Oh you know, garden variety winged horror with a yen for human flesh. My army was fighting a powerful enemy who could create and control shadow itself, and he was very, very snippy about me - hence the curse. Luckily, the effects were worse at night, so they were to a certain extent manageable. I'm still afflicted now, but again: managed. Still, you can't really hold the legislator's concern against them, all said and done, and the new ruler will be a good one.
She was a legend around here - a longtimer, and very skilled at her work. I look forward to seeing yours. Name's Nikolai, by the by. I don't fight much these days but I love a good sword, so you'll see me come to call.