A Clean, Flabby Breast of Things

[Treadwell]

The following note would arrive in the hands of the three other councilors, the governor, and the captain of the guard by the early afternoon. Although the seal in the wax on the outside is that of Gad Phuri, the handwriting within is definitely that of another: Gad's sloppy, loose, flowing script is now replaced by a much tighter, cleaner, neater hand. In addition, each copy is variously littered with ashes and pin-prick holes in it.

= = = = = = = = = = =
To:
Gov. Altias Bromn
Councilors Giscard Guillaume, Joseph O'Cynen, Malegnone Al-D'arcu
Capt. Thom. Daniels, Order of Straka

Regarding Gad Phuri,
In short, he's dead, quite dead. Given the recent rash of people rising from graves, let's hope the man stays dead. I'm writing to all of you to inform you of a few things. Last night and this morning proved quite interesting; the magic that was apparently making me forget who I am and making me look precisely like our departed friend has started to fade. Minor physical details--mainly the shape of the nose--have painfully been fixing themselves.

Now, I have received word that my wife, who was at home in Amasynia, passed on during my absence. I have sent word for my estate there to be put in the hands of my grown daughter, Babette, while I reside here. By Myrken Wood law, the Phuri family farm and the current house in which I'm living would have fallen into the temporary ownership of the council as Phuri apparently left no named heirs. Should the council wish, I am more than prepared to pay the estimated fourteen thousand shillings to lawfully acquire both properties.

I seek to continue living here in Myrken Wood, serving the town for as long as I am able. If asked to present some sort of apology or public statement to those here, I will. In parting, I urge the lot of you to initiate a private investigation in search of Governor Phuri's murderers. Giscard was at the governor's house in town the next morning. I don't suggest that he killed the man--far from it!--but he might be the most reliable source for information at present.

Sincerely,
Aloisius Horatio Treadwell
Councilor of Administrative Sanctions, Myrken Wood
Former Chief Magistrate, Westenford, Amasynia

[Kobra]

The reply from Al-D'arcu, to Treadwell alone:

Herr Phuri - or should I say, Herr Treadwell,

This is a most unforseen turn of events, although likely not so for certain others of our esteemed Council, I shall wager. I must express my surprise at such news, and my deepest sympathies for you in your time of bereavement.

I shall do my best to arrange for an investigation into the true Herr Phuri's death. I may, however, be of little aid, as I had never met the man, it seems.

Regards,

Malegnone Al-D'arcu,
Marquis du Vaneski
Councillor for Defense and Civil Security