Unlike Akila Darkstride’s coronation, Luna Crestford’s wasn’t a happy ceremony. Everything was somber and quiet as the party went on. The race was no divided and Luna had a lot on her mind. The Striped were banished for the murder of the matriarch and the Brown ran off for fear of what they attempted. The race divided at a critical moment, the feline were having unknown issues to deal with but were within close range of an opportunistic attack.
The ceremony began quietly as she slowly made her way down the aisle the participants made by giving way in the empty field. She held her head high as she walked passed everyone. The regally aura of was becoming of her. All of those years I have known her, she actually seemed to be at peace. Luna reached the end of the aisle and stood before one of the Bultungin’s few clerics. He made gestures thanking the Powers for the beautiful day, the peace that now entranced the gnoll race and for the hopeful glory of the future. She gracefully knelt and her gown beautifully spread out before her like an open lily.
Luna opened her eyes and looked up at the cleric slowly and repeated the words all of the matriarchs before her at one point said in the beginning of their carrier. He sprinkled the dust of night bloom that only comes once a year. She muttered under her breath and turned to the crowd; her hair framed her face beautifully and swung around her neck.
“I swear to uphold the rights of the gnoll race and treat everyone as equals. If I fail to fulfill my duty as a proper representation of the race, justice will be brought down upon my neck by the swords of my brethren. To bring glory to our race will bring satisfaction, not only to me but to my people and the future that I see before me. Our children and their children will see the light of another day that only a just and peaceful matriarch can bring. Glory to the Bultungin! Glory to our lands! Glory to the light of a promised future!”
The words rang true as it echoed over the silent crowd. She had recited the coronation words but added to the speech as well. This brought tears to my and several gnoll eyes as she stood proud before them. The crowd erupted in cheers and applause for this was the first time any matriarch had promised to give them what they all wanted and swear by the life line in her neck that it would come true.
It has been a week since the coronation and Luna has not stopped doing things for her people. Maybe this will be a turning point in the history of the gnoll race, but maybe it was all false hopes and lies like we have endured in the past. Unlike the others who had served under the matriarchs before me, I do not intend to stand by and let us fall to ruin. After all, I am in the same shoes Luna once was with Akila.
My name is Rehema, the last name doesn’t matter much. It is a tradition for the matriarch to have her own hand maid of the same culture to share what she wishes and get input when needed. I was her council, a friend and if need be – a lover. The gnoll race has been suffering, in my opinion, for years. Being oppressed by Akila and with the light beginning to shine over Luna, I’m hoping things turn for the best.
I haven’t found anything she has done, thus far, terrible but it does seem as though she does them clumsily. A new matriarch has shoes to fill and many roles to play. It just seems as though it is taking longer than usual for Luna to get used to it. She walks with grace and speaks eloquently. I see why Akila chose her for her own. She holds herself with such grace and beauty; it is difficult not to stare. She eats daintily, unlike most gnoll, and reads and learns often. Luna keeps to herself most of the time but when she does things, it is done in a timely fashion. Some say that she was raised by the Leona, that’s how prim and proper she seems to be.
But when it comes down to the wire, she seems to throw things together and hurry through things to get it done and out of her list… that it’s done clumsily and, pardon my saying, half-assed. Perhaps with enough time, effort and practice she will do things correctly and quicker. It has only been a couple weeks since the coronation, and yet it feels like longer. This energy that surrounds her and those who work closely to her is hypnotizing. Maybe it is because everything is happening so quickly… We will soon see what comes of the Bultungin. I’m sure an uprising will occur if the peoples aren’t happy with the new turn of leadership.