Tristan's Letters

[Aeodan]

Dated 81 Ashan 717

His Grace Tristan, Duke of Oakleigh

My name is Aeodan Burnett, and I am an assistant researcher presently working and studying in the Institute of Languages in the Viden Academy. My majour focus thus far has been the study of an extinct tribe of people called the Jourkadri, formerly located in your Duchy of Oakleigh.

Simply put, I have a two-fold purpose for writing you now. Primarily, I would like to request your permission to charter an expedition from the Academy to come and dig for archaeological and anthropological remnants of the Jourkadri tribes. We would primarily be searching outside of any primary settlements, though if the trail leads to one of the villages, I would like permission to attempt excavation. We will do no large scale projects, mostly sub-surface digging to find the remnants and artifacts.

The secondary purpose for this letter is to present to you an opportunity for patronage. Though sponsored by the Academy, many of the costs of this expedition will fall solely to me, and though I have no qualms about using my own wealth to further the discovery of these wonderful people, I would like to propose an invitation for you to help fund the expedition. In return, not only would you be furthering the academic progress of entire generations of scholars to come, but you will be given gratitude and credit in my published work on the subject, in the very beginning of the text. This would ensure that the proper credit was given to Your Grace, and would serve to show your subjects that you are a supporter of the education and learning of the region.

I look forward to your reply, Your Grace.

With regards,
Aeodan Burnett

[Tristan Venora]

Ashan 118, Arc 717

Dear Aeodan,

I’m very interested in your expedition. I dreamed of going on adventures and studying lost peoples and lost cultures myself when I was younger, before His Royal Majesty decided to give this duchy to me (which is quite an adventure as well, if I may say so). Besides, supporting the education and learning of this region is important, as you mentioned in your letter. The people of Oakleigh deserve to know more about who used to live on their land.

That means that you have my permission to attempt excavation and do anything else that is necessary in order to ensure that your expedition will be a success, in case it isn’t obvious yet. You must tell me more about the Jourkadri though! Were they human? When and why did they become extinct, and was there anything special about them? And is there any chance that there are still people of Jourkadri blood somewhere in Idalos?

You mentioned funding and crediting me in exchange for said funding. I would love to help fund your expedition! I’ve been thinking about investing my money in scientific and cultural projects for a while now. Unfortunately I don’t have any idea how much such an expedition will cost since I’ve never been involved in such a thing before. So please just let me know how much money you will need, and I will do my best to give you that money. Please also let me know if there is anything else that you need. As I wrote, I’d love to help!

Tristan
Duke of Oakleigh

P.S.: If you ever want to talk to me in person, feel free to visit me at my estate!

[Faith Augustin]

42nd Ymiden, 717

Dear Tristan,

I am so relieved that you believe me. I don't know if Aelig can read minds, to be honest. I don't think so, though, because when he came to the room we were staying at in Rharne and revealed the pregnancy to us, I threw a hairbrush at him and it hit him in the face. If he could read my mind, he'd have known it was coming, wouldn't he?

Tristan, I am so sorry that you have had the experience of me dying in your arms. Whoever has done this, and I believe it is Aelig, they have played a cruel game with you and your emotions. It is my hope that you never experience such sadness and grief and I am so very sorry that you have. Everything you tells me makes me think that it is Aelig ~ he tortured Padraig, he knows him. He knows about Rose, too, my daughter. But Tristan, that baby is not her. Since arriving on Scalvoris I have been blessed by Vri and he told me that Rose has passed over and her soul is now at peace.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry that Aelig has given you a child that looks like she is ours, but I promise you that I know 100% on the word of an Immortal I trust ~ she is not mine. I suspect, Tristan, she might not even be yours but this is all a continuation of why Aelig did what he did. Because he wanted to put this baby in your arms and us to doubt, to wonder. Vri has made it completely clear to me what is actual truth.

I know what you mean about a stranger's baby not looking like us. But Tristan, someone looked like me and it was not. Aelig is the Immortal of Illusion. I'm sorry, so very sorry and I'm even more sorry to have to be the one to tell you absolutely.

