Lord Alexander Archibald,

The Order had absolutely no role in planning the Spider attack within the Canal Ward. The traitor Semaj Lemalian commandeered half a dozen archaic animatrons and a prototype animatron from the Order in the week preceding his betrayal; then stole research from a former Agent Ramana upon the 'Substance', and eggs that Agent Ramana was raising within a portable incubator after Agent Ramana was murdered by House Montezzi.

Lord Pyotr Ignatiev and the traitor Lemalian either were attempting to overthrow Prince Rinaldo Montezzi, and implicating the Order in the process, or the Prince in fact knew about it, and staged his own act of War to justify a War with Upper Sanctuary. In the latter scenario, they underestimated the strength of their own tool, and the Prince was devoured.

While Commander Simms may in fact, be forced to take the blame for the spider, it would only be for the good of the city that he do so, so that our relations with the Shadow Tribe will not be severed. If he does, then do not be fooled. Lord Pyotr Ignatiev is demanding an apology as part of the reparations because he has absolutely no proof of the Order's involvement. Etorix is taking him entirely at face value, because the deception benefits the Great Shadow Death.

With this in mind, while I understand that your Chamberlain is overwrought with grief over the death of Lady Ravenlock, he must understand that we cannot give in to the demands of vermin such as 'Ghyrrt'. The Order, and Upper Sanctuary as a whole, must remain entirely united.

Given your Chamberlain's grief, I would ask that you not punish him for his lapse, but only to strongly suggest that he recant the notices that he was obviously compelled to put up in the first place by the goblin. I would be quite willing to discuss this matter in person with you or your Chamberlain, but at the moment, immediate action is required.

-Agent Isania of House Symbaern