With the opening of the roads into Myrken Wood comes the long-anticipated shipments of food, heavy wagons pulled by plodding teams of oxen and draught-horses, laden with sacks of grain and hogsheads of wine and beer, tall earthenware jars of oil from the South, wheels of cheese and barrels of salted meat. Enough to relieve the winter's famine, a procession of hooves and wheels grinding steadily north towards Myrkentown.
The first caravan to cross the Sagpa river sends a messenger out ahead, a young man on a fleet horse which, before long, is tied to the porch rail of the Broken Dagger as its rider hurries into the tavern and up the stairs, as his orders instruct. There he stands to attention before a certain door, a click of heels and brisk bow of his head to the stout dwarf who serves as doorkeeper and more.
"I bear an urgent message for the Lady Egris."
A letter, sealed with a crest, addressed to the lady by name. His message delivered, the courier soon departs.
My Lady Egris Verreaux,
With my kindest regards I hope that the Myrken winter has not been too unkind and knowing from all accounts that the land is not a pleasant nor a civilised one, I trust that its people have shown you all appropriate hospitality.
Though we have not met, I have had your name recommended to me as a citizen loyal to the Crown with whom I would be most well-advised to speak. I am by the King's grace Baron Almeric Surdemer, and I have the honour of serving as Colonel to His Majesty's 28th Regiment of Foot. I appreciate that this missive may come as a surprise to you, but assure you that though unexpected I bring news entirely to your benefit.
Given recent events elsewhere in the Peninsula - of which you may or may not already be aware - my Regiment's orders are to march North to support the recapture of the Principality of Derry from the renegade Duke Burel. Given that Myrken Wood lies on our route it seemed prudent to accompany the first convoy and ensure its safe arrival - hunger leads to desperation, and it would be unfortunate to lose such necessary goods to bandits or the like.
As agreed with your previous correspondent, your shipments of food and supplies have been placed at the head of the traffic seeking to travel into Myrken Wood. This arrangement remains unchanged, and will undoubtedly earn you considerable favour from the locals. As I write the first wagons have crossed the border and will likely be with you by the middle of the day. I will be riding ahead of them, and - roads permitting - expect to arrive at the Broken Dagger tavern within two hours of your receipt of this message. If it please you I would request a meeting to arrange the safe and efficient delivery of the convoy into your care for distribution to the local populace. At the same time there are also other incidental matters which I understand would be of some interest to you and your ambitions.
Your servant,
Almeric, Baron Surdemer