The writing continued:

‘The celebrations are over. It’s now time for the King and Queen to decide what to do with the captives and the spoils. I only hope we don’t turn barbaric and torture these people for sport. Unlike those bastards, the Rikanja, who dared invade our nation to try and assassinate the royal family, we took the Feraanites head on, with pride. I believe we should be less inclined to butcher them as though they were pigs.’

Another paragraph began:

*

‘Oh, gods! How can the King’s Council, men chosen to advise His Majesty, to give equal measures of morality and strategy suggest that we attack the vile Baniale`. It’s only been two weeks since we brought Feraan under our banner. Thankfully, Alabas sees reason. I maintain that he is a wise king. He too is against this idea, but I think he may fold given how much pressure the council is piling on each day. What has gotten into them? Am I the only one among my peers to remain rational?’

Another:

*

‘I think I might be closing in on something terribly distasteful. It’s been three months since I started investigating each of the councilmen. They seem to be advancing the ideals of another. As to who this could be? I have no idea. Instead of alerting Alabas and Marar’bel without firm evidence, I think it’s best to employ Maestus to help me in secret instead. I expect his loyalty to Alabas is all I can count on now. Together we will uncover the truth about this conspiracy.”

*

‘I don’t know what to think. We are going to attack the Baniale` in a few weeks. The King finally folded. Whoever the councilmen have backing them is truly formidable. I fear to imagine who it is. They have covered their tracks well. It’s a great feat to hide such a terribly vast ambition. Hopefully, the leads Maestus is following are credible. He has to hurry. Soon, he will be unable to help me. He has a tremendous burden. Forging updated suits of armor and weapons with his Far Ji for the upcoming war will keep him from moving freely soon.’

*

‘I never could have imagined. The one who was so desperate to devour more of this continent was Queen Marar’bel. I should have known. Alabas should never have been allowed to marry a woman from a foreign nation. Now look at what is happening. Oh, may the gods save this nation. This tears me up as much as it does Maestus. I am clueless as to how he even found this out. What shall we do? Will the King even believe us if we told him? Would he even consider it a challenge to his authority, as we do? He is smitten by that snake!’

*

‘A year has passed and we have finally prevailed against the Baniale`, but I cannot shake the dark feeling in my soul. The Baniale` are heretics, some of them wielders of unknown power beyond Kanva and Far Ji. For our own sakes, Maestus and I have decided to stop meeting in private. It’s grown too risky. I think Marar’bel may be suspicious of us.’

*

‘Oh, dear gods. How can Alabas stand for this? How did he even let this happen? Marar’bel has announced herself a Sorceress. She claims to have learned powers beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. I swear, she must have secretly looted the unholy scripts and grimoires of the Baniale` after their defeat. She must have studied them all year long. To think she even dared make a demonstration before the council. My heart tightened when she summoned serpents from the floor and turned locks of hair into bands of gold. Can no one else tell how horribly wrong this is? Alabas is accepting of this. I can’t believe he merely nodded when Marar’bel swore that this power would only be used for the benefit of the kingdom. I need to speak with Maestus. We might need to speak to Alabas about the Queen’s plots behind his back. Maybe then he will think properly.’

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*

‘I’m on my own. Maestus refuses to speak to me. Something is wrong. I find him, Tenyen, and Kadyas with the Queen a lot more often these days. I don’t like it. Not only is Marar’bel growing stronger, but she is earning more favour. I can’t help but think Maestus may have been threatened, or worse…’

*

‘Alabas is finally standing his ground. He and Marar’bel have been openly disputing for the last few weeks. The Queen has been facilitating more strange activities behind Alabas’ back. I’ve heard rumours that she has been kidnapping hundreds of people from our colonies for some unknown ritualistic practice. I can only hope it is not true. Alabas is probably torn between whether these are false accusations or not as well. I only wish I had been the one to tell him about Marar’bel’s agendas before things got to this point.’

*

‘Today, Marar’bel gathered all the councilmen and told us about her plan. I had the feeling that despite knowing that I was never on her side, she knew I had no choice but to come. I have grown to be terrified of her growing influence. What can I do to resist? How could I fight against the Sorceress?

Apparently, one of the records she found among the Baniale` details an incantation and spell that can be used to call upon a phantasmic deity who can grant the wishes of anyone who tears it away from its hidden place. Marar’bel promised all of us our hearts' wildest desires if we help her do one simple thing: to keep Alabas in the dark about this. I don’t think I have a choice. What frightens me most is that Marar’bel has garnered many believers among our colonies and Alabas has no idea that she has taken over everything with the sole exception of Ainfidd. Dear gods. Where does this all lead?’

*

‘Last night, a tragedy beyond what I dreaded happened. I never would have thought Marar’bel was brave enough to fight Alabas. Even with her sorcery, she has no name and was a fool to contend against Alabas, the man they call Flying Reaper Sword. She was far from being his equal.

Alabas found out his Queen’s vile machinations. I don’t know from whom. I had thought it was Maestus, but I was astonished to find that he stood with Marar’bel, Tenyen, and Kadyas against Alabas. They were all defeated. I saw it and I rejoiced! Alabas did not want to kill them. He spared them, as one would their wife, sons, and most loyal Knight. That turned out to be a big mistake. I have no idea how Marar’bel did it. I have no idea how sorcery works. Perhaps it was a charm or a forbidden spell.

Ainfidd is now buried in darkness. Marar’bel proudly declared that this darkness will keep Alabas in Ainfidd along with all its citizens as long as she gathers enough Spirit Essence to maintain its integrity. This way, Alabas won’t stop her from accomplishing her goal.

It is with great shame that I admit that only those who committed themselves to Marar’bel could leave Ainfidd in that darkness. I had no choice. I have joined Marar’bel with the rest of the councilmen. I feel worse than Tenyen’s dogs. Even they follow their master out of loyalty to him. I have denounced the King. I have failed him. I can’t go back now. He will never receive me. All I can do is accompany Marar’bel as she convenes with the lords and ladies from the colonies who swore their loyalty to her. She will begin the ritual she desires someplace north of Ainfidd.’

*

‘In the end, it was all just an exchange. It is all her fault!

She summoned this demon and allowed it to butter her with its promises. It raised a whole kingdom from sand and we all rejoiced and whooped like fools!

I had begun to think we could create a kingdom far greater than the one Alabas had made with the power of this blasphemous creature. Millions had moved to settle here from the colonies, and for a while, I thought we were becoming one – one prosperous nation.

But it was all a lie. I’ve tried to hide and cover my eyes, but I think I will succumb soon. The urge to look at that… thing is too great. Everyone is showering it with praise. Some kiss its figure. Some even lick it. I hear them. They have all lost it. Damn you, Marar’bel! Where are you now? You fled at the first sign of trouble with your sons and trapped us all with this demon. I curse you. I curse you and whatever nation begot a witch like you. I curse Alabas as well who accepted you. I curse myself who was too weak to deny this evil that….’

And the ink spilled, ending the message.