[Ansteorra] Gothic Call To Arms!

[Kelandra Carmichael]

Ciamar a tha sibh Ansteorra,

Low and base do the sounds of discord ring across our mighty Kingdom. Two of 
our fine nobles their blades still wet from the batles at Pensic seek to 
bring war upon each other. I say this is wrong, no Ansteorran should raise 
sword against another in War, in practice surely, but not for greed or envy 
or any other sinful and selfish purpose found in the hearts of men. We are 
all brothers and under the leadership of one King. Our Crown trusts us to do 
their will in a rightly and goode manner. How can bringing war among our own 
kin serve our King and Country?

Long did the Barony of Northkeep set in council seeking the proper way to 
proceed. The nobles squabble neared its most assured and bloody conclusion 
and still we sat watching and listening. We heard war leaders rattleing 
their weapons, we heard merchants speak of profits, and we heard the 
lamentation of wives and mothers. Where was the peace we all hoped would 
peace would come, our noble cousins would not listen to reason, they would 
have no other end, and so peace failed.

Given the path to battle do we fight for one cousin at the cost of 
another...at the cost of peace and unity with in this mighty kingdom of 
Ansteorra. Beyond hope we thought to wait out the fight  and not involve 
ourselves in these affairs but to see to the lands of Northkeep as we were 
charged. In the days before the coming fight many knights of the realm begin 
to visit our keep. Each honorable diginitary of Chivalry who rode to 
Northkeep spoke of their ties amongst our people. Each Knight spoke of how 
they marched to the glory of battle and how they were taking with them 
squires and men-at-arms. These oath bound choosen by the Kinghts were from 
amongst our own people...farms were left unattended and shops closed as each 
knight took his man from Northkeep. These knights one and all had declared 
their support for the same one of the two embattled Barons. This worsened 
the state and deepened my concerns. How could Northkeep now avoid the fight 
for we could not let our men ride off alone. Northkeep is a place where our 
strength lies in our unity. Where our fighting men are truely soldiers and 
brothers in arms How we could have men be among the host without their 
shield brothers and their kinsmen by their side?

Since I can see no way to avoid the comming fight and no peaceful or 
diplomatic end seems plausible. Then I must do as his Majesty has charged I 
must see to Northkeep and by serving this Barony and its people hopefully 
serve the goode of the Crown and the Kingdom. Though with great sadness at 
having to choose between my own two cousins, I will not allow Northkeep to 
stand divided, with our brothers and our kinsmen we will take up sword and 
shield not to bring defeat to one baron or the other but to ensure the lives 
of those among our own people who enter this fight. Northkeep fights in the 
ranks of those marching from Elfsea. I pray this is the right and goode 
decision.

Mercy be upon the head of the warrior who raises weapon against a fellow of 
Northkeep.

I remain in honor and service,
Ian Dun Gillan
Baron of Northkeep and Lord of Chemin Noir