Willarc Family/ValgarsDebateSpectacle

Letter from Galiard Scarlett

If you will spare an old man a few moments of your time, I wish to relate a story to you with which many of you are more familiar than I. It is the fruit of the first part of my travels, and I tell you because it is your judgment -- and not mine -- that will determine the next chapter.

The villains in this story are already familiar to you: Mad Tony, whom I never met in person as we did not have dealings with half-mad peasants with illusions of power, and Conan, for whom power was, sadly, less of an illusion.

The protagonist is one Valgar Reinhart, and to a lesser extent, those who followed him. 'But Galiard,' you say with disgust, 'Valgar is a traitor; how can he be the protagonist? Tell us a story in which Cathay, and not its enemies, are mighty!' Do not worry -- it is that as well. But the protagonist is the character who changes -- presumably for the better -- or whose trials produce the lesson of the story.

Some of you know Valgar only as a traitor. I will not tell you that this is not a part of who he is, now, though I suggest that there is a great deal more to be had. I knew him while I was Duke in Ossaet, back in Lasanar, and we spent months raising and leading the armies that would give birth to the Golden Lion of Cathay. He was unusual among men in that he seemed not to desire much in the way of power; he longed for battle and the chance to prove himself, but not much more. He was my vassal from then on, save for the long periods of my absence. I installed him as Duke of Taop and I swore him the oaths that he violated when he seceded. This injury he did more to all of you than to me, as you had to contend with the consequences, but nevertheless I share in the betrayal as it was I who gave him the power to do just that.

Those of you who arrived after Cathay's founding very likely feel ambivalence toward Sartania. I do not blame you. As a realm they have ever been awkward in their diplomatic maneuvers, always thinking of today and not tomorrow, sometimes rash and short-sighted. But I would remind you that, when we raised the banner to gather troops to assault Anacan -- and the gathering of the Army of the North was much harder than the leading of it -- Sartania was always the first to answer our call. Not with the most men, but their commitment to us was unblinking. Three times we assaulted Anacan over as many months, and three times they were there beside us. That cannot be said for Ethiala, who were also our close allies at the time, but were reluctant to stick their necks out.

So it is only natural that, when Sartania came to Cathay in its hour of need, Cathay should express a desire to help. The particulars of how this was expressed seem important, but I do not think they are; Valgar and his knights felt that Cathay promised -- swore an oath -- to help Sartania re-establish itself. I, who was not here, have seen this story before, where a King agrees to do whatever can be reasonably done and that agreement is taken as an oath. And it would seem the natural thing -- help our old allies when they need it most. But Sartania's fate was Sartania's doing, and Cathay could do very little about it.

Conan and Tony saw this, and observed that they might do what they had always wished to do and drive a wedge between the Northern realms. Know that Cathay has never had any enemy so tenacious as Soliferum and Conan -- even Antoza and its Mad King who died at my hands was less dangerous because their threat was always visible. Conan has always preferred to manipulate, to use our baser natures against us -- and in this he succeeded.

Offering Sartania (and also Valgar and his men) just what they wanted, Conan dangled the opportunity Sartania wanted before them. What might have otherwise been an impossible task and seen Sartania's nobles scatter (but on good terms with us) became instead a supremely difficult, but possible one, and all it required was that Cathay war with Arcaea, and in so doing violate our alliance with Greater Aenilia. Here it must be remeembered that, not long before this, Cathay had fought Arcaea to near-extinction, and Arcaea had been led by vulgar, ignoble men not worthy of their blood or title. That Arcaea was an enemy was something every Cathayan knew. What every Cathayan did not know was that some of us with the influence to do so had been nurturing a newer generation of nobles in Arcaea, personified by their present King, Jenred, and some of his closest advisors. Jenred is ambitious, aye, but honorable, and I knew this -- but Valgar did not. For when my brother Septimus was killed in a skirmish with Lasanar, I withdrew from public life and left Cathay to its nobles, telling no-one of the various plans I had -- Jenred among them. (cont'd)

