Falan Isham Huntington, the young ward of the Lord of Aldred, and his two guards -- Adlem and Hubert -- would have quite the ride today. For there were messages to be delivered, one to the Governor and one to the Captain of the Brotherhood. Falan and his guards were given heavy wool cloaks to fend off the cold, of course -- despite the sun being out, the wind still had the freezing bite of the North.
First they went by the Governor's office.
To His Honour Coriolanus Helstone, the Governor of Myrken Wood:
Verily, it is past time; I should like to meet my fellow Councilors. Simply inform me of the precise date and time we shall meet and I will be there. Too, I have a matter I wish to discuss; but I will reserve it for the hearing.
Consider also the matter of the Brotherhood's coffers resolved, Governor.
Ever at your service,
[indent]Aston J. Aldred
Lord of Aldred, Councilor of Defence & Civil Security[/indent]
Then, on to the barracks, where they requested a brief audience with the Captain.
To the Captain of the Brotherhood of Janeiro, Aeryn Karolinger:
Hail to you, Captain, and to your men! While we have not yet met, I assure you we will be introduced at the upcoming hearing.
As the new Councilor of Defence and Civil Security -- but more importantly, as a citizen of Myrken Wood -- I was grieved indeed to hear from the Governor about the Brotherhood's coffers being lacking in sufficient monies. I apologize for the oversight on my behalf, though I would be more inclined to call it ignorance -- verily, I was not aware of the state of affairs, and was told by the Governor I will be informed of a great deal, and soon rather than late. It shall not happen again.
However, to assuage any feelings and with the hope that it will be an amount sufficient enough to provide for the Brotherhood, I have ordered the following to be delivered from my personal coffers to the barracks under guard and care of two hundred of my best men:
- [i]250,000 shillings, for the upkeep of the barracks and its men -- food, clothing, and equipment especially;
- and an additional 500,000 shillings, to recompense for previous lack of pay and to establish a foundation for the coming months.
I believe this will be enough for now, Captain, but do inform me with all haste should the Brotherhood require emergency funds. Unfortunately this sort of charity on my behalf may be limited, as I do have estates and a family of my own to care for; but I will speak with Councilor Treadwell and see to it that the Brotherhood is never again without.
Ever at your service,
[indent]Aston J. Aldred
Lord of Aldred, Councilor of Defence & Civil Security[/indent][/i]
Soon after the Captain read the letter, a number of covered carts and horsemen clad in the blue-and-gold of Aldred would arrive at the barracks' gates bearing exactly what the Councilor said they would: money; and a
lot of it.