by Treadwell » Wed Mar 11, 2015 6:02 am
Another buck passed?
A letter arrives at the Lady Warden's doorstep at about the same time as the Constable, sent by messenger from the Lord Steward. The runner gives the Constable a nod and a pleasant smile before stepping within to leave this note with one of the guards there, "For Lady Warden Verreaux, from Lord Steward Tread'ell. Says it's urgent and to be given to her 'mediately." Then, out he goes, tipping his cap to the Constable and scurrying away to inform the Lord Steward of its delivery.
The note, if read, contains the following in Aloisius Treadwell's usual poor penmanship:
= = = = =
My dear Lady Warden,
Greetings.
I do hope you know something of the beast in the woods that has delivered the people of Myrken Wood an ultimatum regarding their not going into the forest for harvest wood or animals on pain of death. If you do not, here is the bit of information that I have.
I have met with it myself as of a few nights ago. It fears me, to an extent, for reasons best undisclosed in this letter. It has made a few small concessions, altering its ways regarding the instant consumption of fat, rich, and greedy and instead letting them pass as others may. However, it refuses to see reason regarding aught else.
Our people here are in grave and serious danger. Catch is, for this once, not a madman at all in his recent public protestations from the Deck. I do not wish to start a riot in the town by announcing a ban, though temporary, on going into the forest; however, lives and livelihoods are at stake. I need to know whether the King's men, and thus your men, support the Wood against this concern, offering protection for this matter. Perhaps they might offer proper resolution to it, as well, though, given what I have seen and met, a frontal attack would be very ill-advised.
Do respond as quickly as you might.
This eleventh morning of the third month, 215,
Aloisius H. Treadwell
= = = = =
Of course, whether or not this letter receives proper attention before or after the Constable is seen, or even at all, is another matter.
"Looks like a table to me. Do you think it could hold up someone as bulbous as Treadwell?" -- Dr. Brennan, Myrken Wood Rememdium Edificium