Messages

Recluta,

My past dealings with the Banda Rossa typically involved more paperwork than what's been provided. For one, a more distinct summary rather than your notes to Rosseau on what was discussed. For another, what specifically is my dinar buying? How much muscle, who will command, what orders will they follow?

Give me some assurances here, and you will have my signature.

Lt. R. Colmes
Warmaster

To whom it may concern,

It is my understanding that the record-keeping of some of your members, those who sit upon our War Council, have neglected to impart the scope of the war and our efforts in it. I would like to think that this is due to my own focus on how such information should be protected jealously lest it reach the wrong ears or fall into the wrong hands. To that end, I send this summary of our efforts thus far. Details deemed too sensitive for writing have been removed, but I suspect you all have ways and means of learning more should you seek it. If not, then you are welcome to seek me, and I will use what time I have to answer you.

The War Council at present consists of, in particular order:

Zain al-Saiba, Logistics
Naelin Karstwen, Scouting
Bashir Khatara, Diplomacy
Aurelio d'Lyon, Champion
Mirielle Rosseau, Commander
Zol Nur, Magical Consultation and Divination
Sister Selsi, Support
Narwen Alendiel, Research and Culture

They, in turn, have chosen seconds who they can trust to sit on the Council when they cannot, to take up their duties should they fall in battle or be otherwise unable to see them through. As well as a cabinet, to aid them in their efforts.

In the south, things have been relatively quiet, which was strange. Before the battle of the Boundary, the orcs were reported to be rather disorganized, dispersed throughout the region and busy harrying the southern homesteads. We now know that Got Valdhazr has seemingly been a refuge to the militiamen on the run from Iakmes' forces. It is likely that the siege engines and war beasts that have been reported are harrying the Dwarven stronghold, their sworn foe. Breaking the siege will not be easy, but saving our allies must be a priority if we are to gain an upper hand over the orcs. All other pockets have resistance to Iakmes seem to have been fallen. Ash on the wind.

Most recently, an intelligence-gathering mission led by Scouting, with the assistance of the Astronomers of the Mount and the Sibylline Sisterhood journeyed into the ashen wastes to investigate what has been called the 'Goreheart'; the remains of the meteor called down on Red Hill. What provoked this operation was a suspicion that the orcs might be making use of it as a source for blood magick following the display we witnessed in Iakmes' fortress a month and a half ago. It was thought that the ritualistic blood-letting of hundreds of orcs as well as a dragon might be empowering the meteor somehow. That does not seem to be the case.

Scouting's report, in brief:

...There are no Orcs or Sibilant present near the impact site itself. Whatever control they have derived over it seems superficial, and unlikely they have any control in directing the storms. As such the chance they can effectively use it against us as a weapon in the upcoming war is rather small. The region instead is patrolled by the infected, bloody carcasses of Banda Rossan and Fourth Legion Janissaries. Rounding up flesh and life to be fed to the growing tumour of flesh.

There is a massive flesh shaped dome present where the meteor struck. Rather than a crater, fragmented or not, we found an opposite structure. It seems to be alive. And the things we fought, mere strands of hair of the same being...Arteries ran through it like mighty roots. Each time it pulsated with a beat of a heartbeat, we saw within it the structure of a tree. The same arteries ran through the sand itself, digging deep beneath the earth.

To approach this dome is to contract the blood plague. To take any definitive action against it may well be a suicide mission. Indeed, there was one casualty upon the group's return from the South, and it is only by the grace of the Mother that there were not more. I have no doubt that this vile monstrosity will be a problem eventually, but at the moment, it is a secondary concern compared to the orcs.

On the eastern front, very near to the Lover's Gap, the vanguard of Iakmes has sat immobile for some weeks now. I led an operation to destroy a bridge that has done much to prevent them from bringing to bear the war machines and siege engines they could use to harry the Well, and that is part of the delay, but we now suspect that the thousands of orcs gathered there await the arrival of one of Iakmes' generals. In the meantime, the orcs have taken to constructing a fortress in the middle of some abandoned ruins nearby, while the Fourth Legion maintains an uneasy forward camp against their number. These ruins have also been scouted out, and action will be taken to seize this fortress and establish our own foothold, if we can. It will not be easy, and I expect it will not be done without sustaining some losses.

Finally, on the matter of Kha'esh and the role their Great Serdar will ultimately play in relations to my own remains to be seen. At the conclusion of Kardesler we spoke briefly and made plans to meet to discuss the war at large. When I know more, so shall you. 

