FROM KING TO KING-SLAYER
Anno Domini 1952
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Frederick Aurelian would hurriedly pack a bindle with a select amount of weapons and hunting gear, with enough food to last a month, a wide assortment of liquor and his prize possession the ICON OF EXALTED OWYN. He would wrap the bindle tightly and ensure that he had sufficient minas in his pouch before running out of Castle Aurelian and straight for Winburghs marketplace in search of a horse. With his leave, a note would also be left on the castle throne.
To my son Richard,
You must now be aware of today’s events but I wish for you to hear it from me. Today I had rallied a group of our most loyal bannerman, unaware initially until it was too late that the actions I committed today would be treason. To kill the bloody cripple and the two degenerates that assist him. This was my only option to stop the cripple from proceeding with his incompetence.
I apologize for doing this all during your travels, taking the men who risked their lives on a cause that could lead to their death. But we were successful, the cripple was killed and his aides' necks were cut open. But my actions have led me to this current event of announcing my leave. I soon will be banished, either by your hand or by the next Protector of Aaun. Nonetheless, I am not a simple man to be killed. If the Acreans were unable to kill me, neither would the Alstions.
But use this letter I write to you, to prove your innocence;
I am the reason behind Edmund the Cripple and Heinrich Lothar's death. I had never informed you of such actions to keep you from any trouble to come, but I wish to make this letter to ensure that others know. This was not my initial attempt on the bloody fool's life. It seemed the failed attempt in which the hired assassins were unable to kill him as he fell off the pit was money not well spent. But once again, I had not informed you of my plans during that assassination attempt. Neither did I order Baldrick to assault the king but out of sheer coincidence, that had worked out in our advantage.
I had recognized that paying assassins would not result in the cripples death, in which I took it into my own hands and rallied men without any knowledge to commit an action to end a tyranny that is needed.
The cripple fell.
I am sorry, Richard for my actions but I hope that Aaun may strive with three less degenerates.
To all those in anger of my actions.
Catch me if you can.
Frederick Aurelian would tuck the Icon of Exalted Owyn deep into his satchel as he went to place his belongings on top of the horse he had bought in Winburgh. He would climb its stirrups, with a slight grin on his face. He looks to the nearest group of people before saying;
“ Want to hear a joke? ”
“ I once thought a Cripple and a Ginger could run a kingdom but… ”
His newly bought horse would suddenly rear its front legs, causing him to almost fall off. He would quickly regain balance, before the horse would rush into a gallop. The joke never finished…
SIGNED,
Frederick Aurelian, King-Slayer