Our Fall, & Rise
The following is a letter from Captain Lampert, a defender of Erithstone during Emperor Friedrich's conquest of the city, to his brother in Aparnavos.
Dear Lucas, I pray you are well, and that those Apanavosi are giving you a fair deal for your wares. No doubt you heard the news. Erithstone has fallen after months of siege. Please believe we did all that we could. To calm your mind, yes your wife and children are safe, and your home was spared from what pillaging occurred. You should have seen him brother. From atop our walls I watched as the Sun began to rise just as I had done every day during these long months of siege. But this morning began differently, with the birth of the reborn Sun, came in the distance a single white horse which rose with it. Commanding the steed, with armor shining against the mornings light, stood Friedrich, unwavering at the sight of our walls and defenses. Behind him, roaring his name like he was a god, his army encroached, battering sword and spear to shield. His bannermen raised his sigil high in the sky, letting us know that he had finally arrived. Our fear was not found in the noise, but the level of devotion that each Imperial soldier echoed his name. In that moment I felt that we were not dealing with a mortal man. Never before had icy shivers wash down my spine like this. After the battle was over, to our surprise, Imperial troops did not raze and pillage the city, for Freidrich instead spared the people and the nobles, regarded they bent the knee. Imperial troops lined our streets cheering and hollering, and riding into the city on a white stallion was Friedrich himself. Wasting no time, he took his banner and staked it into the Center Square for all to see. From there he took oaths of fealty from the noble families in front of all, so there would be no doubting their sincerity. However much I tried to convince myself otherwise, he bore the look, not of a conqueror, but a savior. I tell you this now brother, do not fear our new Emperor, nor let his assimilation of our lands sadden your heart. Emperor Friedrich is not here to conquer, but to guide us towards a brighter future. An avatar of Telus, he will light the way for us. Stay safe little brother. --Lampert
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