A Response to All

[tilly 5115]

A Response to All
 

Atstana de Regne Petrère

131

 

Lo, unto the Heartlanders!

 

In the wake of the baseless accusations made against me by the wanton Brigade of Marna and their cretinous allies, I, Renilde Helena, Queen-Emeritus of the Petra, categorically deny any involvement in the gossip paper known as "The Gilded Quill" under the pseudonym Bel Aurum. Not a single modicum of evidence has been brought against me to prove that I am the face behind this paper, nor has a proper call to trial been issued in the court of law to discuss such matters before heads have been ordered to roll and innocent lives were taken in the lull of twilight.

 

-

 

I had been away on a much-needed retreat for prayer at the Aldtree, seeking solace from the tumultuous discourse that has plagued our Heartlands since the most recent Chancellor elections. My respite was meant to be a sanctuary from the ceaseless discord, yet it has been marred by tragic events that have unfolded in my absence; the brutal burning of my beloved home, the Courteis Hale schoolhouse — an institution devoted to learning and enlightenment — has not only claimed the lives of esteemed individuals but has also laid waste to the cherished gardens I spent my later years nurturing.

The flames, set by these heartless brigadiers, all of which have been identified as Aaunic citizens, claimed the lives of the following cherished souls:

-My beloved granddaughter, Helene-Olympe of the Petra, age 22.

-Castor Heimdall Helvets of Lemon Hill, our devoted Groundskeeper, 51 years old.

-François de la Tour, Lecturer on Performing Arts, a beacon of creativity, 40 years old.

-Jackson Randall of Faubourg, a young pupil of the humanities, only 12 years old.

-Robert Lucius of Numendil, ward to Lord Marshal Matthew Smythe and pupil of the humanities, a mere 9 years old.

-Jakob Bokanowski of Chambery, Culinary Expert, whose meals brought joy to many, 61 years old.

The Marnan Brigade's actions have desecrated Courteis Hale and my rare, exotic plants without a shred of evidence to support their unfounded accusations. They have acted with reckless abandon, terrorizing an elderly woman, killing her family and household members, and committing an act of violence without due process or legal justification. Their actions are an egregious violation of the principles of justice and decency, and they stand in stark contrast to the values we hold dear in our realm – or at least of that within the Petra.

In the wake of this tragic loss, I cannot help but let my mind wander to the dark motivations behind the Marnan Brigade's actions. It seems no coincidence that my beloved granddaughter, Helene-Olympe, was among those killed in the blaze that nearly consumed all of Courteis Hale. Helene’s connections to Bel Aurum, and her association with the very source of the gossip that so irked the powers-that-be, made her an unfortunate yet probable target. It is chilling to think that they might have singled her out, and indeed the entire household, as part of a broader scheme to discredit myself and eliminate any ties to the truth.

By slaying my poor Helene, they were tying off a loose end, seeing as she must have known the author’s true identity. By destroying our once-sanctuary with her inside, they could manipulate the narrative, falsely accusing me of being the contriving Bel Aurum: this heinous act of violence seems crafted not just to silence dissent, but to deflect suspicion in order to perpetuate their own agenda under the guise of righteousness.

What is even more appalling is the apparent support of this vile and terroristic act by the current Chancellor and his family, the house of de Rosius, as well as another lesser-known Aaunic house I care little to delve up the name of. Their involvement — or at the very least, their tacit approval — of such an atrocious act seems to confirm the very accusations Bel Aurum has leveled against them. It is as though they are living up to every criticism made of them, casting aside any semblance of honor or integrity in their quest to suppress dissent.

 

In reflecting upon the profound losses inflicted by the Brigade of Marna, I am filled with a deep sorrow for the lives and legacies that have been so cruelly stolen from us. The destruction of Courteis Hale, once a haven of learning and growth, is a blow felt by all who valued its contributions to our society. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Legionnaires who bravely intervened to extinguish the flames and prevent further devastation to the school, however, and will be donating a handsome sum to the Lord Marshal as a show of my gratitude. Their swift action stands as a testament to their dedication and valor in the face of chaos. 

 

Fervently, I hope that those responsible for these outrages will be brought to justice, and that one day, my cherished home can be restored to its former renown. As I navigate the tumultuous waves of this transgression, I pray for the forgiveness of my countrymen and seek their understanding in these dark times in which I have somehow found myself both a victim and a villain amidst. May we find the strength to rebuild and restore not only our certitude in one another, but the very spirit of truth and justice that is to be shown to every person, unconditionally.

 

O Sainte Règne Petrére

 

Queen-Emeritus, Renilde I of the Petra

 

Spoiler

P.S.:

 

For those of you that believe Paul Moere’s claims and that his coup attempt on the Petra is a worthy endeavor to endorse, just know that it was by his efforts that his own daughter, Lady Helene-Olympe, was killed that fateful night, for it has been reported that was one of the bandits who set Courteis Hale ablaze with so many other innocents inside. He has been disowned from the House of the Petra and stripped of his Princely titles for the prior physical abuse of his daughter some years ago, and still, he wreaks havoc on his daughter by ensuring her death alongside the scheming Brigade of Marna. The things insignificant people will do for relevance and power are astounding, but it was something that I always expected from this rancid little man who I am ashamed to have brought into the world. He was never the chosen heir after the death of his twin sister, Winifred Adalia, as the succession of the Petran Monarch is selective and dependent on specific criteria. Paul Moere does not live within the Petra, nor is he any longer considered to be kin of Paul Salvian of the Petra, or in good standing with the government. It is for these reasons that he is rejected as having any sort of ‘rightful claim’ to the Throne of Garmont, and can return to whatever brothel gutter he emerged from since his disownment.