Lt. R. Colmes
Warmaster

[A follow-up is sent soon after.]

Had something of an epiphany that may grant you what you seek. Let's speak in person.

Lt. R. Colmes
Warmaster

Malik,

You're Selsi's second, but your current ban from the Krak prevents you from speaking to her within the Priory. You may not have initiated the conflict with Rosseau and La Banda Rossa, but it doesn't seem to be showing any signs of tapering off. Much strife sown. Tight twisted into itself.

The Warrior already sits upon the Stele, and the Council of War is represented by devout worshippers of the Wheel. I'm not convinced that an official title would empower you to do anything you're not already capable of.

Lt. R. Colmes
Warmaster 

[Tammuz 21 IY7787]

Scribe,

Please see attached.

Tammuz 21 IY7787

Operating under the authority of Legate Balstan Gloamingdaith the Sibylline Sisterhood departed to negotiate with Kha'esh. This was done because Kha'eshi demands were predominantly requests of the Sisterhood. Herein resides a report on the events that transpired produced at Legate request, disseminated to their offices and the War Council.

Participants:
1.) Seer Rebecca
2.) Sister Selsi
3.) Sister Amelie

Intended Offer:
Match to original offer with deviation in Depths passphrase term. Instead of providing the details we offered to escort the Vizier and those wise men of Kha'esh he seems pertinent to send on joint expeditions between our cities. This offer was confirmed by the Legate in advance.

Order of Events:
1.) The Sisterhood departs Ephia's Well.
2.) The Sisterhood arrives in the Kha'esh Caravanserai.
3.) An Invitation is extended.
4.) Vizier Azarmidohkt the Golden arrives.

Negotiations become complete at this point.
The discussion thereafter is transcribed regardless for the benefit of this report's recipients.

5.) It comes to pass that the Caravanserai is quiet, and we have peace to speak together.
6.) The Vizier asks for our offer. I begin to negotiate. It is provided.
7.) We speak together of power and guides.
8.) The Vizier laughs. We smile.
9.) We speak of getting lost in the dark. We speak of lights in the deep.
10.) The Vizier laughs. We smile.
11.) There is a disturbance from the Bellows in relation to the Assembly. The Vizier becomes privy to feuds and debate in Ephia's Well where its peoples scheme against one another and undermine these talks as they happen.
12.) We speak of snakes and knives driven into each other's backs.
13.) The Vizier laughs. We smile.
14.) The Vizier inquires what we desire.
15.) We tell him.
16.) The Vizier contemplates trying to take the passphrase by force.
17.) He does not.
18.) Estellise arrives.
19.) The discussion of snakes and knives resumes.
20.) I tell the Vizier what I see in the shadow of his eye.
21.) We speak of destiny.
22.) The Vizier does not laugh as much this time. We smile.
23.) Estellise joins us in friendship and is used as an important example of Ephian cooperation.
24.) We discuss briefly the logistics of descent and the nature of the groups that would comprise expeditions. A trap is dodged.

This will be a significant part of our negotiations with Kha'esh to come. We are agreed on the idea of joint expeditions between the Well and Kha'esh, but how exactly these will be assembled and who will be part of them is up in the air. There are likely to be far more than one, and it is likely the terms of our agreement (which we will have to fully settle as time goes) will require multiple trips together.

25.) Estellise expresses some concern.
26.) The discussion concludes.
27.) The Vizier indicates he will reply and then departs.
28.) We depart Kha'esh with Estellise.
29.) We deliver news of our successful work.

Kardesler, again.

By all rights I should not have been present for another one. If not for the hex of the Tonsured and the gaze of the Wroth, I likely would been in the trenches at Red Hill. And, I imagine, become part of the Goreheart after dying on the end of a lizard spear like so many of my brothers-in-arms. But no, that wasn't the plan the Wheel had for me. Instead I was to attend the second Kardesler in my memory, and perhaps the only Kardesler in history to welcome a slab of ox meat as one of the attendants.

I was expecting the worst after the Council meeting the night before. Ephia's Well being able to unite and stand together when it mattered most is the stuff of storybooks; Balladeer bullshit. But no one could have predicted the arrival of the dwarves, and the location of the southern holdfast revealed at last. Nor could anyone have predicted Kha'esh's demands to see a union formed. I let the canyon feeling a bit of lightness for a change. The idea that things might turn out to be alright for once.