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Letter from Galiard Scarlett

Valgar was thus able to see the choice before him as one of upholding an oath: do as (he saw) he was sworn to do and aid Sartania against an old enemy, or cower behind his walls out of fear. In truth this was the illusion of Conan's design, and not the real decision. What is clear now but was less clear then is that, had Cathay warred with Arcaea and lost its ally Aenilia, we would been destroyed, and to Soliferum's advantage. Even more importantly, the oaths of fealty that bind us together as nobles must needs supercede most any other oath, particularly those to a foreign power, no matter how well we might love them. If aiding Sartania meant that Cathay's lands and subjects would be destroyed, then any oath to do so must be abrogated in favor of our most basic feudal obligations to our people and to one another. This is what Valgar did not see.

Had Valgar simply decided to forsake his title and join Sartania, I could not have blamed him; but he had no right to betray his oath as Duke of Taop and plunge Cathay into civil war. Hoping for a political solution to the Sartanian problem to present itself, Valgar tried to buy time with his secession, having no particular love for Mad Tony -- but of course this only made matters worse, as this single act now forms the present rift between Cathay and Sartania and Cathay and itself, for one cannot tell the story of Cathay without Valgar and the Black Knights.

The result of this act is that Cathay was weakened. Even though, through your heroism and sacrifice, you regained all that was lost, the scars are large and debilitating. To Conan and Tony, this is almost as good of an outcome as our outright destruction: we exist, but some of our strongest knights no longer carry our banner. And if I have one purpose, it is to tear asunder that which Conan knits.

This brings me to the present day, where all of your helps are needed to resolve this sad tale. Valgar has acknowledged to me, in person, that his decision to secede Taop was a mistake. He hoped to find a political solution but admitted that his political instincts did not match his military ones. This mistake was paid for in Cathayan blood, and that cannot be forgotten: but I suggest to you that it can be forgiven. For the Gods look favorably upon the penitent, and less favorably upon the wronged who hold their grudges past their expiration. Valgar, and possibly some of his men, long to return to the Golden Lion. He sees that the choice not to fight Arcaea was not a choice made out of fear, but out of duty, and he sees his own role as foolhardy.

What I ask of all of you is that you consider all of our history and not just this most recent chapter in judging this man. I can tell you with a certainty that Cathay would not exist today without Valgar and the Black Knights, even if it nearly didn't exist because of them. Few have fought harder or sweat more for our banner than he. And some of his blame I must take on myself, for I had guided him with my plans and then left so suddenly when my brother died that he had just enough information to act incorrectly and think that he was doing the right thing.

Valgar is penitent and wishes to return, but he has said that he will not do so as a black sheep. His is willing to accept his share of the shame, but only if we are willing to accept his service as we would any knight's; no special treatment for good or for ill. For my part, I encourage you to do that, as only through this admittedly difficult reconciliation can we fully un-do what Conan has done. I call this the necessity of a realm eating its vegetables -- it may be unpleasant, but it will make us stronger, and better for it.

The King has given me his blessing to present all of this to you, and I thank you for hearing me out. If you will not have him, then so be it; my task is finished in reporting it to you. But I am not ashamed to call Ser Reinhart my friend, even as I condemn and despise his choice; but I will not allow Conan of Soliferum to limit how I shall remember my friend to just one episode of his choosing.

Shall Valgar be permitted back to apologize himself, in person? Is there a lord among you who will have him?

I am

Your servant,

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Letter from Anatole Brandon

Sir Galiard,

You story was more than enlightening. It filled the blanks I had since my days in Lasanar until now. Sir Valgar has nothing to be ashamed as far as I am concerned. Mistakes of the past, if recognized and repented for, teach us much and should not be held in contempt by others.

But I speak only for myself. If finally, Sir Valgar joins this realm then inform him that he is welcome to call Isular home. I would do it as a fovor to you, a courtesy to a founding member of this realm and let me be honest, I would do it even only to spite that bastard Conan to whom I owe a session of Lasanarian and Highlander dueling rituals.

