Princess Bergroda's Last Letter to Lord-Mayor Helger

At the height of the Axe Rebellion, the remaining human realms banded together to form what is now known as the Chikukema League. The leader of one of its founding states, Lord-Mayor Helger of Tratia, reached out to his lover, the queen of the dwarves. Her response to his plead, dated late winter of 1481, is as follows:

Honourable Lord-Mayor Helger, Steward of Tratia,

I am writing in response to your request for aid and alliance in your efforts against the gruakhai. Our scouts confirm sightings of the threat that now faces you. A great host has gathered against you, intent on breaking the iron hand that once held their chains.

You have appealed to the fondness we shared at the last winter's fest. The touches we shared, and the feelings we confessed to each other. However, it has been a full year since our gazes last met. Months since our previous correspondence. Rumours of your recent exploits have reached our peaks, and they have not been left beneath my notice.

I'm well aware that our union would not have resulted in the child you so desired. With your actions, you have made a miscarriage of what could have been an otherwise fruitful union.

The dwarves of the Shrouded Peaks will look after their own. We will not join your "League". No detachments will come to your aid. Our holds are from this day closed to your kind.

So says Queen Bergroda of the Shukmaltarâg, she who sits upon Nuzanzinb.

This correspondence was never shared publicly by the Lord-Mayor. Instead, he insisted that the dwarves had been unable to come to the League's aid.