Bhumi ordered Vikram's body to be recovered and buried with proper rituals. He also signed his last order as the elected leader of Trigarta - the order that allowed him to be crowned the King of Trigarta.
The capital was decorated quickly for the occasion and most people were fine with having a king. That is what their friends in neighboring countries had - Kings. They had grown tired of being ridiculed for being a democracy. The time for that idea would come some seven thousand years later when monarchies would be overthrown across the world. For now, monarchy was the "In" thing.
The people dressed up for the occasion and gathered outside the central courtyard which was separated from the rest of the ancient fort city by a huge wall. Bhumi was told by his guru to sit on a very comfortable looking throne which had also been made out of brass and gold in a single night. The priests chanted vedic hymns and completed the rituals placing the ceremonial gold crown on Bhumi's head.
Finally, Bhumi was hailed among the inner circle as the King. His guru then said,
"O Rajan! Rise now and address your people."
Bhumi rose and walked towards the closed gate of the central courtyard. The gates were opened and a wooden platform was kept on which he climbed and waived to the waiting crowds.
"All hail the King!" said a citizen.
"All hail the King!" everyone said in unison.
The crowd cheered at every wave of their King. Finally, after much jubilation, Bhumi jumped down from the platform and went back into the central courtyard.
A soldier then went up on the platform and opened a roll of parchment and announced,
"Citizens of Trigarta, in view of the crowning of our new King-
Rajan Bhumi Chandra Katoch:
All citizens will be freed from paying this year's grain taxes,
All households will receive ten silver tablets each,
All children will return from the Gurukuls for a month,
All reserve soldiers will return home for a month,
And all young warriors will be allowed to participate in a month long special recruiting games.
All of Trigarta will celebrate for the whole month.
So is the first order of our great King! All hail the King!"
"All hail the King!" the jubilant crowd replied. Everyone dispersed feeling happy.
As the noise finally died down outside, Bhumi sat on his thrown, his most trusted advisors and friends sat on the other lower seats. The Guru's seat was a throne made out of silver, and it was kept higher then the king, as was the custom. Guru Brahmaputra was no ordinary sage, he was the most revered warrior sage in all of the civilized world. His strategy was both feared and respected by all kingdoms. Just like other sages, he was free to travel across all kingdoms and was a great diplomat.
Guru Brahmaputra raised his hand, signalling a call for absolute silence.
"Rajan! You have gifted your people many gifts. But, one thing still confounds me?"
"Yes Guruji! Please tell me what confuses a thinker like you?"
"Rajan! We hold annual recruiting games in our arenas in which many young men showcase their talents. Why then have we declared special recruiting games just now?"
"Guruji! I first apologize for not having discussed this with you or this assembly before declaring the celebrations. However, the special games are not just a gift for the valorous young men who want to be part of our legendary military."
"Then, what is it O King!"
"Guruji! It is preparation for war!"
"WAR???" gasped the Guru and the other advisors in unison.
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