A Princess' Missive

[HazelWazel 463]

 

Princess Sophia Alexandra Staunton sits in her chambers in the mid of night. A candle rests upon her desk, illuminating the room with brief flickers as the air of night blows through the open window slowly. Leaning back into her chair, she silently reads the propaganda and letters that have been collecting around the city of Aleksandria. The more the moon moved to the west, the heavier her heart grew. Setting down a poster, she begins to shake her head. Picking up her quill, she delicately taps it into the ink- before swirling it onto paper.

 

My dearest readers,

 

Though normally one does not trust mouth of people you have condemned, perhaps a last call and sound may make entrance into the already set minds. A last chime before the soldiers and innocent’s blood is spilt- or at least. possibly, prevent more to spill onto both of our homes.

 

Strength does not come from the battles that you have won. Not from the blood you have spilt. But for the courage in knowing when you have taken faults. As the tension grows high, and hearts grow heavy- it is now instead of pointing fingers, we must step back and see what has caused such feuds and violence. What has caused the numbers of the deceased, only to grow larger in strength. Not to seek what they have done, but what we call to fault as well. Not only for my people of Courland, but for the opposers whom rally.

 

The death of an innocent. A child whom was merely eight years old. Thrown into the spot he held by the death of a father. With the blood shed, and prior wars- many can sympathize with such a case of sadness. How times have changed, as war and hatred plagues our minds and eyes. A gift of being raised with both parents until you are of age- is no longer a common sight to see.

I know how it feels to lose someone you held closely, to lose a father. I’ve seen it myself  because of the death of the head of house- then having someone else thrusted into a power they had never held before. I have seen the mask behind the order. And I know that both sides, hold such knowledge as well.

 

Though if you must point out the death, and murder of Count Joren Ruthern- GOD rest his soul- one must not forget to step back and see from the side of Courland. The men that write propaganda of this true injustice mustn't forget the injustice that they have caused. Perhaps they do not recall or take account, but I remember such clearly. Twice in a church as I pray, men whom back this war on the opposing side tried to take my life. Both times when I was merely eleven, only three years older than the late Count Joreen Ruthern. What had I done to deserve men most likely trice my age to try and plunge an arrow into my skull? Or to try throw thanium powder at my face as I prayed GOD for peace? This agony continued- with attempts in both kidnapping and assassination until I turned thirteen and had to be with guards to even leave my families keep. If one is to point out the faults of us, is it not fair to admit their own?

 

Though as I write here, in the dead of night as the city of Aleksandria seems to sleep, I wonder how much longer this silence will last before the first shouts of war begin. I wonder how my words will echo throughout the chaos. Though I know I am merely one girl, one voice in a million. I write my words with heavy heart, though I know what I see as true. I have long forgiven the men who have tried to slaughter me in holy halls. I have forgiven the men who have tried to take me prisoner, and those whom have considered the possibility. I pray now that one day, the hate in their hearts will dim and a newfound greatness will emerge. But, I pray this, too, for my people and my family. For us to all see these wars are blinding us from true threats and enemies that are towards both of us. The hate of old and new blood spilt pulling as further and further for a true cause and lightness.

 

And as now, a new dawn's light emerges here in Aleksandria, I seek that others see the new light that comes to whatever land you hail from. A possibility for a way besides war against each other. A change and breakaway from the ways of old. A path that does not tear families apart, and a path that does not hold the spilled blood of innocents. A chance for something that is new, and to push our forces to a danger that is elsewhere. A danger we cannot just cast aside. Have we already forgotten about the fall of the Westerlands? The forces of Mordring will only gain from our battles, giving them only more soldiers to rise. We must not forget the true battle that looms.

 

Signed,

Princess Sophia Alexandra Staunton of Courland

[HurferDurfer1 2978]

"nuh uh dont mind the undead." says a suspiciously boney man

[Xarkly 17299]

Fool girl. What do you know about loss? Floris van Loden thinks to himself as he rests in a solitary Mardon Grove.

 

He crumples the missive in his slender hand, before he set it carefully atop his modest campfire like a crown, and watched the spritely tongues of fire eagerly consume it.

 

He stared distantly into the fire, the flames dancing off the reflection of his glazed eyes and thought about everything he'd lost. His brother. His two homes. His family. His love.

