Ruital ibn-Kharim

[Faith Is My Shield]

To Ruital ibn-Kharim,

Attached with this missive is the response I received from the Scribes of the Sublime Garden referring to your inquiry regarding public access to the rooftop of the League of Gold's building. I am satisfied it sufficiently answers your question enough that you may proceed with creating the memorial for Hakem Khalid al-Hayim.

With the Mother's Mercy,
Legate Faith Kruehtzer

Legate

The roof of the building owned and operated by the League of Gold is generally permitted to be used as a public area for congregation and construction. However the League of Gold reserves the right to remove or request the removal of any addition to the area they deem unsuitable, improper, or otherwise unwelcome.

They are historically quite accommodating in this matter, especially on matters of faith, and have on occasion offered assurances against their objections for charitable compensation when the construction might otherwise be a point of concern.

- Deputy Chief Scribe al-Samar

[Random_White_Guy]

Both written letters are collected. Outside the Office of the Legate, a finely pressed envelope is left and in a well trained caligraphy is the name written upon it - Legate Faith Kruehtzer. Sealed with a small wax sigil pressed by a Familial Seal.

Legate Faith,

You have my deepest gratitude for your swiftness, despite your busy schedule and numerous duties. To balance the accord, to balance the leagues, to balance Baz'eel, to balance the Refugee, and still find time to honor your promise that you would look into this matter is wholly appreciated. It would have been all too easy to be swept away in the edutu like tide of briefings, demands, and more of your time. That you would so further write personal correspondence of such a testament to your sincerity.

I would bid you feel free to write me at any time. Growing up upon my Father's caravans dotting the desert, it was always a highlight of the week when courier would arrive with correspondence. Bellows are made, even in Baz'eel upon the silver ear, with such theatrics. In person meetings can feel so obligatory and mired in the trappings of protocol.

A letter though, the Written Word of Izdu, it is a reminder of both civilization and the most direct look into the thoughts and feelings of another. The most robust and poetic means by which two may communicate.

So I would begin, our continued correspondence if you deem it permissible, with inquiry. Had you not taken the path of Prelate, and found your self as Legate, what would it be you would like to find yourself doing among Ephia's Well? If you chose the alternate path.

Riutal ibn-Kharim

[Faith Is My Shield]

To Ruital ibn-Kharim,

I would be a Layhammer of the Merciful Mother, as I was before I inherited this position, as I was before given the duty of Prelate before that, as I am still now--even if such has been overshadowed by my new responsibilities. I know no other life and any other possibility for me would be guesses and nothing more.

Ever since I was able to carry shield and hammer it has been what I am, despite the worries of the Waterbearers who raised me. I was sent to Ephia's Well by one such Waterbearer. She bestowed upon me a pilgrimage from her deathbed. I do not know what purpose she saw for me. I arrived in the middle of the orc war, so I assumed to die fighting in it was my destiny.

Obviously such has not happened. And so when opportunity comes upon me, I could only grasp at it with hands guided with what I do know of what I am.

With the Mother's Mercy,
Legate Faith Kruehtzer

[Random_White_Guy]

Legate,

That your zeal as true as your name is a credit. I confess, while Izdu grasps me firm, it was my eldest brother who was ordained. As a Musafir he made his way far and wide much to my Father's absolute delight. In Baz'eel there are four main traditional paths one may walk to truly find their place in higher society. And in service of the Spokes there is no higher calling.

That you found your way to Civil Service though is indeed one of the most charitable, selfless, and awe-inspiring actions one can take. To bear the brunt on the shoulder. To sit in the position to gaze down and evaluate. It is the steering nexus of the Airship of Civilization.

While I know you have disdain for the work undertaken of the current carnival, what of my other business? Is there anything you require from the market? A piece for yourself? For a friend? Some decoration for your office?

Spokes know the cavalcade of meetings prevents you from simpler errand.

Ruital ibn-Kharim

[Faith Is My Shield]

To Ruital ibn-Kharim,

I indeed have nothing but good things to say of your merchanting. The Ashen Conclave is a respectable organization and I am sure you will find success working with them.

As for pieces I am seeking, I am still in need of a cloak, a pair of boots, and a pair of gloves that can augment my wisdom, intellect, and force of personality (preferably in that order). My new position has left me with few chances to browse the market. Should you come across items such as these, I would gladly pay a premium for them in recognition of your consideration.

