"I was once an upright citizen of Gridania," he said. "I cannot say I was respected, for no Duskwight is, especially there, but I strove to make an honest life for myself as a member of the Lancer's Guild. Though I received less thanks for it than would have many others, I took pride in helping to defend my homeland. But times were difficult, and for wont of coin to obtain even the barest of necessities, I conspired with several of my closest comrades to steal from the guild's coffers."
"The theft was soon discovered, of course. And while there were no true suspects, it was clear that the deed had been perpetrated by someone within the ranks. An air of suspicion hung heavy over the guild from that day forth, until at last, unable to bear the guilt, I convinced my accomplices to join me in confessing." His expression twisted into a scowl and his tone took on a venomous bite. "Only for them to bite their craven tongues after I had stepped forward and admitted my part in the crime, and thus it was I alone who took all the blame. 'Of course it was the Duskwight!', everyone said. 'Was there ever any doubt?' It all made perfect sense!"
"Despite my heartfelt please, my so-called friends denied any involvement, and instead called me foul names that I do not care to repeat. And I was left with naught but shock and anguish at their betrayal, and was dragged off to rot in a dungeon cell. Had I but had the strength to force the truth from their traitorous mouths...!" He trailed off into a wordless growl before taking a deep breath to try to calm himself.
"Driven by vengeance and no small amount of self-loathing I resolved to forge my courage anew. I strode into the lairs of ravenous fiends while drenched in blood. I put their helpless offspring to the spear that I might know the unbridled fury of their kin. In doing so I found what I believed to be the ultimate courage, one forged in danger and tempered by rage. And thus I returned to the Lancer's Guild, intending to forcibly see it shut down and its doors barred forever more. I thought myself the only true Lancer amid a house of cravens. Though as you have no doubt surmised, I was proved to be mistaken."
He paused there to allow they young royals to interject or ask for clarification if they wished before he continued.
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"The theft was soon discovered, of course. And while there were no true suspects, it was clear that the deed had been perpetrated by someone within the ranks. An air of suspicion hung heavy over the guild from that day forth, until at last, unable to bear the guilt, I convinced my accomplices to join me in confessing." His expression twisted into a scowl and his tone took on a venomous bite. "Only for them to bite their craven tongues after I had stepped forward and admitted my part in the crime, and thus it was I alone who took all the blame. 'Of course it was the Duskwight!', everyone said. 'Was there ever any doubt?' It all made perfect sense!"
"Despite my heartfelt please, my so-called friends denied any involvement, and instead called me foul names that I do not care to repeat. And I was left with naught but shock and anguish at their betrayal, and was dragged off to rot in a dungeon cell. Had I but had the strength to force the truth from their traitorous mouths...!" He trailed off into a wordless growl before taking a deep breath to try to calm himself.
"Driven by vengeance and no small amount of self-loathing I resolved to forge my courage anew. I strode into the lairs of ravenous fiends while drenched in blood. I put their helpless offspring to the spear that I might know the unbridled fury of their kin. In doing so I found what I believed to be the ultimate courage, one forged in danger and tempered by rage. And thus I returned to the Lancer's Guild, intending to forcibly see it shut down and its doors barred forever more. I thought myself the only true Lancer amid a house of cravens. Though as you have no doubt surmised, I was proved to be mistaken."
He paused there to allow they young royals to interject or ask for clarification if they wished before he continued.