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Dear Mindelan,
I was glad to hear that you returned in mostly one piece from your little foray into Scanra; not that I would have missed you, of course, but my Lord Raoul was terribly distressed by your situation, and I am happy to see his worries eased. I admit I find some of the rumors that have reached us difficult to believe -- is it true that the gods themselves spoke through your body, and you were accompanied to your victory by no less than a band of fey-woodsmen and a flock of griffins? I would have thought that even you had better sense than to get mixed up in such things, particularly when there is real work to be done, but perhaps I was mistaken. In any case, please write so I can be sure the rumors of your being alive (and not under suspicion of terrible crimes), at least, are true, and I can assure my Lord of such things.
Yours,
Lerant
Dear Lerant,
Firstly, yes, I am alive and free, and I thank you for your concerns, even if they are only on behalf of Lord Raoul’s peace of mind. I’ve been given command of a second refugee camp and will remain stationed in the north for the foreseeable future, but I will be in Corus for Midwinter, as the King has expressly commanded invited me to attend the King’s Ball and give an account to His Council of what I witnessed in Scanra. Never mind that I already gave them a very thorough report, written to him and delivered in person to General Vanget and my Lord of Cavall, and that the last time I left my people alone for formalities they were taken, and they gave this command to me for very good reasons…if my Lord Wyldon hadn’t offered to take command here himself in my absence, I would have been sorely tempted to refuse anyway, royal summons be…well, but I digress. Will you be in Corus then? I confess I rather hoped I might see you in attendance at the Ball as well; alas, I do know there have been outlandish rumors flying already, and I could use someone of your cynicism about, who won’t stand for such absurdities. If you would rather not brave the noble stuffiness, though, I am sure I will be spending much of my time around the Own’s mess and common areas. I’d like to see you, if only to be sure my Lord Raoul continues to be well looked after.
Yours,
Kel
Mindelan,
I will be in Corus come Midwinter, as it turns out (unless we are called away, of course), and I shall be happy to report to you, if only to demonstrate how much better my Lord is doing now that I can look after him fully again. I will not, however, be at the King’s Ball, as the likes of me have not been invited to that auspicious event for some time. You shall have to find someone else to help you keep the legends to a believable level, but I have absolute faith in your ability to convince people that you are not, in fact, a wonder-worker of the gods.
Yours,
Lerant
Dear Lerant,
I shall certainly make time for such reports then. On the matter of the King’s Ball: forgive me if I have misread your comments and you meant them merely as polite disinterest, but I am compelled to mention that the King has granted, and even encouraged, that I bring a guest to the proceedings. Should you wish to take advantage of that invitation, it is yours. Let me know your answer.
Yours,
Kel
Mindelan,
Mithros, it seems the northern cold is already addling your brain. Some of the rumors still have you on thin ice with the Crown, did you know? They shall certainly not be eased by your bringing a traitor as your escort, even if the King is planning to present you as a hero. Do yourself a favor and find someone the King actually likes. Wolset and Dom are already planning to go, and I’m sure many of the other men would be happy to accompany you, if you are so contrary that no one of your own rank will oblige you.
Yours in disgrace,
Lerant
Dear Lerant,
I trust that I need not actually dignify your self-dismissal as a traitor with a response. Perhaps you are right and it is the northern cold, or the legends going to my head, but I do mean it, and I don’t give a mule’s behind what those who would consider me on the edge of disgrace for defending my people think of it. Undesirable and stuffy as some of the company may be, you deserve to suffer it as much as any of the other Ownsmen, who I know for a fact are allowed to attend, even when untitled. In addition, it occurs to me that there may be some hope that your escorting me will make His Majesty think twice about pulling me away from my people unnecessarily again, which will in turn mean you have to put up with my being in Corus less frequently. A win for both of us, I should think. Please accept my alliance in this matter.
Yours,
Kel
Mindelan,
I suppose I can grasp at what meager nobility is left to me and answer a lady’s plea for help, since you asked so nicely. Very well, I shall accompany you. I hope for your sake such a politically scandalous choice proves worth it for you, but I daresay I shall enjoy the experience.
Yours,
Lerant
P.S. My Lord nearly lost his head with laughter when I informed him of this plan, and he bid me tell you that he wholeheartedly approves, and only wishes he had thought of it himself. He also advises you to be as vague as possible in specifying your escort to His Majesty, for it to have the optimal effects.