[Wids]

For the Eyes of Wilgerd Ironpate, Chamberlain of the Margo Residence
From the Hand of Rygel Hawkgarden, Captain of the Lady's Guard
9 Nightal


My Good Sir,

Your expertise in keeping our estate sound and in working order has been greatly commended in this time of dismay, and I am grateful for your discretion regarding the Guard's shameful role in the attempt on Lady Corella's life.

Would that the incompetence ended there, for my gaoler has informed me that one of Cyric's own languished in our dungeon for a brief stay, though no one among us led the Cyric-sworn dog to his cell, nor did anyone notice his leave.

This unanticipated turn causes me grave concern for two reasons. Firstly, what does it say for our vigilance if anyone can smuggle a captive into our dungeon and bind him there without drawing notice? And secondly, what if this captive Cyricist was involved in the plot against Lady Corella, or perchance was so much as the assassin himself who, once loosed within our walls, promptly proceeded forth in his vile hunt for our Lady? Was the mysterious skulker who imprisoned this Cyricist without our notice indeed our ally, or was he instead another enemy playing his role in the Mad God's scheme?

Of late, Lady Corella has released from our dungeon a number of captives whom she formerly held and punished for what she now admits were injustices: A milkmaid for spilling fresh milk on the Grand Hall's carpet, a butcher for delivering links of rancid sausage to our larder, a pauper boy who failed to bow to her carriage as it passed him on the road to Margo, and more. Each captive so freed was restituted with coin from the treasury, a gesture of generosity which our Lady would have loudly renounced or denied in days not long past. So it would seem that Lady Corella's brush with death has left her remarkably changed, mayhap for the better.

And now her state of good will stands to continue: The Winter Equinox is coming, and on that night, Lady Corella shall be entertaining a great many of her acquaintences and fellow noblefolk, to include a number whom she has slighted or wronged in her history. Let us work together once more, Good Chamberlain, that we may shield each other from any foibles or missteps and ensure that your servants and my guards work ideally together. Let us thus ensure that Lady Corella's forthcoming gala shall end in a stunning success and return our province to a state of grace, prominence and excellence in the eyes of all Damara.


Stalwart and True,
Captain Rygel Hawkgarden