The Journey Home

The shadows have long since grown and faded as night has once again fallen on the camp. But tonight we have reason to rejoice, for victory has been won!


We are finally on our way back to Krespania. When we made camp, my Lady insisted on writing of the consequences of the ambush but I refused. She was exhausted and barely able to hold her Jomacha cup. So she entrusted the duty to me. Thus this entry will be written by Meredith de Barra, her lady-in-waiting.


In light of this responsibility, I shall take the liberty of starting my short narrative near the beginning but from a different standpoint. Worry not, my Lady's accounts will not be revisited.


When the hour for battle arrived I implored the Queen not to go. I told her her presence in the camp would be enough to incite courage in the men's hearts, but alas! She is remarkably stubborn and, I'm afraid, too adventure prone. Those of us remaining watched as they road off, the Queen leading her men to the rescue of the small kingdom of Kordana. When they were out of sight, I returned to the tents to help prepare for the coming injured. I will readily admit my frustration at not being allowed to accompany the Queen as I was accustomed to. Though I cannot measure up to the strength and experience of her bodyguards, Joktan and Jokthan, I was determined she needed me.


Reports of the battles' progress came too intermittently. We held our breath as our horsemen advanced from both sides of the Lorate army and drove them back to their camp. And when they succeeded in ousting the enemy from their own camp, we cheered for joy. But the next part of the plan was the essence of a good battle scheme. There was no surety the Lorate's would head for the Kruhn Ridge. They very well could have headed west further across the Valley of Kordana but the Queen's military commander, Emilio de Casimiro, a seasoned soldier, had a feeling the Ridge would be their escape route.


As our commander had suspected, the frightened Lorates fled the valley and headed straight for the westernmost part of Kruhn Ridge, seeking a moments solace to regroup and strengthen their members.
With thoughts of hope no doubt spurring them on, the Lorate army climbed the ridge and was soon out of sight of Kordana. But from nowhere, Krespanian archers penetrated their ranks. They were in fact hidden all along the mountain outcrops prepared for the enemy's escape. What remained of them was met by the remainder of our own army and it was soon apparent who was the stronger of the two. Now in captivity, the surviving Lorates are awaiting the decision of whether they live or die.


While I write, I hear the joyful voices of the men through the tent layers and I know that their happiness will only escalate the nearer we draw to LunaMara castle and home. I am so glad to be returning home, as I know everyone else is too. When we arrive the whole of Krespania will be crowding the streets to welcome us and their young leader, Queen Emerald. No doubt there will be feasting and all sorts of merry-making for at least a week. Only I wish the men would have some consideration at this moment for their tired Queen. Aside from mere battle fatigue, she suffered a dreadful blow to her arm. It is not broken, only severely bruised, but she needs as much rest as she can get before we continue our journey home tomorrow.


And I suppose I shall leave you at that. We are all very grateful the Lord has so blessed us. We sustained very few injuries and all went according to plan.


 In grateful relief,
-Meredith de Barra,
 Lady-in-waiting

(Blog Post Courtesy of Amy Molloy)
(http://overthehorizon-goldensails.blogspot.com/)

Ruse de Guerre

All is going according to plan so far.

The Lorates are proceeding the way we predicted, and if they continue in the present course we will have victory.

Our first encounter proved successful and had a strong impact upon the battlefield, though at first glance was a discouraging and gruesome sight.

As I rode up to the crest of the hill my heart caught in my throat as I saw the wreckage and chaos that laid upon the Kordana valley before me.

Lorate siege towers gathered close to the walls of the royal Kordana castle, thousands of arrows issuing forth and peppering the battlements, and at the same moment a battering ram was leveled upon the main gate in an effort to breakthrough to the inside.

Roughly a thousand feet from the castle walls lay Mangonel catapults, towering menacingly in front of their army of foot soldiers and horsemen, hurtling large stones and boulders from the bowl-shaped bucket at the end of the long arm of the apparatus.

The damage it incurs is horrendous and devastating, sometimes bringing down a whole portion of a castle tower in one hit, and sending chunks of stone in all directions.

I took a deep breath and steadied my nervous steed with a rub to it's neck.

The strong stench of fire and smoke assailed my nostrils.

Gruesome ordeal, indeed.

We then went into action, we divided our horsemen into two groups and positioned one group at the rim of the Tristan forest, sheltered from view by the trees, north of the Kordana Valley, and the other group at the edge of Kruhn Ridge, south of the valley.

