Leaving Dragonshire Behind

Is duty all that binds a man to his sovereign? I don't think so. As usual in life symbolism is more important. We have duty to our rulers because they represent not just their own interests, but their entire kingdom. They are their fiefdom or principality personified. A soldier, even a loyal one, can disobey an order in the best interests of his kingdom.

And it dosn't end there. If one does not love the ruler of a realm and thus the realm itself, how can they die for that location in battle? How would they be remembered by people who didn't care for them or value their services? No, there is no glory in dying for a lost cause, and to me Dragonshire is now a lost cause.

Let me start at the begining. I was wandering about visiting, and I met Sydel. We talked briefly but being evil she of course couldnt stand my presence, even though I offered to aid her. And so I left her and went after Xavier, who I knew to be heading out of the highlands. I wanted to make sure she was well guarded, but it turned out that was useless.

Her skilled amazon mercenaries were not only guarding her, but they captured me for following her. I resisted as long as I was able to and used one or two spells, but by the end of the night I was in the dungeons. Xavier simply wanted to teach me a lesson and had her maids and the two guards, Eclipse and Star, chain me up, bathe me and force me to eat all sorts of evil vegetables.

The next day Diedre sent Carey for me. I made no mistake in thinking it was a call of mercy. Diedre had summoned me to her side but thankfully I promised Xavier I'd return. She was somewhat displeased with her guards as they'd treated me rather roughly, but I told her that they hadn't been that bad to me and that I'd been attempting to escape anyhow.

I was taken back to Dragonshire to see Diedre. She asked for information about what was going on and mentioned my capture in Navere and Xavier's realm, Dubh Aonach. I told her as much as possible but I found there was no one in the hall I knew at all, and the fact that Braith was there made me even more uncomfortable. The queen said she had something to say to me but would wait until Jules arrived. At that time I heard screaming from upstairs in the elven tongue.

Jules arrived and the queen attempted to capture me and throw me in the dungeons, for what reasons I'm still not sure. I was already on my guard and teleported out. I took two guards along who had grabbed onto me, and lucky I was because the rangers soon informed me that Juliette had taken an elf from the forrest and kidnapped him. I sent the guards back to Diedre on the condition that they tell her what had happened. Diedre ignored that, had one of the guards murdered, and then put a large bounty on my head.

It hurt, and as soon as I was able I told my rangers to leave Dragonshire, and that I would have no more to do with the place. I now have no more allegiance or land...

I went to speak to Xavier but a messanger from Diedre caught up to me, demanding my return. Luckily Xavier took pity on me and simply had me put back in her own dungeons. My mom visited me the next day and we argued a bit. I want to go to Navere and stop troubling Xavier, but for now the choice is hers and it seems I'll stay where I am, which also suits me well enough, though I worry for Gia.