Demavend

VE EDYKT I LAHY THE EDICT OF LAHY KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by the LORD PALATINE On this 10th day of Wzuvar ag Byvca of 525 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG ELDERVIK, THE ROYAL DUMA STANDS AT THE HEART OF HAESENI GOVERNANCE. It is the pillar by which both noble peers and common streltsy are rightly and justly empowered. In times long past, the Royal Duma has sat kings upon the dual-throne, set course both for war and peace alike, and put the realm to rights when it has faltered. No more shall it sit in slow decline, confined to the whims of languid lords and absent aldermen. It is my hope that The Royal Duma shall, through such following reforms, return to the forefront of Highland politick, for as many laboured efforts as it might require. Jura i Kongzem, Chapter IX of the Haurul Caezk shall now read: JURA I KONGZEM LAW OF THE KINGDOM Ch. IX. “The Royal Duma” (Ve Royal Duma) IX.I. The Royal Duma shall sit as representatives of the Haeseni people by the grace of the Crown to advise on matters of law and action, and the Speaker shall oversee the assembly to ensure its sittings are peaceful and productive. IX.II. The Speaker shall be recommended to the Crown through a vote in the Royal Duma, of which those eligible for recommendation are: i. Every Haeseni Lord of landed title, ii. The Royal Aldermen. IX.III. The Royal Duma shall consist of two assemblies: i. The Upper Assembly. ii. The Lower Assembly, whose number shall not exceed half the seats of the Upper Assembly. IX.IV. Upon the Royal Duma shall sit: i. Every Haeseni Lord of landed title or their appointed representative, of which shall be a member of their family, who shall sit upon the Upper Assembly. ii. The Royal Aldermen, who shall sit upon the Lower Assembly. iii. The Grand Maer, who shall sit upon the Lower Assembly. iv. The Palatine, only as an arbitrator if a vote is tied. IX.V. The Grand Maer shall be elected to the Royal Duma through public elections held every six years, in which any Haeseni adult may run. The Maer shall be responsible for, and entitled to: i. Collect tax on behalf of the Treasurer. ii. Manage the Royal Capital’s tavern, or employ someone to do so. iii. Maintain the appearance of the Crownlands and Capital, and aid the Crown with improvements to infrastructure. iv. Hold festivities within the Crownlands and Capital, and liaise with the Royal Court. v. Publish Writs of Banishment and direct soldiers of the Brotherhood of Saint Karl if their commands are not contrary to that of the Officers, the Aulic Council, or the Crown. vi. Reside within the Maer’s Chamber of the Royal Duma Hall for the duration of their term. IX.VI. The Royal Aldermen shall be nominated to the Royal Duma by way of Royal Decree or majority vote in the Duma, and may remain in office until their forfeiture or removal, in which any Haeseni adult may run if they do not currently sit upon the Duma. IX.VII. On the first sitting of every session following an election cycle, there shall be elected from among the members of the Royal Duma: i. The Lord Handler, who shall aid in all apparent duties of the Speaker, stands responsible for marking attendance and voting tallies, and assumes the role as overseer of the Royal Duma in absence of the Speaker. ii. By Crown decree in time of need; the Lord Auditor, who shall upon their own volition seek to root out idleness and corruption amongst such high office as the Aulic Government and Noble Peerage. IX.VIII. As representatives of all Haeseni people, the Royal Duma shall: i. Petition the Crown to sign bills passed by three-fourths majority vote into law, ii. Advise the Crown by three-fourths majority vote, iii. Introduce or remove members of the Lower Assembly by three-fourths majority vote, iv. Establish and mandate both civil and martial infrastructural works, v. Create organised political institutions within the Royal Duma, vi. Receive petitions from the citizenry, vii. Mandate national holidays, viii. Elect Haeseni citizens to the Royal Orders of Merit. ix. Summon and investigate members of the Aulic Government and Noble Peerage, x. Ensure the regulation of law and domestic policies of the Royal State, xi. Ratify international treaties. IX.IX. The Royal Duma shall sit once called by the Speaker, and those who neglect to attend regularly shall have their privilege suspended by the Crown. IX.X. A sitting of the Royal Duma that lacks at least half of its members and the Black Bulava shall be unlawful. GODANI JEST WIELKI, HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, Ivan VIII, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Slesvik, Solvesborg, and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia, and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald, and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Markev, Nenzing, Siegrad, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Astfield, Buck, Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, and Rytsburg, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera. HER ROYAL MAJESTY, Nataliya of Ghaestenwald, Queen-Consort of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Princess-Consort of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duchess-Consort of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margravine-Consort of Korstadt, Rothswald, and Vasiland, Countess-Consort of Alban, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscountess-Consort of Varna, Baroness-Consort of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, and Astfield, Lady of the Westfolk, Protector and Lady of the Highlanders, etcetera. His Excellency, Ivo Radovanic, Lord Palatine of Hanseti-Ruska

