This gentleman was as shocked as anyone by Duchess Ethelyn’s attempted coup and assassination of her own brother, and our sovereign, King Aodhan.
However, public statements from the government about these events do not tell the whole story. Confidential sources have revealed shocking behind-the-scenes details of what actually happened.
In recent days, the Royal Homeland Constabulary has been busy rooting out potential saboteurs. Indeed, several people were arrested in the hours just before the launch of the R.N.S. Coaltongue.
The RHC also placed a squad of undercover agents among the dignitaries aboard the Coaltongue during its maiden cruise, apparently in anticipation of the sabotage attempt. This is clearly at odds with official statements which professed complete surprise at the Duchess’s actions.
Also unreported, until now, was the firing of the Coaltongue’s top-secret arcano-technological weapon by the saboteurs. Multiple witnesses have reported seeing a blast of magical fire emanating from the Coaltongue and narrowly missing one of its escort ships.
Clearly, government agencies knew much more than they have admitted about the attempted coup, even while the Duchess of Shale was rumoured as King Aodhan’s possible successor.
A Half-Orc Gentleman wonders, who knew what when?
As usual, the half-orc has it half right.