Their most Imperial Majesties, King Mandor and Queen Hera are pleased to announce the following honours in their New Year’s List:

Knight Commander, Order of the Dragon of Thelbane:

Princess Anabelle of Arden, Duchess of Bayle
Lord Leonard Taylor
Elena Norris
Duchess Liz-Beth Johnson of Discordia
Countess Ylva Hendrake

Grand Commander, Order of the Dragon of Thelbane:

Graf Jorge von Klieburg
Archduchess Lydia Lee Reynard of Discordia
Lord Jonathan of Animus
Devon Michaels
Viscount Allister Edward Baldur Montague
Lady Jade Fang

Hell-General Lord Harold Hendrake, Principal Private Secretary to their Imperial Majesties Queen Hera and King Mandor, Monarchs of the Dragon Throne of Thelbane

It is with great sadness that the Court of the Dragon Throne mourns the passing of the Archduchess Seraphina Hendrake-Jesby, and with her the passing of her House.

The circumstances of these events are unclear at this time, and a full investigation is in process. However, it would appear that under the cover of the noise from recent events in Amber, a stealth attack of some kind was launched against Jesbyways, and this attack resulted in the complete destruction of the Ways, and the loss of all souls and assets therein.

At this time, there is now a second Abyss hole in Thelbane, on the site of the former Jesbyways. It is not yet clear exactly where this hole appears in the Abyss, but initial investigations would seem to indicate that it is not in the Abyss Realm of Queen Cymnea.

There is every expectation that there will be further Shadow Storms as a result of this cataclysm. Creation is warned to beware and batton down that hatches once again.

Hell-General Lord Harold Hendrake, Secretary to Their Majesties King Mandor and Queen Hera.

On the 23rd July in the year 25466 since the founding of Thelbane, Lord Harold Hendrake and the Princess of Annihilation Hebe heralded the arrival of the two monarchs, who entered and sat on the two thrones, which were in fact the only two seats in the entire throne room of Thelbane Palace:

“Let all who have business before their Imperial Majesties King Mandor and Queen Hera of  the Golden Throne now step forward and be heard!”

Through the silence of the crowd standing around the throne room, a female figure not previously seen in Thelbane stepped forward and spoke:

“It is my duty this solemn day to inform your majesties of the passing of the Archduchess Hendrake. She died as she had lived with her sword in her hand.”

The King’s reply was thus: “And who is it who brings this news to us at this time?”

“I am Lyntra Hendrake, neither younger nor older, so I chose a new spelling of the name. I am the first born daughter and heir of the late Archduchess.”

“Are you now? And there is evidence to support this claim, we are to assume?” asked the King.

Archduke Bances Amblerash then spoke up: “Indeed it is so, your majesties. The birth was recorded by my own hand over 9000 turnings ago, under the reign of the Great Swayville, may the Dragon preserve his memory.”

Mandor then spoke again: “And is it your wish at this time that we will confer upon you the lands, titles and honours of the late Archduchess?”

“Actually it is not.” replies Lyntra. “Let it be here heard that I do claim the House of Hendrake, and all lands titles and honours of that estate, by right of blood and birth according to the laws of Swayville, may the Dragon preserve his memory, but I do not require that these things are conferred upon me by any monarch. With the passing of Archduchess Lintra the Younger, the time of Hendrake as a House of Thelbane, or Sarrabann, or indeed any nation state is also past.”

“There is a new enemy that has come. I and my line have lived and trained our whole lives to fight this enemy. And now circumstances give us the forces and resources to make this fight practical. This is the fight to which Hendrake will now be committed, because it is that fight for which we were destined. The very events, initiated by my mother in ages past, by which my birth occurred, also brought this enemy into being, and thus it is our duty to pledge ourselves to this battle. Therefore I am making at this time a Unilateral Declaration of Independence. Geography places the nation state of Hendrake on the borders of Thelbane, and for that I am truly sorry. But this enemy will come to you as it will to every Realm and State, and perhaps you will fare better with us here than you would if we were elsewhere.”

“I claim the title Hell-Marshall Archduchess of Hendrake, and declare that any who are descended from Hendrake the Warrior and the Archduchess Bellissa Minobee are welcome within my House, with the full name of Hendrake, if they pledge themselves to the cause. I further declare that I freely release any descendant of Hendrake the Warrior and Bellissa Minobee who do not wish to pledge to this upcoming battle from their membership of House Hendrake. They will be entitled to use the name Fitz-Hendrake, and your majesties may chose whether you wish to welcome them into the Realm of Thelbane, or not. From among their number, whosoever of us that make that choice, you may appoint a Head, if you are so inclined.”

