A letter to the Pyramid [Marcellus, Nasreen]

[Don Nadie]

My friends,

While I already shared this on the Bellows, it is my fear that you may not have heard them, and not all read the Bellow-transcripts. Hence, I take quill to paper to bring you a report: the Nusrum is lost.

Sandstone Student Elias Astor and myself were off performing some digs when we heard the marching of boots, and were interrupted by orcan scouts. Defeating them only revealed large masses of orcan were on the move. We ran to the caravaneer's camp, from whence travellers reach the Giant's Road, and were soon assaulted by siege-fire.

In an attempt to save the lives of the caravaneers, Elias and I warded and went forth to fight. We defeated a large number of infantry and shamans: twenty became forty became sixty. I do not know whether we bought time for some caravaneers to run off, but I know that when the cavalry charged, we were overwhelmed. Our retreat was far from elegant: Elias was wounded by a Whisperer and several riders, while only through trickery and the blessed Waters did I managed to survive the orcan assault. Hidden, I rescued my dear friend, as the orcans ransacked the camp. With him on my sholders, I rushed to the other encampment, dodging the warbands.

The spectacle in the camp whose caravans take people to the Southern Wold was not much better. It had been ransacked, and only one caravan-master lived. Blessedly, he took us along. Blessedly, too, Elias regained consciousness. As we travelled, we saw, in the distance, a fortress of ancient make. It was surrounded by siegework and soon to fall.

The Ramparts are lost, Legates.

When there was an Assembly, I proposed that we avoid an Accorded Warmaster because I knew the Accord would play games to see one of their numbers leading. As we argue, people die. I strongly suggest that a decision be made today. If the Accord cannot agree, chose from amongst them by decree or by chance. Perhaps roll a die and let it fall on one of them. Luck may be blind, but is better than hesitation.

Respectfully yours,

Alejandro