Further east of where the second group was situated on the Ridge was our foot soldiers.

When the order was given they raced from their positions and onto the valley plains.

The group from Kruhn Ridge descended and ambushed the Lorate catapults and foot soldiers from the rear while the horsemen from the forest attacked the left flank of the Lorate camp, positioned behind the battlefield some thousand feet away.

Our intention for this movement was to drive them to the western side of Kruhn Ridge, and so far the plan is successful.

They are acknowledging that they are being overwhelmed, and are starting to retreat.

And to prevent their escape to the west, the horsemen will intercept and drive them to the ridge.

Once they begin ascending into the rocky terrain of Kruhn Ridge, archers will assault them from behind boulders and a battalion of horsemen will surround and constrain the army.

Then their only alternative would be to surrender.

That is the whole of our scheme, and many hours was spent in producing and perfecting it to it's flawless state.

Let us just pray that the Lorates follow along with our ruse.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania

The Eve of a Battle

Dusk has fallen upon our vast encampment, and upon the weary men inhabiting it.

After traveling the day through, we have set up camp, forty leagues from Kordana's capital and the war that strives there.

We are a safe distance from harm, and as a mandatory precaution have sentries continually at their vigil for any threat, at all entrances of the camp.

It is almost an irony to find my tent dwelling comfortable and homelike; With rich rugs from Pasarz covering the dirt floor, and a table, and chairs with varieties of pillows and blankets, all for my pleasure, I could easily call it pleasant.

And yet it is an irony because despite its appearance it is so far from home, and these times perilous, that no security is assured to one here that could be otherwise guaranteed.

If I seem a little anxious it is all probably due to the fact that I am tired, and because of this I cannot promise to write for very long.

My commander's and I have just concluded a conference pertaining to battle tactics and strategies, and how we will proceed against the Lorates, and this prolonged discussion has left me rather fatigued in view of the days travels.

I do not think I could have remained upright and conscious through the whole of it, if it had not been for loyal Meredith who served me a continuous supply of cups of Jomacha.

This stimulative drink is rare here, originating in the western regions of Pasarz and only acquired by trade, and helped me stay alert when otherwise I would have passed out from exhaustion.

But I feel my body slowing down as the effects wear off, and already the weariness is poisoning my judgment.

I should retire soon and obtain as much rest as can be afforded me before tomorrow.

One knows not what the morrow holds, and I would be foolish to be ill prepared, but if it were not for my exhaustion I would doubt that I would sleep much.

My anxiety is keen if my mind wanders to the future.

And I know it is not only me.

The men feel it too; I can sense it in their behavior and expressions, and you can see it by just looking out across the camp.

There is a tension alive and strong, and a reserve that results in an unnatural quietness that cloaks all of us.

It is so thick you can almost feel it, like a giant blanket dampening our spirits and filling us with dread for the future.

In times like these the warriors of Krespania need the most encouragement.

In times like these I have to stand up and give a speech of unrelenting courage and bravery, a speech that emboldens and lifts their spirits.

But in times like these the queen is in need of valor also.

She comforts them but there is no comfort for her.

She must face them as one who stands tall and straight in the sight of danger when inside she is trembling in trepidation.

But that is the duty of the one who leads the people and must be endured as part of that responsibility.

Even if I do not favor it.

I suppose I will conclude this letter and retire, if you will forgive my brevity.

It has been a hard day, and will probably be harder tomorrow.

Farewell, dear reader. I hope I shall be able to write again soon.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania

Courage Amid Warfare

My prayers for guidance have been answered, and I have received God's consent to assist Kordana.

Since then the order has been given, and the military of Krespania has begun battle formation by the hand of my commander-in-chief Emilio de Casimiro.

Within a few weeks all will be ready, and the troops will march North to Kordana, and there a small company will be sent ahead with a message to our allies of our approach and assistance.

The small company of men with the message from me will gain entrance through an aqueduct that runs under the north-east wall and into the fortress; there they will relay the dispatch and then remain at the disposal of the general of Kordana's military where perhaps they can add to their defense strength inside.

As queen of Krespania, I will be leading my army into battle against the Lorates as I have done in previous occasions in the past.

My hands have been properly trained for war since my youth, with the help and encouragement of my brother Lennox, and I only lack exercise, which I have been given these last days, before I am well prepared for going into battle.

I go to war wielding a broadsword, shield and prayer.

