Thirty fabled fruit, brined when the Empire still stood. Thirty fabled fruit, discovered in a humble peasant's cellar. Thirty fabled fruit, tribute to the Ducal Seat from its loyal subjects.

Two taken by Regent and Lady, that they would no longer be threat to their own people. Three given to the Aster Champion, that her alchemists might devise a cure. Five bound for a Baroness, in the shadow of Aster Malik's walls. Five given, in charity, to an Eleusian Hierophant who had laboured hardest to study the Rot.

That left fifteen. What to do with fifteen royal lemons?

That choice was made for me, for no sooner had I awoken, agents of Pelagia came to my gates to demand, as Sapients often do, what did not belong to them. The Duchy of Aster Malik does not bow to threats, and Aster Malik is not without allies. And so indeed, the walls that withstood the Fall also withstood Nerai imperialism, the Third Legion of Scyros decimated, by Skylord's grace, beneath the sky of the Aster line. Thalassa came to Meropis not with diplomacy, but with entitlement, and it left empty-handed.

A Knight is truthful, and Aster Malik did not possess this fabled cure until the 12th of Ero. When it was discovered, I chose discretion, because I presumed nations of Sapience would act just as Cyrene did. A Knight is dutiful, and my duty is to Aster Malik and its subjects. All others beg my charity, and yet I did give royal lemons to those Sapients who had laboured selflessly for a cure. A Knight is honourable, and in honour I have repaid those that came to Aster Keep's side in good faith. Fifteen royal lemons distributed among the forces of Hashan, Ashtan, and Targossas.

No royal lemons now remain in Aster Keep, and the only nation to go without is that which deigned to seize them by force.

Penned by my hand on the 2nd of Lupar, in the year 979 AF.