Imperial Edict to King Oberon

From Padraig
Crown Prince of the Fae and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Guard of the Fae and the Feathered Watch, under His Grace King Oberon, First of His Name, Guardian of the Sacred Henge and King of the Imperial Protectorate of the Fae Kingdom

To the Returner
Empress of the Imperial Troll Empire, Duchess of Mor’Koc, Baroness of Ruu’nni’puu, Voice of the Living Line, Daughter of the Nameless One 

I am aware you were likely expecting a response from my father directly, but as Commander-in-Chief of all military forces of the Fae, both informal and our meagre formal ones, the privilege of writing this letter falls to me. I know we don't always see eye-to-eye on such matters but I hope you understand that we as a people put a lot of stock in tradition, so I apologise in advance for any more unintended insult. I also apologise if the tone of this letter is somewhat informal, it is extremely rare that I have to write something of this much importance.

I would need to be blind not to notice the encroaching darkness just beyond my nation's own shores. My father had wished to stay uninvolved for the sake of maintaining our neutrality, but due to the overwhelming threat to all life as we know it I am taking the unprecedented step of overruling him. I expect this to come back to bite me, but with something this universally important I cannot stand by and do nothing. As Commander-in-Chief of the Fae, all of our admittedly meagre military forces, including I myself, are immediately at your full disposal, Your Majesty. We as a people dedicated to peace and nonviolence do not have a standing army but the volunteers of the Feathered Watch and myself and the Royal Guards are fully at your disposal. The treasury unfortunately is another matter, and sadly out of my hands for the time being. Prying that out of my father's hands even for something this existential will be far, far easier said than done, but I am trying.

May the Mother of Forests protect you,

Given beneath the Royal Arms in the Palace of Siochain,
In the Year of the Fox, the 210th Year of the Third Age

Prince Padraig,
Commander-in-Chief of the Fae

Included in a separate envelope marked PRIVATE which arrived on A'Zul's desk at the same time:

You told me after the council meeting I sat in on all those years ago that our nation needs real leadership and I should be the change I wish to see. I hope that this can be the start of my achieving such.
- Padraig, Crown Prince of the Fae

By the Unfading Light of the Courts and beneath the Verdant Seal of Oberon, First of His Name, High King of the Fae, Lord of the Henge, Protector of the Verdant Bound,
to Her Imperial Transcendence, The Returner, Empress of the Imperial Troll Empire, Duchess of Mor’Koc, Baroness of Ruu’nni’puu, Voice of the Living Line, Daughter of the Nameless One

Imperial Sister,

Your summons arrives swathed, as ever, in the full dignity of your innumerable titles. I note them with the appropriate awe, which is to say, precisely as much as courtesy demands. The Fae Kingdom recognises the Covenant of the Henge and the ancient bond with your Empire. Yet such bonds, as the wise know, are not one-way chains. They are living things, requiring care and respect if they are to endure the turning of the ages. The Empire has extended guardianship, yes, but the Fae have given no small measure in return: our wards, our foresight, and more than a few favours never properly acknowledged by Imperial scribes.

You call for the muster of my realm “in full strength.” A charming phrase. You will forgive me if I remind you that the power of the Fae is not drawn from barracks and drill yards but from pacts far older than the Empire’s first stone. Spirits roused in haste are not spirits easily commanded. Still, the darkness you speak of creeps at the edges of all lands, and Orth’s peril is peril to us all. I will honour the Covenant. I will summon the blades, the spirits, and the banners of my court. They will march to the Eastern Fields before the moon’s turn, though I trust the Empire will remember that such loyalty is not a trivial offering pulled from some bottomless vault. Your reminder regarding the treasuries “given” to us has been received.

You will be relieved to know that I am fully capable of discerning the purpose of my own coffers without Imperial instruction. Nevertheless, I shall see them spent where they are needed most: on the preservation of my people and, by extension, on the fulfilment of our oath.

Let the Empire stand ready. The Fae will not be found wanting.

Given beneath the Royal Seal in the Emerald Office of the Palace of Siochain,
In the Year of the Fox, the 210th Year of the Third Age
His Grace Oberon, First of His Name, Guardian of the Sacred Henge and King of the Imperial Protectorate of the Fae Kingdom