Sir Dungal,

There is a rift between myself and many of your men, yourself included, fortunately my Lord has bid me to avoid animosity where possible and seek to cooperate with your men.

Concerning this Wereguild; Sir Eristhenes is an Aspirant of your Order and he had joined us when we were offering funeral rites to the slain of Lower, as well as burning the corpses to stop the spread of disease. I understand immolation is how corpses are handled in this city and I saw nothing wrong with the act, only a few of the more radical citizens spoke out against us, all of them spouting lies of our intent.

Regardless, we were beset upon by a Brigand who attacked our ranks as a coward would, from hiding and invisibility. Sir Eristhenes used this opportunity to use a device of confusion on our numbers, something he had likely warded himself from in advance as he was not affected. He immediately attacked Sargeant Marshall before I turned to chase him off as I was currently pursing the brigand. Marten and I then met him infront of the once Fortress of the mercenaries and he was nothing but coherent. We met steel and I bested him. He was slain infront of that fortress before countless witnesses, bystanders and funeral goers alike.

I do not know what has made you think your Aspirant is faultless for his actions. He attacked our party in a fashion most cowardly and was slain like a brigand for it. I did not take kindly to Sir Melrick barging into the Watch-house and insulting me without any provocation, let alone failing to beg my forgiveness after seeing he was mistaken in my part towards Eristhene's death. Either Sir Melrick has spared you a story of Eristhenes that was filled with half truthes and led you to believe the orc blood was at no fault. Or either you are seeking to cover up the stain this traitor has put upon your House's name.

Regardless, I care not to be demanded such fines for the death of a criminal and orc blood who would have slain Sargeant Marshall if not myself. If you will not take my word, then perhaps you should ask the folk who admire you so and ask their truth of the encounter. The fact you refuse to take my word after numerous men back it is further an insult to myself. I am half tempted to demand satisfaction for the slights you and your men have shown me, but after seeing Sir Melrick's retreat from such a demand I think I may only see the same from you. Fortunately, you are above such men.

I urge you to rethink your actions.

Signed,

Sir Mormont Baelister, Captain of the Archibald Guard

At issue Sir Baelister is the action of the Watch itself which caused these brigands to attack in the first place. The Watch has no business in Lower Sanctuary. They had no directive from the Council or the Mayor to enter Lower Sanctuary to burn corpses, nor did they have the good will of the people.

There are various accounts of the Aspirant's death. One account mentions a wizard targetting a spell at the Aspirant just before a brigand attacked you. Another version does not mention the wizard at all. A third version mentions the Aspirant attacking first, and brigands joining in on the assault.

Regardless of what happened, the Aspirant's motives are unknown precisely because he was killed rather than captured. Even if he attacked anyone there, he attacked citizens with no authority to be burning corpses on the streets, and the intent to kill can not be fathomed.

It is the situation that had he lived must have been resolved by a duel. You sadly are quite unaware of how the Watch has been aligning itself in direct opposition to Sir Alexander and myself in recent weeks. What you saw as an attempt to dispose of corpses, the Watch was using as a power push into Lower Sanctuary that did infact result in the very violence that caused them to be forbidden to conduct any operations there according to a letter from Sergeant Durris.

In written testimony, I have statements from Marshall herself that the Aspirant's actions were strange, unusual, and against his character. Yet he was slain before anyone could learn why. If he was compelled by magic to act against his nature, his death was a grave tragedy. If Marshall purposefully sought his death for political gain on behalf of the Watch; which I have reason to believe--then you are being used. If the Aspirant's intentions were murder of his own free will, no one will mourn his death.

Yet many aspects of this situation are unresolved, and appear highly suspicious; including letters from Marshall accusing me of ordering the Aspirant to kill her. I have had men at my estate watch Marshall leave behind letters threatening violence against my men on behalf of your Lord even. Indeed, I shall include a copy of the letter for you to deliver to him.

Do not be fooled into joining the Watch's attempt to drive a wedge between nobles such as Alexander and myself. If you desire to duel one of my men, and they refused--it is natural to appeal to their master to arbitrate and not to continue to insult their honor. You have engaged in a great deal of name calling, insulting, and arrogant beratement of my House, its goals, and its men. Your actions must prove you are worthy dueling, and if Sir Melrick erred in refusing you a worthy duel-I will see to it that you have satisfaction that you deserve.