With the Mother's Mercy,
Legate Faith Kruehtzer

[Random_White_Guy]

Legate Faith,

Regrettably those are hot commodities in the Well, but I've no doubt in due time some might cross my path. I'll keep my eye out for such in the future regardless of my conclusion of my consultation with the Ashen Conclave.

As my contract is amicably concluded, do feel free to reach out if need is had. For Business or Social matters. Though I am certain given your recent rise you've ample aides and those who lend to your works.

Ruital ibn-Kharim

[Random_White_Guy]

Legate Faith,

I understand well your business as Legate does not cease, why I did not infringe upon your business last eve with Legate Lhyrain. I equally understand the pressures and prodding of the works as a candidate of The Grand Experiment. Add to that the additional duties of pressure from The Royal Seal, and. Well. Demanding some of your time just feels impudent at that point.

To that end I've decided to return to our previous efforts of Correspondence. You need not overly tax yourself in swiftness of response. But as selected and symbolic leader of the Purple as head of Governance I extend both declaration and invitation.

Of Declaration I have been requested to after election join the League of Purple. While this means a many of things in the long term, in the short term it leaves me with a number of balanced considerations and opportunities to weigh in terms of invitations delivered to me.

First Invitation

The first I have received is to continue as I have but as a Citizen of Baz'eel and Son of the Caliphate with a vested interest in the Purple League's proliferation. A mixture of focus upon my business efforts and furthered ventures. The means to perform such free of the scrutiny that other positions holds certainly has a natural appeal.

[close]

Second Invitation

Of Second Invitation, to begin considering the possibility of a political aspiration. While I confess I hold no shortage of reticence in the notion of offering such a degree of charity as Civil Duty, the invitation came from an unexpected source and does hold some merit of consideration. Though it would take at minimum a month or longer to get my affairs in order before I even consider such a pursuit.

[close]

Third Invitation

Of Third Invitation I have been invited by interested parties, Sergeant Hanson among them, to consider Officer's Commission within the Sultan's Fourth Legion. Given my ties to Baz'eel and my talents it would be far from a Soldier's patrol that I am assigned but it could lend considerably to both Baz'eel's efforts and the Purple League's aspirations. Though I am loathe to follow in my sister's footsteps among the Sultan's Legions there is both merit and demerit to the consideration.

[close]

As we have ever shared a degree of frankness in affairs, I wished to see you read in on these matters as I weigh each of them with a severity. It leads to a number of differing trajectories all of which shall one way or another influence affair between us. Given your current position and symbolic presence I would welcome your input as defacto leader of the League Of Purple.

Weigh matters, speak with those whom you trust the counsel of, and similar.

Of the third invitation it shall likely be a few weeks before matters are prepared for me to accept such if it is my path to come. Of the Second Invitation it would likely out of courtesy, respect, and other matters be late Tesrin Hray, or an entire election cyle from now, before I begin in earnest. Of the first Invitation I have already begun but in the coming days matters will be escalating accordingly.

When schedule allows for a meeting do feel free to reach out for such arrangements. Or as ever I welcome correspondence of your thoughts.

Ruital ibn-Kharim

[Faith Is My Shield]

To Ruital ibn-Kharim,

I do not know how I can answer this and choose your path for you. While we have shared lengthy conversations as times, that you have so easily and swiftly shifted from one focus and goal to another leaves me with the impression I do not know you as well as you think I do.

Does the League of Purple need more participants to endorse and promote our agenda? Yes. Should those people be dedicated, patient, and capable of focusing on a goal months and years in the future? Also yes.

Does the Legion need more Soldiers to puzzle mysteries and solve crime? Yes. But climbing the ranks of the Legion is a slow and arduous process requiring a great investment of one's time and focus.

It seems to me the questions you should be asking should go deeper than merely what to do.

We Hold What Is Poured,
Legate Faith Kruehtzer

[Random_White_Guy]

Legate,
I can tell you with earnest sincerity I won't be returning to the White League and the Gold League's false hope of independence from Baz'eel is not something I can ethically endorse. Similar to our discussion on the Voiced. Dinar does not an active citizen make.

Of your chief concerns though, specifically the quickly shifted focus which you have already commented on a few times. Your "Debate Quip" was amusing, and would have struck home if not for the fact that I am a consultant by trade. Akin not so different than the Refugee Mercenary. I would say consider it as such:

The Government has offered to pay La Banda Rossa 8,000 dinar for their works to Ramieton. An entire Company. Over a Month. I've made that much dinar in a day and a half in Ephia. What would I do for the other 28 and a half days? Twiddle my thumbs?

