Unification Day
 
The La Citadelle Unification day parade started at 11am, from the ancient imperial complex on the edge of the old city. President Blanc had arrived through the front gates accompanied by Chancellor Sanddorn of Gianalta. They received a guard of honour from the Highland Guard and took their positions on horseback. President Blanc confidently almost jumping on to the back of her majestic white horse, and Chancellor Sanddorn taking a typically cautious and secure approach to mounting her impressive black horse. 

 
From their mounted positions they could see quite a diverse array of different military units and civilian groups. The route they were to take was a 5 mile route from the ancient imperial complex, through the ancient quarter of the city, before ascending up the grande boulevard to the renaissance part of the city, ending at the parliament building in Parliament Square.
 
 
President Blanc and Chancellor Sanddorn would be taking position towards the lead of the column, behind just the Highland Guard band, a regiment currently seeing active duty in Emerald and Denver, and they would be just in front of the Royal Montacian Mounted Police, also known as “Mounties”. The Mounties are a Gianaltan empire era police unit, that was solely manned by native Montacian and Brodlancian citizens, and are often seen as the pride of Montaica, despite their origins. 
 
President Blanc gave the signal and the highland guard band began to play a marching tune and marched forward. President Blanc and Chancellor Sanddorn followed at the head of the Mounted Police. They rode through the gates of the old imperial complex, and the streets were lined with thousands upon thousands of people, with turquoise Izaakian flags, hats and rugby shirts. 
 
Through the ancient quarter of the city, they rode through an ancient carriage racing stadium, through ruined ancient temple complexes and through one of the most ancient bazaars in the world. As they reached the beginning of the renaissance part of the city, they were greeted by La Citadelle Cathedral, a Gianaltan colonial era building and then turned onto the grande boulevard.

 
The grande boulevard was thronging with hundreds of thousands of people, all cheering and partying. Once they reached parliament square at the top and passed through the Arc De Triumph, President Blanc and Chancellor Sanddorn parted company with the parade and rode up the ramp of the parliament building and from horseback observed the rest of the parade pass through the square. 
 
Following the Mounties, was the Brodlancian Dragoons on horseback, a formidable fighting force, and one of the USIs oldest continuously active regiments. They were followed by the Hai Men regiment, some of who were riding Elephants, an animal that proved valuable in the Hai Men guerrilla war against Karnetvor in the Great War. 

 
They were followed by the Bear Skin Regiment of Izaakia, famously known as the furries and the Beaver Skin Regiment who are known as the fluffies. The fluffies were followed by an Izaakian Navy Band and then the Izaakian Airforce Engineers. 
 
The Izaakian Airforce Engineers were the last military group of the parade, and they were followed by the Brodlancia, Izaakia and Montacia (BIM) Farming Union, who were driving old tractors. 
 
Following them was the Eareamian-Izaakian Friendship Association, they were wearing traditional Eareamian clothes, and doing a traditional dance to traditional music. 
 
They were followed by the Brodlancia and Montacia viticulture society, who were driving along on three wheeler micro-vans, and were joined by the Izaakian Cheese Society. 
 
After them was a traditional Sedunnic display from the Sedunno-Izaakia Partnership organisation, with many participants wearing blue and white striped Sedunnic jumpers or straw hats. Their displays was primarily about fishing and farming, with old Sedunnic dances and instruments. 
 
After them was the classic car association of Izaakia, mostly sporting convertibles and all terrain vehicles. 

 
Following the classic car association was the Pasten Friendship Society, with an abstract story in their display, which nobody in the crowd really seemed to understand, but everyone thought was good fun anyway. They were followed by flamenco dancing people from UPRAN, and a fishing display from The Efladian Diaspora. 

 
Esfalsan diaspora appeared with puppet horses, birds and fish, and interesting and fascinating display. 

 
They were followed by the Association of Izaakian Engineers, who had built a moving steam punk elephant, which complemented the Esfalsan display immensely. 
 
Following them was a Huawanese displace from the Peonic School of Montacia, which showcased a giant dragon. 

 
The N&GB refugee community had put together a display of traditional Morris Dancing, and costumes associated with the Black Sheep Festival. They were followed by more traditional dance displays from the Stoinians and Ryccians followed by a multicultural display of unity from the Sallodesian community in Izaakia. 

 
They were followed by the USI-LGBTQ+ communities displays, the Izaakian fishermen group, the Izaakian Association of Arts, the Circus Folk of Izaakia, and displays from many other immigrant communities in Izakaia. At the end of the display was the Gianaltan Diaspora Community, and their traditional lederhosen glad marching band.

 
Everyone, then approached and gathered around the steps of parliament to listen to president Blancs speech, the entire square was packed, as was the grand boulevard and side streets for at-least a mile and a half. Overall it was estimated that almost two million people were 

 
Her speech lasted about half an hour, during which she emphasised unity, tolerance and multiculturalism. She also emphasised Izaakian values such hard work, honesty and openness. Throughout her speech she mentioned how proud she was of the diversity of Izaakia, with many cultures, religions and beliefs living in harmony, and how Izaakia should become a model for the world in terms of acceptance of differing cultures. 
 
She stressed the struggles of the nation following Gianaltan colonialism, and the Izaakian exile, but how hard work and belief had brought the nation back together. a moment which made Chancellor Sanddorn look slightly uncomfortable. 
 
As the speech closed it was accompanied by a flyover by the new Izaakian generation five and half fighter jets the D’Attack Lightning. There were 10 jets in the acrobatic flyby, and they were accompanied by helicopters and military transport planes. 

 
After the air display she then burst out with, “Well go on then, we didn’t close down all of central La Citadelle for a Celebration so you could stand here looking at me, go find a beer tent, a carnival display, a Ferris wheel, a pop concert or a street food stand.” 
 
She dismounted, went to go steady Sanddorns horse, so she could also dismount and then headed into the crowd, something which Sanddorn thought was slightly alarming given the general lack of security, but something which Blanc felt more than comfortable doing. 
 
They then spent the rest of the afternoon on carnival rides, drinking beer in Gianaltan Beer Tents, trying many foods from across the region such as Eareamian Mici and Ciorba, Ryccian Liumsholat which reminded President Blanc of a Badger Bar, and a traditional Sedunnic Petrified Fish dish which president Blanc almost vomited at. 

 
The night was long and eventually began to die down around 4am, after which both Blanc and Sanddorn were exhausted, so they headed back to 57 Mount Pleasant Street, and after a quick final drink in good faith they headed off to their rooms, from which neither would be seen again until mid afternoon.