1875-01-19: Shattered Fealty
Shattered Fealty
Summary: d'Korbina's response to the Aequorian high court. Memoir will be extended as the situation progresses.
Date: 1875-01-19 to 1985-?-?
Related: (1875-01-18) High Court of Aequor, (1875-01-19) Conspiracy
NPCs: Clinton d'Bartone
Players:
Ludovic  Jasmina  

1875-01-18
Ever since Ludovic’s return from the Aequorian High Court there has been a massive increase of trade and organisational activity within the borders of Hellsmouth County.

In particular d’Korbina has been seen buying large quantities of grains, arms and other military supplies (mostly from the cities of Murias, Paras and Four Corners) and is undertaking significant military changes which include releasing 'foreign' troops to assist the Bitralund front and the upgrading of large numbers of the militia that has been raised continuously since late 72.

Those members of the d’Korbina family that were previously employed elsewhere on trade have also been returning home.

Inside the walls of Hellsmouth City there are rumours of a major offensive into Qatunax territory and whispers that the viscount is a sorcerer.


1875-01-25
Further organisational changes see three lesser lords named to manage fortresses along the Qatunax/Hellsmouth marches. These lordships stand at Elm's Ridge (Sir Anton d'Meloni of Ramsgate), Hellhounds Rove (Sir Perrine Rohal) and the Red Spring (Sir Ide of the Red Spring). In addition, Lord Clinton d'Bartone, sole surviving vassal lord following the tragic Qatunax invasion has been raised to the rank of Baron and granted field command of Hellsmouth's military forces.


1875-01-25
Baron Clinton d'Bartone.
As soon as the men are ready I want you to take everything we can spare and assault the lands formerly under Rogers of Buckvale. Take as much as you can manage before the spring plantings due and then shift back to a defensive footing so that we can get some farmers in. You've my blessing to raise as much of my levy as is needed to achieve this.
We've permission from Arkanin of Murias for this.
I'll join you in the field as soon as I get this sweet talking done.
Ludovic d'Korbina.


1875-01-27
A contingent of three priests and their acolytes from the Imperial Church arrive in the county and are immediately granted use of the church and chapels that serve the lands about Daemon's Hall by the Viscount. Whilst he has always been faithful enough to avoid censure this new faith seems to have reinvigorated his desire to attend church.
Under normal circumstances the (effectively compulsory) priest-advisor that has long served as the d'Korbina's religious advisor would have acted to counter this "heretical sect" but it has been days since anyone saw the priest tending to his flock. When asked the officials within the keep simply say that he had to return to Rikton on urgent business.
——
1875-01-27
Market day in Hellsmouth City is made busier by the announcement that viscount d'korbina will be making an important announcement to his people.
He makes little effort to seperate himself from the people of the city beyond a narrow ring of horned knights resplendent in their full armor. He too is dressed in the garb of the horned knights, complete with arms and armor, but unlike his men his horned helm is carried by the squire a step behind him.
The speech is delivered in the same tone he would use when talking to his men.


"I have made a terrible choice. A choice that was not a choice at all. It is impossible for me to have chosen any other path. But this is a path that puts us at odds with a King we have served our entire lives.
The King says that all those touched by sorcery must die. That they must be turned over to the falling blade. That we must not stand between the inquisition and those who do not deserve to die.

He has left no space left in the law for a deeds to be taken into account. No room for a man to attempt to attone.

By declaring this, the King has made me, your Viscount, a criminal fit only for death.

When you leave here today, Ask yourself if you truly believe me to be an enemy of the church. Ask yourself if you truly believe that this great land would be better without my shield to guard it.

I know” He thumps his chest right above the heart. “that it is not so. I know that my death will only make us weak before our enemies. I know that our enemies have sought refuge inside the church and that they can do so again. And that knowledge is what allows me to stand here and tell you that I can not submit. WE can not submit.”

If this would stop at my death then I would go down on my knees and beg you to take my life. But each of us knows that will not solve the problem. We all know that only the death of every innocent child that bears the brand will sate them. And then what? Will they give up the power their crusade gave them and go back to being our guides or will they want more?

