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Selsi, sorceress, her beauty a spell
Enchantments weave, her allure to compel
Yet hidden deep down, where shadows do creep
A witch's touch, crushing minds with a sweep

Her expressions shift, sudden and bold
Donning human guise, a creature untold
Dancing darkness, appears as a woman
Memories lost, in the void they summon

Amid a game, secrets to unveil
Guessing my favorites, without a fail
Her braids intertwine, a work of art
Reveals a bond, connecting the heart

[Maribeh 7th, IY 7788]

Maribeh 7th, IY 7788

It pains me to doubt Hypatia.

This is what the Witch of Utterdark meant, however, when she said that a Witch who gets too attached to a single life, a single piece, will die.

I'm well aware that such attachments have led to my countless deaths in previous cycles.

But I'm not ready to give up on my attachments yet. I like Hypatia. I like Mae. I like Naelin. I like Aubrey. And many more besides.

In a way, it's not about her... it's about myself. I feel as if I have reached the point where if I believe the theory that Hypatia is entirely false, if I believe that she holds no love for me or even for Mae, then I will have given up a significant part of me.

Even if I win the game after having given up so much, was it even "me" who won the game? Or was it someone entirely different? Was the game won by a hollow existence that wears my face and speaks with my voice, one who has given up everything for a victory she can't even enjoy?

I will believe that Hypatia is still Hypatia, until too much evidence has been accumulated to argue otherwise to myself, and I am cornered with the realization that she is no longer Hypatia.

But only then.

Dear Oliver Klozoff,

You have made your first error and it is a significant one.

There were countless witnesses who saw Elias ignore the Sisters of the Sibylline Vine, as they told him not to bring Alejandro's body to Hufaidh, where his body and soul were consumed by the djinn.

Even were there a law in Ephia's Well against slander, it would be inapplicable here as his actions are no more or less than what I have stated.

I have no interest in hearing lies and excuses from those uninvolved in this matter. I want nothing more than for Elias to explain his actions.

Best,
Apothar Estellise Azimi

Dear Naelin,

I am glad you returned safely and generally agree with your points here.

Mae's presence was imperative, and while I believe Ashley could have proven useful, I understand the heights these tensions have reached.

That said, she is working to solve the problem now, so all is well and all we may see an improvement in cure distribution shortly.

To throw someone down a flight of stairs, it would depend on how mad I am at the person. Likely I would pay up to 1000 dinars for such a service, and the wretched Banda Rossa would depend between 10000 and 15000.

I am confident at this point that their high prices are to ensure they never do any work.

After all, why should they care to get contracts when the Rose idiotically gives them the largest portion of their Allotment?

Regards,
Estellise

Dear Oliver Klozoff,

If the Sagebrush Corps have committed no crimes, then they should have nothing to fear.

The act of hiring a lawyer would strongly imply that they have something to hide, however.

Regardless, my most significant concern pertains to Elias through either negligence or sinister intent disregarding the Priory's warnings and committing Alejandro's body and soul to a Djinn Prince.

My demand is simple. When he returns to the Well, he submits himself to the Tower to explain the matter in full. I would know why he chose to ignore sage counsel and did this deed.

Regards,
Apothar Estellise Azimi

Dear Naelin,


I knew you had bitten off more than you could chew here, yet I still expected a letter before today's dangerous expedition.

No matter. I shall demand every detail from you after your return.

Regards,
Estellise

[Maribeh 4th, IY 7788]

Maribeh 4th, IY 7788

I couldn't find Mae, which was extremely irritating. Does she truly not care about her own future?

By refusing to speak at Kardesler, she has reduced her esteem and increased her irrelevance in Ephia's Well.

How will she ever attain Zenithar at this rate?

I'm calmer now, which is good. My initial instincts were to act somewhat rashly and likely that would have made Mae extremely displeased with me.

Fortunately, Margarethe stopped me before I made it to the bellows, and I was able to get over my initial surge of anger.

In truth, I need to focus less on these matters and more on my research. I've acquired many pages of notes on the Acolytes now and can update my notes accordingly.

They're all rather intriguing to me. They are extremely rough material. Do you plan to ensure they all are polished to perfection, or do you expect that some will fail Discernment?

Your piece moves differently than before. Her movements are more dangerous to me, but my defensive barriers still hold strong.

Did you tell her my favorite animal or did she truly guess in 4 tries?

Dear Jamei,

I care little for dinars, so if I spy any of these items, I will ensure they make their way to you.

However, I am uncertain why my "Real Identity" would grace this list. I remain who I have always been. I am both Apothar and the Witch Estellise.

I cannot imagine what else you seek with such a line of questioning. Perhaps you can enlighten me.