And my fear is alive and great beforehand, but I take heart that God is watching over me in the midst of the chaos and confusion, and His protection surrounds me like a heavenly cloak.

With only this in mind am I able to withstand the crippling fear that takes hold of one on the field, and this alone restrains me from fleeing once the enemy is in view.

I do not pretend great courage nor lack of fear.

Nay, I am just as human as any other, and act in like degree as as others would on the battlefield.

But this peace of mind that I cling to now is an invaluable asset that I learned when I was young by my father, Raymond de Gavrillac, king of Agmar.

He was a noble man of valor, courage and great faith; a much respected and honorable king, and a loving and caring father to both Lennox and I.

Being through many battles in his time, he taught me how to have courage in the heart of fear by trusting in God, preparing me if ever I was faced with the bloody hardship of war.

I did not understand it truly when he told me, but when my first battle arrived and I rode onto the battlefield followed by my soldiers, and at my feet lay thousands of the enemy's army ready to deploy, panic nearly overwhelmed me and fear clawed it's way into my heart.

I was in a state of shock and beyond discernment, neither did I know what direction to take from there, when suddenly God called to my remembrance the memory of my father's words.

Then I knew what he meant, and how comforting this knowledge was to me! With the commitment of trust came an unexpected but totally desired peace that flooded through me and overwhelmed even the most threatening fear.

No longer was I disoriented, but direction returned to me and I was prepared to face whatever lay ahead.

As I again go to war, I know I will be challenged with this same fear, but my prayers are that I will have strength to withstand it and have courage to meet the Lorate army head-on.

I hope I am not being presumptuous or selfish to beg your participation in prayer for me also. I would consider it most kind and comforting if you would, dear friend.

Though I do not see any opportunity in the foreseeable future, I shall seek to write when I am able.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania

As a last closing remark I will add what I am sure will satisfy your curiosity concerning my counselor.

After gathering all the facts that incriminated Lord Zakar Priseri in treachery against Kordana and betrayal of Krespania, I requested his presence in court, where I pointedly accused him of all these misdeeds.

He did not deny it, and in front of the remaining kingdom counselors and court audience I pronounced him guilty.

He was escorted out of the chamber by my bodyguards, Joktan and Jokthan, where he met his severe punishment, and there his treachery against the crown ended.  

Escapades In The Night

The mystery is beginning to unravel, and I am discovering more incriminating evidence of treachery.

It is in the late hours of the night, but this is too urgent to postpone; therefore I write with the light of the pale moon shining through the window and a glow of a lone candle to guide my pen.

LunaMara is silent with sleep, and a lonely atmosphere radiates from the halls and corridors of the palace; the only sound that reaches my ears is the soft scratching of the quill against the parchment as I write.

The stillness does not bother me, on the contrary I enjoy it. I feel like I can think and meditate easier on problems and situations that are not so clear, at night, without the fear of being disturbed.

The circumstances involving Lord Zakar Priseri, one of my counselors, and the unknown contents of the caravan at his estate is becoming clearer to me and is not so mysterious.

I have had my closest informants inquire discreetly around Estrillo, the capital of Krespania, when the caravan appeared and if the locals knew from whence it came.

The determining answer was that it arrived at the beginning of last month, and they know not who the donor is, but that it came from the north-east by way of sea. The cargo ship that carried it was unmarked and disappeared quickly afterward.

This information was not much but it was a small clue that added into the mix with the others I had gathered, yet it also raised even more questions. Who sent it, and what was inside?

It seemed a little too mysterious to deem it as ordinary and leave it be just as if it was a trivial matter. Nothing was as it seems with Zakar, I have recently discovered.

Now it brings us to this very night.

I decided that it was important that I know what the contents were of the caravan. I could easily send a few palace guards with a warrant to search it but then I would have to surrender the secrecy that I have kept of my knowledge of this, and I do not think I am ready to do that at this moment.

That meant the only alternative was to send an unauthorized investigation.

And the less that knew of this the better it would be, so I chose to go by myself, under the cover of darkness.

Needless to say, Meredith, my lady-in-waiting, did not like the idea at all, especially when I said I was going alone and she was to stay at LunaMara.

She tried to persuade me not to go, but I had my mind set on it and would not acquiesce to her demands, so than she insisted that I have protection.

When Joktan and Jokthan, my two personal bodyguards, heard of it, they too impressed on me to take both of them as protection, since it was their duty.