Let me make it clear. This could happen to /any/ one of your children. Sorcery is NOT something that a man chooses. There are no rituals to call it. We do not know who will gain it and who will not.

For as long back as the histories go Hellsmouth has stood its ground against those who would threaten its people. Let us not stop now.

May the One smile upon us."


1875-01-27
An hour or two later a letter arrives in the court of Arch Duchess Jasmina:
Your Grace, Jasmina.
These words are difficult to write. I wish I could say these words to you in person but I fear the events that could result from such boldness.
I know that you are aware of the extremely difficult position that the Kings announcement put me into. I hope that you also know that I have no choice but to refuse to go along with such a law. No doubt this will cause me to be declared a traitor and perhaps even my excommunication but it has to be done. I cannot live under a law that states that I must be executed no more than I can live with one that states that I must take an innocent to the falling blade. We both know that I am not that man.
That is why I am forced to ask if you hold your duty to protect d’Korbina and Hellsmouth more dear than you hold your duty to obey the King and church. I must know. Much depends on your answer. And there is not much time.
I pray that you can forgive me.
Ludovic d’Korbina.


Jasmina finds herself in tears by the time she is done reading Dovi's letter to her, thankful that she is alone as she would not dare try to explain why she's upset to anyone given the nature of the Viscount's message to her. Locked away in her chambers, the Archduchess is at a loss. What is she supposed to say? To do? Frowning, she finds the fanciful lap desk she keeps in her sitting room and opens it, removing a piece of parchment, a quill and a small jar of ink, she writes a response to Ludovic:

Viscount,

I find myself at a loss and I wish that you had never told me your secret if only to be spared this, a time where I find myself uncertain what to do. Please understand that knowing it has put me in a terrible position and there's truly nothing I can do where anyone will come out of this alive. As much as I am loyal to my vassals, I am also loyal to the royal family. To rise up against them now would… I can't even begin to imagine what would transpire if I were to do try and do so.

Dovi, do what you must to keep you and yours safe. I am not sure what that'd entail, what you'll decide to do, but whatever it is, I will try to protect you no matter what. I will keep your secret for as long as I can no matter what at the same time I will try to set this right.

I am sorry I have nothing else to offer.

Archduches Jasmina al'Mordran


1875-01-28
With the reply from Jasmina held loosely in his hand, Ludovic turns to look out of one of the castle windows and gaze over the foothills and fens that make up his lands.
He turns after a few minutes of dour contemplation, scoops a bundle of documents up from the nearby tabletop and hands them over to Brandon, his squire. "Give these to the Steward. Tell him that they have to go out today." As the boy leaves he turns back to the window and collects up his czekan. Theres no turning back now.


For the Kings court the following letter is sent:

Your Highness.

Your law shatters our bonds of fealty. I refuse to submit to a law that breaks with everything I believe in as a knight.

(here the text is written without the heavy handed anger that was evident in the earlier words. It is also in a slightly paler ink suggesting it was written at a later date than the original words)

I beg you to reconsider your stance on sorcerers.

I understand how difficult it is to believe this but there are creatures that we need to use every tool at our disposal to defeat.
I was there when we fought Cardinal Teleko in the final hours of the Battle of Mathis and I can tell you, with absolute confidence, that without the assistance of sorcerers the cardinal would not only have escaped but also destroyed a great deal of the remaining men. Without the assistance of sorcerers you would have lost Aequor.

You cannot rely upon the church to do this for you. They supported the monster that was Teleko and where were the holy orders when the heathens ravaged both east and west?.

After everything I have done in your service how can you consider it Just to sentence me to death.

Ludovic d’Korbina


For the other courts with Aequor. Those of Duke and Count, Baron and Greater Lord his message is far shorter.

(assume the appropriate honorifics here)

When the King declared that all sorcerers, no matter what harm they have caused, are to be executed he committed a great injustice. This injustice not only brands me as a criminal but also calls for the execution of children and innocents who have done nothing to harm those around them. My Honor cannot allow this. Nor should yours.

Ludovic D’Korbina


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