My room is nearly more furnished than I desire as-is. I don't imagine that I will be putting more furniture in it, as such a choice would be detrimental to the Wind and Water energy of my chambers and likely harm my sleep and general comfort.

My room in the Tower is nice in some ways, but my room in the Krak is far more important to my peace of mind. It is a place where I can rest, away from noisy (and nosy) Nadiri and the disruptions they bring.

What employees? Do you mean my Apprentices?

Regards,
Estellise Azimi

Dear Miro,

That makes sense. The mistake was my own.

I imagine I will always have questions from time to time as I update my records. It is important that I ensure proper records are kept regarding Ephia's Well's Divination Licenses and their holders.

I look forward to answering any questions you have about the history of the Well. Beware of Elias in the meantime. I have people investigating him for malfeasance and he has made it quite clear that he does not approve of you continuing this work for the League of White.

Regards,
Estellise Azimi

Dear Estellise,

I think that I am doing fine. I have managed Selsi in the past without issue, even if this time holds certain troubling differences.

Still, I am willing to hear your counsel on this matter.

I will find you tonight.

Regards,
Estellise Azimi

Dear Niranye,

I am still investigating the matter, so it's hard to say what the truth will turn out to be, or even if it will ultimately be possible to uncover all the sordid details.

Matters involving the djinn are often extremely messy.

As far as the People's History goes, it is in good hands with Acolyte Miro, so I don't worry over much about it failing to be completed. Such was important to Alejandro, myself, and of course, the League of White who commissioned the work.

We can speak anytime you wish. I should make a point to visit the gallery more often now that it is open. You have done remarkably with it.

Regards,
Estellise Azimi

Dear Miro,

Admittedly, creating wine does not interest me, but if you allow me to drink it while explaining, I will be content.

Do you mean to be interviewed by me or once more by my Apprentice and me?

Regards,
Estellise Azimi

I had planned to keep this somewhat discrete, but after observing him destroy all of Alejandro's worldly possessions and attempt to declare the People's History that Alejandro cared so much about at an end, I could hold my tongue (and brush) no longer.

"Elias" (Almost assuredly not his real name) is an agent of the Djinn, either willingly or through negligence so idiotic it should be criminal.

Despite repeated warnings from the Sisters of the Priory, he saw fit to carry Alejandro's body, containing the last tether to the poor man's soul, to the abode of a Djinn Prince that Alejandro and I had sealed away together.

He has not only shown no remorse for this act, but he has also gone out of his way to conceal what occured and to destroy or scatter everything related to Alejandro's legacy.

Even though he did not see me concealed under invisibility, I observed him destroy the Hidden Poem in Palm Heights days before I caught him destroying all the furniture in the inn room that they had shared.

The man is quite possibly in the thrall of this Djinn or one of its servants and caution is advised.

When confronted, he approached me alone and whispered "No one will ever believe you."

We will see, you wretch. Ephia's Well does not suffer Brookers for long.

Apothar Estellise Azimi

Dear Naelin,

Cursing objects to destroy the livelihood of would-be thieves is simply done for a Fatespinner.

In truth, nothing against Clarissant, but the prospect that you had some business that she could not hear had intrigued me immensely. Now I am disappointed.

Boredom is the curse that affects all Witches and must ever be alleviated, I find, so I understand fully.

I am eager to discover this greater purpose in letter writing, in truth.

Gnoming is fine. I hate the act far more than the word.

I wished to speak to Margarethe about Selsi. I will tell you no more in correspondence.

Regards,
Estellise

Dear Naelin,

I will take you up on your offer as I wish to know what troubles you.

Fatespinner is fine. High Witch is somewhat embarrassing, even if I agree that it is rather ominous.

It is no surprise to me that you can sense the Pendulum of Fate as a fellow Witch. The most obvious risk of this occurring that I can foresee is that in 70% of futures, the Legates acquiesce to the demands of Sagebrush and see them placed upon the Stele. It is entirely possible that these dinars exist to make you more malleable to such.

Margarethe said I should have given the People's History to her Apprentice, as she is a student of history. I presume we would get along if she gets along with Margarethe, but yet, I have no time or inclination to chase down some two-bit historian, even if I would find her height amusing.

As for grief, I understand the dangers well, and if I were the one counseling myself, I would likely tell myself to be rid of it, yet I know that I would not. I am only human and thus I cannot help being sentimental at times. I never let it go so far as to hinder my goals, however.

You have largely answered your own first question by answering my question from the previous letter. These letters exist for the same reason, to stave off your boredom.

I don't wish to think about Kythie as a gnome, but I would likely see her the same, so long as she were the same in every other respect. If her gnoming caused her to adopt gnomish characteristics and personality traits, then she would no longer be Kythie and I would be forced to see her in a new light.

Regards,
Estellise