“I hereby welcome all honourable members of Parliament back into session. Today we have one item on the agenda, a vote. You have all received a vote ballot. Only valid votes will be counted into the result. Six votes by leading representatives in one box.
The results of yesterday’s referendum in a separate one. The result will be immediately shared during a live broadcast with the entire nation.
Should the vote be a tie, the public vote will decide the outcome. This has been approved unanimously by the house, prior to this voting procedure.
I call forward Alexander van der Beerenstra, former prime minister, to read the motion up for voting.”
The former prime minister steps forward in the main hall of Parliament. He stands in front of the lectern. He unveils the envelope in which the motion is sealed. He spreads it out and starts to read it aloud.
“Honourable members of the Parliament of Netralia.
The motion laying before the house today has been laid out considering recent events.
The motion addresses a vote in this house, following a national referendum on the people’s thoughts.
The result of that referendum will not be binding, if a majority passes here today.
Though if a tie occurs, the will of the nation decides Netralia’s future leadership.
The motion and companying arguments are as follows:
“The house acknowledges the death of its former Sovereign, Caelira Sterrelyn.
We extend our condolences to family, friends and other loved ones.
The trial before us, is to unite our country back as one, in the face of war.
The events three days ago have struck our nation in its’ heart.
From collaboration with the enemy, to deep plots to eliminate those against her, Caelira has met her fate. The once beloved Sovereign has soured her own legacy in the hearts of its’ citizens.
After initial days of mourning, we must carry on. For the fate of our nation.
Sovereign-elect Remyra Sterrelyn has renounced to ascend to the position of new Sovereign.
As sovereign heir, he has vouched for a new leadership. One that goes beyond the historic lineage of the Sovereigns.
It is his will that a pair is installed as the new leaders of this country instead.
A pair that thinks with both head and heart. A duo that has been supported by many already. A partnership that spreads love and joy across the nation.
I will briefly introduce them to you, honourable members of this Parliament.
Jowlani Sterwick and Zayden Blankermann. Two young men that met while studying at the University of Magic in Faucon-Bas. The small border town that has been taken over by Altgrön currently.
Alongside Jolanda Rania and comrades, they fought off the enemy as long as students could possibly do. After escaping their town, they fled to Zomerhoven. Working with lord Sage Nelson, they provided the necessary help in defence. They managed to help lord Nelson escape, while keeping most citizens safe during an Altgrönian night raid.
Jowlani’s parents were part of the Border Defense Unit in the Magician’s Faction. They passed away during the infamous Faucon-Bas Incident.
Zayden’s parents are contradictory to his own beliefs. They are the current leaders of our enemies.”
Roars start to emerge once they learn of Zayden’s origins.
The speaker intervenes:
“Order in this hall! At once! The motion has not been read fully. You will not speak until the honourable former prime minister has finished. Continue please.”
“Thank you, speaker. Zayden’s parents believe in something that would oust Zayden from his own country. Mainly the love for Jowlani. What started as friendly students, turned into the purest of relationships.
They assembled many friends among the way to support their cause. Their cause for a free Altgrön, where anyone can be themselves. No matter what they believe in, stand for or who they love. A nation filled with respect and unity, not hatred.
For those who doubt Zayden’s and Jowlani’s intentions, you must rely on sources.
I am one of those sources. Alongside Jolanda Rania, Jowlani has been my right-hand during the Faucon-Bas skirmish.
Jolanda Rania has been our most trustworthy ally. She once escaped Altgrön in a war of ages past. She has taught many students the ways of defensive magic at the University in Faucon-Bas.
I was there to witness both Jowlani and Zayden in action.
They fought with passion for their friends, each other and for all citizens of Netralia.
As the most trusted prime minister in our nation’s history, I put forward one simple motion.
Ascend Jowlani Sterwick and Zayden Blankermann as new leaders of Netralia.
This motion has been signed by the following individuals:
Sovereign heir Remyra Sterrelyn
Lord Alexander van der Beerenstra
Lord Sage Nelson
General Helmut Grafmann
Professor Jolanda Rania (in memoriam)
Professor L’Tesera Ryvd’Kaan (in memoriam)
Netralia’s Seer Kelly Reya
Thank you, speaker, I yield now.”
The speaker stands and explains the voting procedure to the members of the House.
“Honourable members, it is time to cast your vote. You will be called alphabetically to cast your vote in the box, one by one. Your vote is only valid with a Yes or No coloured red in the respective box. The red pencils have been shared across the hall.
If the motion is adopted, we will follow this vote with an immediate Rite of Ascension. If dismissed, we will move forward with the session schedule as planned.
