The Madness of King Emry
The Never Ending Quest - Episode 62998
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Emry Exultaine looked dispassionatley at the various ministers gathered
around his throne. The news from outside the walls of Camelyn was bad,
and getting worse by the hour. In the past five weeks since the rebellion
began, the rebel army had more than doubled in size, with thousands
flocking in from the towns and countryside to their banner. The various
duchys were falling like dominos. Six so far had thrown their lot in with
the rebels, including 3 actively providing the troops that made up
the 'core' of the rebel force, now some 10,000 strong. Only the presence
of the royal guard was keeping Camelyn itself from falling into
rebellion. Small scale riots had been put down twice already.
King Emry was in a foul mood to be certain, but there was something else - an air of desperation hung about him. He was a man who was slowly, but surely losing his grip on reality. He saw shadows and heard whispers all around him. He had been taking the reports as they came in more and more with paranoia and suspicion. He had banished several trusted advisors and had them replaced with yes-men. He adamantly refused to believe he had lost control of his kingdom. "Our garrison took severe damage withdrawing from Obsallom. Five hudred killed or captured, and nearly as many desertions to the enemy camp." "I want these ruffians rounded up and hanged!" he screamed. "How dare they defy me and my rule? Have Duke Zular..." "Duke Zular Mollari has abandoned your cause." his nervous, recently appointed war minister reminded him, ever-so gently. "He has sided with the rebel leader Fredrigo D'Honaire." "TRAITOR! Have him sent to the gallows as well, then! I will not tolerate insurrection!" "This is no insurrection, your Majesty." A new voice, strong and commanding, rose above the din. Dredrik D'Honaire, Duke of Suffex, strode into the throne room. "What you are facing,..No, what we ALL are facing, is outright civil war." "Brought on by your son! And this, after he conspired to have me killed! How do I know you are even trustworthy? Guards, arrest Duke Dredrik at once!" "I know not what has driven my son to take up arms against you. But my own loyalty is not in doubt. The fact alone that I am here is proof of my trustworthiness, Majesty. I have not abandoned the crown, as so many of my fellow lords have." Dredrik replied, standing his ground. "Hah! Nonsense!" Emry spat back, wild-eyed. "I have the loyalty of the people!" "You have lost the countryside, Emry. The people are rising against you, spurred on by the rebels' propaganda. Nearly two thirds of Allaria is in their hands, My liege, It is my opinion that you are no longer of sound mind, and are unable to prosecute this crisis effectivley. The council royal agrees with me. It has decreed that you must be...removed from power." "What!? No.. You will all be executed for this! Executed, I say!" "Guards." Dredrik said firmly. "Escort His Majesty to his private chambers. Keep him under close supervision." Emry thrashed and hollered like a madman as they dragged him from the throne room. Dredrik sighed, then, consequences be damned, sat down for a moment's rest on the throne of Allaria. He would never be king of course, but right now, it seemed that the reigns of the crumbling nation had passed to him and his fellow loyalist nobles. Fred, my son...I don't know why you've chosen this path. But I will continue to follow the path that I know to be right. It seems we will soon face each other as enemies. "What are your orders, Duke?" the war minister asked.
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Xavier
11/2/2006 9:37:13 PM
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