[center][h3]King Alaric I[/h3]
[img]http://i.imgur.com/qbGtIvk.png[/img]
O Lord our God arise[/center]
"[color=thistle][i]Afore we adjourn, there is but one more matter I intend to meet this day.[/i][/color]" King Alaric spoke as he sat up from his throne. The heavy cloak he bore across his shoulders of a royal blue, it's trim lined with fur and a clasp of gold across the heart, whispered lightly across the floor as Alaric stepped down from his throne and the slight plinth it sat upon. At it's foot he neared his champion, Jarl, whose longsword's edge met stone as he stood there clad in chain-mail and half-plate. With a nod the warrior turned the blade's hilt towards the King who clasped it and turned aside, blade now in hand.

"[color=thistle][i]Baron Conrad Sforza, we bid you approach. Approach and kneel, and arise a Duke of this realm... With this blade I would dub thee Duke of the Duchy of Lussex. Under your charge may these lands never falter, nor face hardships nor tribulation, may they prosper and stand tall.[/i][/color]"
[hr][hr]
It would be some weeks following the First Council's end that James Conrad's letter would arrive at the capital. It bore news of starving peoples in the Summit and of a growing fear of the Order of the Wasps amongst it's populace. Furthermore no levies, iron or gold, had been seen from the Summit during the season and it was suspected that nor would they come. As night fell upon the capital the same day the Duke's letter had arrived, a raven, as white as snow, was released into the night sky with a letter of ink adorned by the royal seal. It's destination however would not be the Summit, but to the wild lands of Lussex. 

[hider=Royal Command for Duke Sforza]
[i]To Duke Conrad Sforza, Duke of Lussex and Protector of the Lussex River

You are hereby commanded by order of the crown to ensure the provision of the King's justice. Yours is the charge in the name of His Majesty King Alaric, first of his name and King of Osteria, to assemble a host of men and deliver unto the Duke James Conrad a Royal Summons to present himself at once to the capital. The Duke has failed in his most sacred of duties and has allowed his peoples to starve under his governance and furthermore has failed to provide the levies and taxes of which is expected of all landowning nobility. The King's command is that you ensure these Royal Summons are answered, and this his beleaguered subjects within the Summit are fed with grain and foodstuffs destined from the capital to be administered under your careful guidance.

Respectfully,
Maester Willmot[/i][/hider]

[hider=Royal Summons for Duke Conrad]
[i]To Duke James Conrad, Duke of the Summit

By the command of His Majesty King Alaric, first of his name and King of Osteria, you are hereby summoned by royal decree to present oneself before His Majesty the King at the capital of Tythmas. You are to answer in person the reasoning behind your failure in your duties to His Majesty in administering his realm by your own admittance, in allowing his subjects to starve and for your failure in your duties to provide the royal tax. Laws which abide by no man but His Majesties divine mandate.

Respectfully,
Maester Willmot[/i][/hider]