WRIT OF AULIC APPOINTMENT: LORD TREASURER OF THE REALM KRUSAE ZWY KONGZEM Issued by the CROWN On this 12th day of Tov ag Yermey of 524 E.S. VA BIRODEO HERZENAV AG ELDERVIK, ALL THINGS DEMAND COIN. Holdfasts must be built, and swords must be forged. Distant lands wait to be unified with the Kingdom of Sigismund. And so, the time has come for new eyes to look upon the ledgers of the realm. We thank the former Treasurer, Lord Isaak of Ludovar, for his many years of loyal service. Under his watch this Kingdom has remained flush with gold and Her people have toiled in glory. In his place, we appoint the Komit i Malkovya, Mikhail of House Colborn (@Kaladin Stormblessed), to the position of Lord Treasurer to wield the Silver Bulava. He is a man with a talent for finding coin and material, proven over his lengthy tenure in the Office of the Stewardry. We pray he may see the people will be fed, the brothers armed, and the treasury filled. GODANI JEST WIELKI, HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, Ivan VIII, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Slesvik, Solvesborg, and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia, and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald, and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Markev, Nenzing, Siegrad, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Astfield, Buck, Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, and Rytsburg, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera. HER ROYAL MAJESTY, Nataliya of Ghaestenwald, Queen-Consort of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Princess-Consort of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Solvesborg, Slesvik and Ulgaard, Duchess-Consort of Carnatia and Vanaheim, Margravine-Consort of Korstadt, Rothswald, and Vasiland, Countess-Consort of Alban, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscountess-Consort of Varna, Baroness-Consort of Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, and Astfield, Lady of the Westfolk, Protector and Lady of the Highlanders, etcetera.

The bastard of Barbanov scowled over at the Ruthern Heiress as she pressed his quill to parchment. Under great stress, he scrawled his name along the bottom.

One embittered infant raged against the bounds of his wooden cot. A cruelly ignoble beginning for he of such venerable lineage. He had littered his nursery room with the remnants of wooden soldiers and trolls, even sent a cup of honeyed milk soaring to shatter against the painted visage of Karl 'The Lion'. Yet, the nursemaids would not come, occupied only with the witch and her expectant heir. The clothen toy queen was all that remained to him. And so, with a cry, he wrapped a hand taut around her crown and tore the little head from its stitches.

