Dear Anthin and Dav.

  First, things are good here. Enlightened Serivus tells us you were in contact so I know you’re aware that the cult had designs on Dimabri City. I am happy to write that this plot against our home was halted by myself and Relf with assistance from the local Corps detachment and cooperation from the Council and Dimabri militia. You don’t know the whole story so I will lay it out for you.

  After passing the barrier with Dav wounded and cradled in my arms I was presented with a vision of Sayoshti. I’ve since figured that all of us had some similar experience. I will leave it for now other than to say Sayoshit told me she’d take me ‘where I needed to be.’

  This proved true as Relf and myself woke up after in the Westwood. You remember the Veliar ruins deep within, it is there we found ourselves. Camped as if we’d set up the night before, horses and all. We wasted much of the day trying to figure out where we were and why we were there. I confess that I guessed our location but wasn’t certain.

  I was also sent a new vision, this time through handling a strange sword that had replaced my own. As I raised the weapon I was thrown to the past and saw first hand through the eyes of The First Witness. What I saw, as if I was right there, was the act of Sayoshti’s Sacrifice itself.

  After that vision we continued to search. It dawned on me when we found the road, we were less than a day's ride from Dimabri City. We happened to be in the right place at the right time as we heard approaching horses and hid in the forest. The horsemen were cultists! We overheard them as they searched for some path into the woodlands and Stabber Rollins was mentioned. Curious, we remained hidden and followed them when we could.

  We found in those woods a small group of cultists and the Shadow Being we’d encountered twice before during Dav’s pilgrimage. We tossed caution aside and got close to their camp, trying to find out what they were doing there. As before in this thing’s presence I could feel it within my mind. I haven’t as of yet told you all of these feelings but they seem to be connected to how close it is to me and had started on that first night in the Dreadlands.

  We uncovered a plan to use Rollins and his men to gain control of Dimabri. The Shadow Being was not happy to have news of delays and he killed the messenger right there. I have never witnessed such cold and evil power at work, I’m not ashamed to say it shook me. Relf and I decided then to return to our camp, we had no wish to confront that thing in the dark.

  The Followers were sent back to Dimabri City the next morning so me and Relf ambushed them on the road. We killed one but the second escaped, then we went back to the camp to find and kill the Shadow Being. I had believed at the time that was our purpose in being there but we could find no sign of the thing. It seemed as if it was never there, the only sign being the warm ashes left by their fire. Even the darkness in my mind was absent. Frustrated, I thought about it. The idea formed that perhaps Sayoshti had put us there to witness and learn of these plans. With that in mind we decided to go to the city.

  Brother Mchale was happy to see us. It didn’t last as we told him of our discovery. He arranged a meeting with Enlightened Serivus the next morning and we told him what we knew. During that meeting Relf and I had an idea and we made plans together.

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  That night I went to Amira’s while Relf went to make contact with Rollins. I was to present the illusion that I was just visiting, ignorant to all goings on. Relf was to convince Rollins that he’d deserted and collect information, regaining some position within Rollins’ gang. I wasn’t sure Relf would succeed.

  It did work! As I was on my way home I was ambushed by Rollins with Relf and a few others. I fought to keep up appearances but was taken. They put me in a cell in a warehouse basement and left me there.

  Relf had convinced Rollins he could be trusted and gained a better insight into Stabber’s operation and the plan. He had expanded his usual activities into smuggling and was doing very good for himself and his crew. I never thought in the past that he had sympathies with the cult, I still don’t think he did. One reason for the delays the cult faced was Rollins’ indecision. In the end he was convinced with the idea of power and gold. A greedy lout to the last.

  The plan was simple. They’d use Stabbers’ smuggling tunnels to gather enough of Rollin’s men and cultists in the large warehouse Rollins controlled, when the time was right they were going to send death squads into the city to take over in a lightning strike. Targets were The Enlightened, the Corps barracks and the city Council. The cult would then help Rollins gain firm control over the city and then the whole country. All Church officials, Corps and militiamen and government officials were to be murdered the first night leaving no one to oppose them.

  Unknown to Rollins and his crew, Mchale with a large squad of Corps troopers and city militia had followed us to the warehouse and were ready to strike. Relf had enough information to sink Rollins. Eventually the urge to cause me harm overcame Stabber. As he came down to my cell Relf made an excuse to signal the waiting troops. He left the door unsecured when he did and joined Rollins.

  Rollins wasted no time in taunting and beating me. He was emboldened by me being tied up and unable to fight back, he even had Relf throw a kick or two my way. It didn’t last long though, in the early morning our men stormed the warehouse.

  Rollins’ crew didn’t put up much of a fight. The odds were against them and they knew it, it was clear that the plot was uncovered and doomed to fail. Most gave up. They were in their cups the night before and had no fight in them. Relf had the pleasure of knocking Rollins on the head, ending the matter.

  Now here we are, heroes of Dimabri City. Relf gave a full account of the conspiracy to the magistrate. A sworn statement on paper and it looks like Rollins and most of his guys are facing the gallows. Relf’s history came into question, being part of Rollins' former crew, but with a good word from myself as his Sergeant and The Enlightened vouching for him that was all put to rest.

  Now we have heard from the Enlightened Serivus that war is coming to Etrusia and we are ordered to return to The Citadel once we are fit to travel. Relf’s okay but I’m a little beat up, though I will be good to ride and on the way before you get this letter. Honestly the prospect worries me as it’s certain Relf and I will be sent to the field to join the army. Despite my soldiers nature I am reluctant to spill more blood. I feel enough has been spilled already with us killing cultists and Willhem’s death, not forgetting Farmer Thrain too. We must do as we must though and my place is not to question or disobey. I am a sergeant in the Unified Guard Corps and will act as such.

  I’m told of your ascension to Brotherhood Dav and I am more proud of you than you know. From the day I first met you I knew you would accomplish what you set out to do and I’m honoured to call you my brother. How is Deliah? I know she made it back with you and hope she’s doing well. I expect I’ll find out when I join the force in the field.

  I’ll be on my way soon and see you when I arrive. We’ll celebrate together, me, you and Relf, before Relf and I leave for the field.

  By Sayoshti’s Grace and with my love to you both

  Tanisin