[Letter] To Legate Garen Linwood

[Bon]

Live and Drink, Legate Garen. With Emphasis on the live, today.

I have heard your announcement for an Assembly today.
Unfortunately I cannot make it. If I leave my room for more than half a bell my brother will get mad at me, and stress is bad for his health.
Apparently I "need to rest" after battling with The Beast. I think he just doesn't want to admit he wants to spend time with me.

I am glad to have heard your voice plain and true this day. I am glad you returned to us hale and strong. I wish to offer you some council.

Today you are likely to face questions that will try to undermine your position and challenge your ability to lead. You will need to be strong in the face of this all. You will need to reaffirm the people of Ephia's Well.

Do not give into despair. Do not give into their lies. Do not capitulate. You are Legate Garen Linwood of the Purple League. You did not take up this role in ideal circumstances. You did not go into the Assaru of your own will. You were forced into both these positions.

Your thanks for us is appreciated but I caution you that the thanks are now only worth what you can make of it. You are our Legate. You are a good man.

We need you to be headstrong and dedicated in the coming days. If I am correct in my memory the last delve ended with disaster, but that disaster had been brewing for two days as a result of another delve.

I advise you to prepare. Speak with La Banda Rossa about what they might be able to do to protect civilians in the event of another disaster. Speak to the Fourth about what they might be able to do to strike out and curtail the worst of the Tormented that might be brought up. Speak to the Sisterhood and the Tower to see how we might be able to seal our sands against them.

The best case scenario is that I'm wrong about this, but we should all fear what could happen if I'm not. Especially if we're unprepared.

I hope this missive is not too forthright. Know that I respect you and I am praying for your success, but it would be a grave error for me not to write my thoughts to you on this matter.

Keep well, Garen.

~ Student Kasu Ortiz, Bulwark of The Beast.

[Travburg]

[The letter is received and kept.]