Otto was getting ready to leave himself, Sciurus had come up to him then.
Delivering his news, the otter couldn't help but to find this slightly disturbing. Noel had left them? He had "gone on ahead?" Was he not so loyal after all, or was he really trying to obtain the defection of one beast? But he could he possibly be after? Otto shook his head. "Wish I knew the answer to that first question. Would be a little hard considering I only met the fellow not more than an hour ago." Otto's guess was really as good as Sciurus's, except that Otto had no guesses at the moment.
It didn't...matter as much to him though. Regardless of what Noel was doing, their march was already underway, and they'd be at the King's Palace shortly, too late the mustelid figured for any sort of warning at this point to help. Besides....they HAD to know at the Palace about the attack. There had been so many signs that the insurgents had left behind them in their wake. "Ah weapons...chose a pistol and a sword. That's all I need. Close and mid-range combat. Let the National Guard pawdle the long range stuff. They have more training than I do admittedly in firearms....though I don't think it's terribly hard. Just point and fire right?" the otter asked with good humor. "Come Sciurus.....let us be moving towards our dear friend Augustine's residence." The aquatic mustelid spoke with a gleam in his eye and a bounce in his step as one the crowd started to surge forward.
*****************
The crowd arrived a short time later, barred from entry by the gates around the museum, which had formerly been part of the King's Palace but 75% of it now served no purpose, though there were plans to convert it into a museum. They had to gain access into that courtyard. "Right then lads, let's start breaking down these gates!" Otto cried, and the gates were promptly attacked. Musket butts struck at them, hammers slammed into the bars, beasts threw nothing but their weight against them. It created a creaking, groaning noise as the metal was pushed in and buckled a bit.
The guards that HAD been posted at these gates, most of them National Guard, had all gone over to the insurgents' side long ago and had left the gates undefended. The Scarlet Guard was still in front of the Palace proper of course, and chances were they'd bar further entry. It wouldn't be long now.....they'd soon be through.....much to the otter's satisfaction.
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Post by Carrow on Aug 12, 2009 10:37:35 GMT -5
Sciurus' response to Otto's wondering was to shrug his shoulders and say, "Well, we will know what he's up to soon enough, although I would like to think that out of the options you suggested, our meerkat friend has gone and chosen the latter. It's clear for all to see that we have no intention of backing down tonight, and we have made our presence felt by now, I shouldn't wonder."
As they walked, the squirrel loaded and primed his pistol. Sciurus had good reflexes, and now was in quite a good position to fire shots off quickly and easily. Now they were bearing down on the museum gates. He could see that hammers and muskets would be used to help smash in the gates. Having neither with him, the hypnotist decided that the best way he could help was to charge the gates with a group of beats and throw his weight against them. The squirrel was of average build and height, but he would ensure that he did all that he could do to help with this intrusion. Sciurus was confident that no mater the amount of use he was with this task, he would be quite a bit more use when they arrived in the courtyard.
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Post by bookity101 on Aug 12, 2009 12:07:20 GMT -5
As the Major approached, Noel could tell that he was trying to figure out what Noel was doing on his steps. He straightened, throwing a salute to him, not quite sure who outranked whom here, but he was not taking any chances. Just as soon as he dropped his paw, he forwent any more pleasentries.
"Major, I have just come from the Court House, and I passed the Arsenal on the way." He shook his head, projecting disgust into his voice. "It seems that the Marquis got himself killed outside of the courthouse, I managed to get his body from the crow." He waved a paw towards the carriage where Gottschalk's body still lay. He turned back to the Major his voice rising in intensity now, "But the more pressing matter is that that... rabble have broken into the Arsenal and are arming themselves as we speak!" Noel took a breath, hoping that the Major would believe that he was trying to be helpful, not just find a way into the palace...
((Short...))
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Post by Ladorak on Aug 12, 2009 12:38:29 GMT -5
The mongoose's head rocked back in surprise at seeing the dead body of the Marquis. "What!? Marquis Gottschalk is.....is dead!?" asked the Major. But it did appear to be true. That was the body of the Marquis alright. But if that was the case...who was in charge of the National Guard then?
A sudden clatter arose from the gates leading into the courtyard. The rebels! They had arrived! It seemed they were proceeding to beat upon the gate, inflicting blows on the ironwork and from the sounds of things, it sounded as if they were winning. A quiet rage was building up inside of the mongoose now. He didn't have time for this!
