"`I send you two children of Alin, that you may see with your own eyes what it is at stake here! I wish you to hear their tale from their own lips. I cannot believe that any man, even if he be a King, could know their tale and not be changed by it.

"`Upon hearing their tale, my Lord King, I beseech you to come down out of your tower with your sword drawn, so that our people may see a just King in his wrath, as he at last recognises the hand of deception! Thereafter, I would that you would set your mind to clearing your House and your Kingdom of the many poisons that have been poured into the ears of your people; especially those of self-doubt, self-hatred and self-accusation!

"`Do you recall a time, my King, when I was a lad, and we were riding together during the hunt? You showed me your hand, and said to me that, despite appearances, it was weak, and scarcely fit to hold a rein, let alone be considered fit to command a people. As I recall, I replied that I was unable to see such a thing, and you in your turn replied that I would come to understand your words in later years.

"`My Lord King, those later years are now, and I now know that what I beheld in those tender years was the truth! That yours is and ever shall be the strong hand of a King, fit to command his people!




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