I yielded and agreed that it would be wise to have protection, but only one of them. The other would stay outside my chamber so as not to arouse suspicion like they would if someone saw they were not at their post.

No one was to know I had left.

I then slipped a dark cloak over me, and Joktan and I mounted on horses already saddled, and stole out through the gates of the palace.

A cloud hid the moon overhead, covering the land with a thick darkness, and we soon left the warm glow of the torches around the palace and rode into the inky blackness of the night.

The cool air whipped and bit at me as we went through the forest for a few miles and then onto the stretch of grassy meadow that stretched to the entrance of Lord Zakar's estate.

We dismounted a distance from the villa and continued on foot to avoid attention from the sentry Joktan had noticed, that was guarding the caravan.

We waited until he walked to the uppermost end of the immobile caravan and then we crept to the nearest wagon and peered inside.

In the darkness I could make out several chests decorated with engravings. The style appeared expensive and from someone of great wealth by the designs.

“I need to see what is inside, Joktan.” I whispered, and then with his help climbed into the cart.

The chests were not locked and sliding the bolt back, I lifted the lid.

I do not know what my expectations exactly were but the sight that met me was a surprise.

Inside, heaped to the rim were jewels of all kinds; pearl necklaces, bracelets with precious gems, golden and silver anklets, armbands and rings. The array of jewelry was endless, and the value, priceless.

The sight was breathtaking.

“It is filled with jewels.” I said.

“The sentry is starting to approach, Your Majesty. I suggest you hurry.” Joktan's low voice reached my ears.

I closed the chest and went to the second.

This chest was filled with gems, from the Ischitim mountains, would be my guess, by how precise the cut of the stones were. Very valuable. Who acquired these from the dwarves?

“He is coming to the second wagon.” Joktan said.

I could not linger long, so I continued to the last chest. “Now what is in here.” I said, opening the lid.

Gold and silver coins brimmed the chest.

If only I could see the engraving on the coin, then I could tell where it's origin was.

I lifted one out of the chest and held it up into the light, straining to see the distinguishing marks, but the light was too little.

“Your Majesty, he will be approaching us soon.” Warned Joktan.

“I cannot leave without finding some evidence or clue of where this cargo came from.” I whispered, desperately shifting the coin in all angles, trying to reflect light off it's surface.

“He is at the fourth cart.”

Just a little more light is all I need!

“At the fifth cart.”

The loud beating of my heart seemed to fill the silence of the night

Then in those last moments a miracle occurred. The cloud shifted out of the way of the moon and a milky white light flooded me, and the coin's marks were crystal clear.

“It is from Lorate!” I hissed. “All of these are!”

Joktan looked back at me. “He will be upon us any moment, Your Majesty! We must leave!”

I gasped as I caught sight of him, and quickly closed the lid and jumped from the cart.

I landed with a soft thud, and we both ran into the woods skirting the estate, and into safety.

“Did he see us?” My chest heaved up and down, as I leaned against the tree with the estate at my back.

Joktan looked around the tree before answering. “No, they are not alerted, Your Majesty.”

“Good.” I fingered the two coins I had kept from the chest.

I knew not how this was connected with every else I had learned but only knew it was important.

Here, at a quarter till midnight, I sit in the anteroom outside my personal bedchamber in contemplation and silent musing.

The coins are lying on the table in front of me, glistening in the faint light and displaying the profile of Prince Deak Codra on their surface, in unconscious betrayal.

Lord Zakar is involved in treachery, I am sure of this.

First, his apparent disapproval of any movement on our part on behalf on Kordana.

Second, his recently receiving the cargo of jewels, gold, and precious stones from some unknown source from Lorate.

Third, the survey of Kordana's defenses by his request that I never authorized, that took place a little before they were attacked.

Revolving these facts around in my head, I considered what all these added up to and the implications of it.

The resulting conclusion is this: Lord Zakar is betraying Kordana's fortifications to the Lorates in exchange for riches.

Greed has filled his heart and shut out any mercy that might have been there.

The thought of his treachery incenses me to the highest degree. And if this is true, and there is not much doubt of that, he will be dealt with most severely.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania

A Suitor Dilemma

The thunder is rumbling in the distance and the slow patter of raindrops on the hard packed earth reaches my ears as I sit at my writing desk, sipping on teressa cider, a delicacy in all of Krespania.