With honour,

Anatole Brandon Viscount of Isular

Letter from Henri de Bardt

Some here may or may not remember that the lord who took me as vassal and subject of Cathay after the fall of Nighthelm to Soliferum's depredations was none other than Ser Valgar Reinhart, Duke of Taop.

I served at his side long and loyally, and he kept me in his confidences when he was considering how best to honor Cathay's oaths of aid to fallen Sartania. It was a matter of serious contention between us both whether his choice was good or no.

In the end, when Valgar and Taop joined Mad King Tony, I was obliged as his vassal to accompany him. In the short time I found service in Mosesadelphia, I observed first hand the pure insanity which motivated Mad Tony -- and the puppeteer strings which led back to Conan.

Though it pained me to sever the bonds of fealty which kept me loyally serving Duke Valgar, the pain of fighting for an unjust cause against my countrymen was the greater. I informed Duke Valgar that I must return to Cathay and serve its cause -- that I could not be part of anything so foul as the machinations of Mad Tony and Conan.

King Hamish took my oath of return gladly and in short order I found myself Baron Ansopen, then Royal Banker, and finally Duke of Colasan. Though that short summary ill serves my many years of service before achieving those offices, it is succinct enough.

Despite feeling that Ser Valgar had made foolish decisions when determining where his loyalties should lie, I cannot help but feel that he did so by acting as he felt he must, in the service of honor. We must all make similar hard decisions in our lives and none have the benefit of perfect hindsight at the time.

I would be honored if Ser Valgar would be willing to serve as my vassal, as once I served as his.

Sir Henri de Bardt
Royal Treasurer of Cathay, Duke of Colasan, Marshal of the Royal Engineering Corps

Letter from Merlin Quincey

I am sorry that I am not as forgiving as some of my fellow nobles.

Ones true self is always shown when you are push to that end, Valgar Reinhart has betrayed Cathay on her darkest hour where our enemies are terrorizing our lands. His cowardliness to protect his dukeship led him to forsake us is unforgivable. He allowed our enemies to use Taop as the breaching point to assault our capital, Anacan. I find it hard to answer to our fallen brothers and sisters if such act can be easily forgiven. I would rather die than betray my follow comrades. To me, he should be thankful that he is not deported to Cathay to be hung for his war crimes.

I won't object if the majority wishes to let him return but I will find it hard to entrust Cathay's lands to someone who had betrayed her when she needed him most. Perhaps only time can re-bond the trust that was lost.

Merlin Quincey High Marshal of the Crown of Cathay, Duke of Taop

Letter from Galiard Scarlett

Your Grace, Lord High Marshal,

You do not speak unfairly, and I share your sentiment that a man is not truly tested until faced with such a difficult decision. And indeed, even in forgiving Ser Reinhart (if we so choose), we must not forget that others, faced with a similar decision, made the correct one.

The only thing I would add to that sentiment is that Valgar had been tested on many such occasions before. Some of us go through life without ever facing such a choice. Valgar has faced a half-dozen, and only in this latest hour did he choose poorly.

I say this not to minimize the consequences of that choice, or to absolve him of it. If you wished to be bored beyond all imagining, you might consult Lasanar's legal archives to see how forgiving a man I am when sitting in judgment -- that answer is 'not very,' as a handful of executions and a dozen banishments will attest. But if I am a harsh judge, I count myself a good judge of character, and though it may be somewhat arbitrary, I should rather judge according to the rule and not the exception.

If I am mistaken about Valgar, then on my honor I will be the first to put my sword in his belly. So long as he holds still ... my sword is a little slower than it used to be.

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Letter from Rauffe de Grenefeld

Perhaps we should ask the loved ones of those who died upon Anacan's walls whilst fighting the Black Knights. The mothers who lost their sons to Valgar's treachery. Let us see if they think forgiveness is in order.