In Regards,

Sir Dungal

Post Script: This is the note that Sir Casimir witnessed Marshall dropping outside my cousin's estate. Her intention in doing so is obvious and blunt handed. Her motives in Lower Sanctuary were far more subtle. Her arrest of my Knights in the election booth at behest of Akevitt Anvilsmasher were even more blatantly political. Perhaps now you can understand the necessity of my position.

[A copy of the first two missives are forwarded to Sir Alexander]

Sir Dungal,

I can speak right now and assure you that the orc-blood is the one who triggered the confusion and sought to attack Sargeant Marshall.

While it is true Marten and I only subdued him, it was Marshall who put an arrow into his heart from invisibility. I was not the one who slew him, though I am the one who put him in such a position.

I am unsure what to make of this note that is from Marshall, it has been forwarded to Sir Alexander. It seems most unbecoming of a Sargeant to do such a thing, especially for one to do so in uniform and in plain sight. I will consider this however.

Regardless. Eristhenes acted as a brigand and I stopped him in his tracks, I will not pay for doing so, and I will not tolerate demands asking for me to do so.

Lastly. I have found Sir Melrick's actions most unbecoming of a sworn man, I have kept my words of your House down to a minimum if not nonexistant. I am not in the place of seeking to slander Noble-born men in public. My words with Sir Melrick have been insulting at times, though it was he who sought to sow discord, not myself. I do not think I need any to say that I am a fair and honest man. Sir Melrick has wronged me countless times and refused my challenge. Rather than announce his cowardice publicly and stain your House I will appeal to you to reprimand the man, or remind him of what makes a Knight.

Signed.

Sir Mormont

Cousin,

I regret the troubles that have recently come between ourselves. As you have known, since the first time we met, I hold a great respect for you. We have dueled honorably, and I find that such a thing creates a strong bond. Our goals are very much in line, and our blood holds us closer still. It pains me to see that the people of this town wish so much to force us apart.

As I understand it, my Captain has had recent troubles with one of your own men. While I admit to the fact my Captain can at times be prickly, I must assert that Sir Melrick did indeed play his own part in the altercation. However, such a minor thing as a disagreeance between these two must not create even the beginning of a rift.

I wish to speak with you soon, on how we can keep our relations strong, in the face of so many forces that would push us apart. Not least of all being this note. I am very pleased to know that you recognized it for false right away.

Sir Alexander

In lieu of wereguild then Sir Baelister, all I ask is your written statement that you subdued the Aspirant, and that Marshall slew him with an arrow to the heart as she came out of invisibility *after* you subdued the half orc.

As for Sir Melrick, as you challenged him and I see no reason to forbid an honorable duel I shall have him name the terms to see this is settled. I will require the statement in advance, should the terms of Sir Melrick's duel leave you incapable of writing one.

In Regards,

Sir Dungal

________________

Sir Alexander,

I shall always be pleased to meet with you.

Sir Dungal

Sir Dungal,

I fight only as men do. A test of steel, no more. No potions, wands, trickery or hidden devices. This is how a man shows his mettle, not by how much coin a man hoards or spends away on the trinkets of wizards. I doubt a Knight would have any qualms with such an honorable duel, but I sought to make a clear.

---

I had subdued Aspirant Eristhenes and Marten had disarmed him of his hammer when the Sergeant slew him with an arrow out of invisibility.

Signed,

Sir Mormont Baelister

Sir Baelister,

You are to be commended openly for your victory in the duel which has established fully to me your sense of honor and strength; coupled with your handling of the children. You are an asset to your Lord.

In Regards,

Sir Dungal

[The letter is received]

Sir Baelister,

A final set of questions on this matter, were there any other "brigands" present when you had subdued the aspirant? Any reason that an extra five seconds could not have passed to use the wands all guards carry to arrest and transport his subdued body to the jail? Did Miss Marshall as the leader of this group inform you that this was a Watch mission and was she in uniform?

All of your aid in this has been extremely helpful to Sir Archibald and myself.

In Regards,

Sir Dungal Toboerski Grand Magistrate of the Toboerski Knights Councilor

*editted a few typos*

[Mormont finds the letter under a pile of others]

Sir Dungal,

There was a Brigand present before the combat, but he had fled. He could have returned to attack however. Sergeant Marshall never made any claim to be leading the party, though she was in uniform. The action was something organised by myself on behalf of House Archibald and Marten on behalf of Lord Levine.

Captain Baelister