ON SO CALLED ALBAN AGGRESSION

[Kholibrii 1211]

The Lady Mayor knelt before the alter in the Abbey Saint Catherine, gold cross in one hand and prayer book in the other. “GOD give us guidance so we may live in your pious glory.” 
 

As the sun fell upon the Duchy of Alba, Luciana rose from prayers, leaving behind a set of gold coins for the friars of the abbey to collect. “Words of blasphemy shalt never have a place in the lands of Alba. May GOD guide the King of Balian toward the pious path of peace and away from the webs of greed spun by the wicked men of de Savoie!”

[Nectorist 12869]

"The kid wasn't harmed at all, and if he was, it was an accident, and it it wasn't an accident, he deserved it," says Albatross Volaren in his bid to become paragon of legal war crimes.

[Xtessisold222 484]

"Well said" galladon thinks to himself

[Crevel 7557]

"Why are mah Alstion kin tryin' to make an argument tha' an elven child blasphemin' is an affront to Canondom? We don' welcome 'em in the Seven Skies an' they aren' beholden by the Church to follow Canon Law... an' it's a fuckin' child. They will say dumb things. Truly... I am the only sane Alstion alive..." Robert Tiberius Alstion remarks openly to his Reinmaren compatriots, cementing his status as the real Slim Shady.

[MonteGiant 891]

Pepe Fontesar, a new Hyspian recruit to Alba's mercenary band and not privy to any of this information would remain in disbelief. He begins training within the courtyard, preparing for the worst, but hoping that nothing ill will happen...

[FireAGN 1207]

"Edward defending his bannerman for maiming an elf? What is this... Ivoria?" Malcolm, a native of Balian and former ward of the aforementioned Prince, thought to himself as he recalled one Sir Boris of Ivoria being charged by the church for the same reason. "At least he called for a parley... But at what cost?"

[Andustar 4143]

 

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Prince Edward,

To scar one grown - mature enough to comprehend the weight of blasphemy - is one matter. To scar a child - young and in need of gentle correction - on account of her ears is another. From where I stand, the truth of the matter is plain to see. Had a human expressed such ignorance, I have little reason to doubt that your man would have shown restraint. As children of God, we must be mindful that mercy is a virtue, and that ignorance can be remedied through the guiding hand of the faithful. For in our hands we may wield the sword, but so too can they be used in healing this world the Lord has gifted unto us.

Had I sought to rule like a tyrant of yore, I would not have ridden north and bothered in seeking an honest conversation within your halls in the beginning. I would not have left said halls in trust that you would uphold your word to me, out of respect for the friendship that previously existed between our two peoples. A friendship I had hoped would last. Perhaps it was brash to call you away from Alba and to Portoregne, for the sake of resolving this situation, even after I had promised to uphold the laws of hospitality. This is most certainly a delicate matter, and I should expect you to feel obliged to stand by your men.

However, you have always had the choice to refuse. You have always had the right to speak your mind, and so I ask where was this bark you now display when I first brought my concerns to your halls? If this is truly how you feel on the matter at hand, I would have appreciated an admission to such then and there. I would have greater respect for you in standing by your principles, even if I consider them abhorrent.

It has taken some time, but I am glad that you have finally mustered the courage to be honest with me. Better late than never, as the saying goes.

I doubt relations will ever return to the state in which they used to exist, but I am most willing to sit opposite you and deliberate upon a proper resolution through which justice prevails and peace is restored. It is what I have set out to do from the beginning, and I shall see this through until the end.

 

 

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AD GLORIAM DEI

HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, JOHN II, by the Grace of God, King of Balian, Prince of Providence, Duke of Helena, Lorraine and Reutov, Count of Pompourelia, Viscount of Eflen, Anatis and Valio, Baron of Renzfeld, Brucca, Valens, Malenos, Montcoure and Ciavola, Lord of Portoregne, Atrus and Monterosa, Warden of La Costa Rubinissima, Protector of the Heartlanders and the South, etcetera.

 

[Werew0lf 24180]

“If you are not cutting the ears of elven people, you are not doing canonism properly,” quotes the goodly Saint Raguel, though, many would consider his opinion to border evil intent. For that express purpose, the Aengul did not descend to deliver this message.

[valecu 2128]

“Once again, under the pretext of Anti-Imperialism, we see the presence of Imperialism.” An Aldersberg conversed to herself. “How repetitive history is.”

[TaraJess 2848]

Johanna had just finished delivering another batch of  pain reducing medicine to the orphan child who's ear had been stolen from her. "Ah yes, I imagine this child without parents is now ready to accept the light of GOD, for his messenger has taken her ear! How does one expect a child of no parentage to know GOD? If they had any real grace in their hearts, perhaps this Robert fellow may have taken her in and actually taught her the word of GOD. Quick to violence, then surprised that it is not tolerated?" The woman shook her head, for she was indeed disappointed in the Duke she had once called her friend.

[Gridlock 1033]

Big Lev patiently waited for bloodshed to start.

 

Spoiler

 

[sergisala 3451]

"The Imperialism of the Anti-Imperials, basically. If only Emperor Peter IV could see what has become of his once-beloved humanity..." Father Marc shook his head in lamentation upon hearing the most recent news coming from the Duchy of Alba. "I pray that the Sons of Horen find the most necessary Virtue to mend their tribal differences so that they can unite once again in eternal Spirit." the old priest then proceeded to join his hands, ending his statement with a prayer "Saint Daniel, Pray for Us."

[Yeetboy0206 1574]

Estevot read the missive, and promptly ripped it up. How dare they? HOW DARE THEY?! They claim to follow the faith, yet they choose to defend those who attacked children with clear pre-meditative intent? An orphan elven child with no understanding of GOD should be educated in Canonism at the very least, not brutally maimed for blasphemy they had no idea they were saying. He prayed to GOD to forgive them, for they have stained his name in the eyes of an innocent child possibly forever, and have now chosen to defend the one that did so. He hopes they will choose real peace, and not hide behind claims of imperialism and blasphemy to excuse harming innocent children for no good reason other than because they wanted to. 
 

“O Lord, have mercy on us all for the effects their sins may have. Open their hearts to truth so they may repent, and I pray that you will defend the children who have been harmed from further harm, that they may not be targeted as a result of the ignorance of men.”

[confusedjester 812]

Elsii'mah blinked at such response! "...Never once in that entire assault did I deny the EXISTENCE of GOD.- I am not stupid enough to claim so infront of so many HOLY-ROLLERS... Especially if I dont even know!" The girl murmured, ignorant to the ways of the Canonist... She SCOFFED, rolling an eye. "But, sure, yes, me expressing I did not understand their GODLY phrasings in their literacy, warrants me being tied up, forced to choose what limb is cut or gouged off, the loss of my ear and public humiliation. - very smart! Bah!" The 'ker remarked, her voice of sheer, barbed sarcasm! Elsii scoffed, again, and threw the missive into the fire to watched it burn.

 

The Finch of Ivoria read over both missives in solemn. Julia then knelt down in the chapel and prayed.

[DancingZebra267 1626]

"Let us not forget history. It was John’s father, Alexander II, who was once sought out when he plotted to remove the High Priest from his rightful seat. A king of Balian himself, turning against the very Church he claimed to serve. And now, here we are again, watching Balian take up the defense of a blasphemer who denies GOD Himself." Vincenzo's eyes sharpened as he went on. "Alba's officer acted as a true servant of GOD should, and for that, they are condemned? No. I say to you all, the real fault lies with those who seek to protect the blasphemer, rather than uphold GOD's law. If a child speaks against GOD, then let her be taught by word or by mark. Better a scar in this life than damnation in the next."