The Song and the Serpent

To the most illustrious and renowned Rhonwyn, backstabbing bard of Threcalax, highly favored keeper of foolish council, and esteemed Songmaster to the imprisoned king, greetings from the Chief Bard.

You will be delighted to learn, o exalted one, that I am still alive, despite your best efforts. Don’t trouble yourself by trying to discover the method I used to get this letter into your chambers. I know how much you love surprises.

No doubt you have been wondering as to the whereabouts of a certain commander that you seem to have misplaced. Not to worry, we all make such mistakes.

No doubt you have also been pondering the disappearance of a handful of Undelman warriors, about five-thousand to be precise. What a delightful mystery!

No doubt you have also been curious about the haze of smoke that has blown across the kingdom from the east, and the strange rumors that have come out of the forests there. The weather can be perplexing at times, don’t you agree?

Such an unexpected turn of events must be causing some upheaval in the ranks of the Undelman invaders that you have become so friendly with. I can only imagine the uncertainty this outcome has created in you, the sleepless nights, the gnawing fingernails.

So I have written to give you some words of encouragement, one bard to another.

Rest assured that no prisoners can escape from the Undelmans—unless you count the escape of two prisoners who managed to release a great serpent that killed all of Sithril’s priests. The liquid fire that the Undelmans have created is the perfect tool in their hands—but only when it is, in fact, in their hands. Yes, the invasion of Esta was a complete success—except for the army of angry Estans who are very much alive.

I hope these words of encouragement can bring you some rest. Perhaps when I finally see you in person, I can give you a different kind of rest, a very permanent one.

As to my whereabouts, I will keep that to myself. As I have already said, I know how much you love surprises. Suffice it to say that you will be seeing me very soon.

I look forward to our meeting with great anticipation. We have so much to discuss.

Yours in good faith,

Hurst, the Chief Bard of New Esta