On Faith and Fortune

[ADashofHope]

[A transcript of a series of bellows made on Illul 29th circulates in the usual shady spots...]

On Faith and Fortune: An Earnest Plea

Live and drink! I wish to speak some words about the Legate of the Purple League, Faith Kreuhtzer.  I'm not interested in these back-handed insults, you see. I know I'm in your head Faith-- which is a problem, because I ain't running for Legate. And Buster Grimes doesn't need to resort to firing off stray shots at an entire League to get his point across. He says what he means. Might wanna tell your speechwriter to take notes...

Callous Faith, with no one in their corner. No one she hasn't paid, anyway. Surrounded herself with sycophants eager to nibble away at the Treasury, while she believes it to be out of respect or loyalty to her leadership. Not even your Prelate can defend your decisions, though he does lament them--privately, of course..in the wee hours of the morning. You're not a leader, but ya do have deep pockets. Or-- ya did!

Lucky Faith. Pious Shabani given the boot by Lujayn the Transparent because she believed in you. Left ya a cozy little warchest to, I hear. Forty, fifty, sixty thousand dinari? All gone to the Hall of Trade now, I assume- the League of Gold you so openly and vigorously decried in your last election. The one you /lost/. What do you call belief traded for coin? Fool's gold. Perhaps you fool yourself into thinking these Compromises are worthy things for some greater good.

But the Moon smiles on you, Faith. As She does on all that delude themselves. It?s why I admire you so much. You're the stuff of storybooks! You claim a desire to see the wrongs committed against the people undone, but we both know better. Once you find a way to pardon the Illul Six, you'll get what I know you're really after. More glory and more blood-- neither of it you're own.

Step down. Go back to what you're good at. We both know it isn't this, Legate. I haven't wanted any laws abolished, save the ones you've touched. If I'm an addict, then let it be said we can recognize our own. And I see you. Your thirst isn't one the Mother can quench. And we will all drown before you're full. Just...step back.

Please.