Sworn before the clergy of the Triad, this document carries the whole truth as I know it to be so.
After the abdication of our King Gregory Simmons, whom I followed in kind so that I could tend to him in his failing health, I remained as observant of the happenings of the Kingdom as I could given the circumstances. In that time, Gregory fully supported the changes the Council made, and the appointment of Lord Walter Mortimer as Lord Protector. It was by his decree that they would serve in his stead. Some time later, we traveled to Tethyr on a lead regarding a potential cure for Gregory's ailment, but it proved useless. He died while abroad. James and I returned with his body so that we could put him to rest. I tried to reintegrate properly into court after this loss. I eventually became set to become Duchess of Fort Cystana, following some dealings with Lord Parmunster to secure it.
Throughout this time, Aernoud's relationship with the Council and Lord Protector suffered. Most who are involved in court became distinctly aware of this tension. There was little upon which they could agree and many meetings ended in arguments. During one session about thirteen months ago in Marpenoth last year, after we quelled the rebellion led by Vernon, Lord Mortimer was at his wits' end with Aernoud, suggesting that his inaction at first during the attack at the Construction Site by Vernon was the mark of a coward. Aernoud's response to his anger was to declare that he was done with the "Usurper" Mortimer. This was shocking to the rest of the Council, as a Duke of Kohlingen openly accusing the Lord Protector of usurpation is very serious. He further claimed that Lord Mortimer had threatened civil war if he was not given the Crown, and that that is why we made him Lord Protector. We of course know this to be false, because we and many outsiders were all present for the vote which placed Lord Mortimer as Lord Protector. Again, my husband had agreed to the appointment personally. There were no threats involved and this should have been treated at the time as a gravely damaging accusation, which could have had serious consequences on the trust of the people for the Lord Protector - and thus the stability of the Kingdom as a whole.
Eleven months ago, in Nightal of last year following another such meeting, I confronted Aernoud in the upstairs library in City Hall. I had apologized for being angry with him during the meeting that had recently ended, and he offered to clarify his critical stance against the Council. The words he spoke to me then I will never forget. He stated that it is because they "expect" to lead. That the decisions they make have great consequences, some of which are unforeseen. He then went on to say that his father died in the fall of the city, and that the Council did not. He stated that the people trusted them but the Council led them to their deaths. He further pointed out that the late Justicar Cystana understood that sentiment. She led, and "died with the people she failed." He stated that day that this is what makes a leader. That because the Council did not perish, they are unfit; that it was right for Justicar Cystana to die that day, and thus she was a suitable leader because she paid the price for "failing" the people.
I became very angry with him after this - and Lord Mortimer even challenged him to a duel over it, which Aernoud refused. The Late Justicar Cystana was a sister to me when I served at her side. I was devastated when I heard that she had fallen. But I never blamed those who lived for the actions of those wicked beings who caused the fall of the city. To use the dead as weapons against those who survived by their sacrifices is sacrilege. And Aernoud has continued this sentiment to this day, placing the blame for what happened in those dark days on the shoulders of those who survived - those who already carry the burden and guilt of survival. Everyone lost loved ones on that tragic day. But we have chosen to stand together as a single people under the light of the Triad, Bahamut, Siamorphe, and the other gods of Kohlingen to honor those men and women who gave everything. Aernoud has only sought to use our loss against us when it suits him. Just as he uses my husband's name only when it suits him.
Later that month, Gregory was returned to us by the Red Knight when upon the battlefield with the Wanderer at the Construction Site. That is when I withdrew as Duchess and Lord Laterius Parmunster became Duke of Fort Cystana in my stead, our previous dealings regarding the matter undone. By the Lord Protector's command, Gregory, James, and I traveled to Winya Ravana to rest and relax. To spend time with one another as a family reunited after a great loss. All was well for some months. Gregory was filled with joy and was the shining light he was before; James was happy and showered with the love of his mother and father rejoined; and I was enjoying peace at last. I maintained contact with the court and aided them with their paperwork now and then. I helped to draw up the rights and responsibilities of the Lord Protector, the Council, the Dukes, and the nobility, which stand now as our official legal documentation on the matter. Gregory fully supported this endeavor also. He was confident in the Council and Lord Protector, and their ability to carry on in his stead. Thus, it cannot be said that his decrees were withdrawn or unsupported by my late husband.
