A Request To Parley

[TeaLulu 1783]

A notice is placed upon the billboards of Salvus and Abresi, written in a frantic, worried tone. It reads:

 

 

To those responsible for the Kidnapping of the Imperial Princess, Sophia Horen:

 

My name is Ari Horen, my title, in this case, unimportant though obvious. While I know you have personally made demands of Salvus for the release of the Imperial Princess, these things are not within my power to grant, though they may be in another's.

 

Sophia is my sister and I have pledged to her and myself to keep her safe and happy. She is not a member of House Horen-Hightower, which is the House which rules and maintains powers over Salvus, but rather a member of the Emperor's bloodline, that of House Horen; Had you asked anything of Abresi, I would do all in my meager power as a Crown Princess to give it to you in exchange for her safe return. Judging from the recent horrors Salvus has endured, it seems to me your quarrel is mainly with Salvus or perhaps House Horen-Hightower, and not with the whole of Oren or the Emperor himself's bloodline. Sophia has nothing to do with Salvus and even less to do with House Horen-Hightower.

 

I cannot order the deaths of Shields, nor can I stand by while my sister's life is threatened. Please, I beg you, allow me to speak with you. Perhaps some other arrangement can be made for her safe return, anything that is within my wordly power to grant. I would give my all to protect my sister, and being a blood descendant of the house formerly known as Hightower, I am the one who deserves any pain on their behalf, not she.

I am willing to meet and speak with you alone, without guards, at a location of your choosing. I am not foolish enough to try and trick nor trap you, not with my sister's life on the line. I only wish to speak to find out what it is that has caused you to take such a desperate path of actions against Salvus. I only wish to guarantee my sister's safety. I know you will not be eager to trust a noble of Oren, much less an Imperial, but please. Please. I beg of you, permit me the opportunity to negotiate for her safe return, no matter the cost, so long as it is a cost that I myself may pay, rather than being paid with the lives of innocent citizens of Oren.

Sincerely and with much hope,

Imperial Crown Princess Ari Horen.

[VonEbs 1224]

Ebs reads the note on the board in a crowded plaza in Salvus. The crowds swell as people wander about confused after the recent executions, some making merry in the bustling taverns, and others openly weeping for those who died for no real reason. Sighing, Ebs pulls his cloak around him, and pushes through the crowd, determined to leave the failing city before the madness gripping the once proud jewel deepens.

[Zarsies 6795]

In his sneaky shenanigans in Abresi, Sprat spots one of the notes. He stares at it with consideration before snatching one, creeping off with it - contemplating.