Broken Alliance (Epistle 10)

Fourth Age, Period of Independence, 1st January 2416

Hope. Future. Life.

Three words that perhaps can describe what we have been fighting for during the past year. Three words that should describe the time we should be experiencing. I would question whether we are.

The day is being heralded by all, as the first day of a new era, a 'Period of Independence.' People are lining the streets as I write this, celebrating a day of victory, elated once more of our freedom. Yet on this day, I see notice other people. People who have become somber in their way in life, spending time with their families, silently mourning those who they have lost.

Three months have passed since our victory and I have yet to feel any comfort, relief or any hope for the future. The past few months have been fraught with many meetings. It is clear that not all the countries are seeing the value of this alliance anymore. The western countries have always been fractured and it is clear to me now that they have always seen this unification as a means to an end. Now that the war is over, time to reflect has brought up unresolved matters back to the surface, endangering the future of the alliance that our valiant protectors had fought so hard to establish.

The central countries have always been a strong unit and have never truly seen eye to eye with the west, especially with Eres and Tures. If they break away from the alliance, it will happen with Rilen first and the others will follow. Havenol has been diplomatic enough and will lend its support to no one. It does not surprise me, it is the way that the magical island has always been. Their primary concern is its university and the future of the magical community. As long as they are not affected, they care not for the politics of others.

This all but leaves Timar-Rosi and Sruka. My counterparts have already voiced their support to follow Dunestra, as they always have done. I am thankful for their support but it has become clear over the past few months that the alliance is not working.

As celebrations were taking place outside, all the heads of state gathered together in my council chamber to officially dissolve the alliance. Perhaps it will not change much but I know so much more could have been achieved together.

Before we all departed for the evening celebrations, we had summoned our dutiful protectors for what would be the greatest injustice at the start of this supposed new era. An additional conversation had also been taking place alongside the future of the alliance, the relevance of the Wanderers and Wise Ones. Surprisingly, this had started with the central countries, where Dos-Cruetsi were the first to raise this matter. It had quickly become a contentious issue, leaving me alone in the defence of our protectors, something I had not expected. It became quickly apparent that all the countries felt it was completely impractical to rely upon ten people to protect this continent and we must look at new protection measures for the future.

My hands were tied and had but no choice to but to follow my counterparts. The Wanderers and Wise Ones were informed that their powers and authority would be revoked, with their titles stripped from them with immediate effect. In place would be a new breed of soldiers. A new agreement between the countries would allow each state to have a regiment of warrior mages, whose job was to protect each country from any future attacks, such as the one we had experienced. This would be known as 'The Elsen Initiative.'

The Wanderers and Wise Ones would be offered enough gold to retire upon and a ship to carry them to wherever they wished to go. The last command we would give our protectors, was to leave this continent, under the decree of banishment. It had been argued that allowing the Wanderers and Wise Ones to stay within the continent, could amount to an uprising from the people of Durai and it was wise to keep them far away from the continent.

This has been a tragic day in the history of the continent. These men do not deserve this treatment. I am not sure what the future will hold but this day will be a day to rue. The outcomes of today have become my deepest regret, for I have truly failed in my role as King.

I hope the gods will forgive us for the actions we have took, for today, we have turned our backs on our heroes.

King Vaaren of Dunestra