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‘CROP RAIDERS’
STRIKE AGAIN
Dateline: 11-
More reports are coming in of alleged bands of robbers entering estates in order to steal the very crops from the fields. As suggested by Bugle investigative journalist Jacquetta Anichoson in her recent investigation into a similar incident on the Stargazer Estate, the scale and audacity of these raids strongly suggests that they are the work of some organised criminal movement, although in the recent cases any cats involved were keeping themselves well hidden.
At Castle Darkayne in Northern Moon Ward, recently appointed Baroness Jemma Darkayne arrived to find her estate “crawling with itinerant rogue farmers and wagons, busily despoiling my land.” These trespassers withdrew to the Estate border when the Baroness issued warnings to them to desist, but soon returned, seemingly confident that their very numbers would protect them from any retribution.
In a letter to the Bugle, and also in notices posted all around the area, the Baroness has threatened to take direct action if her warnings are not heeded, and has singled out an Oaken Man seen in the vicinity as being, she believes, one of the ringleaders and directors of the plot.
Some have called for the Crown to intervene, pointing out that the robbers are not only stealing crops from the Estate Baron, but also denying the Crown tax revenue. Baroness Darkayne has threatened to appeal to the Royal Courts for assistance from the Royal Army, and for those she believes to be behind the plot to be outlawed.
Meanwhile at the Estate of Pilgrim's Keep, Baron Amdrel Gettleman took time away from his busy schedule plotting the downfall of Evil to issue a warning to a similar, though slightly smaller, band active on his estate.”I will no longer tolerate your trespassing on this Estate and your interference with its agricultural commerce”, declared the Baron, “If you continue to fail to leave, the hand of justice will descend upon you all.”
In a case that came before them some three years ago, the Royal Courts ruled that an Estate Baron is entitled to enforce their will within the boundary of their estate using their militia or other lawful forces, providing that they have given fair warning.
“They will be attacked without mercy,” Baroness Darkayne is rumoured to have said.
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