 

 

Spoiler

(( Apologies for the late response, as I'm sure you all knew, I was away camping this weekend and was not able to get on to do much regarding all of these posts, as I was enjoying precious time with my family, feeling the sunshine on my skin, and exploring Sebago Lake! ))

 

https://discord.gg/chUdnkzvVf

 

 

 

[indiana105 5126]

"There was nobody in that place!" Sir Stefan af Don af Petra called from the mountaintops. He did not care for the usurper, nor his Marnan allies, but he was a man of truth! There was no shouting from the hold, nor were there any corpses. Ghosts! Ghosts all! "Perhaps it was Renlide who killed these innocents, yes! It must be so!"

[annanicole__ 2802]

In her old age, Andromeda of Ester, the Queen Mother of Balian, struggled to believe what was true. She lit candles to commemorate any and all lives lost. Due to she understands the pain of war and loss.

[Chorale__ 2147]

King Paul I of the Petra ripped up the missive, not even giving it a second glance because he had known wholeheartedly, his mothers insanity. He paced over to a campfire surrounded by sworn banner-men, throwing the individual pieces in and watching them erupt into flames.

[Franczhiz 4437]

"We are not the f-cking ISA who killed innocents in public. If we killed innocents, trust me, any brigade of any nation would have made sure that they would never be discovered again." The Marnan Brigadier, Albert-Goulielmos stated. "This is nonsense, utter nonsense.. especially when it comes from a two-hundred year old, or whatever age this Queen-Emerita is."

[Enlightenment 2295]

"More lies from the wicked witch of the west!" Emilio Varoche exclaimed at the sight of this missive, "She simply wishes to save her skin but she shall be burned at the stake!"

[Shmeepicus 4213]

"And I'd do it again." Commented Oliver, leal companion of the Marna. "Though, seriously, we checked the rooms. There wasn't a soul inside."

[The Tough Guy 4319]

"Renilde yer gettin' tooh old fer this.."

 

Said Sigrun 'Undeadslayer' Stonehammer.

[sergisala 3451]

The Golden Dragoon of Marna Alexander Darkwood frowned upon reading the Archtraitor's missive "Courteis Hale was empty. There was nobody there. No lives were lost during the arsoning of such place. Your lies are the evidence that our cause is righteous and pure. There is no place in the Seven Skies for liars! Cowards!" he said, referring to the Queen-Emeritus Renilde and her allies.

[Sebbysc 744]

John Valentinus of Enswerp took the next missive to reach his desk. All he had to do was look at its author to know it was baseless, railing accusations from the Witch of the West herself. He’d force his mind to comprehend the words further down the page. “Huh. I don’t remember there being a single-soul at that den of devils. The single Legionnaire that came simply fled in an instant at break-neck speeds. Coward.” He’d toss the parchment into the flames.

[sam33497 7356]

"Hehe, these are the allies you chose." The undead Lanre Cerusil of former Veletz, who had fought in the brief conflict to defend Renilde against her usurper long ago, who had been killed by Petrans and attacked by the woman herself, made fun of her.

[Caranthir_ 2533]

1 minute ago, Franczhiz said:

"We are not the f-cking ISA who killed innocents in public. If we killed innocents, trust me, any brigade of any naton would have made sure that they would never be discovered again." The Marnan Brigadier, Albert-Goulielmos stated. "This is nonsense, utter nonsense.. especially when it comes from a two-hundred year old, or whatever age this Queen-Emerita is."

 

Tristan Adelin de Rennes turns to Albert. He had always heard that Renilde was old, but he had never known precisely how old. He said, 'How has she lived as long as she has? How is she fit enough to write these letters, to travel such long distances? Be so fit for politics and intrigue. Is that truly human?' 

 

And finally, 'How has nobody asked these questions before?' Without another moments hesitation, he wrote to his brother Jean the Cardinal @LithiumSedai with a simple note. It read: 'Renilde - unnatural age and abilities, please investigate.'

[TaytoTot 1587]

Dame Monika remembered all the bodies that were found in Courties Hale, tears streaming down her face. It was a shame, all the innocent lives lost for nothing.

[carebear 1291]

Dame Rowena prayed for the souls of those departed in the Church. A few tears shed for her departed cousin, as well as all others who had been lost to the vicious flames of the traitors.

[Destructokeith 1142]

Deep within the dark halls of a castle, an old knight once again straps on his armour "der death throws of der end" he mutters as he slides on his helm "they live within der Franklands ja? ich earned mein name there und now they will know why" Artel turns and storms forth to find his grandson.