The fireplace is crackling warmly, setting the mood for a cozy atmosphere unlike the cold, dreary weather outside, and takes the chill from occupying the stone chamber floors and walls.

I have decided to write today, having been in a dull state and having no pending tasks of the government to be performed.

I did not have an idea to do anything else so I thought I would write the latest occurrences of interest here in LunaMara palace and Krespania.

It involves my lady-in-waiting, Meredith de Barra.

I have mentioned her in my other writings but have not really dwelt upon her in length as now is necessary.

More loyal than any other acquaintance or so called friend, she has been with me since I gained the royal position of queen in Krespania.

Her hair shines like the evening sun through autumn leaves in a brilliant red hue and is as flowing as the gentle ripples upon a lake. She speaks with a soft accent as one who hails from the north-western regions of Krespania, and is everything that is dignified in the way she talks and moves, yet she holds a mildness in her temper and a patience so far from pride or arrogance.

Having all these attributes in her favor, I could safely say that if I could hear the inner thoughts of all the ladies in the court, I would discover she is the envy of them all.

And it is also a fact that all the eligible young men of my court vie for her attention.

From this the problem comes forth.

As I said before her loyalty is so dominant that she feels it is her duty to remain at my side and do my bidding, never thinking about herself or her future. Therefore she feels that having any attachment would interfere with her task of waiting on me.

That was fine for me, until recently when a man in his early twenties came into the court.

He is from Natilia, a region in western Krespania, and his name is Luco Giovanos.

I met him officially when he entered the court, and found he is here on business, and by this had opportunity to observe him closely.

Luco has close-cropped brown hair, and his height is tall and stately.
He has eyes as deep blue as the Crustallum ocean in the winter, that hold an intensity in their gaze as if he can see right through to your heart.
He has a serious air about him and polite, though somewhat quiet, as if he does not desire to reveal much about his work or self, yet not suspicious, just reserved in his behavior.

Overall I found him instantly to be very charming and handsome but having a graveness like he had experienced all the cruelness this world could offer and been made harder for it, and skeptical. Skeptical because he now does not trust anyone easily for fear they will deceive him.
But when he smiles which is not too often, it is gentle and softens the hard look in his eyes, giving him an easy-going and handsome mien.

This is purely my own theory and observation that I have gathered and not fact, but I am fairly certain it is true in some ways.

Meredith's reaction to the attention of her admirers is what you would call indifference. She will be polite but does not encourage interaction or pursuit of her affections.

She is modest, and dislikes the attention, and would probably much rather be left alone, but that is not something that will occur.

Since the first time he visited I could tell Lucos took a liking to her, and after many meetings I find she might also be attracted to him. It is very hard to distinguish it in her but she tends to have a little more cordiality toward him, and I think I can take it as a good sign of attachment.

And what I meant in the aforesaid many meetings is that he seems to frequent the court more than usual for a man of business who has little reason to. And when he is there I catching him often with his eyes discreetly upon Meredith beside me, and when in conversation with me, he is too distracted to make any proper dialogue.

I think this is amusing to watch. First, because the court can be tiresome, and second because he, a man that seems to have little sentiments or feelings, actually is smitten by my lady-in-waiting.

It is sweet to be sure.

But the only thing I fear is that she is putting herself on guard against any of his advances that he has made and will not let herself love because of the notion of duty to me.

I have always said that she could marry any one of the noble men of her choosing if she wanted, which is far better than most could contrive, having status and wealth, but she is not effected by that fact.

Partly, I know, because she wants her marriage to be one of love and not of material gain, but I think she may also feel she is obligated by her duty to stay by my side because of her eternal loyalty.

But this loyalty may end her chances of happiness if she allows it. I can tell he is a caring and considerate man, who I think, she will be happy with, but if she continues to resist his effort he will surrender and leave.

Anyway, that is the problem, and I would never want her to be unhappy, especially on my account, so I shall try to encourage her about him, and perhaps concoct reasons to invite him to LunaMara more often for events of leisure.

I can be quite conniving when I want to be, and I think my brother Lennox can vouch to that fact.

I will think up a scheme, and deploy it with speed if all comes to worst.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

 Queen of Krespania

A Mysterious Enigma

I do not know how to begin this time.

My thoughts are in disorder and confusion upon some recent puzzling, discoveries I have made, and I have yet to find a solution where they fit in. I have mulled over the clues, posed probable conjectures, but none with any success or evidence.

