A messenger-boy arrives at the Meetinghouse that morning with a sealed missive for Suede Roschen; "urgent," he says, "to be put directly into the hands of the Councilor."
Councilor Roschen, it reads,
I've been thinking about that little chat we had in the hallway a few nights ago, when you so ignominiously and disgustingly resorted to physical violence to make your message clear. You said that I believe things that people tell me far too readily; that I have believed the words of others too easily, and that I fell victim to this more than once. Now, mind you, since then I have had occasion to think solidly on these things.
So, as you may imagine, I wonder what to think of the man who came upon myself and my companion while leaving the Broken Dagger last night; the man who, upon learning my identity, whipped out two long knives, told me that 'Roschen sends his regards,' and attempted to kill me. I wonder what to believe.
Of course, we also discussed your extraordinary capacity to lie when the occasion suits you that night, as well; so. Whether you were behind the attempt or not, I will never truly know; the onus is on me, is it not, to weigh the different sides of the story, tease out the hidden meanings, and make my decision.
This is the second time this week I have been at the mercy of someone who wants to kill me, and I do not think I shall give my opponents the gratification they desire and thus will not leave the house until my guard recovers from her ailments, or without being in the company of other protection. Personally, I am rather glad the assassin did not succeed.
Are you?
Do not test me, Roschen.
Sincerely,
Coriolanus Helstone
Funny how the manner of his escape from this certain stabbing death is conveniently left out of the letter, is it not?