Toss the ash. It will not last.

[A reply is checked for, and another letter resent if necessary...]

Hand's actually aching a bit from all the writing last night. Reports and reports and reports, and no end in sight. That is truly the work. It's not often I set aside the chip for a bit and just focus on paperwork, but from the sounds of things, it was the right call. Upside of all this nonsense is that it's served to pull the Legion together when five days ago in ways only a common enemy can. Reyer and Ashworth have buried the hatchet. Ashworth has seemed willing to put the matter with Azimi aside in light of bigger fish, so the old rapport has returned.

Now there is simply doing what I do best.

Nobody betrays you like a friend. Strange thing to be on the other side of that statement for a change.

I could see what my words were doing to him, even as I spoke them. Tearing down the myth, the miracle, the legend of Lieutenant-turned-Warmaster Colmes, a second at a time. But I couldn't stop myself. I'd like to think there is a perverse kind of joy in confession. Perhaps it's similar to stuffing yourself with sweets to the point of sickness. I will regret this, you might think to yourself at the time, but it's what I want right now and I won't be denied.

I told him about Zakar-- the messy, unvarnished truth, as well as the version we told the public and what came of it. I hadn't thought about Karath in months; so much so that I ended up reviewing what I had written so long ago and had to laugh at the irony of it.

No more Zakars. Bloodthirsty idiots who act without care for consequence.
No more Karaths. Too soft-hearted to focus on what matters.
No more Quentins. The fact that I can't be sure of what you did that gnome speaks volumes.

They'll be better--the ones that come after.

Who the fuck was I fooling?

In the end he decided to stay, because the alternative was painful for all involved to consider. I've put enough of my men in the ground, and I'm to blame for each and every one of them to some degree. If I didn't stick the dagger into their backs, then I put them in front of the ones who did. Ashworth's disillusionment is on me, too. I don't think we'll ever return to that same level of easy comfort we had developed in the last few weeks. I would mourn it, but that's not my particular patron. Instead, I'll add it to the list of transgressions.

There won't be a Magistrate Ashworth, just like there wasn't a Magistrate Amenya. You don't move up in this job without getting your hands dirty, without using secrets like knives. Without being a battering ram when it's called for. I had forgotten that, but maybe that's what growth is. Learning and re-learning the hard lessons until they stick.

When it was over-- when my mouth was dry and there was no more truth to tell-- he thanked me for the speech. He still believed that I was the only one who could take on this task, this role of Warmaster. He no longer believed he could play his own part, though. Like Bashir, this was a man who would go through the motions, until it broke him. And I, callous as ever, would do what was necessary until that happened.

Apothar Mendista. Shahlil. Bestworth. And of course, Teg.

I don't give those names the same amount of consideration I used to. I had largely put that part of my career behind me, but it all came rushing back the moment Oro came calling with Azimi in tow. Somehow, I had gone from suspecting the man who entertained Astronomers for drinks while discussing cases to being that man. And while that situation and this one are very different...there's more parallels than I care to believe. I let Daoud explain his reasoning to me-- and to his credit, he handled the situation with more grace than I did. I weighed the chances of a guilty verdict against that of a civil war...even as Ashworth must've been weighing the decision to quit in his own head. Just like I had.

Only he decided to speak the words I had swallowed. What does that say about us? I was ready to throw away my career over the death of some anonymous scumpicker in the Creep, because I didn't like the thought of letting the Astronomers get away with it. No, more-- I didn't like them feeling entitled to protection from us, even if it guaranteed their cooperation for a few more days, weeks, months. Until the next argument blew it up. Ashworth's ready to throw away his career because he wants "to right wrongs, and seek justice."

Was I ever so idealistic? No. I think Zakar knocked that part of me out of my head, and I'm lucky he didn't take my head off in the bargain. Whitworth wasn't about justice. Gallows and Merizad. Shadowbrook. Volandis. I wanted to hold them accountable for their actions, because I know that when I die, it's Urazzir who will hold me accountable for mine. I've never fooled myself into believing I could stay on the 'right side' of history, and never tried to. Reyer says he's dirtied his hands, and I believe him, because my hands are no better. It would be something of a requirement for rank, if it wasn't for Ashworth.

I have until the end of the day to try and dissuade him from the path I didn't take. To shatter his illusions about the work; hardly enviable work. If I fail, it will mean a court martial, to say nothing of the effect it will have on the rest of the men. On the war. If I succeed, it will mean... well, Teg and I found our way to a working relationship eventually. It should be possible for Ashworth and I to do so as well. But it will likely never be as it was.

