Orphans of War (Epistle 4)

Orphans of War

Fourth Age, Period of Yourath's Children, 11th April 2415

For the attention of Duchess Anne of Ilexo, Dos-Cruetsi

Duchess. Orticel has fallen and with it its mother and father. It is leaderless and is awash with krilens and those hideous children of Yourath.

After suffering a grievous defeat in Rilen, at the hands of the Duke of Eltar and his northern barons, the krilens were pushed back and scattered. Some I have been told went back to Kuran, whilst the majority pulled back east to Icron. A victorious move for the horse lords, it did however no favours for us.

Unknown to us, the krilens had another fleet waiting at the eastern port town. Not wasting time, they set sail from Icron and turned their sights upon Orticel. Their first target was the western town of Esaam. The town had no time to prepare and felt the frustrations of the krilens' recent defeat. It took no less than one week for the krilens to arrive at the capital city and though our men fought valiantly, it was to no avail.

The sorcerer Yourath showed a new hand, presenting another one of his children. Its shrill screech is painful, making even the strongest of men cover their ears. Its hunger to kill can be seen in its red unblinking eyes, making people cower behind walls. As large as small dragons, it tore through the city's defences, destroying all our high level weaponry. Within hours, we had nothing to fight back against the krilens. The city was sacked.

A small group of krilens had managed to infiltrate the palace and made their way to the royal quarters, murdering many of the royal household. I was with the royal family, as we were cornered in the royal chambers, we knew we could not survive this attack. The Queen commanded me to flee with the children and deliver them to you. Your sister also sent her champion and a handful of her Queen's guard to protect us. The King and Queen along with the remaining guards, managed to keep the krilens at bay for long enough, for us to escape through the tunnels under the palace and make our way to a ship waiting for us in the royal harbour. We made our way across the ocean of Emis Tav, to reach the foothills of the mountains of Kisell, in the north of Eternes.

A farmer and his wife have kindly given us shelter for the night. The Prince and Princess and are currently sleeping in the farmer's barn with Sir Alvar and his men watching over us. Princess Elaine is doing her best to be strong for the little Prince, who knows naught of the tragedy that has befallen Orticel but cries for his mother. I am doing my best to console them but I fear my emotions are getting the best of me. I am not sure what I would do without Sir Alvar and his men, for they are the only reason we are alive right now.

We are grateful for the chance to rest, though I fear we cannot stay for too long and must be away at first light. We aim to start our journey north tomorrow, to pass through the mountains into Dos-Cruetsi and make our way to you at Ilexo.

I am sending this message with the farmer's old messenger bird, with the hope it reaches you safely. My condolences my lady for your loss, we will do everything in our power to get the children to you.

Lady Marguerite, Governess of Prince Kris and Princess Elaine of Orticel