Who can understand the mind of a traitor? One who gives up their closest friends to torture and death. One who makes of their honour a cesspit, and makes of their name a hissing. Who indeed?

But impossible though it is to understand, and shameful to relate, my task ahead is clear. To relate the treachery of one of Geldaran's closest friends, and to tell of how this traitor brought down the silver star of Keril.
Was treachery in the mind of Lady Jessica as she stood beside Geldaran Reng that day upon the battlements? One can only conjecture. What was it that made her turn traitor? Was it fear for what might happen to herself in the event of the city falling? That is possible, but I do not believe it, for she had been ever in the forefront of the battle, and regardless of her own life. Some tell of a secret lover in the camp of Mobius. Neither do I believe that tale. Did the pressure of the siege drive her mad, so that she knew not what she did, in insanity and fear. Events suggest otherwise. I believe that the real tragedy lies in that her treachery was motivated only by love of her people, and by fear of what might happen should the armies of Mobius storm the city. For Lady Jessica had always had a great love for the city of Keril (where she was born and lived), and now to see it suffering so, with the prospect of even greater suffering in the near future, well nigh broke her heart.

So it was that the Lady Jessica of Pinehallow came to the realisation that if any of her beloved city of Keril was to be saved, then Mobius must be quickly triumphant. And for such a triumph, a traitor was needed. It must have torn her heart into shreds, the things she had to do. Or so I like to believe, for I prefer to see good in people even in one so universally reviled. Although long in the decision, the act of treachery was quick in the undertaking. It took only a dark night, an unlocked sally port, four drunken guards, and a letter to Mobius; and in came the Sentinels and the Ascendancy. Not in fire and rapine, but in stealth, and sudden death. And by dawn, the city of Keril belonged once more to Mobius. There were, inevitably, many deaths. Thousands of Kerilians showed that they would rather die than live once more in slavery, and die they did; in the alleys and the streets, in basements and in halls, cut down as they strove vainly against the Ascendancy troops. But there were many others who preferred a longer life, in slavery or otherwise, and who, surrendering quickly, were molested little. Which is greatly to the honour of Mobius, for not even he is lost to a sense of what is right and wrong.

But for Geldaran Reng, there was to be no reprieve, no mercy, as well she knew. And as her city fell around her, while her last loyal troops lay dying in the streets below her, she gathered around her once more her closest friends and her most treasured possessions. She bade farewell to Othar Helsbane, to the Halfling twins, and to her beloved Bard, and with tears in her eyes bade them leave her in her final hour. But leave her would they not and stood steadfast beside her, come what may. Of Gruy Nordvar had she already taken her leave, and shed her tears, for he slept the sleep of death outside the city walls, encircled by a ring of slain foes, and with every wound in front. Then did she arrange in her own hall five noble chairs of gilt and ebony, raised upon a dais of fine rosewood. And around these chairs did she have placed the possessions of her house, the treasures of a generation, and the heirlooms of her family. Her husband's sword. The portrait of her son. Jars of finest oil and spices. Finely wrought golden jewellry. The crown of Keril, kept these many years away from the vaults of Mobius. These things, and many more. And over all was poured the oil of the Hastel tree.

Then took she five golden goblets, well worked about with scenes from the hunt, and in each goblet placed a single dark berry covered in the darkest wine. To her friends she gave these goblets, saying to each "We shall nevermore see one another in this world. Yet, by the grace of Gaia shall we meet once more in the lands beyond the sky, and so until that time, keep my love close beside thee". As they prepared to drink those fatal drinks, it is told how a figure appeared in the doorway, a figure covered in ash and blood, with riven cheeks, and torn hair, with clothes rent and shredded and eyes that overflowed with tears. And the Lady Jessica fell to her knees in front of Geldaran, and told of the shame and treachery that was hers. Lifting her friend to her feet, Geldaran said simply "My Lady, you have my forgiveness and my love", and she wept. Then, upon the entreaties of Jessica was there brought to her a small wooden stool, which she had placed at the foot of Geldaran's chair, and with resolution did the others drink their final drink. And as Geldaran drank, she swore a mighty curse upon the head of Mobius, and threw a torch into the oil around her.

As the flames roared high, the six sat unmoving. Only the Lady Jessica, paying in pain for her treachery remained sensible of the heat, for only she had no dark berry to give her mercy. But, as Bards still sing today, she made no sound at all, sitting upon her humble stool gazing only into the eyes of her beloved Geldaran whom she had that very day betrayed. Gazed long, until the flames overwhelmed her and she sank in agony of body but with the sweetness of treachery atoned, into eternity.