"I think I can surmise that they've properly armed themselves in this case." Von Bachmann stated acidly. Turning to one of his soldiers, he spoke into the fellow's ear. "Go and find the King. Ask him for orders." Nodding, the soldier vanished into the Palace. "So then....what are you doing here Captain? Time is against us here, so please state your business and I'll see what I can do for you. If it's access to the Palace you need fine, but you'll be required to have an escort. Hurry Captain! What business do you have here!?" the mongoose demanded, the breaking and crashing against the gate ringing in his ears like an unholy drumbeat.
***************
Boneparte had managed to reach the shop that belonged to the brother of his friend. His friend had left Cosnair recently as he'd finally managed to get a job, and only his brother was left. "Lewis!" Boneparte called, rapping upon the door. "Lewis! Open up!" After a few minutes, the door was opened to the meerkat. Inside was a furniture store that looked out onto the courtyard of the King's Palace.
"Boneparte? What are you doing here?" the sleepy vole asked.
"No time to explain! It's lunacy out there! Crowds running here and there! I expect the King's had it tonight! IF....that is he acts stupidly. He COULD deal with this....with the proper positioning of troops. Still...I want to see this!" the meerkat cried, racing to the back of the shop so that he could look out of the windows onto the courtyard. Why...there was the crowd now, attempting to smash in the gates! And over there....in front of the palace itself were the King's Scarlet Guard. Some other meerkat (odd to Boneparte as he didn't see many of his kind in this country) was on the steps, trying to speak with Major von Bachmann it seemed. What would happen next?
**************
"Your Highness! You don't have permission to enter the halls of the Assembly!" the President of the Assembly, a raccoon, had been rather surprised to see the entrance of the halls thrown open to reveal the Royal Family. The halls of the Assembly were a converted race horse track. They stretched for quite a ways down to the President's podium. On the right and left side were benches that rose up to the ceiling for the legislators, though the hall was quite bare this evening. Up towards the roof stretched two galleries on each side that provided room for any spectators. The hall itself, being longer than it was wide, provided very poor acoustics, and the legislators often times had to shout to be heard.
Most of the right benches were vacant, the royalists having fled over the past few weeks either in disgust or terror of their lives. The deputies that did remain were mostly revolutionaries, and had little sympathy for the King. "Please!" Augustine spoke up now, hoping to be heard by all. "I am aware of the law! But I had little other choice! I have come here to prevent a great crime! Even now my palace is being surrounded by the mob, and I have come here to seek the protection of the Assembly and get them to stop this mess!"
Murmurs went up from the gathered legislators. What was this! The King throwing himself at the mercy of the Assembly? Such a thing was unimaginable! "Please! For the sake of my family and my own safety....I have come here to stop all of this!" the leopard pleaded. The raccoon president chewed upon his lower lip, trying to contemplate what to do. After a few moments, he finally relented.
"Very well....but you are to sit BEHIND my podium in the seats reserved for the reporters. That way....technically...you won't be IN the hall itself...but just outside of it. We are debating about the abolition of the slave trade....though I suppose now we should debate about what to do with you.....Your Highness." the raccoon motioned behind him to a staircase that led down into a pit where the reporters normally sat. "Take your seat.....we won't move away from the Constitution tonight, and will do our best to ensure that it is upheld." Moving gratefully down the hall, the feline family was ushered behind the President's podium into the press box.
"So what to do about the King?" asked the president now. "He has clearly gained the wrath of the populace, and is drawing danger to himself and his family. However....constitutionally....we cannot force His Majesty to abdicate....as you all know. Unless of course....he wishes to abdicate.....Your Highness? Do you concede your powers of governance in this case, and your right to the throne?" The raccoon looked behind him at Augustine.
The leopard hesitated. Could he really do that though? He had been King for 18 years now....that was a long time in his life. He was currently 38 an thus had been ruling since he'd been 20 years of age, a very young leopard indeed. It was his right to rule after all. He had been brought up in that philosophy...the philosophy that heaven itself had ordained him. Swallowing, he slowly shook his head. "No....no I cannot just relinquish my throne." He said. He was taking note however of the state of his family. His son appeared to be sick....ailing from some sort of illness, as he lay curled up in his wife's arms. His wife too...she had once had such a vibrant and beautiful pelt....but her golden fur had been blanching, and had faded over the last few months to a dull, almost dusty looking yellow. Her spots too were losing their sheen, and Augustine truly wondered if continuing down this path was right......
The Assembly immediately began discussing what to do in this instance, and the King's thoughts were lost among the noise and the clamoring.....
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