Deathstalker 07 - Deathstalker Return

and the Pure Humanity representatives were carefully selected zealots of the first order, all determined to outdo each other in military precision and presentation. After all, the whole Empire was watching. Live. They did make a magnificent sight, bold and bright and utterly intimidating in their crisp dress uniforms, making it clear to everyone where Finns power base lay.
    Finn stopped at the base of the raised dais at the end of the hall, bowed to the empty throne, and then turned to smile and wave at the guests and the cameras. He was still wearing his black leather Champion's uniform, under the traditional cloak of Kings. He looked tall and handsome and already impossibly regal. He went to his throne, and sat down. The zealots crashed to a halt before the raised dais with one last thunderous about-turn, so that they could study the invited guests for any sign of trouble. The zealots were armed. The guests weren't. By order.
    Musicians played, trumpets sounded, the choir sang like angels, and flocks of holographic doves soared through brilliant shafts of light falling through the gorgeous stained-glass windows in the high ceiling. It was tradition and ceremony in the old style, and the sense of occasion was so thick you could have cut it with a knife. The invited guests were unusually quiet, even subdued, in their seats, and the dozens of remote cameras bobbing overhead were hard put to find anything interesting to concentrate on. Unseen in their little studios at the back of the court, the commentators were reduced to discussing what people were wearing, to fill in time until the ceremony proper began. Anne Barclay slipped through the heavy black drapes behind the throne, and came forwards to stand beside Finn. She was wearing a stunning blue-and-silver gown, expertly cut to show off her fabulous figure to its best advantage, and Anne wore it without grace, as though it belonged to someone else. She looked out over the assembled guests, and sniffed loudly.
    "Look at them. Miserable bastards. Not an honestly cheerful face in the bunch. You'd think we were at a funeral, not a Coronation."
    "They'll get into the swing of things, once the ceremony's under way," Finn said calmly. "These are trying times. You have to allow for a few long faces. They'll all cheer loudly enough once I'm crowned. The guards will see to that."
    "You should have held James's funeral first, and then had the Coronation," Anne said bluntly.
    "First things first, my dear. The Empire needs a King. And it's not as if James is going to be impatient.
    Oh, do try to cheer up, Anne. I know you were fond of James, but it's been over a week now. Excessive mourning is unflattering and self-indulgent. Now smile at the nice people, and I don't want to hear any mention of James again. This is my big day, and I don't want any distractions. In fact I've given orders to my security people that if there are any distractions, they're to be taken outside and shot."
    "Looks like everyone's here who should be," said Anne. "All the usual suspects. Politicians, businessmen, Church elders and Neuman leaders."
    "Of course. All the real movers and shakers, come to pay me homage. I had to send out some guards to collect a few MPs, to make sure they didn't get lost on their way here, but these politicians always get a little sulky when they realize they're on the losing side. I've made a note of certain names, for later."
    Anne looked at Finn, sitting casually on the throne like he belonged there, and always had. "You finally got what you wanted, Finn. How does it feel?"
    "It feels fine, my dear. But this is only the beginning of what I want."
    Anne decided not to follow that, for the moment, and changed the subject. "You're still wearing your Champion's armor. Have you given any thought as to who's going to serve as your new Champion?"
    "I shall be King and Champion," said Finn. "I see no reason to share my power and authority with
    anyone else. Besides, there's no one worthy, these days."
    Anne decided she wasn't going to follow that one either, and so she held her peace and looked out again over the packed court. A healthy-sized gathering had turned out to see Finn's Coronation, and there was certainly no lack of media interest, but Anne couldn't help comparing the scene with the glorious celebrations ofDouglas 's Coronation. Such golden days, full of hope and optimism. Today's crowd seemed a much more drab affair. Mostly because there were no Society people, and no