Letter to Mirielle Rosseau

[NeedForGreed]

Condottiera Mirielle Rosseau,

I hope to speak with you as soon as possible, I have been trying to turn over my post-mortem examination of Laurentis. I would also like to examine her further if possible.

I handed reports over to the Rose but I do not know if my report was passed on to you. Most notably, my initial examination suggested her head was nearly severed at the spinal cord.

Signed,
Fiordelise Foscari

[Moonlighter]

Mademoiselle Fiordelise,

A copy of your initial autopsy got to me. I don't think it matters much now, as Carrot Grimes has confessed both who gave the order and who carried it out. There is not a great deal of mystery left to be worth exhuming her anew.

Carrot Grimes' version of events is that they did not kill her in the plaza, and did in fact take her back to the Garrison, where Rhuk Nor immediately slew her. On his order, apparently.

This is contradictory from my Recluta's report in the Plaza that they were talking about how they'd killed her, whispering in the plaza.

Regardless, they killed her. They'd planned to from the beginning, there is no doubt.

Condottiera Mirielle Rosseau
BANDA ROSSA

[NeedForGreed]

Condottiera Rosseau,

I am relieved to hear a copy got to you, and I understand your decision not to perform further examinations. I was unaware she had already been buried.

I pray for peace in all of this, and that the Fourth - and the White League that backed Presmir - will see sense and come to the table with you. It is clear that the trial was egregiously mishandled, both by the magistrate and by those seeking extrajudicial punishment. I was not there to witness if she actually tried to escape, though if she did that does not excuse punishing her outside the law. It is a problem that would not have existed had the trial been handled by someone with qualifications other than "the new Legate's friend".

Still I must seek peace for the Well, and a resolution that is fair to you and the Banda Rossa and sets things right. I would still like to speak to you when you have time, to see if there is anything I can do to help.

I have begun a petition urging the trial for Emilia's death to be conducted publicly, though I do not imagine the Fourth will listen.

May Thorne and Emilia find peace and success in their next lives. May the Mercystar guide them gently home.

Signed,
Fiordelise Foscari

[NeedForGreed]

Condottiera Mirielle Rosseau,

I know not the outcome of the peace talks, whether blood was promised or given. I only know that no public trial was had, and therefore, it must have been a deal made. Or perhaps you said it ahead of negotations, I haven't a clue...

I can only guess that, likely, there may be a death as you demanded. Sergeant Grimes seemed to think so, as he remarked to me some days ago. Perhaps it would be his head, or anothers'.

If you have won the head you desired in repayment, I beg you, on behalf of the great work of Sage Santina: consider clemency. Consider kindness. Take blood, if you must, but not a life.

If you did not win your corpse, then the rest of my letter matters not.

You knew Laurentis far better than I ever could have. But I will speak to one side of her few ever saw: a glimmer of kindness. The work of Sage Santina continues today much in thanks to her. Her efforts, her advice, her protection, all quietly given. I expect you had some quiet part in that as well. But for all her love of violence, Emilia was still willing to give Compassion a chance. If not in her own life, than in others'. I must believe that there was Compassion in her that the world did not quite burn away.

Whoever they have thrown under the wagon to save their own skins - Rhuk Nor or Carrot, perhaps - is not the beginning nor the end of the strife. Their death does not end the bad blood, nor does it end the willingness of Ahmet's camp to conspire. But you could heal some of that bad blood. You could reverse this spiral, slow its descent.

So I urge you to consider a lesser punishment, if this is what is to come. You have won, it seems, your demands. Yet if trade and conquest are at the heart of our people, so too is kindness.

I am relieved, all the same, to know that peace has been won. You must know Condottiera that the Stars have spoken, that war and violence and disease come for our walls. We must be prepared, united and strong, for when they do.

Signed,
Fiordelise Foscari