I am currently a Haenseman 😑, but Haense at the moment is a particularly egregious example of why it is so much more compelling to reach for independence than vassalage. There are few true examples of real vassals on the server, most seem to occupy the equivalent to gentry estates in the real word - that is to say they exist for no deeper purpose than to act as item storage and a place to hold the traditional bi-monthly family dinner. They are given little freedom, power or trust and yes this is really the only part of the issue that relies entirely on the playerbase to solve. The few decent and recent examples of functioning vassals such as Adria and Stassion causing such strife has only compounded the push towards absolute tedious centralization. Clearly absolute freedom of conquest and vassalage is the ideal, but it's simply not a reasonable expectation within the current server climate. There will always be groups of players that are unwilling to collaborate. And, as much as people express how easy it would be to simply conquest or threaten these smaller nation states into submission, lotc war is a gruelling process even between smaller nations that only a few very invested leaders are ever going to be willing to undertake it. Attempting to conquer Norland as a Haeseni vassal was both entirely unsupported by the server rules and easily the most unenjoyable experience I've ever had on here. Of the 20 Nls that the rules actually support, only half at most actually have the means for conquest and I'd imagine half again have the thick skin and the deep investment in their nation to warrant wading through the horribly boring discord plots and justifications that it requires. (Though it's definitely something I would like to see more of.) In an ideal world the community would regulate themselves and the bounds for every conflict would be happily agreed upon beforehand but it's not just a feasible hope for any time in the near future. I also don't think it's terribly hard to find roleplay either, if you're willing to be the one to kick it off - but these tiny micro states spread over the map certainly don't make it any easier. Seems a bit of a no-brainer just to make realm applications a bit more stringent in the first place for all the reasons @Xarkly stated. Obviously it's not going to be an overnight fix but is certainly a step in the right direction.

sucks for either side being camped at all. Though it's something I've personally had fun with, during war-time road banditry very rarely serves to create anything more than arguments and dull ransom roleplay while inconveniencing a majority of the server base. it's already disproportionately punishing to newer players who aren't aware of all the odd ruling loopholes and conventions. Allowing it at ss pillars is an absurd moderation decision that I'm surprised had stood at all for more than one instance

The loss had come, as he had known it would. Though, the Lord Ruthern's grief did not abate. It was not a sharp pain, but some aching emptiness that seemed at once to envelop him. He had always been strong for them, why then had none the grit to do as he did? Raising a hand to his temple, the Duke of Vidaus fell into his seat with a slow sigh, reaching again for the tinctures that filled the floor of his desk drawer. His had always been a lonely path, but now 'twas all that lay before him. The cold breeze through the rafters reached him, then. And in it's biting chill, she was at his side once more.

Aleksandr var Ruthern ran a hand through greying hair. He was not sure his knees should bend again so easy without breaking, but never did a thing worth grasping come without cost.

The Duke of Vidaus carried with him a great air of indignation. He had long grown accustomed to the quietude, hidden from the cries of his maddening wife in the confines of his study - and the realm was better off, he knew. Georg had not ever been made to wear the crown, as those around him had. The realm was better off, as was his aged friend. Though, Aleksandr could not help from being drawn to the memories of his youth. It was not a sadness, but a mournful sort of longing for what was, and might have been. The two had made fine foes in the lists, and fine company stood side to side in arms. He was sure, such days would never come again, and that was a pain all too familiar.

