Confrontation with the General. . . The night was cold and the wind forced drafty tendrils through the shuttered windows of the Hall of Virtue. Several weeks had passed since the liberation of Trinsic, yet all was not yet right. . . the undead had set their aim upon a new objective and now assaulted the nearby hamlet of Ironwood and the ferry to Skara Brae almost nightly. I had not yet taken active part in the defense of Ironwood for I was as yet still recuperating from my many wounds which I had won during the long Siege of Trinsic. It was during my convalescence that I began to hear troubling tales and news of ill report. While enjoying a tankard of ale at the Keg and Anchor, I overheard some local ruffians discussing their nefarious trade. While pondering how anyone could embrace such a life of vice--living thy life solely for the purpose of causing others grief--I overheard one of them mention the name of the General of the Unified Army, Ibram Gaunt. "What would ruffians such as thou know of our honorable General?" I asked the small knot of vermin. "Perhaps more than thou knowest" replied one. "Indeed, it would appear we know him better than thou!" said another. Troubled by this, I moved off. However, from thence forward, I kept my ear open. Surely, our noble General could not be engaged in any type of congress with scum such as these! Yet, I was troubled. For, though spoken by dastardly brigands, the words had the aura of Truth about them. For it is said by those who follow the Way of the Avatar that Truth spoken shall be recognized as such by those of honest heart. Night after night I returned to the tavern and listened as the local ruffians told their tales while the smooth ale loosened their tongue. The words I heard only troubled me more. For ever and anon I would hear mention of a shadow-order named after our own General: "The Hand of Gaunt". This was troubling in and of itself, but what I heard next threatened to drive me into a deep swoon of despair. Long had I missed my father's prized sword: A silver sword of exceptional magical properties which he had entrusted to me long ago. Proudly I carried it into battle at the walls of Trinsic during the fortnight of the siege. Yet, as is told elsewhere, it was stolen from me even whilst I stood in defense of the city. Now, word came to me that Roac--the thief who had perpetrated this dastardly act against those who essayed to protect him--was himself verily in the service of Ibram Gaunt! Surely this could not be true! Surely the General would not have in his hire those who would prey upon his own soldiers in the midst of battle! At first, I would not believe it. Yet, a cold knot at my core told me that what I had heard was true. I journeyed back to the Hall of Virtue and there I meditated on what I must do. Surely, I could not continue to serve a man who would condone such actions. Though some would claim that the skills of a thief are necessary in warfare. . . it must surely be possible to find one skilled in these arts who would not prey upon the innocent. After long deliberation, I concluded that I must confront the General about these reports. Without hearing from him, I could not make a final decision. Never had I spoken to him directly, though I had been in his presence often. A meeting was to be held to discuss the defense of Ironwood. Hoping that the General would attend, I prepared for my journey thither. Perhaps he would allay my fears and explain things to my satisfaction. After all, I reasoned, one trusted by so many with such great responsibilities must be an extraordinary man. Surely, he would be an honorable and just man whose wisdom and Virtue exceeded my own. I hoped that my service as the administrator of the UAS Meeting Hall, as well as my courage on the battlefield had garnered some respect from my General. Surely, he would speak with me of my concerns. I arrived early to the meeting. The meeting proved to be a small one with not more than ten people in attendance. Finally, perhaps ten minutes into the meeting, Ibram Gaunt arrived with Tyril in his train. As the General entered the hall, I was taken aback. Before me was not the man I remembered. His bearing was arrogant and contemptuous and his countenance was stern. Changed was he from the man I remembered at the meeting long ago when he was elected Commanding General of the Army. It was then that I knew with near-certainty that the allegations against him were true. Before us stood a man whose aura declared that he had forsaken Virtue and taken up the ways of the enemy in his desire to defeat her. As the General strode to the center of the room and merely stood there, I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. The meetimg commenced, for the most part led by Winston Erndell. After a few suggestion as to how to defend Skara Brae and Ironwood from future attacks, Gaunt announced loudly: "Very soon, there will be no need to defend Skara Brae. Even now my divisions are preparing to launch one of the largest offensives in the history of Britannia. We will throw Minax back on her heels." As he spoke, Tyril smiled proudly behind him. The sight left me uneasy. Apparently, I was not the only one. Wendy looked troubled. "Really?" she said, "I had nay heard of it." "And where are you going to attack?" said Taltos. "And where wilt thou strike her? Her forces have no base of operations that we know of." I asked. Finally, Winston as well inquired: "Aye, where?" Ibram Gaunt simply stood there, glaring at us all until finally he stated simply, arrogantly: "Where we strike is for me to know at this time." "Does Dirk know of this?" someone asked. "Ooooo, good idea, leave everyone out!" said