ON SO CALLED ALBAN AGGRESSION

[ErosTea 1084]

 

 

 

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UNTO OUR BELOVED CANONIST BRETHREN OF THE KINGDOM OF BALIAN,

 

May the grace of GOD descend upon you. Indeed, our Ducal coronet has sought counsel with King John, and regarded him as friend, yet we find our trust betrayed by the very hands we once extended in friendship. When the King’s Majesty first came upon us to tell us this exorbitant recounting which has now so brazenly spread across the realms of Man, our Ducal Coronet deemed this some grave misdeed—an arbitrary cruelty wrought upon the kith of Malin. Imagine, then, our astonishment when the alleged miscreant was revealed to be none other than our own officer, Robert of Ulmsbottom. More troubling still was the account he laid before our Ducal Coronet, one that stands in stark contrast to that which was first brought before us and perhaps sheds light upon the matter.

 

As the Lord Captain so plainly declared, the girl denied the very existence of GOD. Mistake this not to be the mere naivety of a child, for wisdom is said to come from the mouths of babes. GOD’s presence and will are undeniable to those of His flock. Babes know it within their mothers’ wombs, young and old children raise their voices in hymns to His glory, and men devote their lives to His sacred creed. He is no mere possibility with which we must reckon but a living truth—a waking reality to which all are called, that we might ever walk in accordance with His divine will.

 

This was not some act of cruelty rendered unto the innocent and defenseless, as you would have the world believe, but rather the desperate reaction of a GOD-fearing man, who, in the face of such blasphemy, saw no recourse but to act as his faith demanded.

 

Unto the King of Balian, we ask you this:

 

Would you have us turn a blind eye to such blasphemy when our own home was reduced to ashes for its impiety?

 

Would you have me punish and scar a man of GOD for being a devout servant, one who fears and follows the scrolls?

 

You style yourself as ruling 'by the grace of GOD’ yet you would sooner defend a girl who denies the very existence of GOD than uphold the sanctity of His holy name. Notwithstanding this, Robert of Ulmsbottom was reprimanded still, as would have been made known had you shown the courtesy to come and parley with us. Had you any true intent to see this matter resolved, you would have ridden to hear Robert’s testimony, as you had when first you brought it to our attention. Instead, you summon us to justify ourselves before your court, as though we were your vassals to be called upon at a moment's whim. You decry the imperialist tenets which your peoples once fought so hard to uphold, yet still, you seek to play Emperor, expecting every man to bend to your call. It is clear that the realization that we are no such vassals to the Balian crown, that we would not come running as one would expect a crying child to run to their mother, be a hard truth to swallow and a public decry of the Alban people be your attempt to reprimand us into submission to your purview.

 

This strife which divides the House of Ashford is no matter for those of Alstion or Novellen. That His Majesty would lend support to this claim is nigh astounding, for to invoke the names of old is to summon woe upon oneself. We doubt not that the King’s Majesty knows this well, for his own august forebears banded together with our own to bring ruin upon the Stassions for much the same cause. The Savoyard name and legacy are of great weight, for verily, it once belonged to Kings and Princes of mighty renown. If these new Savoyards seek to uphold it, then let them stand alone, that they might prove themselves strong enough to bear so great a mantle, lest it crush them beneath its weight.

 

This notion of Alban aggression is a false one entirely, no orders were issued by the Ducal Coronet to harm the blaspheming girl or the overambitious Savoies, who, in truth, were not harmed by Alban men. The only crime of which we are guilty is refusing to be a dog at the leash of Balian’s wishful imperial hands. Even so, for we would nary seek to punish the Balian people as such has been grievously done to us, let it be known that all GOD-Fearing men who hail from Balian’s golden shores be permitted to venture to Alba’s lands and conduct trade.

 

King John, you have written to us that you “shall ever strive for peace and harmony between our peoples”.  Should this prove true still, if you are not the Emperor that you so appear to be, and if you truly care for the welfare of your people, you shall, with consent from the Holy Regent, meet us at the Holy Temple of Lemon Hill on the eve of 18th of the Sun’s Smile, in the Year of Our Lord two-thousand and twenty, that this situation might at last be laid to rest.
 

 

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S I G N E D,

   THEIR ROYAL HIGHNESSES, Cecily and Edward, Princes of Alstion, Dukes of Alba, Protectors of the Franklands

 

[mojanghunter 566]

Within the Pruvian apartments, Joseph stirred, still troubled by the musings of the days past. His soul was made uneasy, for he had been so near to those who blasphemed with such ease. Thus did he pray, deep into the night, until at last the sun’s rays banished the shadowed darkness, and the sky was lit anew in a red sun. At last, he felt his soul cleansed once more.

Edited March 11, 2025 by mojanghunter

[Chorale__ 2147]

Lord Charles Phillip of the House of Halcourt, Envoy for the Duchy of Alba was sat in his chambers nearing the clouds as the missive reached him- he'd been telling his wife the Lady Mayor how concerned he'd felt over the missive that reached their people earlier that eve from the Kingdom of Balian.

 

A quaint, humble city named Elizabeth was the Oracle which the Albans all sought after and found community. It angered him to his core that any would come in the way to jeopardize the jewel that the Halcourt dynasty had stumbled upon, "We will not be bullied, mon amour." the young Patriarch pledged, a proud regard plastering his countenance.

@Kholibrii

Spoiler

cant get this out of my head so i'm making it the theme song of this confrontation

[brujera 1152]

Margarete of Osterland often deferred to Joseph on such matters of state to render a position, however in the matters of GOD and those blasphemous, her decision was made promptly.

