Part 26
Mark did so. Dalia and Bezedil were next.
Then came Somonik, Grakonexikaldoron, Empress Emeroth, and Emperor Osbald, who all announced that they would give up their rule or membership in ruling councils as soon as the war was over.
Next was Overlord Senchak. He stood still on the stage with Mark for nearly a minute after his Ascension, and everyone silently waited with him. Suddenly he announced; “I am abdicating. It just doesn’t sit right with me to continue to rule as Overlord, not even for so much as another day.
“Immediately after this meeting, the Lords of the Clans of Kletiuk will meet in The Arena of Government of Overclan Beijur. A new Lord of Clan Beijur will be chosen, and a new Overlord of Kletiuk. I will nominate my son Senchasi for both positions. He is only twenty years younger than I am at the age of one hundred and ninety-two, and he is very experienced. Since I became Overlord of Kletiuk, he has acted as Lord of Clan Beijur. I believe he is the most capable and well-trained leader that Kletiuk has.
“But there are many fine Kleti who could lead our people and do it well. Even if another Clan becomes Overclan, the transition will happen quickly and cleanly, with little disruption in our operations or our war preparations. Kletiuk will continue to do her duty to The Just Alliance, and to the Kellaran-Triax Alliance.”
With that he left the stage, and Mark moved on to his next Candidate. In general, he worked with the Candidates who were national leaders first, then councilors and military commanders, then civilian senior wizards or sorcerers, then other citizens.
A few other leaders abdicated, including Princess Pimall of The Warm People. Like Senchak had done, she assured the world that the transition of power among the polar elves wouldn’t be lengthy or disruptive. The rest stated that they’d abdicate after the war.
None chose to use Multiple Manifestations.
of his Candidates, a few more
queue at the edge of the stage and Mark began to take much
was one Dieb Selzeamtik. As Karz had pointed out when they’d originally checked Mark’s first list of Candidates and their shallow Readings, she was a four-year-old dwarf from a clan of ordinary shepherds, with no
If you did you’d be a god, but I don’t think you’d keep growing. God or no, in many ways you’d be stuck as a four-year-old child for the rest of eternity, and I don’t think that would be right. You only have to wait a few years before you’re grown, and compared to the many eons that you’ll be
shook her head. “No. You will Read me, all the way, and keep it private. Then you’ll make me the Kleti Goddess
child anytime you want, even though you’re grown, because you’re a god. When
Read her again as thoroughly as he possibly could with his new divine abilities. Then he took her hands and attended to her Ascension without another
Like Mark, she spoke not another word, and he watched her go with a bemused smile until she reached her
I guess.” he told the gathering. “We’ll
Governors will be held one week from today, and it will be held
results, and to decide whether the winners of the
to the assembly, then took his immediate family home to the Royal Beach on
gets.” Val stated with a shiver. “No Translocation, no Gate, no detectable spell cast or energy expended at all.
must have felt when you encountered magic for the very
strange all right.” Mark chuckled as he sat on the sand against a log and relaxed. “Everything feels so vibrant