Lem's Letter to the Queen

Your Majesty, Queen Venia,

I am writing in response to your summons for an escort loyal to the crown to accompany the Royal Princess. As you request, I will attend the dinner, but in this correspondence I hope to convince you that I am the perfect candidate for your mission.

I beg of your patience, Your Majesty, as I recount some details about my life thus far, as short as it may be. I was born in Nob, a small town to the west of here that is currently under the rule of the Sa'Entir empire. My father, Perne Coppercob, works on a farm in Nob that serves the city of Presol and my mother disappeared after I was born. Some of the other farmhands helped my father raise me, but my early life was otherwise plain. I attended school in the city and soon discovered a power in me that you will find very beneficial to your quest.

I realized I was different the moment I entered school. My peers were rather slow in the earliest parts of my education, and I didn't understand why. Learning came second nature to me, so I spent my time studying people and how they act, especially our teachers. Kids and their emotions were too simple; whereas the face of an adult shapes into a variety of furrows and creases that differ in the slightest way, depending on their *true* emotions. I quickly realized other kids did not share the same thoughts and passions. As the years went by, the teachers noticed my advanced learning abilities, but I could never prove it when examinations came around. I could not perform tasks on my own. I completely failed every exam I took and the teachers were not allowed to let me proceed, so they suggested I try a different discipline. I had exposure to the school of elementary magic, the school of defense, the school of martial arts, and the school of music and arts. I continued the cycle between the schools, but could never pass the first stage. I became frustrated because I knew that if only I didn't have to take the examinations, I could easily become the youngest Illusionist or Knight or Actor of all of Inembleth.

It wasn't until my last year of general education, when I was twelve, when one teacher, Darius Hillmer, helped me figure out the truth of my past. Being the most educated teacher I'd had, he quickly pinpointed a trait hidden within me. Darius set up a special class just between him and me where we'd test my abilities. After years of boredom among general education, I greatly looked forward to these classes. He would push me to the limits of my abilities. We discovered I could not perform any action that wasn't recently performed by him or persistently studied by me. I seemed to be limited to copying the actions of those around me. When done, it was flawless. On my own, however, I was no better than a baby. This explained my trouble in school.

Please, Your Majesty, ready yourself for what some consider obscene comments. You see, Darius also helped me uncover my ability to shapeshift. He noticed subtle changes in my appearance day after day that were missed by my unobservant teachers, my father, and even me, for I really hate my own reflection. I learned to meditate and release all physical limits I'd placed on my image. One day, we uncovered my completely "natural" form. Darius finally explained he had always expected me to be Doppelganger or Half-doppelganger hidden in human form. After knowing my simple-minded father for twelve years, I knew he *had* to be human, making me Half-doppelganger. Now before Your Majesty rejects me for the Freak Of Nature that I am, I ask that you hear the rest of my story and why I am invaluable to you.

My time with Darius not only told me who I am and the extent of my abilities, but it also educated me in the current political situation. I first met him three years ago just before Sa'Entir seized control of Kalar. Darius was very active politically and petitioned for the people of Kalar to resist entering the Sa'Entir Empire. His efforts prove fruitless, for the empire offered Kalar's citizens very promising benefits and there were not many who opposed. I caught on to many of the ideals and social morals he was preaching. Many cultural differences such as traditions, languages, and art were becoming lost during the kingdoms' assimilation into the Sa'Entir Empire. Scholars already had proof that this happened in some of the other kingdoms. Like my father, the people are either apathetic or weary from war. My father is too simple to deal with additional stresses in his life, so he willingly supported assimilation. Darius and I could not tolerate it, so after I gradu ated, we decided to move here, to Zellanatar, because Darius suspected you and King Brax would resist and fight back. I explained my reasons to my father for leaving, but did not reveal my identity or that I was also looking to find my mother. I have been here for three years, helping Darius run a campaign to foster support for war among the people.

I am now tired of political work and am more than willing to escort Princess Avestralin wherever needed. As you have heard, I fully loyal to Zellantar and to you, My Queen. I will do whatever it takes to protect the Princess from the evil Sa'Entir Empire. As you have heard, I am more than qualified for the job. I can instantly assume the form of any humanoid being, thus disguising myself as needed. My powers are also invaluable, for I can outmaneuver my enemies and use their own tactics against them.

I am looking forward to attending the dinner and hearing from you. I hope I have convinced Your Majesty to hire me for the job.

Your faithful follower,

Pelemor Coppercob