another. "Gentlemen, the General has his reasons, hear him out." said Tyril as the crowd quieted somewhat. I admit that the tone of his response irked me and this--combined with my already sullied opinion of the man--required that I press forward: "With all due respect milord, that seems odd." "With all due respect, Hurin, you are out of line." Said the General. At this I felt no more could be done. I knew then with certainty that I could no longer serve this man. Standing, I came before him and--unsheathing my sword--I laid it at his feet. "Very well, milord. Take my sword." I said. "Though it pains me to do this, I can no longer serve thee." The General looked down at my sword as Tyril asked: "Hurin, aren't you being a bit hasty?" Yet I was now speaking to the General. . . "I have learned much of thee lately. . ." Ibram Gaunt cut me off at this and stated simply: "You know nothing of me. Don't pretend to make assumptions you aren't ready to back up." Not wishing to unseat the man or throw the army into dissarray, I nevertheless felt that I must resign in person and state my reasons: "I make no assumptions. I have heard rumors that I am not willing to divulge here. But I know that I now have reason to doubt thy character." "You proceed from rumors? How small of you." He said stiffly. "Indeed, yet this plan that thou wilt not share only furthers my doubt in thy Virtue. I shall not make a show. I merely wanted to resign in person. I will go now." Tyril, growling behind her General exclaimed, "Watch what ye say!" But Ibram Gaunt merely raised his hand: "Tyril. . . enough. Let this man leave my presence." And that was it, or so I thought. My long battles. . . the blood I had shed. . . the long hours I had spent preparing the Meeting Hall of the Army all dismissed by this man who spoke now more like a King than a General. Indeed, I was not aware I stood in "his presence". I thought I stood then among friends. . . among my fellow warriors in a people's army. Turning, and without looking back, I strode through the door. Yet as I made my way down the road to Britain, I remembered the Meeting Hall, and that it would need to be turned over to a new custodian. Perhaps this might be arranged, and in so doing I might leave things with the General on a more cordial note. Coming near the meeting hall, I came upon Tyril who glared at me as I approached. . . Winston Erndell looked on as we spoke. "I almost forgot. Canst thou tell Ibram that he will need to find another to take over the UAS Meeting Hall?" "Very well." She said simply. "I do not feel I can continue to govern it in good conscience." "Thou'rt truly blind milord." She said. "Nay," I replied. "Aye, you are, and a fool too." she said. "Thy lord consorts with thieves! Indeed the very ones that preyed upon the soldiers defending Trinsic!" I exclaimed, unable to contain myself any longer. Yet I fear that she misinterpreted my use of the word consort for she laughed heartily. "Thou'rt a fool too. When he is not here he is with me and no other." "I do not follow thy logic ma'am. Art thou saying he does not have thieves in his charge?" I asked. "Perhaps thou shouldst think on my logic then. And thou shouldst know that all guilds make use of thieves. They are yet another form of defense. They drain resources from the enemy." To this I replied: "Many guilds employ those skilled in theft. But not all employ thieves. Tis a great difference. My father's sword was stolen by a thief in Ibram's employ while I stood defending Trinsic. I need not know any more." "Did you have presence of mind to alert Ibram? Or did you simply assume he was responsible? Did you not think that he would penalize the thief? You are hasty to judge." I saw no logic to her argument for the fact that he would have penalized the thief after the act did not change the fact that he congressed with those who would commit such deeds. A deed that had caused me much sorrow. And despite the rumors in the populace that he was involved with thievery and brigandry, he made no announcement to the contrary, nor did he promise to set things right for those who had been wronged. Yet all this would not come clearly from my mouth at this point and I stated simply: "I believe we must all show Virtue if we are to prevail and I fear we cannot show Virtue under the leadership of the unrighteous." "Be gone. You anger me." She intoned. At this--though I try to practice the Virtue of Humility--I fear I became angry for I grew tired of being treated as a serf when I had fought and bled for this land and these 'leaders'. "Do not presume to order me about," I said. At this, Winston saw that things had deteriorated badly and excused himself, muttering as he walked back to the meeting. "Is this how thou treat loyal soldiers who fought and bled for thee?" I asked Tyril. "Loyal. . . LOYAL? You are a deserter!" She exclaimed. "Nay. I do not desert the cause. . ." At this Ibram Gaunt stepped out of the meeting hall and stood before me. Turning to him I repeated: "I came back only to report that I can no longer in good conscience maintain the Meeting Hall of thy Army and I was accosted by thy aide rather rudely for only saying what is true. Indeed, sir, I believe thou hast dealt with thy soldier rather harshly this eve. Is it thy way to simply dismiss those who disagree with thee during an open discussion?" At this, Ibram Guant looked me up and down, then stated simply: "Wendy asked me to come to this meeting. I came to report what the UAS was doing, not to discuss it. There is one leader of this army for a reason. . . because committees do not work. If you feel I should not lead. . . lodge a complaint." At this, I felt truly saddened for it now