Issued by the HOUSE OF RUTHERN On the 10th day of Joma ag Umund of 460 E.S. SANGKRUV I RUTHER, Such a proclamation as put forward by the Viscountess of Venzia may prove shocking to some, though to the House of Ruthern it comes as no great surprise. I have not once claimed to act in Norland carrying the banner of Hanseti-Ruska or under any authority but mine own, and the will of our late King - nor against the word of His Majesty or His Holiness in their infinite wisdom. That such a laughable claim, and one so easily proven false, is peddled by half of the Haeseni Peerage goes some way to explain the willful ignorance of their own noble failings. On Norland, I will comment only sparingly, for there are few of those accusations mustered that are even loosely grounded in reality. Much of Almaris has seen their blatant disregard for diplomacy in treating both with myself and with The Crown. That a war in the North was denied by either His Late Majesty or The Royal Duma is again a claim that has no basis in truth, for it was solely the Lady Adele Ludovar who spoke out against outright conquest. It was under threat of such that King Odin at last bowed to the terms put to Norland by the Haeseni Crown, in which they surrendered much land in the lower Grenz, ceded the title of Protector of the Highlands to Haense and promised the construction of a holy church upon their lands. It was by that same King’s own will that the treaty be dissolved upon the passing of The Crown, that they be dissolved of any link to Hanseti-Ruska and that their failure to abide by the terms of the previous agreement then turn to refusal of them. None can deny in good faith that the plight of the Norlanders was not wrought by their own hand. And on the rest, I was not the first to put forward the notion that the Haeseni Peerage chokes under its own indolence, nor am I the sole figure in the realm to share such an opinion. That such an assault on my house and character should come not long before the eve of the completion of the noble audit, in which the state and capability of the nobility is like to be called into question, should require no greater in-depth explanation. House Colborn are of late so absent in the realm beyond the efforts of Ser Maric Colborn in the treasury, to whom I hold no ill will. They are of course also only one of two houses not to make any effort to arrange such a meeting so as to discuss the state of their House, perhaps so as to avoid further scrutiny entirely should their demands to The Crown be actioned. Yet, the Lady Colborn herself still finds time herself to engage in such unsanctioned diplomacy with the realm of Norland as she does herself accuse me of, witnessed by many. The House of Barclay, it must be said - does provide ample service to The Realm, if by its scions and not the Duke Reinmar himself. Whom, it seems would sooner seek the disruption of those other families in service to the realm than work for the advancement of his own. It is not the first the Lord Barclay has beseeched The Crown to demote the House of Ruthern rather than answer any such imagined insult through his own means. He too implored me privately in that very same meeting to support his request to see the Houses of Godunov and Von Draco demoted so that the realm might combat the ‘inflated number of Noble houses.’ Such is a broad view I share with the Lord Barclay, though question why he sees fit only to name those not aligned with him and yet maintain a far greater presence than those whose signatures his own sits above. In regard to the Hyspian’s involvement I must admit to being surprised, for I have always thought the Lord de Pelear to be a man of honour. Though, I know well they maintain some inexplicable friendships in the North. Let it be known that I hold no ill will, and remind the Lord de Pelear that it was mine own appeals in the Duma as a youth that even saw them be allowed to sit upon it, and enjoy proper involvement in Haeseni affairs. On Houses Ludovar and Kortrevich there is truly little that need be said. For the first has been dwindling for decades now, and the latter sees a swifter decline than any house in recent memory. The Lady Ludovar herself has been bedridden for a great many years now, so one must take her involvement in any such schemes to be rather a miracle. Matviy Kortrevich, of course - is entirely ineffectual. How any man speaks of honour in his shoes displays a truly astounding lack of awareness. Elopement, fantastical tales and great insults made to Holy Men do naught to give credence to his claims. As has the man thrice refused challenges to duel for such. It is true, that the grace of Her Majesty is all that has safeguarded Lord Kortrevich from greater strife, and does too mask his blatant inadequacy. As for House Bishop, neither its Lord nor his successor have made any significant contribution to the realm since their ennoblement. It has long been mine own counsel that the seat pass to Ser Atilan Bishop, whom while a man with which I often disagree - has at least attempted to emulate some effort in maintaining his family’s status. Let it be clear that this ‘call’ is naught more than an attempt to distract from the long-standing ineffectuality of the Peerage. Whom, most sit now with no great ambition but to sit and enjoy their expanded privilege and freedoms, of which some they hold only through the efforts of House Ruthern and the grace of our late King in legislating for expanded rights and duties. Like cockroaches, they come swarming from cracks in the woodwork to levy complaint. Yet, when called upon to stand in defence of the realm against Inferi, or in service to the Duma and other noble institutions - make no such grand appearances. That such families of long standing nobility can in good conscience accuse myself and The House of Ruthern of what is tantamount to High Treason, one of the few remaining noble houses who maintain any active interest in the betterment of the realm is truly staggering. As written by the late Palatine Johanna Barclay on the expectations of Ducal vassals that ‘They act independently and succinctly for the Kingdom, not needing to be told to take action.’ That the Peerage takes issue with such yet in the same breath make such demands of The Crown, while content to sit in languid mediocrity is a truly damning indictment of the state of affairs. One must only hope the people of Hanseti-Ruska capable enough to see through such vapid accusations and personal affronts to the truth of the matter, and to the sorry state of those who claim to be their betters. DRUZ GJERNZ AG GRYVNZ, His Grace, Aleksandr var Ruthern, Duke of Vidaus, Viscount of Greyspine, Count of Metterden, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Druzstra and Protector of the South Her Serene Highness, Analiesa of Karosgrad, Princess Royal of Hanseti-Ruska, Duchess of Karosgrad, Duchess-Consort of Vidaus, Viscountess-Consort of Greyspine, Countess-Consort of Metterden, Baroness-Consort of Rostig, Lady of Druzstra and Protector of the South His Excellency, Otto Baruch-Gant, Deputy Palatine of Hanseti-Ruska, Lord Regent and Steward of the Duchy of Valwyck, Baron of Gant Her Grace, Roslin Baruch, Duchess of Valwyck, Countess of Ayr, Viscountess of Voron, Laval, and Riveryn His Highness, Loran von Draco, Prince of Mardale, Marcher Lord of Eichenwalde His Excellency, Lord Sviatoslav Jaroslavich Godunov, Lord Marshal of the Brotherhood of St. Karl, Baron of Verskaya His Excellency, Lord Felix Weiss, Baron of Zvaervauld, Lord Speaker of His Majesty's Duma and Royal Captain of His Majesty's Brotherhood Firr, Branimar Kvazyev, Chief of Kvazyev

