To The Common Men of Piers Territory

The following is an editorial published in The Canary, the paper of the radical peoples' movement in Heron, which calls for abolition of the nobility and full social equality for the Heronite peasantry. This particular letter addresses the death of Lord Colin Piers, notorious for his strict anti-resistance policies, and the ascension of his illegitimate son to the lordship. 

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Since the killing of Colin Piers, change has rippled throughout the territory—and some of these changes will benefit the honest man, no doubt. All common men and women know how a single ration of grain can mean the difference between survival and starvation, how one barrel of oil can mean the difference between warmth and the bitter cold of Heronite winter, or how a few copper pieces can mean the difference between dying by debt collector or living to see another day of work. The ascension of Aden Piers has certainly brought less death and destruction to the poor of the territory than the infamous reign of his father, which will live on in the stories we tell our children as a time that must always be remembered, lest we forget and allow ourselves to once again be subjected to such tyranny. However, the mere fact that the son can be reasoned with should not be cause for complacency.

Has the work we have done all our lives and the hardships we have had to endure been only enough to pay for a single ration of grain? A lone oil barrel? A few copper pieces? Of course not! And yet, when I look at my fellow common men, I see the fire in their souls has not been replenished by this progress, but doused as if these few added comforts were a pail of water! There are men who have been made to work the mines every single day from childhood to old age. There are women who have been repeatedly abused by corrupt, power-drunk guards. There are parents who have lost their children to treatable illnesses and children who have been stolen from their parents at the whim of corrupt nobles. Are these few concessions really enough to satisfy us? Perhaps for a few weeks, months, maybe even years. We cannot allow our movement of common men to lose momentum when the opportunity for change is at its ripest!

While it does no good to never rejoice in small victories, lest we lose all hope, the honest men of Heron must not lose sight of the true goal we all strive for—freedom. Would one call a dog whose leash has been lengthened a free dog? Certainly not! And so, the honest men of the Piers territory are not free. Do not allow yourself to be fooled by the words of lying men just because they speak sweetly rather than shout.

  To the Common Men of Heron,

  from your editor, John Thorn.