It's five minutes till noon. King Rhapsody sits on the Throne of the West, his large Avian eyes enlarged and focused on the person entering the Fortress from its main gate. The Verdant Crown atop his head subtly wilts away as the clock moves closer to noon.

"Oh. This is new!"

Adrian Wallace marches onto the field in a crisp, disciplined fashion. He wears a large Halberd on his back, one tipped with hand-forged iron. At his hip is an ornate sheathe woven together with what looks to be strands of hair. The hilt of the blade it houses is the color of bleached bone. His chain armor is battered and bloody, displaying the wear and tear of hundreds of years of battle. The chain links looked to be made of a variety of different materials, some mundane and some fey in Origin.

There is a conspicuous absence of the crown he's worn for 175 years.

The Monarchs quietly exchange a few quick words before King Rhapsody places one hand on King Adrian's shoulder and points towards the front gate with his other.

Hayes billows through the gate, followed closely by an unknown copper-fleshed man. He could be mistaken for an ordinary human, if it weren't for the occasional glint of summer sun reflecting off of him. The Court stands in awe and confusion as Hayes approaches Adrian with the Crown of Summer atop his head.

"SURRENDER MY CROWN!" Adrian yells to the newcomer, loud enough for all to hear.

Hayes all but whispers back, speaking loud enough for only he and the assembled Monarchs to hear. They negotiate few a few moments before they both look to King Rhapsody with grin determination. Rhapsody stands tall and looks up to the Changelings gathered in the wings of the Fortress.

"I honor the Rites of Summer. Courtiers; Fight for your Freehold."

Twelve bells toll and the artificial sun of the hedge reaches the highest point in the sky. The antler crown wilts, catches ablaze, and burns to ash atop the Spring Monarch's head.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:07, Tue 07 June 2022.