A ceremony not seen in eighty years! The horns blew, the drums beat, the dancers danced through the streets and on the roofs to welcome the day at last the temple of war would close its gates.
Emperor Diligent VI presided of course, and to adorn the occasion with as much dignity as it deserved he had invited the head of every known state to attend, the kings and princes, the archons and doges, the chiefs and patriarchs. Some came in person and some sent representatives, but none ignored the invitation. Even if their own countries were still at war with one enemy or another, to see their most powerful and most intrusive neighbor declare itself to be at peace had to figure in the exacting calculations of statecraft once they confirmed it to be true.
It was true. The priests closed the enormous doors, sealing dreadful war inside and leaving peace and joy to run through the streets. Everyone was elated, all were jubilant. Even the dour Basileus Eides smiled and made a jest there in the capital of his people's ancient rival. "It is very fine that War is locked up, though I do think there was no need to inter also Taste and Fashion, as I gather has been done judging by Your Imperial Majesty's garments."
Diligent VI made a sign. The priests swung the doors back open.
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