[Letter and Parcel to Acolyte Amelie]

[zerotje]

Acolyte Amelie,

I'm spending my days in total solitude.
Calls that are made for people to meet with me are ignored.

I used to have friends, they promised never to abandon me. They went and abandoned me.
Because I am Djinn-Marked willingly.

Yes, I have a Mark, but so what? I was on the ground bleeding to death.
I saved my own life and I had every bloody right to do that. I'm just a man.

The more I think of your proposal, your idea and my thoughtless confirmation...
The more I think you do not intent for me to survive.

Not because I doubt you personally. I doubt all of Ephia's Well. All of you who condemn me so.
I did NOTHING wrong. NOTHING. I am the victim of a many great things. I never asked to be Cursed, or be caught in deadly ambush on the way back.
How is that MY fault!?

Think of me what you will.

I am too afraid of your ritual, it will kill me.

I will find my own solution.

Alfred Delafosse

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

Alfred,

I bid you remember that the nature of the Thing that you have brooked with has an influence upon your mind. Guard against this as you read my words below.

Beware any man or woman that pretends as though there is an easier course. Heed not the counsel of those that would make you their servant.

Your return to the Well, your redemption, can come only through the removal of this mark.

I have asked nothing of you but your willingness to endure the rite. For there is no other means that shall keep you from damnation. I continue to ask nothing more than this.

I do not wish your death. If I had sought your death I should have flattered you with sweet words, described a less dangerous ritual, and then slain you. Instead I have submitted to you the direct and honest appraisal of the dangers. I have spoken for you. I have asked for time to see this nefarious mark removed from you.

The Enemy that hounded us originally is imprisoned but Its minions shall bind you still. Seek me and we shall put them to rout.

Amelie

[zerotje]

Dear Amelie,

You do not understand how I feel. You cannot imagine how it is to be alone, abandoned and condemned.
People that I loved, though it is by trauma and a lack of time, have joined the ranks that wish me dead.

I believe you though, honestly I do.

But I have found a better path forward and I will embark on it.
It will have my mark removed and my life preserved.

What you offer me is much more risk.

Even Isabella offered me better than you. And I suspect her hatred of me is far greater than most.

Come on- don't make me die.

Alfred Delafosse

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

Alfred,

Isabella, whatever she has proposed, is not versed in these matters. Yours is not an ordinary or simple mark. This particular Foe fears only fire.

We Kulamet have long opposed the nefarious influence of the Djinn upon the world. Any other path proposed to you is likely that of a charlatan or a Brooker of another fell power.

But I am not infallible. So answer me directly if you are not taken by this Thing: What is the ritual you have sought and who shall perform it?

Amelie

[zerotje]

Amelie,

She and I have contacted a large variety of experts.

They come with demands of thousands of dinar, diamonds and rituals.

You come with "I am going to light you on fire".

Can you blame me for choosing the non-fire path?

I believe for certain the Kulamet have some expertise.

But what would an Apothar Cosine offer?
What would the Djinn-Hunter Accatus (or something) offer?

I don't think they will put me on fire.

Please tell me there are alternatives.

If I die in your ritual, then my soul is lost, wouldn't it be?

That is a risk I will never, ever take. My soul must be saved.

I feel like this letter will insult you, and that is too bad, it is not my intention.
My intention is to survive.

Alfred

[zerotje]

Amelie,

I have looked inwards.
And what I saw has deeply disturbed me.

I need your guidance and the guidance of the Gods.
I'm tired of these letters and missives, I need to see a face and hear a voice, I need to measure the truth of your words and your intent.

And I need someone to measure mine aswell.

Could we meet upon the abandoned camp, in the Long Road?
You should know where that is.

When I say the words; A withered Rose seeks tending.

Let me know.

Yours,

Alfred Delafosse

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

We shall meet. Whether by that signal or upon my own. It shall not be in a place known to you beforehand. I shall determine it, as the location of this work matters. You will meet me at the Rose Gate and we shall proceed from there.

For in recent days I met a man who claims to know you. I have since had cause and opportunity to observe he and his at some length. That messenger asked me whether I was sincere in helping you. I misliked his tone but answered him truthfully: That you are a fool for surrendering to this Thing, but the ritual can work, and I intend to aid you.

I wonder if your associate relayed my words?

Now I take no chances having met this man. I shall not be taken unawares. Know, moreover, that any snare they would set I shall simply evade, just as I outlasted the Foe through ten days in the desert.

Come alone or not at all.

Amelie

[zerotje]

Amelie,

I intent to come alone.

Try to avoid that man and his kind.
They are dangerous to you.

I could write a great many things about how I've acted, why I've acted and how I feel about it.
But I wish to rely this in person.

Word to paper mean only so much.

Alfred Delafosse

[Fortuna Imperatrix Mundi]

[All of these letters having been received, they are at last disposed of,  in curious fashion.]