Kalina Jakes's page

This letter travels with the person of one Sergeant Kalina Jakes, fugitive from the law and the military forces of Talingarde, and now prisoner of His Majesty’s Knights of Alerion. Once you make the acquaintance of this harpy you will understand the danger she represents, so I will not bore you with the standard warnings – suffice to say, hold her under guard and in the keeping of at least two trusted men at all times. Sgt. Jakes has sown discord among His Majesty's forces, facilitated lewd and illicit behavior by His Royal officer corps, and has been accused of transgressions of Talingarde law both extreme and petty.

Let me suggest, humbly, that this prisoner not find her way into the court system. Should her escort be waylaid by bandits en route, it would be a most unfortunate breach of provincial security, no doubt, but even in the boundaries of peaceful Talingarde banditry can never be entirely stamped out. I am also taken to understand that this Jakes woman suffers from a most delicate constitution as a result of her month on the run from the King’s justice. She could very well take ill in the dungeons prior to her trial.

With that I have done my duty. Fair warning.

P.S. My compliments to Sir Balin of Karfield, who was responsible for bringing the subject into the crown's custody following her desertion.

V/R

Major Hoben Hazenfratz
4th Battalion, 3rd Brigade
The King’s Own Knights of Alerion

-------------------------------------------

“As to the count of dueling unto death, how do you so plead?”

“Not guilty.”

“Not guilty? There were thirty men in the yard as witnesses!”

“Well, it wasn’t much of a duel. The pig died in three cuts…” There was muted murmur and a chuckle or two amongst the assembled justicars. Kalina sat bound to a chair in their midst, wearing only a light shift, shackled hand and foot. With a toss of her head, she flicked her dark bangs out of her eyes. The chief justicar went on.

“You are additionally accused of murder, attempted murder, high theft, malicious sedition, and desertion. What say you to these charges?”

“It was self-defense. My hand slipped. The horse was mine own.”

“And the malicious sedition?”

“Well, it ain’t exactly malicious, is it, if it was said out of love for our glorious nation here?”

“I quote, ‘You tell that inbred monkey Markadian that if he sends me out there again with another unit, I will march alone to the palace and bugger him with my sword.’”

“Well, I think a change in leadership would be great for the people.”

“Your final charge is desertion. You are accused of abandoning your unit on campaign, itself a capital crime.”

“There weren’t much of a unit left. Didn’t figure the stack of corpses would object.” The justicars muttered among themselves. After a moment, the chief justicar looked up.

“It is the judgment of this tribunal that you shall be held, without bond or bail, at Branderscar Prison, for the duration of your processing. It is the further judgment of this tribunal that subsequent prosecution by the Knights of Alerion for your crimes against that order is both a waste of resources and unnecessary. Due to the extent of your crimes, the overwhelming nature of the evidence against you, and your revealing flight from the King’s justice, it is the decision of this tribunal that, without possibility of reprieve or parole, you be in three days’ time hanged until death on the premises of Branderscar Prison. It is your right under the laws of this land to enter a final comment for the record.”

“Bugger you all, I ain’t being hanged!”

“May Mitra, bright and just, have mercy upon your soul…”

----------------------

Kalina Jakes is a career soldier, having served for three years as a member of various auxiliary units supporting the Order of the Knights of Alerion on campaign against goblin raids. Prior to that, she is alleged to have been involved in bandit activity in the outlying provinces. A trained two-weapon fighter, she is deadly with a longsword and shortsword, compensating for her lack of a man's strength with speed, surprise, and sheer aggressiveness. Thrust into a man's world, she has responded the only way she knows -- by being a right bastard and taking what she can for herself.

No man or woman believes themselves to be doing evil. Any evil acts she has committed she can readily explain away as being absolutely necessary and otherwise justly deserved. She has used the rare advantages her gender possesses to take advantage of the desires of fellow soldiers and commanding officers for her own ends. She tolerates no condescension from them and as the record shows, will back up her threats with force and her skill at arms.

She is reckless, driven, and often a danger to those around her. The kingdom of Talingarde in truth would be much safer should she be removed from its list of problems, by exile or other means. As a result of her recent troubles, she now nurses a deep grudge against the Knights of Alerion specifically, Talingarde's professional soldiery more generally, and the regime of King Markadian itself. During her recent trip in chains to prison, she has often dreamed of scaling the palace walls and tossing the head of Princess Bellinda to pavement far below...

She was apprehended by a certain Sir Balin of Karfield during an extensive manhunt following her desertion and other crimes. Beyond her general disdain for all things Talingarde, seeking out and destroying this righteous fool is of particular import, should Kalina Jakes ever find herself free and clear of Talingarde authorities.