People's Federation of Reinkalistan
The hilly terrain in Central Kaskia is frequently used as a base area for Rekkutomel insurgents
"My time is up; yours has just begun. Do your ancestors proud, and by the Saviour's glory don't let us down."
Hattakan Foothills
7:04 PM
Following the fall of the crown in North Reinkalistan in the 80s, the Rekkutomel had lost a large amount of their foreign support, and began to slowly but surely fade away as a result. During this period, the leadership had fallen into disarray, and the protracted infighting saw the organisation's days - in the eyes of the government - to be quite certainly numbered. During these times, seen as chronic for the Rekkutomel, the son of the late Duke of Kaskia, Sarkos Tunchix, slowly managed to wrest control of the disparate factions and reunite the monarchist front under his claim for the throne. After a decade of subtle negotiations with the North Askander Defense League for support, along with careful management of resources, he had managed to build a rather solid resistance where many had seen a lost cause. By 2014, the Rekkutomel was back in full action, and the government was forced to commit more forces to the Republic of Kaskia in order to combat this new threat.
And it was now, seven years onwards, that Sarkos stood outside the Rekkutomel's base area, beset by a melancholy sense of defeat, itself carrying just the slightest hint of hope. A rounded scar on his cheek marked a previous close shave with death, while his greyed and wispy hair sat atop his balding scalp. Eyes once a brilliant green now looked sad and tired. For thirty-five damned years he had served in the Rekkutomel, and for twenty of those he had led them; despite that, the battle raged on, and the insurgency seemed to be failing to make any major ground. His efforts had seen the damned Communists frightened, all right -- but that just meant more of their armed goons marching through the region, oppressing his countrymen and slaughtering his soldiers. He sighed, gazing into the distance as the sun sank closer to the horizon. He was getting too old for this shit. He had to come to terms with the reality that he'd never be King of Reinkalistan.
And it came to him, as he had been thinking for many months now, the proper course of action. The Rekkutomel needed fresher, younger faces; not an old man weathered by time. To this end, he had multiple candidates in mind. But at the back of his head, there was a rather unorthodox idea. Titles in the Duchy of Kaskia had always been inherited by men. Women, unless there was no other option, had never really had much of an opportunity to see regal tenure. But Naranya Tunchix, daughter and youngest child of the aging Duke, impressed him far beyond any of his various sons, whose commitment and skills found themselves lacking at times. Her worrying ruthlessness aside, he saw much of himself in the girl. Charismatic, dedicated, and rather proficient in an understanding of the various functions of the insurgency, she would be the perfect choice, presuming he wanted to carry his House to the throne. Admittedly, he could place command in the hands of one of the higher-ups; and a small part of him knew that to be the better option. But he had sworn to carry on his lineage to the utmost, on his father's grave, and he wasn't going to give that up. Even now, he could feel the cold, dying hands of his old man, life draining out of the eyes of the figure to raise him. "You won't have died in vain, father." He whispered, words quickly lost to the wind.
Rekkutomel Base Area
9:23 PM
"Father," Naranya began, taking a seat, "I've arrived."
She was greeted with a momentary silence, her father seeming to be thinking carefully. After what seemed like an eternity - though it could have been no more than ten seconds - he spoke. "Naranya." The tone was heavy and burdened. "I have called you here for a... rather important subject. It's a burden I have failed to bear, and that you must now in turn."
"What is it?" Worry flashed across the woman's face.
He sighed. Might as well get it out quickly. "I'm abdicating my title as Duke. With full control over the realm's inheritance, you'll be taking my place as Duchess of Kaskia and thus leader of the Rekkutomel."
Silence ensued. Naranya seemed to take the news relatively calmly, but there was no disguising the utter shock which had gripped her at that moment, seizing from her the confidence and determination she had carried herself with. "That... me? As... Duchess? That's insane! The rest of the council wouldn't allow it!" She cried.
"They will allow it." Came the stern reply. "I've been in charge for decades, and it's thanks to me they even have an army anymore."
"But... why me?"
"Because I have said so. I have considered it, and you are the most capable of leading both the House Tunchix and the Rekkutomel itself."
With frightened despondence, Naranya interjected. "I-I can't-"
"You shall." Sarkos said forcefully, irritation more than creeping into his voice. "You were born for this. As was I, as was my father, and as was his; it is a burden we carry, one we have always carried, on behalf of a people whose livelihoods hinge on our ability to prevent tyranny and secure the rule of law. It is my duty to ensure this lineage is maintained for the benefit of the country, and if I decree it to be your duty as well, then it shall be." He took a deep breath. "I place my faith in you so that you may not just maintain this rebellion, but bring it to its conclusion."
"Father, I'm... I'm only thirty-six! I can't run this!"
"Not much younger than me than when I took your position, Duchess. I'm announcing my abdication and resignation tomorrow." With that, the old man began to get up.
"Wait!" Cried his daughter. "You can't... you can't just drop this on me and expect me to take it in my stride! I cannot be burdened with duty whilst you forget that I'm human! You know the weight of what you place upon my shoulders, yet you leave it unattended and abrupt all the same. How can I stand with this weighing me down?"
Sarkos chuckled as he opened the door to leave. "That weight is the hopes and dreams of millions. Stop focusing on how it pushes you down, and think about how it will lift you up." With that, and before Naranya could protest, he stepped out of the room and briefly walked off, leaving a bemused and deeply worried woman in his wake.
About a week later...
Village of Terenna
12:58 PM
He had helped her prepare a speech for the past few days, her reluctance quickly moulding itself into a steadfast, morbid dedication. Discipline ran in the House of Tunchix, it would seem. Now, as she stood before, the seconds counting down to her official inheritance, Sarkos looked fondly onwards. With a deep breath, Naranya began her speech.
I speak to you having just succeeded my father, the honourable Sarkos Tunchix, as the monarch presiding over the Duchy of Kaskia.
I am now, also, the commander of this free army, dedicated to the liberation of our people from Communism.
It is an honour to serve. Upon our shoulders rests the livelihoods and liberties of everyone in this country. These are not fetters; these are wings.
For we fight knowing that behind each blow we strike, there is the full power of our compatriots underlying our efforts, not jackbooted thugs and brainwashed conscripts.
The authority of the police-state is derived from rifles and work-camps, while our struggle is legitimised by birthright and honour.
They expect that we will keel over and die. They expect us to go out without a fight! They wish to smother us, render us their puppets or meat on their bayonets.
We will not submit. Their blood will stain the ground, or ours will. It is the final battle for the soul of a nation.
I understand that not everyone here desires to see me lead this insurgency. You see me weak, young, inexperienced. That is fine.
I do not ask for your respect. I ask for the steel in your hearts and the courage in your veins. That which you have dedicated since day one.
Our leadership has shifted. Our objective has not: the utter eradication of the Communist filth, the enslavers of our kin.
The nation shall be reborn in fire. Today is the turning-point: the decisive offensive against the People's Federation begins.
To the death, countrymen. Fortune favours the bold.