I have heard from Yanush of your wish that I accompany him to the Moat House. I will comply.
I will do what I can for this girl — this Lessip, I am afraid…. I fear that I might see more in her than I can stand. I was very like her, I imagine. Taken from my home, my village of Dunhollow, family slain…
Kog, I have much to confess. I have done evil, deeds I could justify to myself given my circumstance but that in the cold light of day, surrounded by these earnest people of Elder Pool, yourself and this Baron… I feel everyone’s eyes on me. They know that I was a Silencer, that I preyed and… murdered, burned and kidnapped.
That Cult leader, that Sumner Curtis… he was our contact in Elder Pool. We were sent to silence that young fool Norwich before he could reveal Curtis’ identity as the man who coordinated our raids on the High Way, picked out our victims and took his share of the cut.
I killed him, Norwich. I am returning to the Moat House where his brother, Bristol will smile at me in his youthful innocence, having no idea.
This girl, she has found some temporary respite at the Moat House. It’s funny to think that, for her, the Moat House might feel like safety. That was never my sentiment. But, perhaps, it can be. Perhaps the Moat House can be a place for you and me… and maybe even this girl, likely orphaned by the Cult. A fire is growing in this Barony. We can all feel it. We can’t stop it, Kog. Perhaps in the Moat House we can find a refuge from it. To let the flames burn themselves out at the edge of the swamp. Let the fire turn to harmless steam.
This Cult — they are led by that witch Vindurain. The Cult ever followed her direction; though outside of the Moat House she donned the mask and the robes and called herself Targeta. That sorceress is behind this all. And she seeks to turn Darkmoor red.
She — like me and maybe like this Lessip — she is marked. I have hidden it from you, but I bear this mark that the Cult seeks. Vindurain selected me from the girls taken from Dunhollow because she saw the mark on my back. And I have seen the mark on Vindurain.
Their chant, whatever its meaning names us, each with the special mark. I am ALEMA, the Stone. Vindurain has taken from me whatever she needed, over the years. She is TALAS. The Flame. She seeks the three other girls, with their own distinctive marks. One will be LEVEL. One of the terms means The Wind. The names are hidden in the chant.
There is a girl, held somewhere else. A girl I never met nor saw. I learned that Aaron was kind to her in some way and that was why he was punished. That was why I wished him freed; the only man in that pit of vipers, and so they imprisoned him.
I know it is cowardly to give you this information this way. I lack the courage, brave Kog, to look into your face and bare all. I do not dare the reproach from you.
I understand that you will think the worst of me. I deserve for you to think the worst. For I have done the worst. And more.
But I hope you will come home, and that we can raise that bridge and put all your men on the walls and down, under the Moat House we can find safety while Vindurain and the Cult turn Elder Pool and Darkmoor back to ash, just as they did with Dunhollow.
I ride for the Moat House. Please send word when you can join me.
My dearest Lecritia
Blood is still fresh on my blades from the battle of Anthracite. Many cultists fell to the strength of the Circle under the great ruined tower. Alas, the witch Vindurain escaped our grasp. I vow to chase her to the ends. She will not survive to complete what you fear. You speak of a fire growing in the Barony. I can feel it too, but this fire is not one the cult can control. This fire will root them out and cleanse the Barony of this evil once and for all. I will need your strength to do this. The Circle will need your strength. The Baron will need your strength. The cult calls you “The Stone”, and they may be right. Wind dies down, water seeps away, fire burns out… but the stone remains.
Take care of the child Lessip. I am glad you see your story in her eyes. If orphaned she will need a new mother, a better life, and perhaps a father. You spoke of your past crimes. As Knight of Darkmoor, I am obligated to see that justice is done, but justice comes in many forms. Some pay with blood, others with punishment of time or labor, yet others can pay with deeds that outweigh the crimes of the past. I pray is the path of your destiny.
The information you have given us about the cult, the girls, the markings, and Aaron’s deeds and knowledge will serve us greatly. Please continue to write down anything that you know that could aid us in purifying the land of this cult.
You spoke of the Moat House as our safe haven. It may seem so today, but one day soon the Barony will be safe again. We will make it that way. I will have a house under the clear sky, surrounded by broad open field s to farm on. I hope to have you at my side when that day comes. For by your side is truly my home. The peacefulness will only be broken by the sound of children’s laughter. I miss your embrace. My thoughts turn to you every day.
I must ride now as there is much to be done. I will come to the Moat House as soon as I can.
Sir Kog, First Knight of Darkmoor, and your faithful