As for Kordana, they are still under siege. The little kingdom is putting forth a good struggle for their freedom, and I cannot blame them. I would do the same if I was in that predicament, gathering any means of defense against the enemy. But the Lorates are merciless, continuing to assault them without pause, and slowly bringing their shields down.

I am still in indecision whether we should take part in this war. I have not received permission, so I dare not make a move until I do, but I have been watching the conflict and monitoring their movements even so.

But I suppose you are desiring to know the source of my puzzlement and dislike your curiosity being so teased, therefore since I have no scruples, I will tell you the events in which my suspicions and mystification were born.

In the early hours of each morning I take a horseback ride through the peaceful countryside of Krespania. I ride in the forests spread throughout the land some days, over the hilly country farther East the next and down into the dales in the lowlands another.

And that was precisely what I did a few days ago.

I hope you do not pass it off as mere residential pride when I say that Krespania has the most lovely and peaceful lands; I easily find contentment and pleasure here, and it holds a special place in my heart.

I chose to ride through the wood that day, and it proved to be a glorious morning for it. The sun was shining brightly in the eastern sky, but the air was still fresh with the coolness of the morn.

I rode out into a grassy clearing, near the estate of my counselor, Lord Zakar Priseri's, when I was stopped by an odd observation.

From the distance I was situated in, I saw what seemed to be a small caravan heading down the grove of the estate, and it raised such curiousness inside, that I could not instantly depart from there without it being in some way satisfied.

It was highly unusual for him to be receiving so large an amount of merchandise or whatever it was, at one time. And where could it have come from, and what means was he getting it by?

“Is this not out of the ordinary, Meredith?” I turned to look at my lady-in-waiting beside me on her own buckskin colored steed. “What could the contents of the caravan possibly be?”

“Indeed, Milady, I would not know. Perhaps it is purchases he has made with the merchants in the port at Saundros.”

“Could be...” But I was not persuaded.

And then another instance occurred when, after hearing news of Kordana and how they were falling, I wanted to estimate how long it took before they did.

Being our ally, I thought we might have a map or something of their fortifications, and if we did, it would be in the archives.

The chamber where the archives were kept, was a medium sized room, and with no windows, it was lit only by candlelight. A dank, earthy odor that usually accompanies books and old manuscripts occupied the space, and articles of parchment filled cases running along the walls.

This was not a particularly enjoyable place to me, and yet it held information of various kinds and from knowledgeable sources. From historic events and records of the royal family, to details and reports of the buildings of the palace.

Anything I wanted to know was to be found here.

A scribe, dressed in a plain brown, woolen tunic appeared at my entrance and asked to be of assistance.

I promptly told him what I wished for, and he nodded before turning to search along the shelves.

“Here it is, Your Majesty, the fortification designs for Kordana.” He laid the parchment on the table located at the back of the room, and I sat down to study it.

The drawing showed their defenses to be well built, but how well they could withstood the forces of the Lorates I knew not.

“But these are not likely that accurate, is it?” I asked, as I looked it over.
I had never requested a survey of Kordana, therefore if we had any of their designs it must be from the time of my mother's reign, nearly two decades ago. 

“Accurate, Milady?” He looked confused.

“Yes, as in by now they have probably made more modifications.”

He shook his head, and it was my turn to be confused.

“I hardly think any alterations could be made since this time.”
His certainty was obvious, which made me wonder the reason for it.

I asked why he thought so.

“Naturally, they have not had time because of the siege of the Lorates.”

I started at this, and sat up straight to look at the man.

He was making it sound as if this was recent.

“What is the date on this document?”

“It was written a little over a month ago, after Milady sent the Krespania ambassadors to tour the kingdom, and bring back a report.”

I sent them? I did not remember requesting any such thing, which was very alarming, because they received orders from someone.

And a month ago. That would place it a little before they were attacked by the Lorates.

“By who's orders was this tour made, in my name?”

“Lord Zakar Priseri.” Came the unexpected answer.

Zakar? Him again. And it is not only my imagination or suspicious view of him this time.

The facts were right before me.

But why? That was not something I could answer, and I had not a clue or inclination to without sufficient evidence.

So I continue to keep my eyes about me for any further suspicious activity, especially involving him, and am searching for the answer to the contents of the mysterious caravan and the unauthorized survey of Kordana.

It is puzzling indeed, but I have confidence that I will uncover the truth soon enough.

-Emerald de Gavrillac

Queen of Krespania