The Crown of the Sands [Earth II]

[Khayalisthan]

The Imperial Palace, Dar-es-Quwa, June 12, 2012
The chambers of the old Padishah Saif III had never been more full; his sons, the many low Princes, his cousins, nephews, and various family-noblemen all crowded the dying man. His elaborate, Ottoman-style clothes robes hanging around his skeletal form. His wiry hair gripped to his face. "Yosuf, my son...take care...take care of our Empire..." he took a deep breath into his frail lungs."I go to Allah...I shall see you in Paradise, my friends..." and with that, the Old Emperor Saif III Al-Khayal, King of Kings, Ruler of the Sands and Apostle of Allah, faded into History.
A solemn silence gripped the bedchamber.
"Your Princeli- your Eminence," an aide caught himself, "Shall we release a statement? Or should we wait until you are ready to ascend to the Throne?" "No...send a short message out-'When the suns sets this day, the spirit of the Emperor sets as well,'" Yosuf replied curtly. He smiled."Father would like that."

---

There was no lack of fanfare in the Death of the Padishah- however, the Khayali people had strange ways off showing it. In the open deserts, where water was scarce and even valuable, liters were spilled onto the hot sand, evaporated into the heavens.
In mosques, mournful wails cried out into the open air.

No expense was spared for Saif's funeral; an elaborate Ebony-and-ivory casket, to be laid next to his wife in the Al-Khayal Imperial Crypt, the Castle of the Dead.

But for Yosuf, there were important things in this world to tend to- his own ascension. His father was markedly Isolationist, and it was well known of his differences on that level. Perhaps the best way to show that Khayalisthan was more then a backwards desert Kingdom was to show them his crowning- more elaborate then even Suleiman I's. Yes, he would show the world the Might of Khayalisthan, and his own personal strength. A great ceremony, not in Dar-es-Quwa, a splotch of green in the all-encompassing sands. On the coast, in Senegambia, where he could not only show the might of the Army and Air-force, but their mighty navy. Yes, he would show the world that Khayalisthan was no backwards, undeveloped state like its neighbors- even the mightiest nations would look weary at the White-Green-Black tricolor.

---

By the Grace of the the Uncrowned Padishah, Yosuf Al-Khayal
The addressee of this letter is cordially invited to the Coronation of Yosuf Al-Khayal as Padishah Yosuf IV. All lodging and food will be payed for by the Imperial Coffers. We highly anticipate any arrivals.
Signed and approved,
Yosuf Shahanshah, Crown Prince of Khayalisthan

The letters were marked, approved, and sent to the many nations that occupied the globe.

[United States of Brink]

It took Briddick all of his fingers and toes to count how many of these coronations and inaugurations he had been to or sent representatives to. He would need just as many digits to count how many times said ceremonies were the only one of their kind, the governments usually lasting no more than a few months. Still stability was bound to reach the region sooner or later, at least he maintained hope. In regards to this most recent request, the coronation of a new king in yet another monarchial government, he would send a delegation. Pressing matters developing around the world forced his presence in Windhoek and, increasingly, Cape Town. He simply did not have the time to directly attend. Nevertheless it was important to make an appearance, as the region’s leading nation it was important for their presence to be known. Briddick understood that if any stability was to come to Africa, the Republic was going to have to have a hand in it.

He left the delegation in very capable hands. Isingoma Mudiwa was both and economist and a politician of sorts. He had made a number of envoys including, most recently, The Theocracy of Amigard. He was a round man with a loud booming voice and a jolly disposition. He was a smart man who would most certainly enjoy the theatrics of coronation ceremony.