Chapter Text
“The sunlight we bathe in never sets in the summercourt!” shouted Ushoran, his hulking mass standing proud and tall in front of his loyal knights, nobles and serfs, captivated by their noble king’s speech. “While the love I have for my subjects is eternal, and for harm to befall you pains me as greatly as the pain it brings you all to bare it,” he breathed in a deep sigh, “enemies encroach upon the kingdom, dreaded storm golems of the once great thunder god, Sigmar.” The crowd falls silent. “They will be powerful, and I ask not for mandatory service in this call to arms, but we simply cannot let these monstrosities take what is ours.” His breath quickened, silence still in the air, his beloved people hanging on to every word. “So with this declaration from my heavy heart, war has been declared on these Stormcast Eternals of Sigmar, and what conflict will follow I ensure will be swift, decisive and in our favor!” Raising up his chalice, a testament to the wealth and class the summercourt is known for, “A feast, fill your bellies before plans are discussed to end this conflict quickly!”
The crowd erupt into applause, as they always do. ‘It is a miracle my subjects adore me as I do them,’ Ushoran thought to himself, ‘I feared, before this speech, that my kingdom would be opposed to this war, despite its necessity, and that a revolt would be as sure as Gork and Mork enjoy fighting.’ As he took his seat among his subjects, almost equal to them aside from his gargantuan stature and even larger chair, he felt a tug on his cape. “Mr. Ushoran?” A small child asked before being corrected by her mother “Address him as my liege, Juliet.” she scolds. “No, no, this is a feast, a celebration, no need for such formality. Call me whatever you’d like, young lady.” Ushoran says, a toothy grin between his lips. “Would either of you like a drumstick? I always have too many for my meager appetite.” He extended a hand, drumstick in a loose grip between his fingers, as Juliet swiftly yanks it away to devour. His hand, now empty, reaches down and pats her on the head. “Now. Juliet, what was your question to me, ask and I shall answer.” Juliet takes a deep breath, before asking “Why do Sigmar and his golems want to destroy our kingdom, Mr. Ushoran?” He stills, thinking up a response a child would understand, to tell her of the horrors of Sigmar’s kingdom of raving bandits and horrific beasts would do nothing better than to give her nightmares.
“Well, once upon a time, Sigmar was a kind man, and a kinder god. One of mankind, serving us and aiding in our survival. A god of the storm. Until he was corrupted, a shell of his former self, just like his mindless golems he leads to hurt those who don’t follow him. Now, he lashes out mindlessly at others with some semblance of order. Truth be told, I admired Sigmar in the past, when he was sane like you or I. A god to rival even Nagash’s power, but don’t tell him I said that.” Ushoran laughed heartily. “But there is no need to fear, judging by the reaction I got from my rally, I think we’ll vanquish these golems handily, but just in case,” Ushoran took a deep breath, ready to yell once more, “I shall fight alongside you all on the battlefield!” Those of the crowd still there for the feast erupt into applause and shouts once more.
“My appetite has been sated, it has been wonderful meeting yet another one of my loyal subjects personally. If either of you need anything, I shall take time out of my day to ensure you receive what you need. Now, I must discuss my plans with my council.” “Goodbye Mr. Ushoran!” Juliet yelled, “Away with thee!” Ushoran joked back. As the mother and daughter passed him by, and exited through the door, his stomach rumbled, yet Ushoran felt more full than he had all day.
Stepping into the council room, Ushoran greeted, Gormayne, the top diplomat of his summercourt. “Gormayne, my grand justice! The feast felt empty without you, why were you absent, my friend?” “I felt sick to my stomach, my liege, my appetite simply dissipated. Some sort of a malaise, I’m sure.” Gormayne responded, candle in hand, looking down upon a book, every so often fixing his wig with his hand. “That is terrible, I could summon a cardinal to pray for your everlasting health, you must simply ask me, Gormayne.” Ushoran said worriedly. “I fear that would be no help, I must dispel this filth myself.” Gormayne started “Now, I’ve heard of your declaration of war with Sigmar’s foul servants, I assume your wish is that I am to write it and send it to them, my liege?” Ushoran beamed, “Ever the observant one, that’s why you're the grand justice.”
“I shall write it posthaste, Ushoran.”