REX MORTUUS EST VIVAT REX
The throne is power, and a king is the symbol of his nation. Life and death are spokes in a wheel which is always turning, ensuring that change and renewal prevent stagnation. From this view it could be said that the death of a king is the growth of the people.
The Lion's skull bared fangs which, in life, were the tools of his power, and was surmounted by a silver crown, wherein were set turquoise, lapis lazuli, and a bee sealed in amber. A bee for his station, and honey, food for the gods. In his mouth he held the signet ring, and depending from his bones was an intricately wrought necklace depicting in holy amber the tripod of his power: honor, strength, and duty. Wealth hung from these things.
As my eyes drank the totem and its message, there glimmered from its bed white lilies, as fresh as had they been lain there only yesterday, though I knew from observation that none could have been here for a thousand years...