 

Suddenly, the princess' missive became enraging.

[Legoboy7984 3155]

"The Undead hasn't done a thing in like 10 years, and we are fighting your pathetic Kingdom to defend Humanity" Rodrik would say as he takes a sip of his mug

[Eggles the Beagles 252]

The paper is placed back on the aged dark oak desk, the hand that had been holding it now showing age. The reader's eyes scanning the parchment once more, the green orbs seeming to have dulled from their once bright shine. With an exasperated sigh and lift of her bony hand, the now much older woman took up a quill and began to write in elegantly looped letters.

 

- ( O ) -

 Dear Princess Sophia Alexandra Staunton,

 

   I hope that this letter finds you in good health. I just happened to receive the letter in which you wrote to the people of Axios, and I will say I admire the optimism of youth such as yourself. Many of your age would have nothing to do with such words as you have stated- I regret to inform you I count among those now who no longer have such optimism you possess.

 

   What you say about the need for peace is true, I do not disagree with you at all there. But that peace will not come the way you wish, for so long as these two sides remain there will always be bitterness and resentment just as there has always been. Recall the Riga Wars, was it not that very war in which caused your House to forever see House Kovachev as an enemy. We could've made a amends like you are suggesting then, but House Staunton saw no interest in such peace.

 

   When the time came after the downfall of Oren, your House sought war with the Kingdom of Haense not because of anything more then revenge.  When the time came, your House joined forces with that of non-humans in order to destroy those of your own race. When the time came, your House allowed itself to fall prey to the influence of another race which sought not to destroy tyrants but to become tyrants. When the time came, your House did the exact same thing The Holy Orenian Empire did. At least the Empire had the courage to stand on it's own and not rely on that of half men or the Undead to save itself.

 

   So, this sue for peace will in the end mean nothing for the wrongs have been done by both. It's not greed from those who are rallying against you but in fact the greed of your House which has put you here. Oren had fallen at your hands for the very same actions you have committed. Did you truly believe no one would rise up like your House had done in a very similar situation? Did you truly believe we'd bow to this hegemony and tyranny?

 

Your's Truly,

Kynsinna Kovachev

[Mj. 697]

Sergeant Wem of Dunamis pens a short letter.

 

"Men are the most savage beasts. If you need to pray again, send a letter. None will touch you with myself around. 

 

-Wem"

[iris1612 1780]

Nikolai Rykov reads the letter, not with disgust or outrage, but with curiosity. He sets his quill down, penning a response

 

"Dear Princess Sophia,

 

I have found your letter to be of great interest, and I'm both surprised and pleased by the eloquence of your letter. Unfortunately, the contents of it do not please me as such as I have found them to be riddled with falsehoods and uncalled for accusations. I mean no insult by this, but I will take my pen to defend my liege and homland

 

First and foremost, I express the utmost sorrow and regret for assassination attempts on your life. To assault any lady, much less a child, is a grave sin and a curse in the face of GOD. It truly goes a great distance to show the sad state that Axios is in. However, whoever this man may be, he has no ties or connection to House Ruthern. To be quite frank, I find the accusation or implication that this man was sent by house Ruthern to be grievously insulting, and the fact that it's tossed out without a second thought, as if it's common knowledge ("If one is to point out the faults of us, is it not fair to admit their own?"), to be baffling. What propaganda occurs in your capitals that such lies and slander could be tossed out so casually?

 

There seems to be a confusion, a misunderstanding maybe? Some seem to believe that the rebellious House Ruthern are Haensetic sympathists. This could not be farther from the truth. We were no more close to Haense than the Archduke was--in fact one of our principal leaders who was cut down at the Massacre of Alexandria had fought against Haense in the Haense-Courland war, as had Count Joren's father Viktor, something that Franz the False did not. He only arrived as a claimant after the war was well and finished.

 

Princess, I cannot stress enough that the only crime committed by House Ruthern was failure to pay a 7,000 mina fine. There was no banditry, no assassinations, no attacks, no affronts. Please keep this in mind as the war effort progresses, and know we as honorable men of Axios will always protect you, the innocent. This war never should have come about, but since it is so obviously unavoidable we will do the most we possibly can to ensure that no innocents are harmed, that no child or woman's blood is spilled.

