[Maesha Karsalia]

Maesha stepped onto the platform, shooing away a peasant worker as she did so. She smiled, gazing upon her audience, relishing in their absolute attention. Her very presence commanded their silence, which was how it should be, in her eyes.

“My people, I come to you today with a gift!” Her voice filled the area, commanding by nature. “I know Ryuko may tell you that I hold no regard for any of you, he may spread his lies that you are all but mere slaves, but this is just slander from an old fool. So, today, as a show of good will, I offer a place in my court for one among you who is deemed worthy. I want to appoint one of my people as a General, and member of the Royal Court, to show my gratitude for all your hard work.” She scoffed a bit in her own mind at this. As if they deserved a reward outside of their right to live in HER kingdom… “So, any of you that would like this opportunity, step forward, and we shall hold a contest to see who truly deserves a place among royalty. Any who enter, and do not win, do not take it as shameful –No, be proud that you had the courage to step up and try to serve your Queen, and no she will always acknowledge services rendered. Ryuko offers you a hole in the mud; I offer you a palace home. Remember that next time he tries to tell you I hold no thought for my own people, whom I have always served well!” Maesha smiled again, eyes scanning the crowd, watching the peasantry celebrate what they deemed to be a glorious day. When all was said and done, she would be glad to have a new figurehead to push into the line of fire. She would spare none of her current court, if she could instead spare one of the commoners.

“There will be a scribe on hand at all times to take down the names of those who have entered. Write your name but once, and only once. I will have them put up the updated list for you daily, in the middle of the camp, so you may know who amongst you has been of such service to the kingdom.” With this, she stepped down off the podium, and cut a line through the throng of people, all of whom smiled at her and cheered for her. She lived for such adoration, for moments where she was nothing but loved. She would go back to her own camp feeling refreshed, ready for the fools to start pouring in, trying to serve their Queen.

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