Messages

Balladeer,

There are few in the Well who have given the matter of Arslan more thought than I have, or can speak to the necessity of its liberation.

That said, the events of the day have likely changed some
circumstances- some for the better, others for worse. It's a discussion better had in person.

Lt. R. Colmes

[A note is left in the sand, not far from the confrontation in mind.]

You took your swing, though, didn't you? Came back for it, and under the eye of the Wroth, seems fortune wasn't on your side. Otherwise you'd have your ten thousand dinar.

I've seen the means to call down storms before. In the hands of another wildwalker who wore a face of Ash. You'll forgive me if the evidence speaks louder than your own words. Or you won't, but unless you're keen on coming in to share your side of the story, I can live with that.

But that you sent this at all suggests that you're interested in being heard, in being more than the farmer's tool they've made you out to be. You know-- for a fact-- that you'll be no closer to getting what you claim to be after so long as you're exiled from the Well. The people who can help you get what you want are all inside the Well, and the only avenue you have towards achieving your goal is to come clean. 'Stagnant water does not quench thirst or cleanse wounds. Bring the truth to light.'

Turn yourself in to the Fourth. Expose the corruption you speak of with your testimony, and you'll be heard.

I'd like to be surprised for a change.

Lt. R. Colmes

[A sealed missive smudged with ash]

//PMed

'Toil in recording horrible truth.'

I can't put this one to parchment, though. I'd gotten used to giving the men work, carrying out that work, but it's all so small in comparison. Petty crimes committed by pettier people with no real inkling of how they can cover it up, versus these fucking

Marishyen

Who calls those bastards to task? Who pulls the puppeteer out from behind the curtain and demands compensation for the shit they've been sold? How do you put a ghost on trial?



The work. The work is absolutely going to get me killed. But that's the work. And it's going to get done.

This should be good.

Colmes

Prelate,

What I've heard of you since our conversation is enough to warrant another. More than a few questions that require an answer from you specifically, regardless of wherever the primaries leave you.

I'll seek you out.

Lt. R. Colmes

Aubrey,

Some old business has come up, and there isn't too many left in the Well I can trust to speak on it period, much less speak on it honestly. Need a word.

Lt. R. Colmes

Nor's been absent for a while, and I know who's to blame for it. Fucking Teg.

This isn't even something I can properly blame myself for. Never liked the man, but at least I have the good sense not to show it, not to speak of it freely, because it serves no one and can only provoke dissension among the ranks. Feels all the more pointed after hearing about what Aubrey's going through. But I can't help but wonder how things might have gone if I had gone after Teg for how he treated Rhuk. The man's always had to fight the feeling of not being appreciated enough for what he's done for this Legion. Would it have been wise to give him that validation while simultaneously turning the grunts against another officer?

No, not wise. A better friend might have done it, but a good officer wouldn't.

Not sure what's going to get him out of his funk, or if anything will. Time or the end of the war, whichever comes first. I don't have the luxury of withdrawing, and thankfully there's plenty to keep me busy. Good crop of Soldiers, but they're still prone to doing Soldier shit. Starting fights, verbal or otherwise, that they shouldn't. Pursuing cases without thought of the consequences. Makes me nostalgic of my own days as a grunt, but I wouldn't trade places if I had the chance. If they all come out of the other side of this conflict alive, then the Legion might be in a good place for a while.

Going to burn that letter tonight, I think. Step out from under that particular shadow. Been long enough.

Intern-Secretary Calza,

You'll find our recommendations attached. (//PMed)

Lt. R. Colmes

I'm too close to this. I can recognize that. That's growth.

But that doesn't mean I'm wrong. And that's just me.

Someday I won't have to hear the phrase "when the war is over", and my life will dramatically improve. Unless, of course, I'm buried six feet under. Not sure I warrant the Ashfolk treatment. Not sure I'd like it.

Balestriere,

There was a time I would've happily forwarded this letter to your Warmaster, or urged you to bring the matter to her instead, but I get the feeling that you've already done that. And she's never been one to take risks, especially when she already has what she wants.

I'm not pleased with the idea of selling war supply, even if people are willing to pay for it. Criminalizing it was something viewed with fear and anxiety by past legates, but at this stage of the war, with the end in sight... a statement will be made.

As for the elves- the Legion isn't possessed by such base prejudices, as all kinds of people make up our numbers. In the past I had entertained the idea of seizing the Gift for resources, but in truth, reports have made the prospect out to be not worth the energy or men. Forcing a man to fight often sees them flee at the first sign of it. While there are non-combat roles they might fill, we'd still have to keep an eye on them.

Lt. R. Colmes

Apothar,

We'll speak very soon. Would've been last night, but other responsibilities drew me away.

Lt. R. Colmes

I've not grown so cynical as to believe you can no longer surprise me, though pleasant surprises are few and farther between. We'll speak.

Colmes

Prelate,

We should meet. Some things I've learned that might be of value to you, and it'll cost you nothing more than the time it takes to discuss them.

Lt. R. Colmes

[Unlawful Resistance:]

Legates,

Your legal revisions and/or additions, conditional with our support in this election. The Fourth Legion will uphold our end.

Unlawful Resistance: A person found guilty of refusing a reasonable request of a Guard, such as submission to a search, or attempting to flee during an arrest, has committed Unlawful Resistance. Minor to Serious.

Minor: Verbal taunting, verbal refusal.
Serious: Willingly fleeing from a request. (can be used as evidence of indirect admission of guilt in a trial)

Election Fraud: A citizen who betrays the written contract or sworn oath to vote for a certain League, or a candidate who runs a campaign with no intention of honoring their League's ideals, has committed the crime of election fraud.

Capital

Lt. R. Colmes