Now, please believe me when I say this. As much as I'm so sorry for you and what you've gone through, I'm so pleased for Ayla. She is with a man who will love her unconditionally and who will be an excellent father. I will help you any way I can and, should you allow it, then I will be her very loving pseudo-Aunt. But Tristan, I am not her mother. I'll send some clothes and things, gifts if you don't mind.

It sounds like a lot has changed in your life. How different things are from that trial we met outside the university. Jamal was punishing me for wanting something more, do you remember? We have both changed such a lot and I hope you know that I pray for you every trial and give thanks to Famula, Vri and Moseke for your part in my life.

I'm glad you like the scroll and I'm so pleased that you are going to come to the wedding. Please, bring Ayla with you I would love to meet her! And an alchemist!! Tristan Venora you are a dark horse.

With all my love to you,

Faith

[Faith Augustin]

43rd Ymiden, 717

Dear Tristan,

I believe, although I might be wrong because it is very complex, that Aelig and Zanik are enemies. Perhaps it is because of your association with Zanik and your talent in the arts? I don't know, when he was being how he was with Padraig and I, he seemed to be very focused on torturing Padraig. I'm sure it's not me, so maybe it's alchemists?

I don't know, Tristan, if Rose was real or not. I mean, I know without a doubt that she was real to me and that I miss her. I know that I feel hollow, empty.. I carried her and grew her beneath my heart and I was terrified, Tristan. I was so afraid. How can I ever be someone's mother, after all? I never had one, I don't know what it is to be a child, or a mother. Yet I loved her and love her unconditionally. It hurts, but she is gone and I can't do anything except hurt.

Speaking of related by blood (and changing the subject, because it is too painful), Tristan, can you believe that I have a name that I know? Nardovino! If you ever hear of anyone by that name, please, please, find out for me? I had the strangest dream just the other trial where I was looking in a mirror at a woman just like me, she said that I was not Augustin (Padraig's name. He has one, of course, he was just too stubborn to tell you), but I was Nardovino and that my name was Leech. How strange! She looked just like me too!

Tristan, I need you to hear me when I tell you something. I genuinely believe that no one knows you quite the way that I do and you will be an excellent, if somewhat quirky, father. Ayla will grow up in love and laughter, light and more love. What a lucky girl! If anyone can break Aelig's influence on her, you can. Never give up on her, never doubt yourself and it will be fine. No matter what anyone tells you, no matter what ~ just never give her up, Tristan. The hardest thing I have had to face is that is what my parents did. My mother handed me over. Never hand her over. Let her grow up in love, and it will be fine.

Maybe, some day, I can be a mother again too. I would like that.

And you have every say in the matter! Tell the King that if you can not allow your daughter to be Duchess, then you will have to declare independence and rise up in rebellion against him! Or ask him nicely, but do what is right for you and your daughter. I have started making some things for Ayla, I hope that I will be able to meet her soon. Please, tell her that, as Aunt Faith I will always have candies in my pocket. Always.

I miss you. I hope you know that. I never regret meeting you, although I regret the circumstances of it. If I hadn't been your slave, Tristan, who knows how things would have been between us? We are friends despite that. I am going to fight against slavery here on Scalvoris. But you know - if you like magic things, you should come here! There is magic sand. Magic glass. Over grown magic spiders (not so good) and all sorts! You'd love it!

With all my love to you,

Faith

[Alistair]

73rd of Ymiden, Arc 717

Beloved Cousin, Duke Tristan Venora of Oakleigh,

I was wondering, dear cousin, how Tamlen and my retinue have fared in assisting the stability of your Duchy and the protection of your person? It has been some time since I've last checked in, and I feel awful for not doing so earlier!

I would like you to know, also, that come Saun there will be a trial held against the current Duke and Duchess of Venora, my parents. I will, in all likelihood, be surrendering my place as the primary inheritor of the Duchy to prove my need for justice rather than power. I told you I would ask for your aid some day from now, and now the time has come. I must ask:

Will you, as the esteemed Duke of Oakleigh, assist me in this trial? Would you be willing to testify the brutishness of my father and the incompetence and neglect of my mother? Surely you must've seen it in your youth, and even now. They cannot serve as the Lords of this house - their effect on the Duchy has already been demonstrable, and our lands once fair have begun to frail.

