The Letter, Part 12
A hush fell through the pub at Elder Fortrand’s portentous announcement. Telematrice found herself leaning forward in her chair, while Gilbetron behind her hung on every word.
“There was once a time that the mythic Northlanders walked among us freely. Their crews docked at many northern ports of our land, most of which have been forgotten or fallen into disuse, but Wyshyllna was chiefest among them. In 586 AG, the king of the Northlanders made what was intended to be his first of many state visits. It turned out to be his only voyage across the ocean.
“He landed here and began a trip inland to appear before the court of Chilldrin Daelyo, but one day into the trek, his coach was waylaid by twelve highwaymen in support of the Great Tyrant’s campaign in the southern plains. Instead of the Imperial Coach, Daelyo received a single box the following day containing the Northlander king’s head. When word of the assassination spread to the common people, the state of rebellion only worsened, giving rise to the well-remembered Slaughter of Chyschovik, which was, by today’s best knowledge, instigated solely by the Great Tyrant.
“The Northland fleets immediately began to sail away from our shores, abandoning their trade with our ancestors. Before disappearing entirely, a council of Northlander merchants made their way to Old Lystria to petition Lord Daelyo for restitution for the crime. The lord signed a contract with the council promising to deliver the heads of the twelve highwaymen, or those of their direct descendants, to the southern shores of Northland by the turn of the millennia.”
Telematrice finally interrupted him. “But Elder, that was two years ago!”
“Yes,” Fortrand acknowledged, “which is exactly how long that letter of yours has been in transit. You see, Daelyo was deposed by the Tyrant before he could fulfill his end of the bargain. The Northlanders have patiently waited over 300 years to exact vengeance, but now our time has expired. Our inaction has invited disaster of the most imminent variety.”