The Sentinel

[Adwest]

THE SENTINEL
Premier news publication of the Grand Kingdom of Adwest

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The End of An Era: Lord Protector Garithos Ashford declared Dead



The Balfonheim Cardiovascular Institute, where the Lord Protector has been confined for several months now 

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Article by Stephen Quartzman | Nueva 1583 | Balfonheim, Ormbeck

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After more than five decades in service of the Crown, the Lord Protector of the Adwestene Realm and the Duke of Sensaros Garithos Ashford has finally succumbed to retirement. He has been declared dead by his team of doctors at four in the morning today, 15 Nueva. Dr. Rudiger Balsam, who has been closely monitoring the late Lord Protector's situation since being confined in the Balfonheim Cardiovascular Institute, declared Ashford's death to have been caused by natural causes.

The late Lord Protector has been in confinement in the BCI since Zechyr 4 of this year. He was rushed to emergency treatment upon suffering a stroke while on a hike.

"Despite his advanced age, the Lord Ashford always insisted on continuing working and, quite regrettably, doing these strenuous physical activities he was fond of. This no doubt triggered his second and final stroke" said Dr. Balsam to the Sentinel.

He also noted that the Lord Protector has not been in a physical state to continue doing hikes or other trips outside Balfonheim "since he turned 70", contributing to the worsening of his breathing problems.

The Lord Ashford's conditions improved slightly during the middle of Septem, upon which he was seen publicly once more for the first time in several weeks to attend a public ceremony commemorating the end of the Adwestene Civil War. Yet this seemed only to exacerbate his already faltering system, and he was rushed back to the BCI on the same day.

Reports from the Court have been consistent and continuous, and the signs of declining health by the Lord Protector were slowly validated when in October a "regent" had been named in order to carry out the Lord Ashford's duties until "he is once more able to stand up and attend sessions in Alcombey".

Regrettably such hopes were dashed today with the Lord Ashford's passing.

The Court of Her Majesty has declared a week of national mourning for the deceased Lord Protector, who has been the prime statesman behind the National Rejuvenation of the Grand Kingdom.

"It is the end of an era. We have lost such a brave and fiery yet truly noble man, who was ready to deploy his energies and capabilities for the advancement of the realm and of Her Majesty's interests without hesitation. A man committed to our ideals as a nation, as a people. The fatherland mourns this loss deeply." said a spokesman from the Court an hour after the pronouncement of the Lord Ashford's passing.

Details on funeral arrangements from the House of Ashford are yet to be released, as well as details on the ascension of Claire Ashford into the helm of her family's dominions. But it is predicted that the deceased Lord Ashford will be given a state funeral with full military honors by the Court of Her Majesty, as tribute to his long years of government service.

No word has also been heard yet regarding who will succeed the deceased Lord Ashford as Lord Protector of the Realm. The position is the highest in the land second only to the Queen herself; the next appointee will be the third person to possess the title since political reforms in 1565 and the National Rejuvenation in 1566. Sources within the Ducal Council proclaim that either Lord Charles XI Windamier of Maleroy or Lord Roderick de Meisen of Lincrest will be chosen to become the next Lord Protector.

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