The first few lines of this letter are in Dwarvish, obviously written by a scribe with some talent in calligraphy.
Sir Rydetalin Tethamagrion daraChinstal Clay
Lord of Belegost in Bundeshathor
My lord,
Matriarch Ra'oun of Clan Indrafang sends you greetings and hopes that you and your family are in good health and spirits. I write to ask for your assistance in an important affair concerning King Belegosturian. Lord Keri Indrafang, First Sword of Clangeddin, has requested of the king certain troops for the defense of Eagles Reach, and I ask as a lifetime favor that you lend your voice to Lord Indrafang in this matter.
Matriarch Ra'oun of Clan Indrafang
Here the letter continues in the common speech of Landsrue, written in Mariam's careful hand.
Dear Ryde,
Maef tells me that he has put what is necessary above. My dwarvish is not very good yet so I hope it is alright. Eagles Reach is in danger because of what is here, and they need as many warriors as the king can send them. Maef says that a lifetime favor is something I can only ask for once, and that it is the kind of thing you ask a close friend or your lord. Please do this for me, Ryde. Eagles Reach needs to be defended. If it falls, it will be that much harder to preserve what is left of the magical defenses that were set up a thousand years ago. The time has come to tell our close allies everything. King Belegosturian must understand what is in danger of being lost. You are one of the few who knows what horrors are in store for all of us if the Python and his servants have their way.
You used to tell me of your adventures before you were cursed. Remember the Captain, and how many things were lost when he died? We are trying to find them again. So far we have two, and some information on a third, but we have lost one to the enemy. It was taken during the dragon raid that Alain told you about. And Ryde, I am sorry to have to tell you that something else was taken then too. Dag swallowed one part, but the other is on its way back to its master, if it is not already there.
However, it is not all bad news. The Axe has returned, and its bearer is none other than the mage Moreau who travels with us. He goes by Murrin now, and I think he will grow into his position as time passes. He already looks shorter.
I am sorry I have not written since we left. We have been traveling the entire time since then. Alain tells me he has already told you of Ash's death. I still miss him very much. He was a real elf, like the tales tell, with courtesy and power and something high and mighty behind it all. Most elves I meet have lost that. They are proud and haughty and so full of how grand they are that their true grandness has been lost.
New companions have joined us since Ash's death. Laughing Bear, a tribesman from the lands north of Bundeshathor, is a warrior shaman covered with tattoos that are actually spells. Matthew is from Wundt, and he wields the dragonbone bow that once belonged to Ash. Lynnet is a very young noblewoman who disguises herself in boy's clothes and travels as a sellsword. They are all good companions, though I am sure we seem a strange band to those who meet us.
You may have heard that I am married to Keri Indrafang, First Sword of Clangeddin. I am now a Matriarch, though I do not think I have quite got the hang of it. It is all because I looked at something I should not have, and incurred an obligation with the Indrafangs that could never be repaid. I still do not understand all of it, but Keri decided that the best way to fix things was to marry me and keep the obligation in the family. He knew of your marriage to Gillian, and I am guessing that he was under some pressure to marry already. Marrying a human woman (they do not count, right Ryde?) would satisfy the obligation, keep other Matriarchs from matchmaking, and secure an alliance with a mage who had drunk earthblood (did Alain tell you Moreau had done that?). It is embarassing to write this but I am sure he also thought that I would give him many children, maybe even some girls. I have overheard other dwarfs say that it is also because humans do not live very long, especially ones who go on adventures. But I do not think Keri thinks that way, and I think he is happy with his end of the bargain.
I am blushing now, so no more of that. I wish I had paid more attention when I was at Belegost, and talked more with Gillian. But as old man Dor used to say back in Standridge, "Done bun can not be undone."
Has the baby come? Please write and let me know all about it. I hope Gillian and the baby are both doing well and that you are happy in your home after being so long away. We did pay you a visit, but I doubt you knew of it. Through a magical gateway, we came into the tomb of one that I will not name here, but the door was sealed and we could not leave. After several unsuccessful attempts to dig a passage out, we went back the way we came.
Please give Gillian and the children my love, and remember me to everyone there. I hope we meet again soon.
Love,
Mariam