I wish you the best of wisdom in your vote.”
As the house members are called forward, Jowlani, Zayden and Marques are brought in from a side entrance. Alexander tells them quietly how this vote will go.
“We have seven house members. There are just two permanent members. Remyra as sovereign heir of Caelhem. Lord Sage Nelson as leader of Zomerhoven. Then there is a rotation of five leaders of the other cities and villages in Netralia. Faucon-Bas is also represented currently. Dennis Truxton will cast his vote as mayor of your village. Take a seat. Results should be in before they are called. Just look at their faces when they pass by us. You can tell.”
Marques then asks the obvious question: “Sorry sir, so Jowlani and Zayden are leaders when the majority votes yes, right? And if it is rejected? We best get the hell out of here before we’re called traitors?”
Alexander shakes Marques’ hand.
“Wise observation, young man. No need to fear you two, you should have garnered enough support.
Especially after uncovering Caelira’s plots.”
The city hall clerk is summoned by the speaker to call forward the voters.
“The motion is under voting. I call forward at random: Dennis Truxton, mayor of Faucon-Bas. Remyra Sterrelyn, sovereign heir of Caelhem. Lord Sage Nelson, leader of Zomerhoven. Henning Haraldsson, mayor of Salva. Tyler Jendrick, mayor of Rax Forestica. Jáson Huejos, mayor of New Calastella.”
The called members are moving to the ballot box one by one. As they pass by, no surprises. Dennis, Remyra and Sage all smile and nod as they pass by the public audience box.
Then the mood changes.
Lord Haraldsson of Salva walks by and just shakes his head. Salva is the most northern city of the country. Salva wants to stay away from war. They even stayed neutral as the only city of Netralia, in wars past. He also doesn’t trust young people with positions of power. An elderly strongman, who also has traditional beliefs. The argument of love certainly got lost on him.
Lord Jendrick comes from Rax Forestica. It’s a small village just west of the new city that will arise. He worries that the new city will ruin his village. They rely heavily on tourism from east to west. That would seem impossible once the HQ is up and running.
Lord Huejos of New Calastella also looks with a grumpy face at Jowlani and Zayden.
New Calastella is the harbour city in the west, that trades with other continents like Reltica. War has already been impacting trading. Mainly with Altgrön sabotaging and looting cargo ships for supplies.
“This looks to become a tiebreaker” says Alexander. “Though just you watch the last one.”
“I’d better hope so Jowlani. This may be a celebration, or we best escape to different lands. Think about Reltica for a second.”
Jowlani then takes Zayden’s hand and squeezes it. Possibly too hard, as an audible groan is heard from Zayden. Alexander sniffs at them: “Keep it down gentlemen. I know it’s tense, but let’s not interfere in the voting process. Time for the final vote”
“At last, I call upon our people’s representative. She will cast the vote on behalf the nation’s public referendum, held yesterday. The percentage of that vote will be unveiled during the results. I call forward the nation’s seer, Kelly Reya.”
Kelly walks past Jowlani and Zayden. She looks ice cold into their eyes and then moves on to the ballot box.
“This can’t be good if Kelly looks at us like that. She knows we’re not going to be it Zay. Best start packing and prepare to run.”
Kelly drops her ballot inside a separate box and the boxes are sealed. Two clerks then make sure that the boxes are tossed and turned. Just to ensure results are read in random order.
They open the box in front of the speaker. The speaker continues.
“Honourable members, and esteemed guests in the public audience box. It is time to unveil the results. I will draw the results in random order. As mentioned, in the events of a tie, the referendum results are the final verdict.
We are starting with a Yes. Followed by… another Yes. Two votes Yes, zero No. I continue. We have a No. And another Yes. That makes it three to two for Yes. Our final leaders’ vote… a No. The voting concludes with a tie.”
The house starts to rumble, and discussions break out between leaders. Leaders of other cities and villages have joined in the Public Audience Box.
“Lord Beerenstra, will we have to fear this will not go down as planned? Our nation’s fate may be sealed.”
Alexander looks at the questioning leader. “Lord Harriet Nelson of Falling Leaves, welcome. I understand your concern, especially after the troubles in your brother’s city. The indigenous people of Netralia are represented well today.
And I presume in the public vote as well.
Jowlani, Zayden, Harriet is Sage’s older sister. She’s leader of the indigenous people of this country. They are a big population in a hidden village, just north of Faucon-Bas. They have voted with great interest in the referendum. Though we must await what the other major cities have done.