Sir Rauffe de Grenefeld
Baron of Ansopen

Letter from Galiard Scarlett

Baron Ansopen,

While I appreciate the Lord Marshal's sentiment, I cannot say the same for yours. Such emotional knee-jerk responses serve little. Should we likewise ask the widows and orphans of our own invasion of Anacan whether they thought it was a good idea? Should we consult Soliferum's starving and penniless refugees?

We are given the responsibility to make these decisions because we answer for the consequences. Ser Valgar's battlefield prowess has saved far more lives under our banner than it has cost, if you wish to conduct a 'weight in blood' exercise; you would furthermore not have your seat in Ansopen were it not for him.

Often in these arguments one simply tries to out-do the bad with the good, but clearly that is not the case here. There is good and ill on both sides of the scale for Ser Reinhart, but if you wish to condemn him, then consider the cost and benefits to us, the nobles who yet live and will prosper or suffer by his presence. If one judges through the lens of war dead, then I am the most guilty man in this Kingdom, as any who recall the bloody walls of Anacan and the year of starvation that followed our campaign well know.

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Letter from Rauffe de Grenefeld

Weight-in-blood? Alright, lets consider that. Because of his betrayal, the city of Anacan was laid siege to several times, and thousands of lives were lost upon it's walls. As much blood that was spilled in Anacan, however, it palled in comparison to what was spilled retaking Taop from him. During which, he expressed no desire to repent or stop the bloodshed, and did nothing but insult Cathay and her King for not turning around to fight Arcaea after Valgar and his knights sacked our capital.

He betrayed his oath to his realm, he attacked Anacan while Cathay was still at peace with Soliferum, sacked the city, and tried to conquer her lands in order to reestablish Sartania. At the very least, he is responsible for the deaths of thousands of Cathayan soldiers.

But wait, we haven't even considered the ten of thousands committed by our allies while defending us from Valgar and Soliferum. Arcaea and Greater Aenilia suffered losses far greater than our own, before and after we entered the war. For example, we might consider the several sieges of Topenah, where hundreds of half-starved peasantry died fighting alongside the Arcaean army.

But wait, there is more. After losing Taop, Valgar continued to wage war on the allies. Who can forget the hundreds lost trying to taking and then defend Azros? I was marshal then, I remember our army being decimated each time we helped in the defense. Our enemies? Nobles who flew the banner of the Black Knights.

Surely, Valgar and his vassals weren't the only ones attacking us. But they were a substantial part of Soliferum's army. So if we are to conduct an "weight-in-blood", which frankly, sounds barbaric to me, then we would see that anything good Valgar has ever done in his life is greatly outweighed by the atrocities he committed in the name of Conan and the Mad-God, and by the tens of thousands who died by his actions.

Sir Rauffe de Grenefeld
Baron of Ansopen

Letter from Rauffe de Grenefeld

But, I digress.

Valgar is more than welcome in Cathay. He and I have much to settle, and as men of the sword, it is with the sword that our issues will be settled. Perhaps, with his death, some measure of comfort can come to the grieving mothers.

Sir Rauffe de Grenefeld
Baron of Ansopen

Roleplay from Kaisus Kartak

The young noble found himself at his desk in his humble estate in Taop, writing a letter he never thought he would write to a man he never thought we would see. Suddenly, everything in the room seemed dull and useless. He had gathered some trinkets from places he'd visited during his short time as a noble, keeping memories of the distant and not-so-distant lands he had come to know. Some were simple, some lavish, some crude. But all meaningful, before. Now, they seemed pointless. Just things to collect dust, bearing no value or benefit.

"I want to see more of the Far East someday. Maybe even other continents. Visit my uncle in Dwilight even, and stay with him for a while. These things shouldn't be here. I should be where they use to be. What say you, Burgolf?"

No answer. Only when he turned around did he find his captain resting on the floor. He is quite the sound sleeper, yet.

