Dear Nalcaryos,

[Kugar]

~ A terrified looking homeless lad runs up to Brassius with a letter ~

Dear Nalcaryos Von Wiseass,

It tickles me greatly to acknowledge your feeble existence -- though, frankly, your worth is no more than the insignificant excrement lodged within the crevices of a dwarf’s rotting boot. A fitting comparison, is it not? Nevertheless, I have deigned to spare a fragment of my precious time to respond to your pathetic meddling.

When I learned of your return, I must confess, I was sorely amused. The very notion that one of the so-called "Back-sides for Hire" dares to reappear in my domain reveals the depths of your foolishness. Do you not recall that I, the formidable Lord Gray, drove you, Djironnyma, and your ilk from this peninsula in shame? Your catalogue of failures stains your record -- abandoned by your own followers, whom Illarion has seen for what they truly are: weak, deluded, utterly insignificant. How perfectly pitiful!

For years, your blind acolytes adored your superficial facade, never glimpsing the true emptiness beneath. They believed you to be rulers of Runewick, capable of bending even the Archmage himself to your will. Now, the truth is laid bare: the Bearers of the False Flame are nothing but a forgotten relic—a pathetic remnant of a shattered legacy.

Your position within that legacy was always tenuous, a mere shadow of importance, hardly worth my notice. I considered you a low-level nuisance, unworthy of my attention. Until now.

How delightful it is to see your hubris led you to interfere in matters that belong solely to me. Is this bravery? Or foolishness? The line is so very thin, and I can scarcely tell the difference anymore. I suppose, that once the titans among you fall, it is the ants that wear the crowns.

You dared to involve yourselves in MY affairs. Your meddling has not gone unnoticed. Do you believe I would tolerate such insolence? No. Nalcaryos, you have crossed a line, and I shall remind you of my wrath.

Clive, that miserable mortal, confided in me about his so-called liberation and his decision to abandon my cause. Frankly, I am glad to be rid of such a useless puppet. While I find it amusing that you believe your petty interference threatens me, know this: your insolence has marked you for suffering. You have declared war against me -- foolish, naive, and doomed.

Prepare yourself for true torment. Words are meaningless compared to what I will unleash upon you -- and all who stand with you. When you kneel before me, trembling and begging for mercy, I will drive my thumbs into your sockets, crushing your skull with my bare hands.

This will be your end -- and the end of all imbeciles foolish enough to follow you. Soon, you will be nothing more than a broken husk.

If the people of Runewick choose to side with you, know that they will share in your downfall. War approaches -- swift, brutal, and unavoidable.

I am patient. When I deem the moment ripe, I will strike. Perhaps tomorrow. Perhaps in a year. Remember: you now exist on my timetable. Your suffering will come at MY command.

Prepare yourself, Nalcaryos. The end has only just begun.

Yours in everlasting dominance,

Lord Gray <>