June 1st, 2002

To all the people of Novanglia:

I am sure that some of you have been waiting to hear the official stance on multiple issues, and I am as equally sure that many of you do not care what I have to say whatsoever. But, as I believe in keeping everyone as apprised as is possible, I present to you, fellow residents of Novanglia, what exactly your Summer Regent has been doing since last Midsummer.

Most of the first few months of my Regency were spent learning of the status of Novanglia under the rule of Nicholas the Betrayer, and what needed to be attended to with haste. After that, I began becoming involved in the day to day workings of the Duchy itself, as well as trying to investigate the events that preceded last Midsummer’s proceedings. Unfortunately, Nicholas did not leave much behind for any investigation into his actions to be more than cursory at best.

I also sent word out to all who would hear, via Eshu that I have formed contacts with and anyone who was willing to carry the word, that Novanglia would welcome those who have been displaced by the Accordance War. Yes, this may end up being a strain on our resources and we may find ourselves with traitors in our midst, but I cannot, in good conscience, deny our bounty and what we peace we have from those who need it to survive.

I also began searching out sources of Glamour and Dross, both to keep our Freeholds provisioned, as our Balefires had not been renewed on Imbolc for nearly three years, and to give us a ready supply in case of war.

I also made requests of Chi Mu, "Goblin" Bob, and Professor Poseidon to research new inventions and ideas that might make our homes more defensible and give us the capability to launch an offensive on any who would take our new freedoms from us. Yes, I understand that many of you find some of the people on the above list undesirable or even seditious in nature. As Chi Mu has been a great help to the whole of Novanglia in the past and due to the fact that both "Goblin" Bob and Prof. Poseidon have sworn oaths to the Throne of Novanglia, I cannot afford to refuse any help that we currently have available. I am sorry if this upsets some of you, but the common good of Novanglia comes before any personal opinions that you or I may have about any or all of those whom I asked.

I also made contact with those of my own house, other houses, and other such groups with the request for information and/or aid, as the Chancellor has a greater ability than I do at reaching those who do not have title and making them aware of our situation. I am grateful for the effort that Sir Daniel has put into this network of communication. I requested that those of the Noble Houses send whatever information they might have in their libraries on the creatures of Nightmare as well as any legends they had on the Fomorians and the Tuatha-de-Daanan. I did receive some of what I asked for, but, as most other areas are beset by dissention and fighting, I can see why we did not receive more.

As of the end of August, I had moved completely into the parapet once occupied by Nicholas the Betrayer. Some of you thought this would be folly, some thought that I was tempting dark fates. I do not discount the possible existence of a curse on the rulers of Novanglia, nor have I forgotten what happened in the parapet last Midsummer. However, as the balcony area of the parapet has now been tainted by Nightmare, I feel it would be wrong of me to leave it unguarded. As I am familiar with some of Nicholas’ tactics, I believe that it would be wrong of me not to put myself in the line of fire, so to speak. I am just one person. In the end, you, the many citizens of Novanglia, are who truly make this what it is: a home for us all.

I am sure that you are all aware of the events that occurred in September, and I see no need to go over the tragedy itself. However, due to said tragedy, the Kingdom of Apples suffered a severe blow to its stability, as the island of Manhattan fell to Nightmare and its denizens.

At that time, I thought it to our advantage to reassure both Queen Mab and those who claim regency of the Throne at Tara Nar of our support, and to request of them certain things. Those things being:

1. The acceptance of our Parliament as a legitimate entity.
2. Measures preventing Queen Mab or the "regents" of Tara Nar from disbanding the Parliament and/or appointing a new Duke/Duchess of her/their choice until the renewed Accordance War and the issues regarding the resurgence of the Nightmare creatures have been resolved
3. Immunity for residents of Novanglia from conscription into the armies of Tara-Nar or the Kingdom of Apples, for either the Accordance War or the skirmishes against the creatures of Nightmare.

Yes, some of these were asking for quite a bit, but I was expecting some negotiation from Queen Mab and Tara Nar. I was not expecting the resounding refusal that I received from both parties. They would not even consider the ideas I presented. They stated that we would do our duty and be grateful for their patronage, as is expected of us.

Needless to say, I was not pleased. However, without more evidence to support my ideas, I did what I could to keep them away from the Parliament, and all of you, until Baron Corwin ascended as Winter Regent on Samhain. I think I trusted, rightly, that he would do his duty to you all, although ruled by his Unseelie nature.

As you all know, shortly after Samhain, in the second week of November, I left Novanglia to travel the dreaming. Many things prompted me to do so, and I now share these things with you.

During Midsummer, I witnessed signs that Novanglia may have been blessed with the presence of one of the rarest creatures of the Dreaming: a Unicorn foal. Unfortunately, due to the events of last Midsummer and the responsibilities of caring for the Duchy until Samhain, I could not countenance diverting anyone or any resources to the search for the Unicorn. However, when the meteor shower occurred in November, I found that it was possible to both look for the Unicorn and further investigate the resurgence of Nightmare and its creatures.

While I was devoted to managing Novanglia, with the help of the Parliament and the Chancellor, and fighting for our tenuously established stability versus the Kingdom of Apples and the forces warring over the Throne of Concordia, I found a scant few moments to look into the matters of the Fomorians and Nightmare. Through the research I did, as well as the research of other members of Kith and Kin, it was discovered that it was quite possible that a certain type of metal might aid us, either offensively or defensively, against both Nightmare creatures and Fomorians. Unfortunately, the research was no more detailed than the allusion that the metal required was "made of the stars."