All of the above establishes that Aernoud has harbored excessive hostility toward the Council, the Lord Protector, and truly anyone else in a leadership position in Kohlingen for some time, a sentiment which Gregory himself did not share even whilst in his right mind. Aernoud would know that Gregory supported them if he had ever bothered to visit or even write to the liege he claims to honor with his actions, but it would appear that his great devotion only matters when his own interests are affected in his mind. Further, he has taken it upon himself to declare that the Council and Lord Protector are not lawful, and he has chosen not to acknowledge their authority to govern the kingdom on behalf of Gregory. Additionally, Aernoud has himself admitted to openly accusing me of being a Harper. He has attempted to incite anger and hatred in Harpers, as prominent politicians in Cordor did during the Arcanum War, and thus anger and hatred in me. This has actively created turmoil between Kohlingen and Cetha, as well as drawn the attention of assassins that are presumably followers of the Nightsinger, as they have previously struck at innocents in their efforts to hunt known Harpers. This carelessness has placed me, my son, and everyone else in the kingdom at great risk, which can clearly be seen by the harm these assassins have caused over the past weeks.
In addition to all of the above, Aernoud has declared that followers of Bahamut should all be held accountable for the transgressions of Barryan and Deepdesire, the two dragons who brought their armies of demons and shades to the city of Kohlingen. He has stated that the followers of Bahamut are to blame for the thousands of deaths which we suffered - stating that the war between followers of Tiamat and Bahamut will just bring calamity to our people again. He has failed to acknowledge that these two dragons served neither Bahamut nor Tiamat in their schemes, and he has also failed to acknowledge that the greatest enemy of that war, the Plane Render, was an Elder Evil from the Far Realms - which has nothing to do with dragons whatsoever. He is actively targeting a prominent religious group within our kingdom for the sole purpose of pushing his own political agenda, namely attempting to denounce and besmirch my name on his self-appointed crusade to stop me from becoming Queen.
The final incidents I wish to address are more recent. The documentation referred to here will also be submitted into evidence. On the seventh of Uktar this year, I had heard tell of an assassin who had attempted to harm Duke Van Brabant. Worried for the safety of the people, I sent ten Silver Dragons and the three Everguard I had previously promised to assist with the other troubles Greengarden faces. I sent with them a message to urge unity, trust, and peace. The Duke and his militia stopped them at the gate and turned their crossbows on them. Everguard Rowena read my message aloud for them all instead. Aernoud proceeded to turn away the aid I had sent. He stated that he would not be assisted by the Silver Dragons, for they could turn their blades on him. This made the Silver Dragons in attendance uncomfortable and Everguard Rowena decided to call all kingdom military personnel back to Fort Cystana for their safety. She also welcomed other citizens to join them on the journey back. Twenty-two total citizens of Greengarden accompanied the Silver Dragons who departed Greengarden alongside the Everguard.
On the twelfth of Uktar this year, I traveled to Greengarden with three citizens of the Duchy whom had answered the calls of the High Priests resurrection spells after being killed previously by more assassins in Greengarden. I had learned that these assassins had taken the identities of the fallen, and I wanted to hurry to Aernoud to warn him. The threat was ended, though not neutralized. Aernoud did not trust my words, and so the delay was too long to catch them before they could escape. Once everyone was settled and the walls again secure, Aernoud turned his anger on me once again. I spoke with him for some time alongside many other allies who also tried to help him see reason. He focused on my lineage, declaring that I had chosen war because I had become a disciple. To see a disciple on the throne would be to invite dragons to harm us again, he claimed. I countered this by stating that if dragons came again - or demons, or Amnish, or anyone else of foul intentions we have had to face before - it would not matter who (or what) was on the throne.
I tried to remind him that my place in Kohlingen did not come about because I am a disciple, but because of my actions, because of my heart and my mind. The people of Kohlingen are one people, and we must stand together as one - humans, elves, dwarves, hin, and all others who call our kingdom home. He refused to listen, and only reiterated his previous stance that followers of Bahamut are to blame for what happened in the city of Kohlingen. He also wanted to know what would happen to the people who didn't want me to be Queen, and I told him that there is no reason anything should happen to them. It will be impossible for every citizen of the kingdom to come to a full consensus on any matter, and so it is something that I will have to bear in mind as I go about considering the prospect of my ascension to the throne. At which point is it appropriate to act? How many voices must speak out regardless of my reassurances before I decline the position? This is a dilemma that will face any leader. Do you stop a campaign or a decree that you have already made simply because a handful of people disagree? Is their stance sound enough to sway you despite being a minority? These are things that have weighed on me while I consider the prospect that was presented to me. I told this to Aernoud, but he still refused to listen. He still claimed that I am trying to steal the throne from my son.