That's worth mourning, but it's like I told Stern. You can ward off grief as you would the Wroth, and I don't have room to let that affect me right now. I can't.

Junior Scribe,

We will speak as soon as I am able.

Lt. R. Colmes
Warmaster

"Alejandro's practically half-Drink, Lieutenant."

I didn't need him to tell me that, really. I think that when it comes to addiction, like recognizes like to a certain degree. All his talk about not hesitating when that door opened, just leaping through without a second thought of the consequences, caution to the wind...that's not something you do if you treat your life like it has any value. Or perhaps that's too harsh. He's certainly in no hurry to die-- it's just that his life isn't as valuable as the knowledge he seeks.

There's where we're similar-- we both open doors. I just prefer the interrogation cell, a heaping helping of pressure, and my notebook at hand, while he prefers his sketchbook, songbook and dossiers. I cracked her open-- just for a second or two if that...but it was enough to know that I'm on the right track. Perhaps I'd feel worse about pressing the writer the way I did if he wasn't so blindly devoted to protecting them. Except he's really just protecting himself in the end. No Selsi means no more trips into the dark. No more high.

Part of me wants to blame her for this, for how conveniently it all fell into place after. The Tormented, striking for no reason I can fathom-- at me, specifically. Marcellus snatched away again, with only the Sisterhood to depend on for his rescue. That kind of conspiracy belongs in back-alley scribblings read by moonlight, but I can't help but wonder how much longer it would have taken to have gotten something of use out of him. And if I should return to the matter, how much longer it would take the Tormented to appear soon after.

Patience goes far in this profession, though. I can wait.

Times change. People change. But if you told me that I would be discussing politics with Stern and sharing a drink with Naelin and Aubrey without being compelled to, I would have called you crazy. But here we are.

No one betrays you quite like a friend, I told Naelin-- same thing Ellanher told me, so long ago. And I can recognize the intentions behind my own actions. I keep people at a distance for their benefit as well as mine, because if ever the work requires me to take action against them, I can't let sentiment slow me down. Last names. No drinks shared, only formalities exchanged. All to protect myself from feeling that sting-- again. Letting those walls down, even for a moment, feels like a mistake. Or it would be, if I was still just a Lieutenant. Warmaster requires a different train of thought.

[This message is delivered via Janissary on camelback-- not at great haste, but with great care to avoid the legions of orc between themselves and their destination]

Duck of the Boundary Men,

My name is Rennik Colmes, Warmaster of Ephia's Well and Lieutenant of the Fourth Legion in service to Al-Komayyad Sorazin Bey and his Benevolence Osman VI. You are familiar with Sergeant Samton Ashworth, who recently led a group of Ephians to offer you relief and support from the orc that besieged you, at great cost. I have been told you were awaiting word from me, and so I hope this brings you some cheer in the face of a mutual foe.

The Epicrasis may hold against the onslaught of ash, but the orc are another matter. How fare your supplies, your men? It is my intention to send a force of mercenaries south to reinforce your position, should it be needed. They are known as the Sukaitza Company, originally hailing from the Sea of Pearls. I will provide further updates when they are en route to you.

I also ask a favor of you. Our diplomats have not heard from Kha'esh in some time, and it is of paramount importance that we speak with the Emir, that we reach some measure of common ground against a common enemy, Iakmes. If you have any contacts that you can reach out to in service to this end, we would be grateful for it.

Endure. It will not be forever.

Lt. R. Colmes
Warmaster

Fergus Greaseglop,

As of the time of this letter, there have been two military operations carried out against the forces of Iakmes. Mirielle Rosseau has yet to take the field personally.

However, a vital difference between this war and our clash with the Sibilant at Red Hill is that fighting Iakmes will not end in one or two battles. This will be a protracted engagement, and for this reason, I have required each member of the War Council to gather a cabinet, in the event they are unable to carry out the duties of their role due to being called away elsewhere or falling in battle.

Sergeant Samton Ashworth is Rosseau's second, and led the command for the Battle of the Boundary. I suspect you are familiar with him in passing. I have no doubts that Rosseau will do her part in this war when the opportunity next arises.

There are no ceremonial positions on this Council. Everyone who has been selected will serve a purpose, and in so doing, serve Ephia's Well.

Thank you for your concern,

Lt. R. Colmes
Warmaster