K29 29 Midsummer
Dearest Ursula,
I regret any panic that might have accompanied my last letter, though it was not unreasonably felt as it turned out. As we inquired, we learned that Esber, being the first major town at the end of the Old Road through the Briars, will go into a war footing with any sign of unknown physical or magical activity from the Mountain. Such as the Beams glittering in the Darkness, reaching into the aether far above, striking something from the night sky like my pen striking an error from a page. There was risk, but it was perhaps not as imminent as I perceived.
Oh, it slipped my mind due to the shock of arriving in a town gripped by what seemed like panic, but as we travelled down the path in the Briars from the strange house to the Patrol Camp, two individuals, a strangely clad man standing on a cloud with flowing white mustaches (he would easily win the Harvest Faire contest back home) and a beautiful Lady dressed for a ball in a red gown, and riding a broom like the finest palfrey, passed overhead headed North. It seems that reality itself near the mountain is more… flexible… than in our humble County home. Adding to my disquiet, our captives, knowing only the headsman awaited them, were still heard to mutter “at least it wasn’t that little girl.” I know noble Soren seeks out glory to build his own Name given his origins, and he and I share a love of knowledge for knowledge’s sake, but I feel that this County boy has more in common, when it comes to the Mountain and the Briars, with our more cautious fellows Bill and Merrin.
Indeed, Bill’s innate caution about the Mountain, and magic in general, may have saved us, and the Realm, a horrible fate. We learned, in the honor-saving ways used by our “betters”, that part of the concern was the Company of the Dark Moon being overdue from their Midsummer trip. This was unusual, the puissance of the Company being known throughout the Realm, and coupled with the Beams in the Night, which were now being called the Skylights, strong reinforcements from Count Orion of Ekull were on the way to help secure the town. The Baron made it known that, with no shame for refusal, that he would pay us handsomely to go all the way to the Mountain in the company of our new-made mercenary friends to discover their fate and gather information about what might have occurred.
We were debating the opportunity, the costs and risks versus the potential monetary rewards, and gains of further renown, when Bill approached us with dark news. He was leery of such a trip in any event, but in asking among the guardsmen of Esber, his former peers in their trade, Bill had heard disquieting news that the Baron had changed in personality a few months ago, before our initial meeting at the hunt, and the guards of the town were gradually being replaced with new men of the Baron’s choice. Knowing the news of the Ogre Magi’s attempts to subvert Wyvern Keep by magical subterfuge and concerned that the request to go to the mountain might have nefarious intent, Bill stated he had prepared a letter to ensure these concerns could not die with him. It turns out, unfortunately, his caution was correct, the man to whom he entrusted the letter was found dead the next day.
This information from the serious and stolid Bill could not be ignored. We abandoned any plan to assist the Baron, not knowing if by doing so we might be aiding an adversary of the Realm, and resolved that Soren should make our apologies, bringing up duties upon which we must attend elsewhere, so that we might seek out the reinforcements before they arrive and alert them to our fears.
In an attempt at misdirection, we offered to instead check out a rumor of strange noises and “ugly ponies” to the Southeast. Once out of sight of the town, we turned North and West to regain the road to the 4 Corners Faire, through which we presumed the reinforcements would be passing. By the Grace of God they were there on our arrival, and Soren was able to approach Sir Redfern, a knight of Ekull dispatched by Count Orion, informing him of our concerns.
Bill deserves much credit for his thorough, healthy suspicion. We may rest easily dear sister, the Lords of the Realm are not granted such responsibility lightly, they are men of foresight and faith. Sir Redfern assured us he had brought not only knights and crossbowmen to reinforce the walls of Esber, but also Brother Arngrew of the Highstone Abbey and Mister Vortare the Theurgist, who had particular knowledge of the magics and stratagems of the Ogre Magi threat. With Bill’s forewarning, they felt well prepared to deal with any situation they might encounter.
It was with a sense of great relief that we were not only NOT jumping at shadows, but also that we had been of service to the Realm in a manner befitting our station and capabilities.
As you know Big Bear, no matter the situation, I cannot control my curiosity. After the sense of peace of informing the Count’s men of our fears, we were able to enjoy the food, drink, and curiosities of the Faire. I could not help but notice that Snyads, likely kin of the people I encountered in the Briars, had exquisite items of metal, a craft for which they are not known, in addition to their woodcrafts. I will make a note to explore this, and the “ugly ponies,” further as opportunity presents itself.
As usual this letter goes long, I am writing from Ekull, from whence we have determined to seek out a hidden, abandoned Dwarven mine in the Stone Hills said to contain great treasure. On our return I will tell you of what will certainly be a happier tale of adventure than our unintended involvement with world-spanning affairs.
Oh, young Cosmin, the lad we rescued from the bandits, even amid the risks and fears of our stay in Esber (or perhaps because of them), has agreed to enter my service as a man-at-arms rather than a simple laborer. He is young and strong, and with my fellows Soren, Bill, and Merrin to tutor him in the skills of lance, sword, and bow I see great things in his future. To include keeping your little Dismal alive in a world of monsters.
I must say, actually _paying_ for arms and armor, and a warhorse for him to ride, is far more expensive than the… procurement methods… Silas had taught me. I can only hope our Mother Church helps provide you with the temporal tools of your trade. Remember me (and Silas of course) in your prayers as I remember you in mine. Brother Cuy has been kind to advise and counsel me as we ride about my concerns of the last letter. Indeed, he promises I will likely have more to reconsider about everything I think I know and believe in the future. He is small, but formidable, and a deft hand with a dagger. In a way he reminds me of Fat Silas, mutatis mutandis. Perhaps I shall always have such great men of small stature in my life.
With love,
Dismas
Windage and Elucidation 