Chapter 1: Constantyne's Letter
What we do is vile business, but I’ve sworn to God, this Earth, and to England that I will perform my duties ’til death, gathering any resource available to ensure we remain as masters of our world. I will be cursed if I do not stay true to this, placing my body and soul in service with no reservations. May my flesh revolt against me if I do not uphold the sense of justice defined by my country. By this I live, as a spearhead on the sharp tongue of my ruler. May she rule by the sword, for there is no other way in this life. Just as the wind blows and the sea is wet, armies will clash for land and glory. Therefore, remorse will only lure our enemies to ravage us, to start up the war drums and work up a hunger for violence, rather than to be at temporary peace when fear is mutually felt.
I have been sent here to this northern kingdom to inflict shame on peasants. It gives me no happiness to do this, but peasants will never respect too much tolerance. We knock the lords from their seats of power. A few throats cut to save the masses from all out war. This is our destiny, a strange lot to be placed here in charge of enforcing morals contrary to reason. I gather my pay by this occupation, so I do not question the ways of the world, made by our Lord, who decides we should be continually cut down like our life-giving grain.
Constantyne Landsman
