[i]Declaration of Independence of the Paledune Sovereign Mercantile Consortium[/i]
[b]Prince Silktongue Aurath Gelonatti the Excellent Sovereign of Paledune, Master of the Guilds and Trades (216-296)[/b]
[quote=Tanterro Skytoucher Lethem, Apprentice Guildmaster of the Masonry, 237]
It was, indeed, a most glorious sight, for a momentous day. My master, and his fellows, exited the old halls of the first [international] merchants of Paradise. The Rastava line, once magnificent; now brought low by famine of the coin, pestilence of the mind, and time, the inexorable mistress whom rules as if death. The old building had long been commandeered for use as forum to the merchant families of Paradise.

Word had been spread in the days before: a grand announcement to be made! A decision set to change the course of history. A decision to improve the lives for all in the Paledunes! My master had confided in me little, leaving me as clueless as the others who gathered in the streets.

"Friends! Craftsmen! Future wealthy! Honorable soldiers of the crown!" began Guildmaster Gelonatti, hands spread wide to the gathered. Around the edges of the clearing stood a large fraction of Emperor Haedulus' Paradise Guard. Their faces were filled with such arrogant boredom, as if none could believe these lowly merchants would dare gather without royal permission. "I give thanks to all who have attended this day!"

My master stood with his hands behind his back, watching Gelonatti with careful evenness of face. Gelonatti is young, but filled with fire and charisma. I am not surprised he led the call. "The world is changing, my friends." Gelonatti spoke softly, but his voice carried well in the silence. 

"Long have passed the days of yore, when kings and lords unified the nations under one banner. The ancient legends foresaw a golden age! A world of plenty and prosperity, where all were given what they deserved, and none were harmed by greed, by gluttony! Does not every man, woman, and child deserve a place at the table? A chance to feast at the table Heavenhammer, praised be his name! Not merely be given the scraps of life, but to feast on its choicest offerings!" The crowd erupted into approval, and I recall the guildmasters looking pleased. The other apprentices, standing around me, looked as confused as I felt.

"But fear and war have blackened the hearts of once-honorable men. These darkness spreads ever closer to us! Assassinations in the north, where a Thanesrow king fell to Emperor Haedulus' will. Only after decades of conflict was such a victory procured, at the cost of the greatest king the Paledunes has ever known. Though it may seem to be distant past, the true justice we sought for the death of the Sunwalker line was lethargic at best, as if the Paledunes meant no more to the Haedulus line than a dog to its master. As if he feared retribution from the Thanesrow savages! Lesser men rule in Haedulus! Men who care not for your safety and health, as we of the Paledunes Consortium do! We, who see to your every need and desire, who keep you clothed, fed, and sheltered!"

The Guard had begun moving toward the stand now. I found myself unable to move, transfixed by his voice. I was unable to find the logic in these events. Surely this was not a rebellion. But no: men stole from the shadows of the crowd, pouncing upon the Guard with knife, club, and rope.

"Join us, brothers and sisters of the dunes! Separate we are weak, but together, we might overthrow those who ignore our plights! Together, we shall form a better world for our children!"

I looked away until the screams stopped, and the cheers began.

The speech has burned in my mind since. I find myself unable to shake such a stirring tirade from my thoughts, until put to ink. Perhaps the masters are correct: perhaps the Mercantile Consortium will rule wisely and bring glory to the Paledunes once more. My own misgivings must be put aside [until] then, lest I poison the progress my master seeks.
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