 

"Surely the Balianite King is poisoned by the words of a heretic." She'd exclaim in disbelief. Quite swiftly, she made her way to the private chapel with the Castle Morvelyn, for a intercessory prayer of dire need. Before the altar, she fell to her knees, praying,

 

"Our Lord GOD,

 

I come before you as your humble servant. I seek not vengeance nor judgment. I seek your grace and compassion for John's soul. I pray for John, so that you may soften his heart and guide him towards your undying light. May your mercy flow to him despite the errors of his way and shortcomings. I pray you rebuke the blasphemy and heresy that plagues his mind. I pray that he find mercy and you forgive him as you have forgiven me.

 

In your name I pray,

Amen."

[Mattiii 1663]

Before the fireplace in the drawing room of Castle Morvelyn, the Chancellor of Alba, George Aldersberg, sat upon the settee beside the Doverian heir @DuhPuhWuh With a fearful tone, he retold, "And the earth did tremble, and a blinding light shone through the arrowslit as the King sat here, defending the blaspheming elven girl." He swiftly traced the Lorraine thereafter. "We must keep the Balianite people in our prayers tonight, Georgie. GOD save them all."

[Radzig 747]

The ground had trembled, a low groan beneath stone, and in the meeting room, a chalice slipped from the mantel, rolling unheard against the floor. A light, pale and searing, split through the narrow window, casting long shapes upon the walls. In the stillness that followed, eyes turned to the small wedge carved in the stone, where the world itself had shifted. A sign, some whispered, of judgment unseen, a reckoning upon those who had spoken in defiance, whose stance had turned from God and Canondom. August knew what would come was already written and he would play his part as it was meant to be. He was set forth by God’s plan.

 

Spoiler

 

 

[Javert 9615]

"Here we go..."  said Prince Thorin of Ravenmire, who had given the same exact response to the missive of Balian a couple saint's hours prior. On top of every other development within the States, this was another that the Captain-General of Ravenmire was going to have an absolute headache over. "Right after the war with the Salvians too. Damn it"

[ratlordmagic 1484]

“These are… certainly all words.” Was all Miroslaw Jazlowiecki had to say in regards to the Alban ramblings.

[Navigator 4260]

Owyn Hector recalled the words spoken by Hughes Ashes in Númenost; "Will you hide underneath your King's skirt?" - It seemed amusing to him that such was exactly the course of action that the Rouennais had chosen. . . only their sovereign only claimed to be Prince.

 

As he read the missive, he couldn't help but chuckle at the Alban recollection of events. How fantastic. Who would've thought that Robert would be made to seem some angel of purity, merely acting on 'the reflex of faith'? Of course, the man's 'reflex' was to practice something that had been outlawed for generations, yet the Duke seemingly refused to acknowledge such. A long sigh came out from the Savoyard youth, shaking his head slowly.

 

"Seems the dragon remains blind as ever." He quipped, a hoarse cough borne from stress leaving his throat. "I can only pray the Lectorate rectifies their stupid ways- but, they won't. They sponsor these brutes, after all. . ." And then he passed on the missive to his cousin. @Jihnyny

[annanicole__ 2802]

The Countess descended to the chapel within her castle, her heart heavy with solemnity. She lit two more candles, one for Alba and one for Balian, their flames flickering gently in the dim light. As she observed them burn, slowly transforming into mere puddles of wax, a sense of reverence enveloped her. “May God be with us all,” she whispered. 

[Axelu 4333]

Cecily, Princess of Alstion, sets down her quill with a measured exhale, watching as the ink dries upon the parchment. The weight of the words they have committed to paper lingers in the air between her and her husband, Edward, unspoken yet palpable. She presses her fingertips against the edge of the letter, smoothing an imperceptible crease as though steadying the resolve within herself.

Rising from her chair, she moves toward the hearth, the flickering fire casting shifting shadows across her face. Her gaze lingers upon the flames for but a moment before she turns back, eyes sharp with purpose. “It is done,” she finally says, her voice even, yet carrying the weight of a woman who will not be moved. "I hope that reason will be seen, by our dear friend, John -- but we must advocate for ourselves, lest the efforts of our people, and their good spirits, be all in vain." 

[MRCHENN 4741]

"Never did I think I would live in an era where a "Novellen", of all people, joins an "anti-Imperial coalition", yet still tries his best play the game of an Emperor." Says Jon de Lewes.

[Cheese 8882]

"What is this?!" The Amiratus queried in disbelief to the King and Prince of Monterosa. ( @Andustar @Stal27) "Why do the believe it is right to accost a child-- a child!-- over such a thing? The elves are niet Canonist to begin with, do these barbarians intend to cut all who do not conform to their ideals?" She barked out a bitter laugh at the notion. "Surely, they can niet believe that we are the imperials here."

[Twodiks 597]

"That kid deserved it." said Pate Haddle.

[Wavey 2568]

The daemonsteel blade ignited aflame and emboldened in scorching fury. The Templar-Shephard studied his reflection within that blade. It was the same blade which he drew blood against that Harrenite Hypocrite who dared to insult the very faith he devoted his life to. 

Ivan remembered Edward Alstion. He had baptized the man himself within the Saint Joren and Sacred Chains Basilica. The man had proclaimed his wish to see the children of Godwin reunite with their distant brethren of the Horenic tribes. 

He recalled his conversation with the late Villorik long ago; Regarding the true enemies of the faith. It is the neverending darktide that grows like a festering infection within the crevices where the light cannot reach in this world. They then spread, like a plague amongst the lands of the righteous. 

Yet, pompous men and women will lay down their pride and lives for their titles instead. For their overcompensating egos must be satiated. How unfortunate. If only they did not weaponize his faith to do their bidding. 

Alas, such annoyance is not his to worry. But there is one thing he hopes this generation shall follow: 

"Whatever decision you make, John. Stand by it."