 

With regards,

 

Nikolai Rykov"

 

((nice post

[JuliusAakerlund 2402]

A crude letter is penned by Ilthrumar not having written much in his life he's more of a speaker than anything else, he'd try to send it to the princess may God allow it.

 

"Princess of Courland my heart hangs heavy for it takes much courage to speak in opposition to those you call kin, it is regretful that such people with titles as yourself has to worry about assailants attempting upon your life. I wish it were not so but the reality is those people represent not the leadership of the Rebellion nor the many factions in humanity that inhabits it. We punish such behaviour and if these men you speak of are within our ranks God bless if they tried such a thing under my watch, i'll strike them down myself with my blade. This is not northmen, ruskans, orenians or mardonians charging to your doorstep princess. It is all Staunton has angered, the innocents that have been choked by the imperialistic whims of your king. They all have their own stories and their own reasons to raise their voice and when they do they echo through the mountains, like the screech of a wyvern waking from its rest. They've seen more pain than you can imagine, their families have not only been assailed or been attempted upon for their life, they've died their parents slaughtered brothers and sisters put in the dirt before they could speak for themselves."

 

"I see the destruction the imperialists have brought, for long we've tried to live on in hopes of better times and that perhaps with enough blood and bone making up the earth that tyranny would calm. It was not so for my lieges have all died too early for their own good, the men only wishing for peace I speak not for them no for they spoke for themselves I am but a humble man. I speak for myself it is time to stand against those that would choke me my family slaughtered in countless wars and by soldiers whilst carrying out their mundane existence. We bring food to your table from our work and in exchange WE expect better, the noble class should be our voice and when they turn on us do not surprise when your table is empty and your stomach aching with pain."

"May you live a life of health and happiness, the one I was unable to have for now I fight for the future of my children and people." Ilthrumar would sign the bottom of the letter crudely with his name.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Signed,

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Ilthrumar, Peasant and breadmaker

[Icarnus 1669]

A northern peasant sat huddled up outside a monastery door. Urging church scholars to translate the writing in which his illiterate self cannot make out. As he was taken aback by what was said, he'd grab the parchment and cast it down, pissing on it. "Dirty mongrels, shall feel the wrath of my ice cycle. 

[Gavin_ 2027]

30 minutes ago, Eggles the Beagles said:

The paper is placed back on the aged dark oak desk, the hand that had been holding it now showing age. The reader's eyes scanning the parchment once more, the green orbs seeming to have dulled from their once bright shine. With an exasperated sigh and lift of her bony hand, the now much older woman took up a quill and began to write in elegantly looped letters.

 

- ( O ) -

 Dear Princess Sophia Alexandra Staunton,

 

   I hope that this letter finds you in good health. I just happened to receive the letter in which you wrote to the people of Axios, and I will say I admire the optimism of youth such as yourself. Many of your age would have nothing to do with such words as you have stated- I regret to inform you I count among those now who no longer have such optimism you possess.

 

   What you say about the need for peace is true, I do not disagree with you at all there. But that peace will not come the way you wish, for so long as these two sides remain there will always be bitterness and resentment just as there has always been. Recall the Riga Wars, was it not that very war in which caused your House to forever see House Kovachev as an enemy. We could've made a amends like you are suggesting then, but House Staunton saw no interest in such peace.

 

   When the time came after the downfall of Oren, your House sought war with the Kingdom of Haense not because of anything more then revenge.  When the time came, your House joined forces with that of non-humans in order to destroy those of your own race. When the time came, your House allowed itself to fall prey to the influence of another race which sought not to destroy tyrants but to become tyrants. When the time came, your House did the exact same thing The Holy Orenian Empire did. At least the Empire had the courage to stand on it's own and not rely on that of half men or the Undead to save itself.

 

   So, this sue for peace will in the end mean nothing for the wrongs have been done by both. It's not greed from those who are rallying against you but in fact the greed of your House which has put you here. Oren had fallen at your hands for the very same actions you have committed. Did you truly believe no one would rise up like your House had done in a very similar situation? Did you truly believe we'd bow to this hegemony and tyranny?

 

Your's Truly,

Kynsinna Kovachev

10

 

 

"What a load of bollocks" sighs Frederick Staunton-Baden, as his eyes roll to the back of his head.