appeared to me that Ibram had been consumed by Pride. I had always operated under the belief that a good commander listened to his lieutenants and sought out the advice of his fellows. If not the common soldier, then at least those who would gather for a council of war. Apparently, Gaunt neither wanted nor felt he needed any counsels but his own. Summoning what was left of my will, I replied: "I am sorry. I had thought thou wert a man of Honor and not someone who would act so haughty once he attained power. Sir, I have served thee humbly and fought long for thee. I have not asked for reward nor rank. Meanwhile, I watch others assigning themselves rank and priveledge. And, at last, I come to question whether this army is indeed interested in freeing Britannia or in it own promotion. The events at the ferry increased my doubt. Then, I come to learn that thou dost employ thieves! This army. . . it seems corrupt. "Tell me this," he replied, "what have I gained from this bloody war besides constant work?" Though it pained me to be so direct, I stated: "It would seem thou hast gained power and it would seem thou hast gathered the haughty nature of one who dismisses formerly loyal and brave subjects at a whim when they raise valid concerns about thy conduct." "Very well," He said. "If you wish to continue through rumors and supposition, so be it. . . here is thy sword. And there is mine. You take that sword and you lead this bloody army. I have sweat blood for you ungrateful people." "Nay. . ." I attempted to say. . . "Shut up and listen!" said he. "I have sweat blood and tears and all I get is grief from you people. I am not interested in leading you bickering bunch of simpletons." "The people will not follow me," I said. "Thou shouldst call for an election." "I am not interested in elections." Said Gaunt. At this I realized that things had gotten entirely out of hand for I did not wish to see the Army beheaded in the midst of a crisis: "My liege. Canst thou not see why I would be concerned?" "I am not your liege. Good day." said Ibram. "Leave us!" cried Tyril. "Wait, I did not wish to see thee resign! I merely wished thee to turn from vice and towards the Virtues!" I said. "Then you should have thought before you spoke. You think I am consumed by vice!?!" A menacing look came across his features. . . "Hurin, leave me be or I shall destroy you." "For the love of god let him be!" cried Tyril. At this point I became overwhelmed by grief for I realized that the Army was losing its leader, that I had brought it about. . . and that, quite possibly, it was the best outcome. For I now believed Ibram to be overcome completely by some sort of madness. Whereas once I believed him to be noble and good. . . he now threatened a fellow citizen with death simply for angering him. "Milord, I did not think thee a bad leader until I saw the way thou handled this tonight." "He will kill you!" Tyril exclaimed! Undeterred, I continued on. . . "Perhaps, though I did not mean to, I have done what was best. For thy temperment is obviously frayed and I fear that Minax is at work in thy soul and is corrupting thee." With that, Ibram Gaunt turned towards me and madness was in his eyes. "No!" screamed Tyril as I hurriedly cast a spell of reflection to protect me from the coming onslaught. Yet being a veteran, he was prepared for my defense and brought down my spell with a magical arrow. Refusing to take up arms against a hero of the land, I nevertheless brought my shield before me and attempted to divert some of the power of his oncoming blows. Finally, realizing that sanity would not be restored soon enough, and unable to defend myself, I jabbed my steed in the ribs and rode off to safety. I waited several minutes, hoping that my former commander had reclaimed his sanity, then made my way back to what had become a battlefield. "Stay thy hand!" I cried as I approached. "By the gods! Ibram please!" pleaded Tyril. Yet Gaunt remained fey and assaulted me yet again. I again rode to safety and finally, I approached the Meeting Hall. . . "Ibram has gone mad!" I exclaimed as I burst through the door. "And this is news?" said Jaerik Rohan. When asked to relate the story, I said: "He would not listen and threw down the leadership of the Army. I asked him to simply converse with me and not be so very haughty and dismissive. I fear I did not mean that he should resign. But I fear that Minax's will is at work on his soul and that he is losing his mind. For I only asked if he employs a thief in his service. But he refused to answer and then attacked me! To this, Winston said: "Alright, now we know why he says Skara Brae's defense will nay be a problem. This confirms that he has not all his mind. At this, discussion were held as to who should now take up the command of the Army in the Skara Brae theatre of operations. It was unclear who should now lead. Cylex claimed a rightful position while some spoke of one named Dirk. Still others spoke of contacting Damien Vryce. Finally, things settled to the point where tactics could once again be discussed. A plan was formed and a mission to the Lost Lands initiated of which I am to take a part. . . yet that is a story for another time. For now I grow weary of writing and my heart is heavy at the deeds of the night. What could possibly have driven Ibram Gaunt to collaborate with the dregs of our society? What could possibly have caused him to behave as though he were the lord and master of all who came together to fight for freedom? I know not. I know only that the crisis now grows worse for we are without a leader. And, for that, I fear I am to blame. But, may the Avatar help me. . . I could not have acted otherwise.