When the Leonid Meteor Shower passed over us, and its presence also existed in the Dreaming, it became clear what exactly the research that was done truly meant: the ore from a meteorite. As Samhain had already passed, and because the signs of the Dark-Kin had been more prevalent of late, I felt it my duty to take on this quest. I could not see fit to request that anyone else be sent on this if I myself were not willing to put myself at risk.

So, with Spring, niece of the Master of the Forge, Matthias Scroop, and Sir Ashe ap Scathach, I ventured into the Dreaming to find where the meteorites had landed and to, hopefully, find the Unicorn... As you all know, both of these ventures were successful. However, while searching for the meteorites, I discovered that not only were we looking for where they had landed, but the Dark-Kin were as well. And, unfortunately, they arrived first, taking the largest meteorites with them for, most likely, the same uses as we had discovered.

After gathering what pieces of meteor we could, we proceeded on our search for the Unicorn, which took us across most of Novanglia itself. We found him shortly after Yule, just in time to celebrate the New Year.

During our travels, we heard rumor of the intentions of the Kingdom of Apples and Tara Nar towards Novanglia:

--- That they would be demanding conscripts, consisting solely of untitled citizens, to fight in their Accordance War.

--- That they would disband Novanglia’s Parliament as it threatened the sovereignty of Queen Mab and Tara Nar by taking away power from the ducal throne of Novanglia.

--- That they were considering deposing both Baron Corwin and myself for a Duke/Duchess of their choosing to rule for all seasons.

--- That they were taking the threat of neither the Nightmare creatures nor the Dark-Kin seriously, and would be sending runners on Imbolc once again, not believing that they would be ambushed for the third year in a row by, what we suppose to be, creatures of Nightmare.

After much debate and discussion, it was decided that we could not afford to have the Balefire of Caer Asterlan die due to the stubbornness of both Queen Mab and Tara Nar itself. We knew that they would never allow us to assume the role of the runners representing Concordia, as that would show our disbelief in their strength as leaders. So, the question was asked, where do we go?

Most of the research material being used in the investigation into the Dark-Kin and the Nightmares was received, through multiple channels, from the Kingdom of Hibernia, across the sea. The consequences of receiving our Balefire from Hibernia were discussed at length. The possibility of being declared a renegade province was debated, as was the possible price of swearing fealty to Hibernia instead of Concordia. This was not an easy decision.

We knew that our fellow citizens might decide that we would stand with Concordia and the Kingdom of Apples, regardless of their negligence and mistreatment of our Duchy. We knew that our fellow citizens might decide that we stay independent of any Kingdom, though we would no longer have our Balefires renewed and we would be without allies. We knew that if either of these came to pass, that we might have to return the Balefire to Hibernia and watch as the Freeholds of Novanglia died.

We accepted these risks, and journeyed to Hibernia to seek audience with whomever would hear our cause. And we were heard. Our request was granted, and the price was fealty. However, this fealty was not immediately sworn as they understood how our Parliament and government worked (at least in theory). They promised aid for Novanglia, both physical and through more information, against the Dark-Kin and the Fomorians, as well as giving us a torch of Balefire from which we could renew our own.

I returned on Imbolc with all of the items from my quest: a piece of a star, the Unicorn, and the torch of Balefire. I am extremely grateful to Spring for her courage and energetic spirit. She kept our hearts light, and our hopes up. She is a remarkable person. Once again, I find myself thanking Sir Ashe for his steadfast and invaluable assistance. As always, his aid is appreciated.

Thankfully, the time between Imbolc and Beltaine was uneventful and allowed me the opportunity to continue my efforts to keep our home safe from all threats. When I took the throne on Beltaine, I knew I would have to face the consequences of restoring the Balefires of Novanglia with the gift of Hibernia.

I wanted the representatives of Queen Mab and Tara Nar to make their positions known to all by speaking in front of the Parliament. They refused. Their position they claimed was self-explanatory and non-negotiable. Further, as the highest titled authority in Novanglia, it was not deemed important by the representatives to address this matter to anyone save myself. This, I fundamentally disagreed with as that is not what we have forged this new Novanglia upon. We are many voices as one, not one voice for many.

I fought for hours, and when no decision could be reached that might please the majority of Novanglia’s citizens, I dismissed them. I knew they would be harsh in their decision. I felt the consequences of accepting their terms would be even harsher. To lose the Balefire that we sorely needed and to consign Novanglia to the yoke of Concordia so soon after we found new hope… I could not do it. I would not do it.

Some may say I was overcome with hubris, some may say I made an emotional choice. I can assure you, I did not. I have always been rational when the subject of Novanglia is discussed. Neither sling nor arrow will divert me from my purpose as Duchess Regent. As long as I am able to serve, I will do so faithfully. That I which I have promised, I shall perform.

So, I leave it to you, people of Novanglia. Judge me as you will. Just know that I have done what I am capable of, to the best of my abilities. If I have fallen short, please forgive me and give me the opportunity to make it right.

I wish you all the best.

Sincerely,

Baroness Jacqueline de la Noire ap Eiluned, Duchess Regent of Novanglia