[R&S 1.1] Imrik Appearing Before the Court

Diary EntryRepentance Day10th yearSundown in Crownhold

It is with great frustration and regret that I must pen these words. Try as I might to communicate with my cousin-in-law, the King Regent of Drekkis, his dedication at twisting my words and intentions to his own ends cannot be overcome. I believe he is fully capable of understanding me, and with malicious intent, chooses again and again this path of senseless confrontation.

I have allowed some time to attend my own matters, and to let tempers cool. I have given quiet grace that the good lords and ladies of the royal court might regain some sense of calm, that they may be more well positioned to receive sense and understanding. This very afternoon, on Repentance day, a time of peace, understanding, and forgiveness, during proceedings of the court of Wikkthronrarenta, I scryed upon the chambers so that I might find an opportune moment to speak. When one matter, resolved to the contentment of all and met with much applause, created a natural lapse, I took my opportunity to present myself - in projected form, of course - before the court. My earnest desire was speak plainly before the King Regent with as many honorable witnesses, as they would understand such terms, present possible. I have chosen this day to underscore my desire to mend bridges. Yet even on such a high holiday or compassion, the Cleric of Chis would not speak reason.

I appeared before the court with full crown, cape, and regalia. As the king of Mistrya, and the savior of Drekkis. A gasp of surprised turned to a mummer of gossip until I raised my hands for silence - which was granted. The Royal Guard quickly took their places before my cousin, the rightful heir of the land, and her husband, a man who could be called usurper or insurgent. This is their duty, and to see them do otherwise would have concerned me for her safety. I bare these men no ill will.

To paraphrase myself, I called for a clear and honest dialog, for we are all subjects of Drekkis and all wish for a greater harmony and prosperity. I openly forgave the Cleric for sending armed men after me, and even humbled myself before the court by apologizing for my sudden disappearance. It is only understandable that in such dire circumstances, one must choose the path of caution and prudence, a path that leads to a minimum of violence and destruction. I took every care to create a favorable and cooperative impression.

As I left conversational room for the cleric to reply, he stood to his feet and most salaciously rebuked me. In the hall that I saved. In front of the people whose lives are owed to me. Protected by warriors armored in scales from the dragon that I slew. In this environment he called me coward. He proclaimed a man of virtue and honor would appear in flesh, not through magic - although he crudely called power beyond his comprehension mere tricks and trifles.

Yet I am the better man, and I care deeply for my people. I asked the would be king to give me his word that no violence would come should I appear before him in the flesh. I reassured all that I desired only peace and mutual prosperity. Here is where the cleric of lies twists my every intent to his own ends. Obfuscates my honesty to cement his rule. Maligns my nature to celebrate his own.

“Every subject of honor has come, unarmed with steel or spells, and presented themselves to the Empress. They have each and every one, save those so aged that to do so would cause them physical discomfort most unreasonable, bent their knee and bowed their head. They have each and every one pledged their fealty and service to our Empress, who is in her hour of greatest need, without the insult of assuming her malintent or her temperament unjust or volatile. These honorable lords and ladies that surround you now do not fear the law. They do not fear the truth.”

“Why is it, King Imrik, that you fear divine light? Why is it you hide in shadows and use tricks to communicate, rather than present yourself - bereft of weapons, of spells and their components, of magic augmentation, and of means to kill again - to your Empress? A man of honor does not fear the truth. Does not fear the light. Does not hide behind illusions, phantasms, and projections. Come stand before this court like any other honorable member and you shall receive the justice you are owed.”

His words bare two edges. He flatters those present so that they see him as reasonable and turn away from the threats he laced throughout.

With great effort, I restrained my urge to rebuke this man as a usurper. A traitor. A foreign born bastard of low birth who has ensorcelled my cousin for his own gains, who arrived to our shores just in time to don a crown of a place he has not lived, and reign over a people he abandoned to death. A people I fought for. A people I bled for. A people my brother died for. I bit my tongue, because the greater good demands peace, yet my full wrath could not be contained. His hypocrisy was too great.

I began to say that it was not the judgment of my cousin, our Empress, that I distrusted, but this new man who stands before me, that I do not know, and yet claims divine right over the lands I set free.

Yet as I spoke, he grasped the crown upon his head, and with great cavalierly tossed it at my projection uttering, “If you want this crown for yourself, here it is”. Contact with my projection broke the spell, and the room vanished from before me.

I fear I may have underestimated the Prince of Lies. I should not have appeared in so public a place. Even had I spoken my intent and vanished, he would have had the opportunity in my absence to twist my words.

I must convince him we are better allies than we are enemies. I must speak to him of peace. I care not how many or my projections he disrupts, I care not how he demeans me in private, I care not for his double speak. I will force him into an honest conversation if I have to appear before him while on his private throne, beside his bed, or while he takes his prayers. We will talk. We will find peace. I have sacrificed far too much for my people to let this impostor ruin it all.

I will bring peace to this land.