Heralds and Rumours
Traitorous Crusader Exposed.
Ralltierre, Le Royaume de le Forestaine,
991 RT.Despite a lack of official word, it is clear to all that the Crusaders have rooted a vile, black-hearted traitor to the people from among their own ranks. Set in chains, and escorted by an imposing number of soldiers, Sir Jarbeau duLancie, the former Chef du Patrouille du Poste Ralltierre, once a respected law-enforcer, was carted away, in the black of night, like a dirty secret.
Sir Jarbeau was detained and remanded to higher authorities amidst the scandal of this tiny town of Ralltierre. A few weeks prior, the well-liked proprietor of the fine inn, Le Maison en Rouge, was arrested under charges of theft and fraud. Mssr. Phillipe Madineux, had proprieted a luxurious and upstanding tavern and inn, one that had brought a significant amount of business which would have otherwise overlooked this out-of-the-way town. Yet for reasons as yet unspecified, mercenaries, hired by the Crusaders, forced their way into the inn and created a confrontation which, when it had run its bloody course, ended in the arrest of Madineux. Now the inn sits in disuse and ill-repair, and the business it once attracted now finds it comforts elsewhere.
Soon after, there was obvious discontent with the local Crusader Poste from the citizens of Ralltierre. It was obvious there was trouble bubbling just beneath the surface of both the normally quiet town and the regimented order of the Poste. One night, the town was awakened by the unmistakable clamour of battle. With the ringing of steel and pounding of hooves, the Crusaders fought with the unmasked Mouvement Resistance du Baler agents. The MRB had been using Ralltierre as a base of operations in the past months, perhaps longer, and were violently run out of town, captured or killed by the efficient Crusaders. Two Crusaders, a knight and an armiger, were slain the effort.
The MRB, terrible outlaws that they are, contend they fight for the freedom of the Baleric people from the oppression and tyranny of Forestanian imprisonment. They say that they have tired of ineffectual peaceful overtures, and have been forced to speak in a louder voice. They say they are a political army defending the rights of all Baleric people, but they operate outside the law. They are dangerous and unpredictable, and they managed to recruit a certain honoured Crusader into their rebellious ranks. Crusader Sir Jarbeau duLancie, who had served for many years with distinguishment, was stripped of his post and imprisoned for, what seems undoubtedly, aiding and informing these rebels. His crimes could even be considered high treason by the strict standards of Royal Law, and he may be sentenced to death.
Yet, the Crusaders remain predictably reticent on this matter, reluctant to inform the good people of Forestaine, just how dangerous the situation really was, and probably is. It is my belief that the crimes and fate of Sir Jarbeau should be revealed to the people, for he both served and perhaps betrayed them as much as the Crusaders themselves. Public interest should always outwiegh military secrecy. If we cannot tell our citizens what is being done with the taxes they pay, then what will our great royaume come to?
Written by Father Poiret of Odin's Church of Ralltierre, with assistance from Honorait Villesomme of Ull, and the good people of Ralltierre.
These events have yet to be substantiated by Les Crusaders du Le Forestaine, although we have no reason to doubt the Church of Odin.