#taoth

“My Lord!  Lord Tal’therin!”

The cries rang out, and the large doors to the study burst open.  It had been moderately cleaned, and was quite bare, save for a makeshift desk and chair.  Raserus rose in alarm.  “What?!  What is it!  Speak!”  The elf panted heavily, catching his breath a second, then moved to stand tall and relay the bad news.

“Your brother is gone, sir!  He has been sprung from the dungeon...  By his visitor.”

The silence that hung in the room was deafening, and the guard sweated nervously.  “Did no one think to keep an eye on her when she went down there?”  The guard stammered.  “We did!  She’s... Powerful.  Nothing we could do.”

Very slowly Raserus slid back into his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose.  “I had better write a letter to the Archon, then.  He’d like to be kept up to date on the latest Oathbreaker, I assume.  Dismissed.”  With a sharp salute, the guard left, leaving the Patriarch to sit and stew in this news, and to consider his options on what to do now.

To his left, upon the top of the book he had been reading, was a letter.  It was fancy looking, and sealed with wax.  Carefully picking it up, he brought it close to look at the insignia stamped into it…  It bore a striking resemblance to the House ring he wore.  With a careful hand, he opened it.  This was very strange.

His eyes narrowed as he began to read the message within.

“Dear Raserus,

While this letter may put a dampener upon your healing process, I feel it is better to inform you now, rather than later.

You have been deposed.

You and your heir have been deemed unfit to lead us.  You have made this family weak, this House a laughing stock among the nobility.  You have turned these proud and fierce warriors and magisters into peddlers of knick knacks and alcohol.

You and your ‘heir’ are hereby stripped of title, land, wealth, and name.  You could fall back upon father’s surname, if you wish.  Being a Duskblade was not so bad, despite being low-born.

But do not fear, your bastards are being looked after within Crimsonbrook.  I have not seen hide nor hair of your wife, but should she recognize me as Lord and Patriarch, she will be allowed to live on our lands with them.

In accordance with law, I will allow you one opportunity to challenge me.  Once you are fully healed, mind you.  I will not fight a cripple.

Sincerely,

Lord Taoth Tal’therin”

For a time, he couldn’t comprehend the words written on the paper.  It was ludicrous.  It had to be a joke!  His eyes scanned over it again, rereading it once, twice…  Nearly ten times.

- Part 1 -

Though he could use some education on how to speak around royalty.. he isn’t anything like I was expecting. I find myself even feeling safe while Toothy isn’t around. Maybe meeting another human wouldn’t be so bad before I go back.