My time in the Scribes? With an assessment for the Deputy Chief Scribe of current promising scribes, current potentially threatened scribes, and much like your and mine frank discussion an assessment of yourself? I did the same for her ranks in preparation for the raising feud with Legate Vellyn. After the Legate's atrocious display before yourself, Qari, I, and the Deputy Chief Scribe in the Garrison it seemed prudent to help her shore up her ranks. A sixty minute conversation netted me a thousand dinar, scribal wages covered petty-cash while I interviewed her employees over the two days. Even that I am told my presence was a strain given the "Budgetary Dilemmas" brought forth and current abeyance.

If I billed everyone in Ephia's Well I did business with the same as I did the Deputy Chief Scribe, herself a robust success? My business would be nowhere. Enmur I gave a steep discount on my services in exchange for collateral, but even he does not have the liquidity to retain my services for an extended period of time at his Trade Hall. It was eating into both his profits and his rent, to retain my services, so I found workable replacement more aligned to his budgetary concerns.

Even Student Vaskr, who I shall be representing at Trial, he had to invoke his Cinquefoil Allies to cover and supplement his debt as he too impoverished to hire me as Advocate.

I do not draft this to brag, the opposite. I find it both a nuisance and frustration that I must cut my value and cut one or two day contracts. Because impoverishing the Refugee is not a sign of success by my metrics.

So I intend in the coming weeks to begin a shift away from Consultant work towards more.  My offer for you to weigh matters was moreso a courtesy to your station, that you might offer your input as I shall be moving into your Home. To help you prevent being caught off guard and to begin dialogue if there was anything you believed needed.

I thank you for your insights however on both the Legion and League.

A rude neighbor I would be to simply move into the League of Purple and begin reshaping matters without your consideration as currently sitting Legate of said league.

Ruital ibn-Kharim

[Faith Is My Shield]

Ruital ibn-Kharim,

Seek me should I retain my seat.

-LFK

[Random_White_Guy]

Legate Faith,
I have spoken to Garen about your request that we meet tomorrow. He has inquired who he thinks his Prelate should be. I informed him that per article P5 it is often Nasreen who finds such a posting but given that she is somewhat aloof it would leave him in a position on the back heel.

I informed him it would depend upon what kind of Legate he wished to be. As after all some delegate, some are more hands on, and it would be entirely of his choosing how he intends to orchestrate his cabinet.

I hadn't expected him to make the inquiry of myself, asking if I would be Prelate. However I did explain to him my three invitations and some of what we had spoke of.

The poor man still in shock, finds himself with a litany of individuals already swarming over him. Vizier Aurelio, Nadiri Keter, Sergeant Hanson, and more. I do hope you have been able to at least in part prepare him for what is to come. Though you do indeed seem a woman to do her due diligence, a soldier through and through.

It is a silly thing, taking up quill this evening. I have spent most of the night at Elossis with Qaylan hooked in my cheek puffing and thinking and puffing. She was kind enough to offer me some relief while my suit was being laundered. So much blood to be removed. You were quite... hardy and juicy.

I have seen many people killed in my time. Part of life in the Great Ash.

As the first person I met in coming to Customs though, there is a degree of... Well. As we spoke, familiarity. You made mention you did not know me as deeply as I thought you did. But in our few conversations in your Office it was a degree more frank than most I've met with. Such is the luxury of power, and station, and the respect owed to any who sit behind that Seal. To such individuals you reveal more of yourself to. Partly of propriety. Partly of awe. Partly of presentation.

Your words though, they ring still.

"Does the League of Purple need more participants to endorse and promote our agenda? Yes. Should those people be dedicated, patient, and capable of focusing on a goal months and years in the future? Also yes.

Does the Legion need more Soldiers to puzzle mysteries and solve crime? Yes. But climbing the ranks of the Legion is a slow and arduous process requiring a great investment of one's time and focus."

Not a poor thing, to remind peoples.  We shall see what tomorrow holds.

And so half stone-folked on Mizzar, progressively more drunk on wine, a fitting tribute to a woman who found herself thrust into an unorthodox position. A soldier, a Commander, and a Prelate. Risen yet further still as Legate in service of the Glorious Sultan. Much as you, your predecessor need not win an election. Nothing is set in stone but much has been cast already. Time shall tell.

But a mark you have certainly left.

And you died fighting. Which is more than most Soldiers may claim.

And you did so protecting a Citizen of Baz'eel.

For that one always finds special place with the Mother.

Ruital ibn-Kharim

Rather than being sent, while the Legate's last two missives are preserved, this final missive is burned