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

Queen Lisette Staunton would smile as she read her daughter's letter privately, "My dear Sophie was wise to publish this," She'd say to her handmaiden, "She will hear from both sides in response, be it good or bad. But, I think such responses will make her wiser still."

[SerFinnick 445]

((Please make this white and the letter part italicized))

 

A neatly folded and well embossed parchment is held tightly among the other packages and letters by the courier, patiently waiting at the gate to be welcomed in. 

 

"G'day Milady."

"G'day, young one, anything worth reading in that heap?"

The courier chuckes, "not likely, war propaganda, for the most part.... although, there is this odd letter from Aleksandria..."

"Oh? Let's see it then", says Lady Charlotte, taking the letter. 

 

Charlotte reads through the entire document before looking up, realizing she hasn't dismissed the courier. 

 

"Oh, just toss all that where we usually put it" he says, pointing him toward the furnace. 

G'day, lad. Safe travels."

 

She pens a quick letter in reply: 

 

"My dearest Princess Sophia, 

 

It is quite apparent that the actions of your father and reigning king have finally reached the point of no return, and you've succeeded in uniting rebels against your young kingdom. As your House has done in past, your Empire will soon fall to the men who seek vengeance in response to malice, and seek to exterminate your vile kind in an effort to bring temporary peace. This peace, however, in truly temporary, as we humans are feeble, stupid creatures with self-destruction dug deep into our hearts and minds. If and when Aleksandria falls, I do hope you and the few good people in your wretched hole you call a city make it out and find a new, and exceptionally better place to call home. 

 

We Remember. 

 

Charlotte Amelia Windsor, Countess of Yorkshire. "

 

[oblivionsbane 714]

A travelling Elfess would notice the poster while strolling down the streets of Aleksandria. She'd regard it for but a moment before turning and moving closer to read it over...

 

"My..." She'd murmur as a warm smile would come across her face.

 

"What a brave, wise young girl." She'd whisper to herself while leaning back from the poster. "I hope she survives this, and perhaps I might get the honor of meeting her one day."

 

She would gaze back down at the girl's name for several moments before turning, adjusting the bag she'd been carrying on her shoulder, and walking off.

[TankM1A2 840]

8 hours ago, Eggles the Beagles said:

The paper is placed back on the aged dark oak desk, the hand that had been holding it now showing age. The reader's eyes scanning the parchment once more, the green orbs seeming to have dulled from their once bright shine. With an exasperated sigh and lift of her bony hand, the now much older woman took up a quill and began to write in elegantly looped letters.

 

- ( O ) -

 Dear Princess Sophia Alexandra Staunton,

 

   I hope that this letter finds you in good health. I just happened to receive the letter in which you wrote to the people of Axios, and I will say I admire the optimism of youth such as yourself. Many of your age would have nothing to do with such words as you have stated- I regret to inform you I count among those now who no longer have such optimism you possess.

 

   What you say about the need for peace is true, I do not disagree with you at all there. But that peace will not come the way you wish, for so long as these two sides remain there will always be bitterness and resentment just as there has always been. Recall the Riga Wars, was it not that very war in which caused your House to forever see House Kovachev as an enemy. We could've made a amends like you are suggesting then, but House Staunton saw no interest in such peace.

 

   When the time came after the downfall of Oren, your House sought war with the Kingdom of Haense not because of anything more then revenge.  When the time came, your House joined forces with that of non-humans in order to destroy those of your own race. When the time came, your House allowed itself to fall prey to the influence of another race which sought not to destroy tyrants but to become tyrants. When the time came, your House did the exact same thing The Holy Orenian Empire did. At least the Empire had the courage to stand on it's own and not rely on that of half men or the Undead to save itself.

 

   So, this sue for peace will in the end mean nothing for the wrongs have been done by both. It's not greed from those who are rallying against you but in fact the greed of your House which has put you here. Oren had fallen at your hands for the very same actions you have committed. Did you truly believe no one would rise up like your House had done in a very similar situation? Did you truly believe we'd bow to this hegemony and tyranny?

 

Your's Truly,

Kynsinna Kovachev

17

 

 

Henrik Kovachev smiles down from the Seven upon Kynsinna. He'd sigh, his only regret being not being able to take part in this most recent conflict. A shame, as he found quite some amusement flinging Stauntons from the trebuchet atop Kovachgrad.

[Dreek 1633]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.