I ask that you would help me in this one last endeavor. After this point, I cannot be sure of how often I will return to the Kingdom, but I will always be willing to come and see my family. The ones that matter, at least.

Yours Truly,
Alistair Nathaniel Venora, First in Line, Baron of Novilane and Future Duke of the Great House of Venora

[Alistair]

83rd of Ymiden, Arc 717

Beloved Cousin, Duke Tristan Venora of Oakleigh,

Tristan, I'm very glad to hear that Tamlen has done well, and that perchance you feel more safe and secure in Oakleigh. I'm also pleased to know that you are not alone, and have Atolini present - this is all wondrous news. I think I'll be visiting some time in Saun!

As for the future of Venora, well - to be completely forward, Tristan, I do not believe anyone is as suited as I to be Duke... as much as I love Andraska, I think the burden of Dukedom would consume him and spit him out. He may change some trial, but as of today, I do not see it in him. Unfortunately, I don't frankly know if I can function the same in Rynmere any longer, or rather if I can bring myself to dwell within it for longer than necessary. A lot has happened, a lot that's given me pause about my future within the Kingdom.

We can discuss these things in Saun, if you like. I warn you, I have a great many secrets to tell, so I'd prepare the wine for my arrival. As I write this letter, I am in Oxentide, preparing to announce the trial to the courts of the Emperor. I'll be seeing you very soon.

Yours Truly,
Alistair Nathaniel Venora, First in Line, Baron of Novilane and Future Duke of the Great House of Venora

[Faith Augustin]

1st Zi'da, 717

Dear Tristan,

I hope that this letter finds you well. I was sorry to not see you on Scalvoris last season, I had hoped to see you again. However, in truth, it is not a bad thing - a number of the people we invited to the party did not come and seemed to have been whipped off to do something important. Did that happen to you? If so, I hope it was a great adventure - I know you like them!

However, there are a few things I wanted to tell you there, when we were face to face, but since we did not get the chance then this will have to do. First, and most important, every test that I have done indicates to me that Ayla is well and healthy. I can only conclude that her aging is to do with her parentage and, therefore, I would suggest that maybe what you do is try and get her to focus on being here and now. As she grows, she will almost certainly learn to control that ability, so helping her to focus, meditate, anything like that will just be of help to her later on. Your daughter is beautiful and healthy, Tristan, and there is nothing to worry about - other than all the other million things, of course, but in terms of that, she's fine.

Then, on to my news, I suppose. Padraig and I are married - although we had a party on the trial we were expecting you, we got married in Desnind earlier in the season. We did that because... well, for lots of reasons. I was kidnapped, stolen in broad daylight and held hostage by a lich, we think, and I've been having some issues since then. I find crowds difficult, I'm nervous a lot. But also, we got married in Desnind earlier in the season because there's only so much I could let out my dress. I'm pregnant, Tristan, and I am so happy. And tired, and grumpy and my ankles are swollen!

The more I experience of a real pregnancy (I'm due next season, early on in Cylus), the more that I think Rose was just an illusion. However, I really wanted to be able to look you in the eye and share my good news with you, but since I can't, this will have to do.

How are you, Tristan? Tell me all your news! I hope that you and Ayla are well.

With all my love to you,

Faith

[Valeria Burhan]

73rd Zi'da 717

Tristan,

I wasn't sure if I should write to you, fearing that it might be too presumptuous given that we hardly know each other. However, considering that we have a certain understanding with one another, I decided that there was no harm in it.

I didn't have an opportunity to speak to you after the gala and I imagine that there are all manner of rumours circulating about me - they've certainly reached my mother's ears although I don't know precisely what's being said. I presume that you wouldn't think ill of me, no matter what you heard, but I assure you that it's probably founded on misunderstandings and some unfortunate coincidences . Believe me when I say, it probably isn't what it sounds like - except for the things about us! I'm sure you can decide the validity of those rumours for yourself. . .