To be perfectly clear to all in this court, and as the gods know through the truth in my heart, I have never stated that I will become Queen, let alone that I would do so against the wishes of the people. I have only said that I would consider it if the people desired it of me. I have not made any claim of my own volition. I have not sought to force anyone else to accept the prospect, only to gently offer my own thoughts and stance on why I might be a good prospect to guard and stand on the throne for as long as it takes my son to come of age, that he may take the throne at the already appointed time. Aernoud continuously argues against this, but he will not be able to submit any proof that I have ever claimed otherwise. He has only his wild and unfounded accusations and assumptions. He has only his demands that I refuse the position, but also replace the Council and Lord Protector. He has only his own bitterness and the handful of innocent citizens in Greengarden whom he has maliciously coerced.
Following the altercation on the twelfth, as detailed above, a woman named Sythea had arrived to deliver a message to Aernoud. I departed at this time, but I received a report later in the day that Aernoud referred to the letter as potentially "something more" than platitudes from Wiltun. Corrick had been present to hear this and told him "Don't do it" in an effort to stop him from making deals or alliances with Wiltun. Aernoud replied by saying "Don't force me to." This is further evidence of a dangerous spiral to which Aernoud has seemingly succumbed. It is also a treacherous suggestion, a veiled threat to draw a foreign power into his conflict, with the potential for extremely dangerous ramifications for the innocent people of our kingdom. Whether it is true that Wiltun offered him anything, something I do not have the answer to, this way of addressing a concern from anyone regarding this conflict is unquestionably irresponsible and needlessly inflammatory. The people he is tasked to protect should not have to fear for their safety if a power like Wiltun were to even be mentioned with regard to this matter.
To close, it is not written in our laws that it would be unlawful to rescind my previous abdication, which had been done only due to the King's failing health, or to return to the throne on behalf of my son in the interim. Given I have majority support throughout the kingdom for the prospect, and that I have expressed no personal aims or goals beyond guarding the throne on behalf of my son until he can assume the throne, it is my belief that Aernoud has decided for himself that it would be unlawful simply because it is not specifically written that it would be lawful. Thus, this is little more than an unnecessary crusade that has been designed to cause harm to our kingdom for no reason than to suit his own ego, and has already had disastrous consequences and thrust innocent people under the gaze of extremely dangerous people. He began this crusade based on his own feelings, without any regard for the well-being of the kingdom or of the people he attacks with his words and manipulations. He continues his crusade based on his own feelings and ignores the greater kingdom as a whole. He cares only for his own beliefs, his own plot of land, his own conjured laws, and his own desire to maintain control over others.
In summary, and to finalize my sworn statement:
- That Aernoud has denounced through his own proclamations that the King's decree that the Council and Lord Protector will rule in the King's stead is treason against the Crown. That Aernoud continues to actively spread falsehoods about me and my intentions, whilst I am serving as Regent and direct representative of the Crown Prince, is treason against the Crown. That Aernoud ordered his militia to point their crossbows at the Everguard, representatives of the Crown Prince, is treason against the Crown. That Aernoud has incited racial and religious anger and hatred against me, the representative of the Crown Prince, within the hearts of the people is treason against the Crown. That Aernoud has directly placed myself and the Crown Prince in danger of being targeted by enemies of the Harpers is treason against the Crown. That Aernoud has made veiled threats to draw the attention of a powerful foreign entity to his side in this conflict is treason against the Crown.
- That Aernoud has used his denouncement of me to try to make me replace everyone on the Council as well as the Lord Protector, whom were so given the right to lead and make decisions for our Kingdom by King Gregory, is Usurpation against the Crown. That Aernoud has placed himself above the Council and Lord Protector and above the laws of this Kingdom is Usurpation against the Crown. That Aernoud has denounced any efforts to give a voice to the Crown Prince, for his own political benefit, is Usurpation against the Crown.
- That Aernoud has denounced the faith of Bahamut and targeted innocent followers by inciting hatred and anger against them is Blasphemy against the Gods of Kohlingen.
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