To Councilor Altias Bromn

[Treadwell]

The following note would be delivered to Altias's hands by one of Gad's own guardsmen. The letter itself is sealed twice and is in Gad's familiar scrawl.

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To Councilor Altias Bromn
From Governor Gad Phuri

Concerning Alexi Rose

Councilor,
There is absolutely no reason for you to worry about my own particularly amorous advances on "Lady Mouth." She holds no sway over me or over this tongue of mine, I hold no love for her, and these actions of mine are all a simple ruse--a deception, if you will.

Miss Rose--and Miss Rose shall she remain!--is a possible threat, Councilor. In many ways, she's very much like me: quite wealthy, trusted by a great many in Myrken, boisterous (to put things nicely), and quite, quite stubborn. I'm sure that she has plans of her own for Myrken Wood--plans none of us would particularly care for, of that I'm certain. I'm moving to try to learn those plans through my own particular kind of torture and, perhaps, break her of any hopes for them through mere guilt of the simply horrid "but if you loved me" sort. Believe me, sir, I'm shuddering as I write this. Yeck. . . .

If you have a better plan that won't rile up the masses, Councilor, I'd certainly love to hear it. If we were to merely imprison her for conspiracies and such, we would have riots on our hands. Were we to publicly lambaste her for her ideas at a council meeting, we would experience much the same reaction. So, for the meantime, I'm doing something I know quite well how to do, sir. I've been alive for nearly fifty-nine years, and in that time, I've managed to woo quite a few lasses, believe it or not.

Do write back at your leisure.

Hoping the day finds you well,
Governor Phuri

Postscript: You're more than welcome at the house for supper some time. I've a new maid in service, and she's quite the cook, sir. Good day.

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