Plans, letters, and blood-promises.

[channe]

... you are pathetic, Coriolanus Helstone --
... the poison was a lie --

If he could flay your hide from your bones, Cecenifien Audmathus Xhevus, he would; but, being as he is only Helstone-the-lawyer, Helstone-the-councilor, who asks a woman to do his dirty work -- well. Shall we see if the pen is truly mightier than the sword, Audmathus? You called him ruthless; you have awakened something --

He played your game; shall you play his?

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The first letters he writes are for Coran d'Zir, Elil Alseides, Ariane Carnath-Emory and the General Eriks; they are polite, tight, and urgently written, advising them to seek an audience with the Councilor "as soon as possible."

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The second is for the Council, copied also to the captain Aeryn Karolinger, and it goes like this:

Gentlemen,

The drow Audmathus once again sought the pleasure of my company last night, attacking my house and my guard for his entertainment; he tires me, gentlemen! Where are the plans for the death of the drow threat, the strategies for their defeat, that we were promised at the last meeting? I would hear what you wish to do, and I would hear it now.

I do not believe he is lying about one certain piece of news he taunted me with during our confrontation: that Kerrak al'Nerun has been kept alive in their stronghold. If this is true -- for Audmathus is a liar par excellence -- then we must prepare, for I sincerely doubt that the drow have left him… untainted.

Sincerely,
Coriolanus Helstone

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Another goes to the Rememdium Edificium:

My good doctors --

Please send a physician as soon as possible to my residence on Baker Street. Have him pack things useful for the care of recent knife-wounds for two patients. I trust you to be as discreet as humanly possible.

Sincerely,
Coriolanus Helstone
Councillor of Administrative Sanctions

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And finally, to another, softer recipient,

Maria,

It was folly to move out of your residence; utter folly, and I now regret doing so with a heart so heavy it could sink to the bottom of the ocean. I will be quite busy over the next few weeks, but it would do me good to see you.

Sincerely,
Cory

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And, finally, when that one is stamped with his seal and placed aside, he takes a moment to compose himself. And then he stands, looks around -- and to bare air, to loneliness, to the silence of his office, he says, absolutely emphatic:

"Miss Reverie -- Revania Rin'arie -- you will come to me."

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He came for cash.
He stayed for prestige.
He will finish this for revenge.