"Figures. Not many have been known to hear me. That is quite alright, by my terms. At least I have myself. I know that I'll listen to what I have to say."

He continued the letter, still thinking about these trinkets, and these lands. Someday, he will see it all. For now, his duty remains here. He'd never have thought these things before. It must be the excitement of this old man he merely but glanced at as he left the walls of Anacan. But, within that slight glance, he knew who it was. His uncle talked much about him. His gait was even described in fine detail.

"Uncle would never have believed me." He paused for a moment. A recollection began of the countless months of training and bonding between he and his uncle. A sign, "If only you were here. You have have enjoyed this dearly, Uncle."

The letter was finished, and sealed with the House seal, though a little crudely done, as he hasn't had many chances to use it.

He picked up one of those trinkets. A solid wooden one, carved from oak by a blacksmith in one of the southland regions. He threw it at the husky man asleep on the floor. The man jerked up and drew a dagger, only to end up hitting his forearm on the back of a chair.

"Gah! That stings!" At this, he noticed the noble staring intently at him. He straightened his stance and recovered from his bruise. "Sir!"

"Send a rider south to deliver this to Sir Scarlett. And make sure it's one of the nice riders, too."

The captain left with the letter, which read:

---

"Sir Galiard Scarlett,

You do not know me, however, I have been told much about you. My name is Kaisus of the House of Kartak, from Pates. I am the nephew of Sir Volvus Kartak, who you may not remember, but who remembers, or I should say, remembered you. He spoke of you, as well as few others, often, and with the utmost respect and admiration. He was one of the first few knights to join Cathay, and was also present at the walls of Anacan when it was in the Commonwealth's occupation. He spoke of you as a mentor to him, though you may never have actually tutored him.

I am sending you this letter to welcome you back from a man's kin that would have loved the chance to do this in a similar fashion as I am. Think of it as a dead-man's wish, if you will. As well, I'm sure he would want me to thank you for your subjective outlook on the relationship between Sir Valgar and Cathay, as well as NeoSartania and Cathay. I, myself, appreciate it. When first I arrived here in Cathay, I was treated with great hostility by some for my faith. I know some have come to overlook that, while others are quite stubborn and intolerant. You will find out soon enough. But, just as Volvus loved Cathay, I do as well. I am here to aid Cathay, and that is what I shall do.

However, it appears as thought I began to ramble, so I will cut this off now. I hope to meet you, Sir, as I know Uncle would dearly want me to.

With heart and steel, "

Kaisus Kartak (Knight of Taop)

Letter from Galiard Scarlett

Baron de Greenfield,

Your words are not lost upon me, but even those numbers pale in comparison to what was necessary to establish this Kingdom in the first place. We might one-up each other all day with the countless lives lost in Cathay's various conflicts, but even so, I assure that you far more of our enemies have fallen under the Black Knights' banner than our allies. Put another way: I am very old.

War is a bloody business and we often go to it with little more than our honor and our convictions. I have a difficult time imagining Valgar as the sole agent of chaos and entropy in this affair. It seems to me that the Sartanian business was poorly handled by everyone involved, myself included (for not being involved when I ought to have). Are all those lives you listed upon my head for allowing it to happen? Shall you fight me to the death as well?

Whatever pyrrhic victory Cathay achieved in that conflict, it has been achieved. Valgar was beaten, his efforts thwarted. Two possibilities lay before us: that either he is, as you are, so much in opposition to all that went before that he is perhaps using me as an avenue to wreak yet more havoc on Cathay, or else he is a living lesson in how not to be manipulated and twisted to other realms' ends. I consider, therefore, that he will either be the least loyal of all knights -- in which case it should be quite obvious and easy to discharge him -- or else the most loyal for having done as he has and having to prove himself all over again.

If the rest of the realm feels as you do then I will not send for him to return, but if they feel otherwise, I am not undertaking this task to see him killed upon arrival. If the Crown consents to such a duel, then so be it, but none will happen on my watch without the King's say-so, for our lives -- and our justice -- are in his hands, and not mine, and not yours.