AND MOURNING OF THEIR SOULS Issued by the DUCHY OF VIDAUS On the 7th day of Jula ag Piov of 460 E.S. SANGKRUV I RUTHER, It has been many years since the Viscomital couple of Greyspine excused themselves from Haeseni society, abdicating their titles and abandoning the lands of their birth. It was not until the past year that both Lord Mikhail and Lady Margrait found themselves once more within Haense, a quiet return to meet their grandchildren and pay their respects for the deceased monarchs. It is presumed on their departing carriage that they were killed by their coachmen or bandits as their corpses were found mangled off the road near the Rimeveld. Viscount Mikhail, formerly Duke, had few friends among his kinsmen and no shortage of enemies. He made little effort to hide his distaste for the way in which the Haensemen carried themselves and the manner in which they were ruled. In life, he took great pride in his efforts to resist what he perceived as injustice and cultural weakness. His early efforts were focused largely in the Royal Duma, where he proposed many bills to further the powers of his fellow peers, most of which are now Haeseni law. Lord Mikhail soon grew to despise the institution, for it proved ineffective in producing true change. Having lost interest in the Royal Duma and Karosgrad, he focused the remainder of his reign on improving his holdings in Vidaus. Under his watch, the village of Branhavn was raised by the designs of his wife, son, and the other Rutherns of Druzstra. The castle itself was renovated heavily, and the Duke invested large sums of minae into a hereditary fund for his successors. Once satisfied that his holdings were in order, the Duke accepted an invitation by Her Majesty to head her Council. Lord Mikhail quickly grew ill after settling into his new role, and was seldom seen publicly. It was, however, by his suggestion that the Council be dissolved and merged with that of the King, and that the Crown set aside lands for the creation of a royal preserve. This has materialised in the Queenswood. As for the Viscountess, Margrait differed greatly from her husband. Her kin and companions considered her passionate by every definition of the word. She carried herself with great care, and minded the same to those of her blood. The former Duchess acted as a mediator for Lord Mikhail in these aspects, whether it was in his duels, feuds with the nobility, or the investigation of the children he sired whom she treated as her own. Management of the household often fell into Lady Margrait’s domain as the Duke worked within the capital for long stretches of time. Her daily work often consisted of writing many of the missives from the Duchy or House of Ruthern, as well as revising the work of her husband. One of her significant projects was expanding upon trials for the Rutherns, be they bastard or trueborn, which were based upon their ancient history and previous customs. It had ultimately been implemented toward the end of her reign as Duchess, encouraging the youth to begin them upon their sixteenth namedays. For all of her efforts, especially with the administration of Branhavn, assistance in constructing such, and assistance renovating the castle itself, Lady Margrait had been named the Duchess of Vidaus in her own right. IN MEMORIAM 403 - 459 E.S. Mikhail Tuvya Ruthern | Margrait Floireans Baruch Grand Lord to Her Royal Majesty Amadea of Susa, Duke of Vidaus | Duchess of Vidaus A ceremony of their deaths shall be held within the Duchy of Vidaus come the cessation of Northern hostilities. Those who wish to mourn their deaths are invited to come, and their bodies shall be laid to rest within the crypts of Druzstra. The date of the impending funeral will be later disclosed. GOD BLESS THEIR SOULS. DRUZ GJERNZ AG GRYVNZ, His Excellency, Aleksandr var Ruthern, Grand Peer of Hanseti-Ruska, Duke of Vidaus, Count of Metterden, Viscount of Greyspine, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Druzstra and Protector of the South Her Serene Highness, Analiesa Josefina Ruthern, Princess Royal of Hanseti-Ruska, Duchess of Karosgrad, Duchess-Consort of Vidaus, Countess-Consort of Metterden, Viscountess-Consort of Greyspine, Baroness-Consort of Rostig, Lady of Druzstva and Protector of the South

