[Wids]

To the Estate of Lord Segren Coldwell
From the Estate of Lady Corella d'Margo
8 Eleasis


I have returned from my holiday in Sembia, Cousin Segren. After so much time of seeing Damara's mountains, farmland and more mountains, I found the beaches of Selgaunt to be naught short of renewing and wholly stimulating. Though the Lord High Governor did not deign to greet me personally, the lesser aristocrats were quite welcoming and courteous, and the Scepters were prompt in leading me on a tour of the city soon after my arrival.

How pleased I am to be so refreshed, for the fetters of leadership did not sleep in my absence. The farmers report that a new rash of smut has spread rapidly, taking much of our wheat crops and threatening our bakers who depend on wheat for prosperity and livelihood. I shall speak with the nearest temple of Chauntea and see what must be done to end this threat to our agriculture.

Though I may consider consulting the clergies of other gods, I shall not be speaking with the Church of Leira, as usual. They seem to have kept to themselves of late, but my constables report that two new clerics have taken residence at the shrine on Amaryllis Road. As always, the priests were most hesitant to remove their masks, as any thief would be. The armsmen did gain their identities and confirm that they were new to my lands, however. But they also confirmed that the priestly fool who was brazen enough to walk straight into my grasp and address me eye to eye has since departed the shrine, likely to lick his wounds elsewhere. It would seem that he lacked the stomach for Damaran hospitality, eh?

Lord Wolfgart knows of my distaste for Leiran priests, and he contested it when we supped together on my return from Sembia. He claims that his own manor on the lowlands keeps a Leiran chapel and quarters for its resident priest, and that this Leiran priest has foiled no fewer than three assassination attempts during his lord's long reign, sending the assassins chasing after shadows and stabbing mirages while Lord Wolfgart escaped unseen. But why would a stately lord keep company with such scoundrels, let alone grant them residence in his own house? Mayhap Lord Wolfgart is an old scoundrel himself, and I would do well to shun his company.

And my new stablehand Bereghel has already proven himself the most knowledgeable and talented of the lot! He is such a diligent worker that I have considered dismissing two lesser stablehands, the better to save my coin for other matters. Our neighbor Duke William did an uncanny work at training this man, and I hope that he shall tend my stables for many years. And I agree with my chamberlain in that he has a vaguely familiar face, but surely he has never worked for me until now.

And on a more unsavory note, it seems that Anneletta's parents have come for her. They claim that one of my favorite vintners (who has since been dismissed from my court on no uncertain terms) told them that their daughter was here in my manor. So I put on my most cheerful and welcoming face and led them to my kitchenmaid Persenia, who is similar to Anneletta in visage, and I assured them that Persenia, not their daughter, was the servant whom the vintner had met. Though crestfallen, they accepted my denial, thanked me for my time and quit my house. I shall keep my Anneletta, and I do not expect to hear from this couple ever again.

But as I strolled through my garden, I noted that the Sardants had not yet left my estate and had spent the better part of an hour speaking with my new stablehand. That is quite a while for two travelers to be asking directions of a servant, is it not? What could they possibly have to discuss?

So when shall you be visiting me next? I have a number of enchanting souvenirs from Sembia, and if I know you as well as I suspect, you will be delighted to browse them. Visit Margo with any time you have to spare, will you?


With Love,
Cousin Corella