On board the Maris Stella, Nonus 1668.
My Dear Ferdinand,
I confess that I was quite surprised by your letter,
but also that it piqued my curiosity. As you say, there is some risk
in what one writes in a letter, but I will mention that I know from my
friend doña Melisandre that your personal loyalty has been acknowledged
by our sovereign, along with hers and my cousins'. This is an honour
I have great respect for. I understand that your situation is very
difficult, particularly since your miraculous return. But my cousin don
Juan personally vouched for you, and that is enough for me.
You speak of certains stirrings that might cause undue
stress on the King. I admit that this leaves me uneasy; I must assume
that you contacted me for a specific purpose. Might it be that you
are considering intervention in these matters, and want some assistance
from me? As you may know from my cousins and my friends, I have placed
my loyalty in the service of the King and Castille, by the grace of Theus.
I suspect any enemies I may have in Castille are much the same as yours.
I am not sure how I may be of help to you, but I am certainly interested
in hearing what you have to say.
With Theus' light and San Jaime's protection,
I remain, good Ferdinand, your obliged,
Constanza Aldana y Orduño
