[A letter to Alejandro.]

[Erudiche]

Alejandro Benjazar,

I have seen you advertise work in authoring pro-war materials. I do not claim to be a great poet nor a skilled author but I have education enough to be of service in this regard. I am interested in pursuing such matters.

Miro Lac-du-Manse,
Scholar of the Lantern

[Don Nadie]

Dear Miro,

Welcome to the work, of course. Your first task is as follows:

Produce a work of prose on the matter of this battle. You may interview survivors and veterans, though I suggest you reach out to Lieutenant Samton first and foremost. The work should:

1) Describe the events as they unfolded.
2) Enhance events in a narratively-satisfying way. Suggestions of import may include: the guile of the plan, that was unexpected completely; the bravery of the Well's warband; how impressed our new allies were, and how they are sewing a Heron banner to rise above the fortress; the strategic victory this represents.
3) Honour the dead. At the end, it should include the names of the fallen and some words about or by them. When the work is near-completion, seek me out and I shall provide you with the last words of Lieutenant Atreya.

I would offer a payment of 400 dinari, with a 100 dinari bonus for a particularly satisfying or swift work.

Please, let me know if the terms are amenable or if you have any other questions.

Yours,

Alejandro

[Erudiche]

Alejandro Benjazar,

I will take up the task.

Miro Lac-du-Manse,
Scholar of the Lantern

[Don Nadie]

Dear señorita Miro,

I trust the working on an account for the Seat of Research and Culture is working well. In the interest of aiding you, please find within this letter an edited report on the Battle of the Boundary.

I expect you well be able to contruct a proper narrative with this material. Should you have doubts, or find that your other obligations are too many to take up this comission, please, let me know.

Yours,

Alejandro

[A heavily edited report is attached; some parts are blanked with ink, while other notes are added.

Hide

A strike force was selected to aid the mercenary group called the Boundary Men, by escorting two geomancers of the Sixth Legion to construct the wards needed to shield the fort from the ashstorms. This group was to protect the geomancers from harm from the orc in the region before returning to the Well by ashsail. They consisted of:

Akna Ymir
Cosine Mevura
Isaac Naught
Athelia Thale
Aurelio d'Lyon
Nasir Darwashi
Atreya Lightdew
Samton Ashworth
Morganna Skatterhawk
Baako Mahmoud
Ottavio Banducci
Gedwyr Karstcleft

According to the plan, they would protect the Geomancers so that barriers could be raised and then use a coming Ashstorm to disperse the orcan forces. With the Boundary Men warded by the Ephicrasis, the orcan would be contained and sustain heavy loses.

Upon their arrival at the fort, the group met with the Boundary Men, who they provided with water and succor. A perimeter was established by the Janissaries of the Fourth Legion, using barricades requisitioned from our supply. Aurelio, Cosine, Samton and Atreya met with the second-in-command turned acting leader of the mercenaries; a man named Duck. He was reportedly surprised to see them, as many of his men had not heard of Ephia's Well. While the mages rested, Samton directed the group to their positions, discussed tactics, and the geomancers started their work.

The orc poured into the area in waves, each stronger than the last. Akna fell early on, trying to save Athelia. Slowly, the group was pushed back. The retreat was sounded, but by then, the lines were mobbed with orc in every direction. Escape had been cut off. Cosine, Atreya and Baako fell in battle-- against their champions, their war-priests, their void-callers. Against an enormous champion empowered by foul magicks. It was a very near thing.

The arrival of the storm spelled the end for the orc. This champion sounded a retreat as the winds picked up, but by then, our forces had denied him his escape. He fell to our steel, and the geomancers completed their assignment. The group spoke with Duck, who will be awaiting word, before returning to Ephia's Well.

Their commander, Duck, promised that a flad with the heron would be sewn and flown, new allies gained. As of now, the Boundary Men are holding back several forces of the orcan armies, with the aid of the Baz'eelian Geomancers. This was a great victory against all odds, if one with a heavy price.

The bodies of the fallen were carried wearily by their companions. They were laid back in the Divan of War, where the rest of the Council had been waiting with batted breath. As per the records of the Seat of Research and Culture, their last words were.

Akna Ymir: her Will left her posessions divided between members of the White League, friends, and her bound companion, Athelia. She did not give last words for the historical record.

Cosine Mevura: the Apothar did not leave either a Will or last words with the Seat of Research and Culture. A statement about his heroism, and the mourning of the Mount should be mentioned, however. I suggest contacting Apothar Zol Nur, as other Apothars may be idiprovide less useful colour.

Baako: the Recluta didn't leave any Will or last words either. The Banda Rossan's ditto "not dead yet" failed him. I suggest reaching out to Recluta Morgana for some lines on the man, as they fought alongside..

Atreya Lightdew: the Sergeant left clear indications: her belongings except a ring were given to the Fourth, and her body was burnt in the Wroth's flame. Her dedication to her companions was wholehearted. When asked for last words for her memorial, she said:

"The Empire's defeat is a feint. Once the orcs are fallen, there will be quiet for a time. Before they resurge. The Melek are the greatest threat. They change. Adapt. They thrive in desert."

As you can see, a dedicated woman.

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