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Letter from Seperoth Leonidas

Nobles,

I find that the injury done here is to the Crown, and the Crown is Cathay, so any injury done to Cathay thus is done onto the Crown. So if anyone has the right, authority or privilege to absolve Valgar and readmit him to the realm it ought to be the Crown. In this case however the Crown has allowed this matter to pass onto you all. In my view this is a very generous act as I myself would serious misgivings about entertain the notion of Valgar's return and probably not wish to hear arguments on his behalf. Certainly it is a popular sentiment to deny his return. But I wonder if it would be fair or more so if it would the wisest choice to make.

No one contests that Valgar made a terrible decision, and that it was indeed costly. Even Valgar recognizes this, and by the very fact he acknowledges it shows me he has come to understand his error. From my understanding of the matter, as limited as it is, Valgar doesn't expect to be awarded with praise and titles on his return. What I do understand is that he knows that this is a second chance, understands the gift that a second chance is, and is prepared to commit himself to the realm serving as simply a knight nothing more. The only thing I think he excepts and should expect is that if we let him return we shall no longer hold this over his head. I would say that this is the right thing to do as their is no point in bringing him home if we intend to forever cast a shadow over his head. Personal debts of honor aside, this should be laid to rest.

Also I believe his return and our forgiveness would be wise in a sense greater than just the law or politics. I see it as closing the book on a dark part in not just Cathay's history but the island's as well. The specter of Tony and more so Conan have cast shadows over our hearts and memories long enough. Valgar has a string of good deeds to his name well before this and to have Tony and Conan pull him down in the history books along with them does nothing to end their influence. Accepting him back would feel like we have cut the worst parts out of us that Tony and Conan worked so hard to ingrain. All their greed, paranoia, bloodlust, madness has threaten to become a way of life for many realms. It has scared and effected even Cathay. But in forgiving Valgar, an act of compassion or generosity depending on how you look at it, would be the bane against the legacy of Tony and Conan.

I will follow suit with the Crown. If you good nobles would have Valgar come home, the law shall see your forgiveness as a remedy and consider the interests of the realm served.

These are my thoughts as a noble, region lord and judge.

Seperoth

Seperoth Leonidas
High Chancellor of Cathay, Viscount of Pates, Ambassador of Cathay

Letter from Henri de Bardt

I should like to add that though I am willing to forgive and forget Ser Valgar's missteps of the past, I am far less inclined to do so with the Sartanians who first took up arms against us, their brothers, in the service of Conan.

Valgar may have been misled by attempting to fulfill his oaths, but the Sartanians disposed of all their honor in a pyre to their mercenary greed.

Sir Henri de Bardt
Royal Treasurer of Cathay, Duke of Colasan, Marshal of the Royal Engineering Corps

Letter from Aron Altir

Well,since my liege thinks we should accept sir Valgar,then I agree.Besides,I don't have any personal grudges.

Aron Altir (Knight of Pates)

Letter from Galiard Scarlett

My lord de Bardt,

I agree entirely. This business concerns only Valgar and not relations with Sartania, though they are as complex as the situation with Valgar is; they shed much blood on our behalf before shedding our blood. And they, too, are anxious to bury the hatchet, though in their case I wonder how much of that is simply because they need friends and haven't got many just now.

I do not think that I could say it better than the Lord Chancellor has.

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Letter from Garynn Somnius

My fellow Nobles,

Let me first say that this discussion has been immensely enlightening for me as I was not but a child when these events were unfolding. These glimpses into Cathay's past are few and far between, but crucial to me as a young noble. I will say up front that my opinion on this matter has been based entirely off of the dialogue between you all, but I wish to voice my thoughts nonetheless.