THE BURNING TREE IN ASHES Issued by the HOUSE OF RUTHERN On the 12th day of Wzuvar and Byvca of 460 E.S SANGKRUV I RUTHER, The Kingdom of Norland has for too long sat upon our borders and flaunted their heretical nature, hanging good Canonist men and women from the flaming tree they hold in such prestigious reverence. Never again shall this kingdom be contaminated with the godless creatures that roam it. It was the final wish of my father-in-law, King Karl III, that my wife and I rectify this most grievous offence to our kingdom and Canonism. He has bestowed upon me his iron fist in order to bring the holy word of God to this nation of heathens, and such is what I shall do. I have offered diplomacy and I have shown my fair hand, but such is a favour that must not be offered twice. You have scorned my attempt at good-will, and now leave me with no choice but the sword. Our Pontiff does now give this excursion his blessing. He shares the wish of many of God’s faithful to see it underneath a good king. A strong king. A Canonist Ruler. You have been offered chances time and time again to join the fold of your Canonist brethren, and yet you have shirked it off on every occasion. You are a nation now that remains a small blight upon the holy tapestry of Canonism and man. Your nation stands abandoned, empty for all but the crows. Now let it be that we shall rid this stain once and for all. We offer the final chance of conversion to the Canonist Faith under the House of Ruthern and Hanseti-Ruska, or damnation hereafter. GOD BLESS NORLAND AND THE HOUSE OF RUTHERN DRUZ GJERNZ AG GRYVNZ, His Grace, Aleksandr var Ruthern, Duke of Vidaus, Count of Metterden, Baron of Rostig, Lord of Druzstra and Protector of the South Her Serene Highness, Analiesa Josefina Ruthern, Princess Royal of Hanseti-Ruska, Duchess of Karosgrad, Duchess-Consort of Vidaus, Countess-Consort of Metterden, Baroness-Consort of Rostig, Lady of Druzstva and Protector of the South

Nursing a weary headache, The Duke of Vidaus wrapped both hands tight around his cup. He should have to escape for a while and be free of his wife's wailing, for The Queen had dealt him one last wound by leaving no reprieve in their misery.

The Duke of Vidaus sat over his desk in austere silence. The death of the King he had spent so much of his youth in conflict with ought not irk him so, though he had found an odd comfort in his late reconciliation with the Crown. Aleksandr var Ruthern's mind was drawn to a conversation he had with the Prince Georg, and to the image of his own father when last he had seen the man, some decade passed now. "What is a man, but half his father?" Time would tell, he supposed - But he would not sit idly by. With a sigh, the old bronze crown spun steady between his fingers before he grasped it tightly and rose to his feet, setting off after the Princess Royal.