(OOC: The following is a live stream of the so-called Great Welcoming Parade on Vilue International's website.)


A cheerful musical theme along with snippets of people celebrating the National Day plays. A modern-looking text says:

"National Day Celebrations - Great Welcoming Parade"

Two photos pop up and two voices are heard speaking.

"Good afternoon! Welcome to the live coverage of the Great Welcoming Parade in Austral, with me, Aenn Levallu..." says the woman with a slight Sedunnic accent. [AL]

"... and with me, Ricardo Marcus" adds the man with neutral Austral. "This is the first time the Vilue International covers this rather exclusive event. We're so glad that you've tuned in!" [RM]

AL: "That's right Ricardo. For those of you not familiar with the traditions on National Day, we can sum it up to the following: first Sedunners typically gather for a picnic lunch in a park or garden, then they attend various fairs and open houses. Easy-going parades with military and civilians normally follow, then they have dinner at home with family and friends.

What's special today is that the so called Great Welcoming parade will be held in Grovne."

RM: "Depending on how you count, it has been held two times before. Three if you count the parade following the battle of Grovne in 1916. What it is, is basically a parade following a strict procedure where troops that have participated in a war are thanked by the people and the government by parading through the capital to the Great Grovne Palace, seat of the Government."

Live images are now shown from a square just outside the old city walls where the troops are being assembled.

RM. "Since history is your thing, why don't you explain a bit more about the tradition, Aenn?"

AL: "Sure! So. It all began just after the Ubesians had been pushed back and their lines started faltering during the battle of Grovne. A young soldier was dispatched by general Vernienn to tell king of their success, and since the telegraph line had been disrupted, he had to run from the battlefield all the way to the Great Grovne Palace. He took the Sutivnenn road and brought a captured Ubesian banner. He reached the Palace and handed over the banner to the extatic king."

RM: "Oh! So this is repeated today?"

AL: "Correct! But now, since Sedunn and Ubesii are on better terms, they use a Sedunnic flag instead. After someone having repeated private Botnienn's Run, that was his name by the way, Botnienn, the rest of the parading troops march the same route."

The camera shows people gathering near the parade route on the side walks. Children riding on their parents' shoulders, teenagers taking selfies and some police officers and soldiers here and there stopping people from blocking the street.

Solemn chimes from a bell in the Old Harbour can be heard and the camera now shows a aerial view of the harbour and oldest parts of the city.

RM: "The Seaman's bell is ringing. It's starting now."

AL: "And there she is."

The camera now shows the square with all the troops assembled. It zooms in on a woman wearing the grey and blue army parade uniform and a holstered sword, holding a fluttering Sedunnic flag attached to spear. She stands at attention.

AL: "This time it will be Sergeant Havaū Keve'ienn doing Botnienn's Run. She serves in the 12th Airmobile Infantry Battalion and participated in the Battle for Credence Airfield, Reizen, leading her highly decorated squad."

The camera shows medals on Keve'ienn's chest.

RM: "It's considered quite an honour doing the Run, I guess?"

AL: "That is right Ricardo."

Shouting can be heard in the background, followed by the sound of hundreds of bodies shifting to stand at attention. Then the young woman takes her first steps in a strict manner, increasing her pace.

RM: "And there she's on her way. From the Northern Gate to the Palace, it's what? Two kilometres? That's tough in this heat, wearing all that gear, Aenn."

AL: "It sure is. But look at that face. Determination, pride."

The camera follows her progress through the street, showing the people standing next to it and their reactions. They are cheering her on, waving Sedunnic flags. Some are pointing and laughing.

AL: "Yeah. This style of running is a bit... special, one could say."

The sound of her steps on the cobblestone and the bystanders fade as the camera again shows the square with the troop formations. There's some shouting again and the formations start marching towards the Palace as well.

RM: "This is new for this time, right?"

AL: "Yes. Previously the rest of the troops waited for the Run to finish before moving out. But it's too warm to drag the process on."

The camera shows three columns, all with different-looking uniforms.

RM: "What are we seeing here? The first column has the same uniform as Keve'ienn."

AL: "Precisely. The troops consist of representatives from all units that fought in Reizen and Karelins. The first column is composed of army units. We're seeing personnel Keve'ienn's Airmobile Brigade, the Airborne Brigade, 2nd Field Brigade, 3rd Artillery Regiment and 1st Medical Regiment."

The camera shows the next column in white uniforms.

AL: "Here's the navy. They have representation from most ships and the Marines."

Shouting can be heard, and the formations change their grip of their carbines and place them on the left shoulder in a second-pace. The camera then shifts to showing Keve'ienn running.

RM: "She has reached the Main Station, she's half-way there."

People can be heard cheering her on. Train whistles join the chorus. The woman keeps a neutral face, droplets of sweat trickle down her nose.

The hosts continue presenting the units participating and images from the other historical Great Welcoming Parades are shown, sometimes showing the progress of the lone soldier and the rest of the marching troops. The camera then shows king Vimmru and several ministers waiting by the so-called White Gate at the Palace

AL: "Acutally, Vimmru is special. You know why?"

RM: "Hmm. Yes, I guess he's only king to lead two of these parades?"

AL: "Correct. It's been said that he enjoys traditions such as these."

RM: "Apparently he joined the assault on Karelins as an embedded observer. A move that has received a lot of criticism. Some call it reckless, others just a stunt to improve his approval ratings. He claims it was to show solidarity with the troops and the cause. Oh, he served in the military, right?"

AL: "Yes. He served with the 1st City Brigade, and in the very same unit that is responsible for guarding the Palace."

The camera now shows Keve'ienn entering the great People's Square with people still cheering her on. She approaches the king and his entourage, slowing to a marching pace. Sweat is truckling down her cheeks and forehead. She stops with a powerful step in front of king Vimmru, standing at attention. Vimmru also stands at attention. The woman takes a few deep breaths and the surrounding crowds are getting silent. She speaks up in Sedunnic. It is clear that it's memorized from a script. The hosts translate into Austral.

"King, I bring good news. Allow me to hand over this banner of victory."

Vimmru answers.

"I thank You on behalf on the Government and the Sedunnic people. Welcome home!"

There's an applause. Vimmru grabs the spear with the flag being held out in front of him.

A marching band starts playing the Sedunnic Flag March as another soldier approaches the king and proceeds to take over the flag. He returns, standing next to the entrance to the Palace. The marching band plays another march as the three columns enter the Square. The king shakes hands with Keve'ienn, smiling warmly.

The columns make their halt simultaneously behind the king and Keve'ienn, facing the crowds. The king greets them and they answer him in unison, the voices echoing around the Square and Palace resoundly. The king gestures for the woman to return to her unit. Speeches are given by the King, other ministers and the Supreme Commander, while hosts translate. The focus is on a "grateful world", sacrifice, support from the Sedunnic society and historical significance of their participation in the war.

The whole ceremony ends with everyone singing the national anthem and the troops marching away to the tunes of the Kodull March.

RM: "That was all from the Great Welcoming Parade!"

AL: "Thank you for joining us, and we wish you a great afternoon!"