Cathay, in my eyes, is a land that has been nothing but supportive in my time here. Rarely have we have not operated as a single entity, our purpose unanimous. I never knew of this Mad Tony or Conan, but this Valgar appears to be a very prominent piece of a dark piece of Cathayan history. I personally have no issues with him joining our ranks, but I never witnessed his betrayal either.

What I do see a problem with, however, is the stark division amongst you all in the matter. Regardless of what Valgar seeks to do with a second chance in Cathay, it looks like a lot of you will never be able to forget (or forgive) what he has done. I fear if we bring him back into the fold that his presence may remain a serious point of problem as we go forward. The last thing any proud Cathayan wants to see is a divided nation, especially over someone that divided us in the past.

I hope that despite my lack of experience with the matter, you will still consider my words.

Garynn Somnius (Knight of Isular)

Letter from Galiard Scarlett

Ser Garynn,

Your point is well taken. In my years I have witnessed division and unity both - sometimes among the same comrades. I have myself been a divisive figure, and also the opposite.

What you will find -- at least what I hope you will find -- is that, no matter what we disagree on, we all fly the same banner. I might argue with the Baron Ansopen all day long, but at the end of that day, he is my comrade-in-arms, and I should rather fight alongside or take a meal alongside him sooner than a King elsewhere in the Far East, no matter how mighty or friendly that King may be.

The only danger in unanimity is that you may see anyone who speaks their mind as a threat. I do not think this is the case. For how else are we to know what is in our fellow nobles' hearts? I may wish Lord Rauffe had less animosity, but I cannot begrudge him it -- everything he has said is absolutely true and I would be a fool to ignore it.

Even if we allow Valgar back, it is no guarantee that he will remain. It will not be easy. Perhaps it will work. And if it doesn't, then all of us here will go about our lives and Valgar will be gone. I simply think it is worth a try.

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Letter from Brian Hawkeye

My noble friends,

I find is stunning that men and women such as yourself would consider reuniting Valgar with our banner. While Ser Galiard speaks with much experience I must counteract it with my own.

The founding of Cathay was a bloody one and I was involved, I in fact remember leading the finest special forces that Lunaria had to offer up on the walls of Anacan. It was a bloody battle that thousands and many men of different nations fought at, Valgar may have been part of that but he was not the only one.

The basic fact is, for any not involved in the events that led to his betrayal are that Valgar disagreed with the sentiments of the council. He then cut our realm in two and put our greatest enemies at the wall of the capital, from which we barely survived.

Valgar is a fine military man, he was my general when I was king here but his betrayal is unforgivable.

Thousands died thanks to Valgar's betrayal and many died at his own warrior's hands. His own pride led to the death of thousands of our countrymen and a war that has lasted for years.

The man was a hero of Cathay who cast us aside for his own arrogance, forgiveness and penitence is not an option, we do not run a charity here.

He betrayed us and I would gladly see him die at the end of Lord Rauffe's sword or my own. As far as I am concerned he would be lucky not to return to a gallows and a sharp drop.

Brian Hawkeye
Duke of Anacan

Letter from Galiard Scarlett

Your Grace, Duke Anacan,

There is not much I can say that has not already been said. Just as with Lord Rauffe, you are of course correct in your history of events.

The only thing I would gainsay is Ser Valgar's motives. He did not do as he did for personal gain. Indeed he knew he would never keep Taop the moment he left, that it was only a matter of time before what he did was un-done. What he did was out of a misguided belief that it would serve Sartania -- a belief fostered by Conan and Mad Tony.

It is very easy to ascribe evil motives to your enemies, but when I look at Valgar's actions, I do not see a man interested in furthering his own name -- I see sacrifice, even if it was an idiotic, treasonous sacrifice.

And even so, what does it cost us to give him a second chance? We cannot execute him -- His Majesty already consulted the bureaucrats and found that, technically speaking, he is not a criminal in Cathay, as secession renders a ban somewhat moot. The only cost in inviting him back is the risk that I am wrong and that he is nothing more than a selfish, arrogant man who is out for himself and none other. I will gamble my own honor that that is not true. We gain an experienced knight -- which Cathay needs, as we do not even have enough to properly support all our regions -- and Sartania loses one.

