My Dearest Friend,
Each day I feel like I lose further touch with the
world I once lived in. But Theus help me, I've looked into my heart
and found the strength of a pirate's daughter to hold fast to, and the
person I used to be has fled from the harsh reality that I've been forced
to face. I do thank you for the explanation regarding Doña
de Ochoa and I assure you that I shall care for your cousin as best I'm
able. Sometimes it is not just the body that a physician must care
for, but also the soul, although I would prefer to leave that to the priests.
I don't yet know how I shall ever tell Lucas about the visit from d'Aur
but I know that secrets often have a way of coming to light. It is
perhaps best if I tell him in private so that the world may not see his
pain, but then I wonder if I should tell him at all? Such a difficult
decision is mine to make! I freely admit that my own guilt has caused
me to allow your cousin more liberties than I should. Not only allowed
but encouraged, I fear, as you know from my last letter. But he seems
to enjoy my company and everyone should have some pleasant memories, don't
you think? I can see you now, as I write this, frowning in that thoughtful
way of yours, concerned for me, but worry not. I shall not go too
far in my endeavors to cheer him, and it is but a temporary thing until
I can decide upon a course of action.
As to Doña de Ochoa, I have my own suspicions.
If her husband truly wanted her as a wife to merely bear his heirs, then
perhaps the blood on d'Aur's hands was merely from his vile sorcery.
I mentioned to you that I was the one who was there when her twins were
stillborn. She had been poisoned, and in order to save her own life,
I was forced to cauterize the source of her blood loss. I can guarantee
that the woman would never have been able to bear any future offspring.
So this makes me wonder, who was the cause of her death? The Montaigne?
Or her own husband in a fit of rage at being denied his heirs? Either
way, when this comes to light, I fear that Lucas shall ride off after one
or the other. Or perhaps both. And I can't allow that to occur.
I have no idea how I shall stop him, but stop him I shall. No matter
the cost.
You mention that you have begun corresponding with
Ferdinand. He is a fellow countryman and I feel pity for him, thus
I've done what I can on his behalf. Unfortunately, that's been very
little. He's not the most talkative sort and gets very defensive
at times, and I find him difficult to get to know. That, combined
with the collar that I mentioned previously, well, Lucas does not wish
to sleep under the same roof. But your dear cousin has agreed to
help pay Ferdinand's living expenses since I wish it so, and has agreed
that he is welcome at the embassy during the daylight hours. Perhaps
this is not much to offer to Ferdinand, but it should make his time here
a bit easier.
Your cousin Juan is another matter. He spends
much time by himself and is always slipping off on his own. I've
tried to make overtures of friendship, but it has been a slow process.
However, with him, I can fully understand. His secret of being what
he is, is known and therefore enemies could strike at any time. How
can he trust anyone? Poor man, what sort of life is it to be always
looking over your shoulder?
When I'm not spending time with Lucas, I've been spending
time talking with Mendoza. You remember that I mentioned him?
He's staying at the embassy for now. He was doing the duties of a
butler, but I'm afraid that came to an abrupt halt when he picked the pocket
of a messenger and then denied it. Lucas threw him out but he's been
allowed back due to his help with fighting off the Mad Wolves. The
Mad Wolves are a gang of ruffians that roam the streets of Freiburg.
They force those weaker than they to pay them off to keep their attacks
at bay. This city is atrocious! We came to an understanding
with them when we first arrived and they have left us alone. But
now they are being paid to harass us.
There is a gentleman by the name of Erhardt that lives
in Freiburg. He's very powerful I'm afraid and dislikes your cousin
immensely, although I'm not sure why. He's recently made it his ambition
to ruin our embassy. Suddenly we have numerous men showing up with
mortgages due on the embassy property, payable by the Baronet Drachenheim,
which is your cousin's honorary title. There are at least five
of these, totaling over 100,000 marks, not to mention that the Mad Wolves
attacked our embassy. Ferdinand and Mendoza brought us warning and
with their help the attackers were fended off, with a great loss to their
own number. And no, none of us were in danger of greeting Theus personally.
Funny thing, Erhardt was to be married in two weeks
time, to a Vodacce woman. The story behind this is very tragic.
I shan't reveal my source but I shall tell you of it. It seems the
woman's parents gave her to Erhardt as part of their negotiation for a
trade agreement in Freiburg. She was unwilling to be his bride and
I share her opinion. To be married to such an odious man! It
would be intolerable! Be that as it may, he brought her back to Freiburg,
and the invitations were sent out. Poor woman. She had friends
in the city that were there to free her and spirit her away, but unfortunately,
before they could do so, Erhardt came to the conclusion that his new bride
wished to poison him and had her killed. If only her friends had
approached me sooner! I would have helped them to free her.
But now she is lost and there is nothing left but vengeance, and who shall
extract such? Her friends are not in a position to even the scale,
and yet it must be so. A life for a life, blood calls for blood,
and vengeance is a harsh, demanding master. Mendoza would sympathize
with this. It seems he is very good with knives, my dear friend,
and more than willing to use them when necessary. I find myself liking
him, despite his faults. He has a boyish, endearing charm and fades
into the woodwork when he's been dismissed. A most useful quality,
and a welcome change. He's more than willing to spend hours telling
stories and chatting about fashion.
I'm quite certain that Erhardt will be punished in
the end, even if he has rescinded his assault upon our embassy. And
then the Vodacce woman's soul might rest in peace. I understand that
she was a fate witch. Poor woman, I shall pray for her.
My hat is off to you, dear friend, for the rescue of
Siegsburg. It amazes me that such creatures roam the countryside,
mostly unimpeded. Few have the courage and strength to stand up to
them, I suppose and I applaud your fortitude and determination. The
Eisen mercenaries that you mention sound like a boisterous lot. But
even so, it was dangerous of you to challenge the Die Zierlich crew.
Tibold worked for many years upon the seas and the ways of the pirate are
well known to him. He is a dangerous foe and if he feels threatened,
he may not listen to me nor honor my desire that my friends remain safe.
He has said as much. I know that you are headstrong and will do as
you will, but please heed my warning. I'm certain that Tibold will
no longer trade in slaves. At heart he is a good man, if a bit mercenary.
It's gotten colder in Freiburg, if you can believe
that! I find that trousers are much warmer than my skirts and have
taken to wearing them instead. And sitting in the study beside the
blazing fire of an eve has proved to be most enjoyable and keeps the cold
at bay for a time. Sometimes I wish I could stay there, instead of
retiring, but being well rested is important for my work.
The hour grows late, and I should get some rest.
We are planning a dinner party and will be inviting several guests and
I'm sure Armin will need help with the guest list.
Fare you well,
Meli
