Dear Kailie,

This morning I left Mister Reggie to his own devices and sought out Karth. In turn, we checked in on Bartek, who proved to have stabilized sometime in the night. His appearance had not improved since yesterday, but neither had it worsened, which was a relief to see.

We informed him that we had business with the Commander of the rangers, a man called Salmar. Being a former ranger himself, we knew that Bartek would likely have the Commander’s ear. So we three left the temple to seek an audience.

From him we learned more about that strange man who appeared to turn the undead at yesterday’s ghoul attack. It seems that he arrived on the same fleet as myself, though like that Dume woman I mentioned in a previous letter, on a different ship. He stayed not long in Stannisberg, but rather vanished into the forest soon after his arrival. Given both his behavior yesterday, as well as the fact that -no one- comes to Stannisberg and just heads straight for the forest, I am -highly- suspicious. I learned from a local woman that Jacob Ivory, one of the founders of Stannisberg, has family living in Kethis. I therefore see no reason why the Thayne family, or possibly even the third founding family, whose name I do not know, could have as well. Perhaps this man is connected to the Thanyes in some way?

Regardless, I should very much like to speak to him. Now that Bartek is feeling better (more on that later), perhaps we can attempt to track him from the site of the ghoul attack.

At any rate, we informed Commander Salmar about the letter we received from the ghouls. We informed him also that I -might- have invited some of the indigenous population to attempt to make a treaty with Stannisberg, and that he should instruct his men not to shoot any Ratfolk that they see approaching the town, and forward a warning to the mayor. I confess that in retrospect, my suggestion was foolish and certainly hubris. At the time, however, we were simply trying to procure medicine for Bartek, and I was trying to avoid confrontation. I did also mention to the Commander that I have somewhat of an established relationship with this Ratfolk diplomat, and I could be available if I was needed.

Good gods, Kailie, what in the hells is wrong with me? I am doubtlessly turning into my brother.

Oh dear. I wrote that partially in jest, but I just realized it might have been closer to truth than I realized. For you see, next Karth and I offered for sale that armor I described in my last letter, and I think that I rather convinced Commander Salmar to give us a much better price than we normally would have gotten. Yfalar would be so proud.

After our visit with the Commander, Karth left our company to return to his shop. The man has been gallivanting about on our adventures for days, so it was little surprise that today he chose to get some work done, instead.

I returned to the swamp with Bartek. I was somewhat nervous to venture into the wilderness for the first time with only one other person–particularly when I was only yesterday concerned that that other person might be sizing me up for lunch–but I had seen Bartek fight and trusted that his skill would protect us from any creatures we might encounter. I was also acutely aware that it is very much still spring here in Stannisberg, and that I could therefore quickly get away from him and make my way back to town if I needed to.

Yesterday’s list from the apothecary numbered five plants and fungi needed to make Bartek’s tincture. I found three. Today, I am quite chuffed with myself for finding all five. Surely by tomorrow morning, Bartek will feel right as rain.

And I really must talk to Mister Reggie about partnering with Tulwyn. That man’s work is most impressive.

At any rate, Bartek and I made our way back to Tulwyn’s apothecary shop. I bid them both farewell and returned to Mister Reggie’s, where I now sit writing to my dearest stormy-eyed companion.

It has been a long and taxing series of days. I have been soaked, caked in mud, beset by insects, scolded by Ratfolk, and am rather sore and sunburned. But I am also fulfilled in a way that I never thought possible. I truly wish you could see this land, Kailie. It is so familiar, and yet so alien at the same time. And it is lovely.

And now I will end this letter, for my fatigue is making it difficult not to focus on the what-ifs.

All My Love,

X

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