It seems to me that justice in Valgar's case is closely tied with penance, and that he cannot do penance if he is not here to do it. Anything more than that is vengeance.

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)

Letter from Seperoth Leonidas

Nobles,

Well if penance is the question, what penance would properly shrive him and remove this stain from his honor? Duels to the death with those who feel a strong personal wrong? The life of a penitent hero seeking redemption by one day giving his life on the field of battle? A humble unlanded knight toiling without reward across the regions of the realm? Personally I don't know Valgar and I don't know what Valgar truly wants.

But I do not take Valgar for a stupid man. He knows returning here will mean he will never see his banner rise again socially or politically. He will be serving as knight and he will certainly never see the reigns of a region handed over to him again. He knows this and yet asks to return.

I don't call out for his return because I am a friend, or I am wooed by his past deeds, or even that I served alongside him. I would be interested in bringing him back because it would serve to heal our realms wounds. It would also serve a fine test of our honor and character as a realm. We would learn much as a realm and become stronger as we all pass through the eye of the needle together as it were. There is a strength to be found in this for Cathay and ourselves.

My Regards,

Seperoth

Seperoth Leonidas
High Chancellor of Cathay, Viscount of Pates, Ambassador of Cathay

Letter from James Blazeral Harker

Having seen what has been said so far and mulling it over, I personally am of a mind to allow him back. As Seperoth said, he can expect to hold no title for some time. Forgiveness can only go so far. However, he was once a Hero of Cathay, and we would be better served having his expertise and experience on our side than working for Sartania, with whom I expect relations will remain rather cold for a long time.

If the need to duel him is so strong that your honor demands it - your honor, mind you, not your anger - then your case will be presented to the Judge and myself. We will decide whether or not to allow it. I would like to stress, none of them will be accepted to satiate some heated anger or knee-jerk reaction. Honor dictates what we do in this realm, and honor alone will dictate whether a duel will occur.

I will put forth a referendum to the Kingdom now on this matter. I encourage you to continue to speak your opinions throughout, as this has been enlightening for me as well.

On an unrelated note, I look at the latest maps of the island and I see Soliferum yet exists in Osaliel. I will be contacting the other rulers to see what is going on, but I would suggest ensuring your armor and weapons are clean and ready, and your men sober.

James Blazeral Harker
King of Cathay

New Referendum (4 days, 8 hours ago) A new referendum has been initiated by James Blazeral Harker, King of Cathay. The topic is "Valgar Reinhart's return" and as a noble of Cathay, you are invited to vote on it.

Letter from Brian Hawkeye

While forgiveness and moving on is an admirable trait, this all boils down to trust. Valgar's actions directly led to the death of thousands who served under our banners. Captains and warriors I knew well and I do not understand how we can trust him again, even to serve under our banners without land or title.

And I would disagree with Ser Galiard as to the nature of Valgar's actions, I believe he meant to keep Taop and hold it. There was no question that we would retake Taop at the beginning of the war when we were fighting for our very survival. He was comfortable as a duke of Soliferum and they had assembled one of the largest armies I have ever seen in his city, do not paint this as misguided honour, Valgar knew how much that would hurt Cathay and he did it to prove a point.

Let him stay with his opportunist friends in Sartania, he will fit in well with their ilk.

Brian Hawkeye
Duke of Anacan

Letter from Galiard Scarlett

Your Grace, Duke Anacan,

That is a fair enough point of view, and of course neither of us can know with a certainty whether his motives were good or ill at the time, or simply became better in hindsight when it might now benefit Valgar to say so.

As far as trust is concerned, I will vouch for him. If Valgar returns and betrays the Golden Lion, then let it be on my head as well as his. Let me look with skepticism upon him and his actions and let me be the first to shout 'traitor' if indeed that is what he remains.

Sir Galiard Scarlett (Royal)