To Fortinbras de Grocie, by will of the King and grace of Mithras Duke of Eastbourne, Lord of Kessel and Undaria, Count Clayfirth, Knight Grand Commander of the Order of King Roger, and Honored Father, Alain de Grocie, Knight of the Order of the Tower, Companion of Prince Edmund, and Dutiful Son, sendeth greeting and wisheth continual success to all thy desires.
My movements are most unfixed, yet belike I can be reached care of Tilliam Goldfellow of the city of Eaglesreache, or care of the Eastern Priory in Landsrue-towne. I have sealed this letter with two seals: one the personal seal you did gift me upon Fell Solstice these ten years past, and the other novel. Mark it well, for henceforth I shall use naught of the old, as I have given't to Keri, dwarf, First Sword of Clanghadin, and heir Endrafang, in sealing the alliance I shall disclose thee anon, in which there is much interest for the family. I trust this shall please thee presently.
I have had the sad news of Mother's death, may she dwell ever in the Blessed Light. And by Mithras, I am pleased to hear that thou hast that success which thou knowest all men do crave, save in thy bereavement. I wish that I were present, but duty and war forbid. No news have I of my siblings, but am most eager for it.
In my last, I did inform thee of dark suspicions regarding Fraubard's motives and monies: that he has taken the aid of Foreign Priests of Stygia, who do intend the uttermost destruction of our lands and folk. Little recent add I to these suspicions, though I do hear that he setteth himself against thee, and well I wist you know how to arm yourself against all such.
Yet I do inform thee for the most exacting use of your powers that others see the signs of Stygian warlike preparation, and take counsel against. Eaglesreach but recently stood off an assault by the powers of Night (Hobbgoblins, Elves most cruel and bloody, and some few dragons and demons). They are awakened to their peril, for the Python hath as much venom for them as we. They league with Mithras, against that which desireth our engulfment. To this they do commit their soldiers and wealth, forges and mines, and all else that becometh a strong people.
Of most immediate note to thee is that since Percy do stand against the Church, and they stand with it, they stand also against him, and for the Prince Regent.
The dwarves are a warlike folk, and I know not all the forces that they possess: certes much of their force will guard their own domains. Yet two powers they send to our aid, the which I joyfully inform thee of. One, a force of Wuntish archers, specially equipped and paid from the bottomless mines of Eaglesreach, shall muster, at the behest of Father Church, in Prince Edmund's service near Kesh-Necht, thence to join the Prince Regent wheresoever he be.
The other, being dwarven mercenaries from the Northern Highlands, shall make its way in secret, using hidden coves as I have arranged among the smugglers of the coast, to thee at the Family Seat. At my request, certifying that you fight for the Light, and Beltesheim, against the Serpent, shall they league with you gainst all uncleanly comers. They should be thither within some few weeks. Certes they will prove a blessing to thee in thy struggle. They are but poor horsemen, yet doughty foes afoot. I bear witness that the legends of their skill in siegecrafte have not grown in the telling.
Lastly, I tell thee I hold the ancient neutrality of the Church in the Great Game to be a thing untenable against the storm that approacheth. My task, in the coming days, be to rally the Church and all its Knights to their most ancient duty: the defense of the realm against fearful evil. In short days, thou and the Prince shall have, mayhap, the full and puissant aid of the Second Estate. But I shall not speak for all my brothers until I have disclosed unto them that which I know, and they shall have thought on't.
Anon for now: the day grows short and I have much to do. Know that my duty to you is ever in my thoughts, and may the good fortune of the Light attend you in all your days.
Alain