Their leaders have been campaigning against your cause. Though not all the citizens have listened to them. They know what’s at stake soon. Remaining neutral or backing down is not an option against the current Altgrön. The speaker is ready.”
The speaker opens the box that holds the result of the referendum.
A full crew consisting of camera, microphone and host are put in place first.
“Welcome to Netralia LIVE. We are live in the house of Parliament in Caelhem. A tie has occurred in the vote for new leadership. The leaders of this country could not decide. So, you, citizens of Netralia, have the final say. We now turn to the speaker of the house for the result of the referendum held yesterday.”
The camera flips from the host to the speaker. The red light turns on. The host signals the speaker to announce what the country’s waiting to hear.
“I resume the voting and welcome everyone watching at home.
Our nation strives for clarity amid uncertainty.
It is my honourable task to guide us to this clarity. The voting procedure of elected officials for this political session has taken place. The motion was to install Jowlani Sterwick and Zayden Blankermann in place as new leaders.
The vote has resulted in a 3-3 tie.
This tie will be broken based on the results of the national referendum.
The question laid out to the public was: “Should Netralia have a new form of leadership, now that Remyra Sterrelyn has renounced the position of Sovereign?”
The nation has chosen to speak its mind and heart. I will open the envelope and share the percentages first. I will then share the result with you.”
The speaker opens the envelope and inspects the result. He wears a poker face and continues his speech.
“Honourable members, esteemed guests in the public audience box, citizens of Netralia. Your vote matters, always. I can announce that the referendum has ended in a split of 50.2% to 47.4%. The other 2.4% of votes has been declared invalid or blank. That means there is a majority. The turn up rate has been 72.3% in this referendum. Fulfilling the requirements of a valid referendum, this result is valid and binding.”
Lord Alexander encourages the other leaders to stand up.
“Stand up everyone. This is where it counts and is declared binding.
Jowlani, Zayden, Marques. You three, stand up. This is about your role in the future of our nation. If this doesn’t go down well… run immediately. Run, and go southwest to Las Tyconas. They have supported you throughout all of this. They will transit you to another country if things turn sour. Lord Yamir next to you is their mayor. He will help you get there.”
“Don’t worry gentlemen. Love always wins!” lord Yamir whispers to them.
“As I mentioned, the result of the referendum is binding. I can now announce that 50.2% have cast a majority vote. They have casted a Yes vote. That means that Jowlani Sterwick and Zayden Blankermann will be installed as new leaders of this country. The session is adjourned.”
Backers of the vote run towards the audience box. They shake Jowlani and Zayden’s hands. “You two were our finest students and look at you. You now lead us to a bright future!” calls mayor Truxton. Those that voted against it, head immediately for the corridors. Leaders present among Jowlani and Zayden all shake their hands.
“Long live your leadership, long live Netralia!”
“Congratulations on becoming the hope of our nation!”
“We knew it and felt it in our veins, all this time!” says lord Yamir.
Lord Alexander congratulates them as well. “Brilliant performance in looking neutral throughout this procedure. You’ve done excellent!”
Jowlani then hugs Zayden, as Netralia LIVE’s cameraman turns his camera towards them. Zayden spots the camera and takes Jowlani’s hand. They hold hands tightly and start waving to the camera.
“Thank you, citizens of Netralia. We will not let you down. The war with Altgrön will be fought with diplomacy first!” Zayden instruct Jowlani. “Say something ‘Lani!”
Jowlani rises to the occasion, normally having issues with speaking in public.
“Dear citizens of Netralia. Love has no boundaries or borders. Zayden and I prove that. We will make sure that the progressive beliefs of our country, are carried forward to our neighbours. Zayden has proven that you can be different from your parents. In its’ beliefs and in the ways, you live your life. We will make sure all citizens feel safe, loved and represented. I love you Zayden and will always cherish our bond together.
For a united Netralia, and a future strong peaceful bond with Altgrön. Let’s hope they better themselves and stop this war. My call to them is: There’s no need to go there. Especially not against your own child on the opposing side. Let’s sit down and talk this out!”
Party and celebrations break out across the country now Jowlani and Zayden have been elected leaders.
They will need a supportive structure to be successful in this new role.
A role they never aspired to have or come close to such position.
How will the words of Jowlani and Zayden echo across both Netralia and Altgrön?
Which effects will this result have for the decisions made across the border relating to the war?
I'm Amethyst, 31, and from the Netherlands. I've always had a passion for adventure in roleplaying games. Being able to immerse myself into these universes allowed me to escape the trauma's of my youth. Now I want to share my gaming passion with all of you!
