by Glenn » Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:16 am
"Does no one ever write anything down in this insane town?!" Why was it so hard to learn about Myrken's recent past in the library? Why was it that everyone here had so many blasted secrets? Why wouldn't anyone just TELL him anything? Why didn't anyone take the time to repair this horrific building?!
"Breathe, Glenn. Breathe. You're getting somewhere." Oh, the only place where he was getting himself was mad, and quickly at that. Talking to himself, now, at full volume and in a LIBRARY. Still, his words to himself WERE somewhat reassuring. "You're getting somewhere."
The area in which he was working seemed to have been hit by some sort of tornado, or at least a minor storm. Papers were everywhere, on the table before him, on the floor below him, even wedged under the legs of the chair he currently sat upon. Currently, it would seem to any outsider that he was working on at least three things.
The first was a map, a map that he was putting a great deal of effort in perfecting, a map that he was putting his entire soul in to. It took about that much work when all you had as sources were current yet tiny local maps and detailed yet long, long obsolete regional maps. No, most of his edits and redrawings came from written record, from his own (rather lacking) ingenuity, but the hard work WAS paying off. He would soon be done.
The second of his toils involved research. Over the last week or two, he had spent hours in these murky hallways learning about great myths, about ruined manors and far away places. Now, he attempted to learn of somewhere a bit closer, though apparently just as ruined. Here were strewn books and pamphlets and rolls. None of them seemed to have exactly what he needed.
It was that very frustration that turned him to his third task, his current task, the writing of letters. He had quickly come to learn, especially during the last few days of aiding Councilor Treadwell in preparations, that there was a surprisingly organized system of urchin couriers in the streets. It took very little coin to have a message delivered with surprising speed and accuracy. He assumed these children to be orphans (how topical) and meant now to make use of them.
First, a letter to Alastir Savoy, to be full of the talk between friends, and of important matters. It was in a neat hand, a relaxed hand, but the words were hardly ornate. Glenn's training in scripting words was practical, no more, no less.
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To Alastir Savoy,
Alastir, I hope that today finds you well. Having seen Miss Emory walking without difficulty last night, I am rather confident that you too have recovered from the troubles we experienced in the Dagger. We will have much to talk about, regarding that night, but only in a private setting and only when you are ready. I can assure you that no crazed women have killed me, as of yet. Still, it would be good to hear from your own lips that you are fully recovered, so I hope to be able to see you soon.
The purpose of this letter, past checking in on the matter of your health, is to inform you that I had the dubious opportunity to take the measure of Sin'Vraal last night. In fact, I was able to ask a number of questions of him, the man thinking me an uninformed stranger. Unfortunately, I do not seem to have your skill for this sort of subterfuge and plotting. He saw right through me the second that Miss Emory walked in and my eyes fell upon her.
Still, up until that point, I had learned a number of potential truths about the man, which I will bestow upon you, when next we speak. I hope they will help you in your own investigations regarding the Fiend. As always, you did not tell me nearly enough. Even after finding me out, I felt at little immediate risk. He merely mentioned the Priory of Snowstill, claiming that we, surely you included, are to find more answers there, presumably the place where we are meant to encounter the man next.
A bit of research turned up quite a lot on this Snowstill. Much of it, however, that was not merely mundane, makes little sense to me. It would be easier to explain to you in person, or even better for you to have someone closer to the situation explain. Try Miss Emory. I can report that the priory was ruined by fire. I shall inquire with Councilor Treadwell tonight if Sin'Vraal has, in fact, purchased the land the ruins sit upon, an action that would fit with what I know of him.
A final and certain assurance that I will quite certainly not do anything this foolish again anytime soon. It was an advantage to all of us that men like Sin'Vraal think little of men such as I. Still, that is no reason for me to put myself in undue danger, and I know you would advise me of that exact point. If you have need of me, I shall likely be either here at the Library, continuing my work, or at the Councilor's shop. I know you have some misgivings of the man, but he has shown me nothing but kindness. Partly, I think, that is because I have not given him any opportunity to do anything but.
Do stay safe, Alastir. We need you here, alive and well. For some odd reason, the lot of us here seem to keep getting bruised, battered, and stabbed.
Yours if you have need of me,
Glenn
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The young mapmaker brought the letter outside and delivered it to the nearest eager scamp along with the proper fee. Somehow he knew it would reach Alastir. If it did not, well, he had made sure not to let anything too important slip, especially when it pertained to what he had seen Alastir do.
It was on his way back in that he noticed something peculiar not far from the entrance, something very strange on the nearest stack of books. "What?" It had been something he had only before seen in the most fleeting sort of way, but oh, he had HEARD about it, more than enough to recognize it before him. He had been there when Alastir spoke to others of it, and he had listened. "The Fiend!" That was what the frost before his eyes, in the middle of summer, had to mean. The Fiend had been here, and recently!
Glenn ran back to his seat, sprawling out his next message, which had both a more formal and a more rushed look than the previous letter.
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To Ser Malaroth Deucalios of Zachea
Grand Master of the Shepherd Knights
Ser Malaroth,
I am writing to inform you that my previous commissions are almost at an end and I am hoping to report to begin my work with your order within the next few days. My sincerest apologies for how long it has taken me to reach this stage. I hope that my meager talents can serve the knights, and through them, all of Myrken Wood. As for my compensation, I assure you it will not be extraordinary. At most, I will require room and board while I work with you, a small stipend, a horse to borrow, and then one other request that is better made in person.
As this is written, I am currently conducting research in the library of Mudd. In passing by the entrance just now, I fear that I have discovered a fresh sample of the frosty residue left behind by the Fiend. While I do not know the exact properties behind it, it does seem clear that he has been here, recently. I thought it best that you were informed.
For the next few days, I can be reached through Councilor Treadwell. Again, I look forward to working with you,
Glenn Burnie
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Glenn had failed to tell Malaroth anything about Snowstill. He did not know what the man knew and what he did not. He did not know what of Sin'Vraal was common knowledge. He did not know if telling Malaroth too much would interfere with Alastir's plans. He knew none of these things because Alastir did such a poor job in keeping him informed.
Also, he made a quick decision not to inform the Constables about the frost. They had heard from him twice recently. Anything else, Glenn thought thought, and he would seem like a boy who cried wolf, even if there was something tangible to report this time.
While the letter would have farther to go than the one sent to Alastir, Glenn knew full well that there were a few letters going to the order of knights everyday now that the war preparations had begun. His letter would merely be tacked upon one of these shipments.
Now, tired and slightly harrowed over what he had just seen, over how much time he had been spending in a place where the Fiend still seemed to frequent, well, Glenn decided it would be a good time to gather up his things. Still, one more letter had to be sent first.
This one was brief, with simple language and very clear writing. It was meant to be short and to the point. The point, naturally, was to explain what Ariane had seen last night, update her on his progress, and perhaps forward a question or two in the hope to finally get some answers.
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Miss Emory,
Tried to get information out of Sin'Vraal. No one suspects a mapmaker, right? Map is almost done. Promise not to be foolish again until map in your hands. Promise. Sin'Vraal mentioned Snowstill. Library says you would know. Mentioned a future encounter there. With Treadwell if you need me. Glad you are not hurt. Hoping you killed crazy woman.
Glenn
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With these last two letters written, Glenn gathered up his things very quickly. He would put the messages into hands that would see to their delivery and then scury back to Treadwell's shop, back to relative safety where he might be able to finish up this map without specters of Fiends hanging over his head.