[A letter left in the Torchbearers's hall]

[Don Nadie]

My friends,

Firstly, I wished to leave a warning. Just yesterday I was with Narwen, Portia and D/a Nasreen in an excavation (a fascinating one, we may have discovered signs of the first Inmolations). When we were to leave, the door exploded, and an Inheritor dressed with the accoutrements of their Bone Oracles emerged. She proceeded to look straight at Portia and demanded that we stop our desecration, as we could've expected. Interestingly for me, she also demanded that we "Discard our scribbled thoughts". As you can imagine, that concerned me a tad more, for I fear more for the contents of my notebook than for my life, and shall begin working on failsafes and hideouts for coded copies.

After threatening us, she proceeded to word a threat to /you/. While I do not remember /exactly/ what she said (the wording eludes me, for I was, I think, too shaken by her words before), she said something to the tune of "Those dressed in orange will face the same fate". I do not imagine the knowledge these Inheritors haunt you will be a great surprise, but I felt I ought to share it nonetheless.

Sorry I haven't had much time to talk. It's been a few crazy days, but I still owe you my honest opinion on the candidates. Though you may perhaps, of course, have already voted, I will not mind being honest with you. To summarize, I think both of the likely winners have the advantage of being good people, ultimately.

You know of my love for Marcellus. I want him alive, I want him well. He is dear to me, and I generally trust his judgement. He has grown, however, very much dependent on the Astronomers. While I won't begrudge him for this, I suspect he was mannipulated into choosing the Red Star, rather than less onerous ones, with lies about a Cult when, in fact, the Astronomers mostly wanted what seemed most loaded in Bablium. He has also been decided to have a Nadiri as his Prelate - a kind young man, but a Nadiri nonetheless. In my opinion, his Government means that the choice of the Red Star may remain unexamined, and that archaeology may fall into the greedy hands of the Tower, along with much more. I say this with no small amount of pain.

Domhnall I have known since his arrival at the Well. I was, in fact, the one who helped him buy his Voice, for I have always appreciated his passion and idealism, and have understood the depths of his burden. Those whose heart bleeds easily make for compassionate leaders, but also suffer much under the strains of politics. My concern with Domhnall is Ibn Ghazir, and all the dark rumors swirling arround him. Rashid al'Rashid, Ibn Ghalish and Ser Hyram have all shared (contradictory) opinions on dark plans by the White League, all strenuously denied by Domhnall himself.

Were it not for Aubrey proving that Domhnall does not lie for political advancement (as he denied her the death of Mae, though this would've earned him her vote and perhaps the College's) I probably would've refused to consider him at all. As it is, my colleagues drunken (and if I may be frank, unbecoming) maneuvers are what led me to vote for the League of White... Along with a personal promise from Domhnall that Marcellus's choices will be examined, not for criminal charges, but with the intent of understanding what happened.

In general, this is both strangely disheartening and strangely freeing election. While both candidates have dark shadows, I know both of their hearts, and can say that neither of their wins will be a disaster for the Well. I've still gone with the League of White, but cannot begrudge anyone who chooses my old friend, instead.

I hope this helps.

Yours,

Alejandro

PD: I left a draft of my Timeline in Naelin's armoire. Why are there so many /coats/ in there? Do you /ever/ wear coats?! Is this another case of elves being mysterious creatures?!