“As should be self evident, I will not be available to serve as your Minister of War, so I will spare you the burden of having to decline to offer it to me.”

At this point, another female stepped forward to stand beside Lyntra, accompanied by a large tiger that walked at her side. This female was one more know in Thelbane. “Your Majesties, I am the Lead Defender of Animus, Honoured Princess Lauren Helgram. Let it be here heard that I killed Lintra Hendrake the Younger, in a battle of honour regarding the disposition and state of my first born son Alaric Hendrake. Until a very few days ago, I would have been Lintra’s heir, and I would have today stood before you and stated that House Hendrake was satisfied that all matters of honour had been concluded regarding the death of Lintra, and claimed her House, lands and honours.”

“But that was then. This is now. I therefore offer my personal apology to your majesties for depriving you of the further services of your minister of war. And further, I submit myself to the new Archduchess Hendrake to settle any outstanding matters of honour between myself and House Hendrake.”

At that point, Lyntra turned towards Lauren, and a sword with a glowing blue blade which had appeared in her hand was plunged into Lauren’s chest until it protruded through her back. Lauren sagged forwards, only held up by the strength of Lyntra’s arm as she kept the sword held out in the lunge. Lauren cried out in agony as steam and smoke emerged from both both chest and back where the sword was penetrating them. At a count of five, Lyntra withdrew the sword, to the accompaniment of much more smoke and steam, as Lauren fell to her knees, and a minute passed before she again rose to stand before Lyntra. Those sensitive to such things would perceive  massive invocations of ley-magic between the tiger and Lauren as her wound was healed.

Lyntra then said “If you will pledge to bring such aid and assistance as you reasonably can afford to the battles which Hendrake undertakes, then matters are settled between us regarding the death of my mother.”

Lauren said “I will so pledge. And if you will pledge to make no claim upon my son save that which he freely gives after he has completed his rehabilitation to my satisfaction, then matters are settled between us regarding Alaric, my son, from the theft of my genetics by Armin.”

Lyntra replied “I will so pledge.” The two women then hugged each other before both falling back into the crowd which broke out into uproar at this point, forcing the ending of Court for that day.

Let it be known that having duly completed all appropriate assessments and diligences, His Most Imperial Majesty of the First and Greatest of all Realms, King Mandor of the Dragon Throne makes the following declarations:

House Karm has satisfied us of its strengths and vitality, such that we are pleased to once again confer the status of Major House upon it. Further more, we hereby recognise the Archduchess Diana Karm as its Head;

 

 

 

 

 

Further more, we hereby recognise the Archduke Jurt Sawall, our beloved brother, as the Head of House Sawall;

 

 

 

 

 

Further more, we hereby recognise the Archduchess Lintra Hendrake, the Younger, as the Head of House Hendrake;

 

 

 

 

 

Further more, we hereby recognise the Archduchess Juno Chanicut as the Head of House Chanicut;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further more, we hereby recognise the Archduke Victor Roberts as the Head of House Victarion;

 

 

 

 

 

 

Further more, in acknowledgment of the ably demonstration fortitude and courage of its membership, we are pleased to confer the status of Major House upon House Hogarth, and hereby recognise the Archduchess Aldreda Hogarth as its Head;

 

 

 

 

 

Further more, in acknowledgment of their long and dedicated service to the Church of the Dragon, that pillar of Thelbane society, we are pleased to confer the status of Major House upon House Amblerash, and hereby recognise the Archduke Bances Amblerash as its Head;

 

 

 

 

 

Further more, in recognition of their long service as the fiscal foundation on which the Great Realm of Thelbane has been built, we are pleased to confer the status of Major House upon House Suhuy, and hereby recognise the Archduchess Jasra Suhuy as its Head;

 

 

 

 

 

Further more, in recognition of many and varied services rendered quietly to both Realm and Monarch over many years, we are pleased to confer the status of Major House upon House Geib, and hereby recognise Archduchess Suzanna Geib as its Head;

 

 

 

 

 

Further more, in recognition of the significant work in rebuilding the House after the egregious harm done to it by former incumbents, we are pleased to once again confer the status of Major House upon House Jesby, and hereby recognise the Archduchess Serpahina Hendrake-Jesby as its Head;

 

 

 

 

 

Further more, we recognise the Archduke Graeme Helgram, as Head of House Helgram.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signed and sealed this day, at His Majesty’s command, by Lord Harold Hendrake, Lord Privy Seal of Thelbane.