บท 28: Coronation Ceremony

The day of the Coronation had arrived, and the entirety of Heaven's Reach was filled with activity throughout the entire city. The streets were crowded with people already celebrating as the entire day was being celebrated as the official coronation of Maximus as the Emperor of the Imperial Union and as High Khal of all Dothraki.

The golden banners of House Invictus fluttered in the wind, while the sound of distant drums filled the air with a rhythmic heartbeat that matched the excitement of the crowd. Everybody was eager for the celebrations as the Dothraki loved to celebrate with fierce intensity. The ceremonies were not only a display of power but a testament to the cultural amalgamation that Maximus had engineered.

The tournament grounds were thronged with participants from various cities, each eager to prove their prowess. Knights in gleaming armor, Dothraki fighters brandishing their arakhs, and even a few warriors from distant Yi Ti, clad in silk and wielding exotic blades, readied themselves for the events.

The diversity was a shock to Maximus as he didn't expect warriors from even Yi Ti to participate in the tournament. But then again, Heaven's Reach had become a major trade hub in the region. Merchants from the other free cities, and the East visited Heaven's Reach every Month bringing in valuable goods and increasing the economy of the city.

Within the Colosseum, Magisters mingled with each other cautiously as they were within surrounded by the people, they once considered to be savage nomads.

The air was charged with anticipation as the first joust took place, silencing the murmurs of intrigue and skepticism among the nobles. A fighter from Pentos unhorsed a fierce competitor from Norvos, earning a roar of approval from the crowd.

Once the melee combat commenced, the excitement reached another level. The clash of steel rang out, echoing off the stone walls of the colosseum as warriors from different lands and cultures tested their might against each other. Dothraki fighters, with their hair braided in the traditional style, darted through the fighters, their arakhs slicing through the air with deadly precision. Exiled Knights from Westeros countered with heavy swords and shields, each blow landing with the force of years of rigorous training.

Meanwhile, archers took their positions, their quivers filled with arrows. One particularly skilled archer from Braavos drew his bow, the string tight against his fingers. With a steady hand and an incredible eye, he released arrow after arrow, each one whistling through the air and striking the distant targets dead center. His prowess earned nods of respect from even the most seasoned warriors present.

As dusk began to fall, torches were lit around the tournament grounds, casting a warm glow over the stone seats filled with spectators. The final event of the evening was a grand melee which Maximus called a battle Royale, where 100 combatants fought all at once until the last man was left standing.

The sound of 100 men all screaming and fighting for honor and glory filled the colosseum. Thousands of people cheering could be heard throughout the entire city.

As the melee dwindled to just a handful of fighters, Maximus watched intently from his high seat, flanked by Lilith and the other witches. Their eyes, glowing faintly in the dim light, scanned the field not just for the spectacle but for signs of deeper magics at work.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity of combat, the young Summer Islander stood alone in the center of the arena, spear raised high as he was declared the victor. The crowd erupted in cheers, a resounding approval that sealed his place as the winner of this grand tournament.

Following the tournament, the start of the coronation ceremony had begun as the sun dipped below the horizon. The air was filled with the scent of incense and the sound of ceremonial drums. Outside the Palace walls, a platform adorned with the banners of House Invictus were being held up by the Imperial Guard.

Here, Maximus ascended the stairs where he was met with a group of Dosh Khaleen whom had held a vital role of crowning him and announcing to everyone that he is the Stallion who Mounts the world.

As the Dosh Khaleen chanted in the old tongue, Maximus stood in front of them waiting for them to place the crown atop his head. The crown had been crafted by the dwarves he summoned and came with some really neat abilities that enhanced the wearers combat ability.

Once the crown was placed upon his head, the crowd erupted into cheers and shouts. No matter where they were in the city or anywhere else for that matter, all the Dothraki people's destinies were now irrevocably tied to Maximus.

The celebration that followed was a traditional celebration apart of the Dothraki culture where drums were played, and people danced. Maximus joined in the festivities and enjoyed a lavish celebration, dancing with various Dothraki dances as Lilith and the witches constantly watched and made sure nothing happened to him. They weren't interested in dancing nor was any witch for that matter.

Following this, Maximus had headed to his palace where the various Magisters and other influential people from other Free cities who had come were present. In the opulent halls of his palace, Maximus hosted the distinguished guests in an effort to establish relationships with the other Free Cities and expand his influence.

As the night deepened, the palace halls echoed with the sounds of diverse languages and laughter, mingling with the clinking of fine glassware.

Maximus circulated throughout the room talking to all the Magisters and Prince Oberyn Martell who had come as a representative of House Martell. Meanwhile, Lilith and the other witches kept a discreet but vigilant watch over the festivities.

The Magisters from Qohor were eager to talk about the trade situation, unlike other Magisters they weren't going to try and ignore the problem that affected their city and not try to negotiate a way for both of them to be profitable. Not only was it Heaven's Reach, but also Vaes Dothrak that had turned into the true gateway to the east allowing for Eastern Merchants easier access to the other Free cities via land.

Cities located in Slavers Bay, and Volantis had sea trade routes, so they weren't affected much by the establishment of the Imperial Union.

The Norvos Magisters were here to see how powerful the Imperial Union was and to see the new self-proclaimed Emperor and High Khal of the Dothraki. From what they gathered throughout their visit, was that the Imperial Union was a threat that they would need to extinguish before it grew too powerful.

The Magisters from Myr, Tyrosh, and Lys were present because they were invited, and they were curious about how the city of Heaven's Reach looked compared to the stories that they heard from travelling Merchants alongside other people who visited the city.

Volantis and the Slaver Master's from Slavers Bay didn't even attend the Ceremony, not recognizing the authority of the Imperial Union.

As a few hours passed, the final guests had left the Palace ending the Coronation Ceremony. Maximus had taken a shower and was joined by Lilith and the other witches. She used the excuse that they were ensuring his "protection" as he washed himself.

After he was attended to by Lilith and the witches, he retired to his private chambers, his mind filled with what he was going to do next. He had now formally established his empire, and his ambitions were only growing.