Sir Fonetic,

How interesting the Guardians have become to watch. Tell me, is it truly
as much of a circus as it looks? From here, it seems the glittering
domes of the Church have turned into multi-coloured tents!

Recently, Sir Silas, a man greater and far more suited to the job of
Grand Champion than yourself, challenged you for your beloved seat-- the
very position you hold onto with an iron grip. He lost, of course...
which was most expected. After all, I suppose the last thing anyone
wishes for is a leader who forces you to do something with your time. I
suppose a credit sale didn't hurt your chances either, did it?

But that's not all. How about the bottom-of-the-barrel Knightings?
Appointing a Master at Arms who asks others to teach him to fight,
despite having brilliant combatants like Sir Antonius about to choose
for the position? Did you just throw names into a hat and pick one out
at random, or do you honestly believe your latest pick brings something
to the table?

I suppose you have a few redeeming qualities, though. I have always seen
you out and about, challenging Evil, gaining converts, taking an active
role in opposing my city as we slaughter the weak. Yes, many times I
have seen you raise your weapons toward me as I cut down child and man
indiscriminately. So often I see you splinter the shrines of the Lords
all by yourself. Oh, all those times I have felt the wrath of a
righteous God, summoned at your behest! How you make your House proud!

No, wait. That was not you, was it? No, that was Sir Alban and Sir
Silas. "Grand Champion of the Innocent", indeed. All of the
long-deceased Paladin Knights of yesteryear must be weeping in their
graves.

You see, Sir Fonetic... the Evil in me laughs as your House stagnates
under your supposed "guidance". Few things in life are as enjoyable as
seeing a Good organization rip itself to shreds due to egos and
political backstabbing. I'd know a thing or two about that. I tasted it
first hand... a taste that I will never forget. It opened my eyes to the
truth of Good and Evil in this world and made me who I am today. For
that, I smile and tip my hat.

On the other hand, the Knight in me grows angry. I watch as you and your
kind continue to destroy the incredible legacy of Chivalry and
Knighthood in this land. You have continued to dilute your House and
what it means to be a Knight instead of treating the hemmorhaging.
Because of this, I can no longer remain silent.

You have two choices, Sir:

One, you may reverse your path, dedicate your House to Chivalry and true
Knighthood, and cease Knighting Jesters and men who gain the accolade
based on donations and surname alone. If you cannot do this yourself,
step aside and let a real Knight take the helm. Cease relying on the
Maldaathi Knights to pick up the slack where your House fails miserably.

Or, two... you may continue down the road you travel, chipping away at
the pillars of Knighthood. Allow your House to stagnate into oblivion.
Go ahead and teach your Knights that being nice and holding each other's
hands is the way to defeat Evil. Perhaps you will get lucky and our
allergies will respond badly to the pollen from the flowers they toss
around.

Then again, you have an opportunity to prove me wrong. Consider this my
challenge to you, Sir Fonetic. Let us meet on the battlefield in
honourable combat, you and three of your House's best Knights against
the Maldaathi's. We will duel off, one on one, and see who is left. Let
us see if your years of stagnation have caused your Knights to pick up
on your habits of blowing hot air and forging weapons they cannot use.
I'm sure many Knights of the Maldaathi will be chomping at the bit for
an opportunity to leave the remains of your vivisected choir boys pinned
to the dry soil and left to die.

The clock is ticking, Sir Fonetic. For each moment you do not respond,
another child loses its father, and another young mother will starve to
death with baby in womb, husband resting in the wheat fields, a small
note stuck to his detached sternum. For every minute you do not occupy
me, I will continue to purge the disgusting weakness I see in the eyes
of the innocent, be it through conversion to Evil or death by
Vivisection.

The choice is yours. I will be waiting.


Sir Batista Vallah
Maldaathi Knight
Prophet of War

Penned by my hand on the 14th of Sarapin, in the year 450 AF.