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- YEAR 515

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CONCERN GROWS FOR HEALTH OF THE KING

Dateline: 18-2-518

Rumours are sweeping Crownheart that the King is unwell. Reports have been leaking from the palace of frightened palace staff encountering the King stalking through the halls of the darkened palace at night with a face one eye-witness described as ‘haunted’, and of explosive outbursts of temper for no apparent reason.

One report even describes how the King drew his sword and threatened a servant for nearly colliding with him after coming upon him unexpectedly in a service corridor in the dead of night.

Other witnesses have reported further evidence of the King being seized by uncontrollable rages - strange crashes, as of flying crockery, and broken furniture. However the King’s mechanical bodyguard Meantime has strictly controlled access to His Majesty at these times so what has transpired is known only to the him.

If recent reports that the King was about to leave Crownheart on an expedition to the Tower in the Mists were true, any such plans now appear to be on hold.

What has precipitated this deep personal crisis for His Majesty is the subject of intense speculation at all levels of Crownheart society, from the corridors of power to the tables of its taverns. Although always posssessed of a short temper, the King has never before displayed any symptoms of infirmity of mind. What seems clear is that whatever has disturbed the King’s humour has its origins in the recent Palace banquet.

One theory has it that the King is suffering as a result of his notorious liking for highly spiced food, with commentators pointing at the menu of the banquet as an example of cuisine likely to produce intemperate humours.

Others, noting the absence of the Queen from the banquet, have speculated that there has been a breakdown in relations between the royal couple. Many have always thought that this marriage between the two most powerful dynasties in Bereny had more to do with power politics than romance, but their relationship, if a bit distant, has always appeared cordial.

A more alarming theory is that the King is under some sort of curse or other malign influence, which might also explain the sudden emergency that the Kingdom seems to have been plunged into.