Due to said rumours, I've been ordered back to Burhan so if you want to reach me, you'll have to address them to Senlin. I thought you'd like to know and I'd quite like to hear from you.


Yours,

Valeria Burhan, Lady of Senlin

[Valeria Burhan]

89th Zi'da 717

Tristan,


Lady Burhan? I'd hoped that we'd done away with such formalities. As I seem to recall, you weren't keen on being called 'your Grace'. I'd like to think that letters don't have to be quite as proprietous as face-to-face interaction and we both know that propriety doesn't necessarily hold in those sorts of situation. . .

Honestly, I didn't expect you to reply to me but I'm very glad although much to my horror, my mother actually opened your letter and began to read it as if it was her own! I've never felt more like a child in my life, but I was certainly quick to remedy the situation. How dare she! She seems to think that I'm a woman of tarnished reputation and despite the seal - and the fact that it was clearly addressed to me - she got it into her head that there might be something incriminating in it. Frankly, if any good could have come of climbing out of my window, I would have done it!

That being said, I'm suddenly in far better standing than I was because my mother can't understand how I managed to sufficiently attract your interest that you'd be willing to correspond with me. Letters from a duke certainly appear to do wonders for softening my mother's opinion of me. At the same time, she's obviously heard rumours about you that I haven't because she's simultaneously enthralled and horrified by the idea. I found myself interrogated about what we'd done together, a line of questioning that I found quite shocking coming from her. It's ironic really given the sort of names she called me when I arrived and the sort of accusations that she heaped on my shoulder. Suddenly, she's all too happy to fling me in your direction to do anything and everything necessary to seduce you! I'm sure you'll appreciate the humour of the situation.

Annoyingly, she wanted to dictate a letter for me to write to you as well. You have to laugh really, the idea of my mother teaching me how to be seductive! Then again, she doesn't know about Zanik or my mark.

I'm glad that I can offer you something different in your daily matters although I'd obviously prefer to be there in person; it'd certainly be more interesting! I can only imagine how stressful it must be to oversee a duchy. Obviously, I'm due to take over my mother's barony some trial so I know what it must entail, albeit on a much grander scale.

I do regret that we didn't have a chance to see more of each other but it was a little hectic. Still, I certainly found your company quite enjoyable and it was nice to have someone else who truly understands certain things. I wouldn't say no to a chance to see you again, especially as you've so kindly extended an invitation. Actually, thanks to your letter, I might be permitted to go back to running my own affairs in Andaris rather than being stuck under house arrest in Burhan. Honestly, there's nothing more dull than being trapped in this miserable region, cut off from everything. I might well come to visit you in Cylus if I can. I certainly know where I'd rather be during the season of darkness.

In the meantime, I'll be more than happy to keep you amused from a distance.


Yours

Valeria Burhan, Lady of Senlin

[Faith Augustin]

Via Echo Scroll:

5th Cylus, 718

Dear Tristan,

Well, what a relief to hear from you! I had grown worried that you had not replied to me, but now I understand. I would dearly love to see you, too. It feels like a lifetime ago last I saw you. I have, indeed, given birth and our twins are beautiful! Noah and Madison are ten trials old to-trial and they are perfect, just perfect. I would love for you to meet them, and Ayla too, of course!

Tristan - burning people alive?! Are you sure? What on Idalos is Cassander thinking? Why would he do such a dreadful thing? I could understand if it was a necromancer, but all mages? What about Lord Alistair? He is a mage, isn't he? That is an awful way to behave! What does the Empress say?

I was worried that Oakleigh might be a difficult thing for you ~ a poisoned chalice as you say. Tristan, the way that Rynmere works is so very wrong. Things will change there, of that I am sure. If that means a civil war, though? The last one was awful and horrific - so many people died. Oh, Tristan, I want to help you. I do.

I think that maybe the best way I can help you right now is to tell you that I will see you tonight - please, tell no one of this, but I have the ability to communicate with you in your dreams. I will see you there.

Until tonight. Stay safe.

Faith