The #Broken_Dagger Forum

From: Brother-Captain Aeryn Karolinger
To: Lord Aston Jylan Aldred


Lord Aldred, I'll try to be brief.

It is my belief that the Militia is no longer needed in place in the various installations that they man in and throughout the Province. With the Governor creating his own Constabulary to police the Township, the Brotherhood can move on to patrolling the land as is in our contract. The Militia can disband, and the farmers return to their plots (and perhaps to those left fallow following the Pritchie incident) so that we can, perhaps, ensure a more bountiful harvest.

I would urge you to make this suggestion to the Governor. The Militiamen are not soldiers, and do not have the discipline needed to remain so long in the field as they have thus far been forced too. They need rest and as much relaxation as they can manage. Also, it would keep any futher incidents from occuring, such as the report I sent you from a month past. I worry that another such incident will occur, and do not want to see any bloodshed between the Guard and the Militia.

It would be bad for Morale, and for both sides involved. There needs to be no bad blood between those that defend this province.

Thank you
Aeryn Karolinger, Brother-Captain.

It would be delivered with all haste by pair of Brotherhood Couriers, their coats stained with the dust of the road. If there was any response, they would, of course, wait for it to come. In either case, yes or no, they would return swiftly to the Barracks.

The Brotherhood's couriers had been received and brought before the Lord of Aldred, who had accepted their missive and read it then and there, with everyone present, including pale young Falan Huntington and the silent observer, Ogden Gaanesvort, one hand always resting on the sword at his side. Among the men of Aldred there had been another, unnamed; he had made no introductions, nor had the Lord himself.

After reading the missive Aston had glanced at the couriers, then at Falan. Having received an unspoken command, obviously, the boy had moved to the door and opened it. "I thank you," said the Lord of Aldred to them. "The young Master Huntington will see you out."

So had it went.

Then, today, a reply arrived at the barracks -- in the hands of Falan Huntington, who, in his soft voice, expressed that his Lord, also the Councilor of Defense and Civil Security, desired the reply to be delivered to the Captain and only the Captain.

[indent]Salve, Captain Karolinger. Good health and fortune to you and your men.

I thank you for bringing the matter to my attention. I will express your concerns, as well as your suggestion, to the Governor and discuss with him possible solutions to the problem. I am certain we will come to agreement in, for the Council, record time.

In the meantime, however, I have a suggestion of my own: because the militia is not a part of the Myrken Wood military (as it is) nor the Governor's Constabulary, it is a reserve comprised of volunteer Myrkenfolk; and because the militia has in fact no authority in our lands, only to be active in times of need and emergency, you should regard any militia opposition as insurgency and react accordingly.

Di te incolumem custodiant.

Sincerely,
Aston Jylan Aldred
Lord of Aldred
Councilor of Defense and Civil Security[/indent]