The Letters

[Bynw]

Secure in his manor-house in far off Vezaire, Lord Collos d'Chameaux, reviews the finances of his estate and lands with his seneschal. The large table in the Lord's study is covered in many maps, papers, tallies, and other correspondence that must be dealt with by any rank of noble.

As Lord Collos and his seneschal discuss the various tallies a courier enters the study. He bows to Lord Collos but before he can reach the Lord, the seneschal moves to intercept him. But the seneschal stops as he catches sight of a pin holding the courier's cloak and moves aside.

The courier hands over to Lord Collos a bound packet of 5 wax sealed and folded over parchments. A "W" can be glimpsed on the first and the thickest of the 5. The Lord takes the packet and dismisses both the courier and the seneschal.

Lord Collos sits down and places his hand over the wax seal of the first bound pages. He can feel the magic spell that protects the packet from being read by Deryni means and would cause harm to anyone attempting to open the folded pages without releasing the spells first. Elegant security of the civilized Deryni.

With a brief exhale and whispered spell he breaks the seal and begins to read the contents of the folded pages that were marked only with a "W".

The pages detail the comings, the goings, the visits and the day to day life of Washburn Alaric Cynfyn Morgan. A man of great interest both personally and professionally to the Deryni Lord of Vezaire and Master Assassin of the Bordah.

[DerynifanK]

Oh dear, this sounds ominous. Is Wash never to be free of Feyd. With all the Deryni at court, one would think that at least one could detect this surveillance and perhaps institute a surveillance of the spy conducting it. Turn about you know..

[Laurna]

LOL,  That must be some very boring reading!

Poor Wash has not had time to do much other than get his act together. What with study at the Schola, preparing Lendour for his nephew to take over, setting up his new Morgan Manor, and attempting, though not as often as he would like, to court a very pretty young lady. He will be traveling a heck of a lot, many times by portal, so I think it might take an army to watch his day to day every move.

One Lord Collos should find that very MUNDANE and likely expensive!

[Jerusha]

Let us hope that Washburn's life remains mundane and boring (at least for an observer).  Peace does not always last; but Washburn still has good friends to watch his back.  (Thought Darcy and Aliset are a little preoccupied with the upcoming birth of the twins.)

[Laurna]

To Lord of Vezaire and Master of Bordah,

Within are the details of one Washburn Alaric Cynfyn Morgan. As per your orders, we have six informants well installed in various locations to spy and report upon the comings and goings of the man of interest to you.

Following Christmas court at Rhemuth, Baron Washburn returned to his new Morgan Manor. He has replaced the seneschal and filled several key posts here at the manor, including the captain of his guard, with retainers loyal to himself and the king. Several are lifelong friends with whom he had trained in Rhemuth. None of them will be easily turned to give us the information that you require. Though we have managed to get a man into the engineering core, a stone mason who is assisting with the construction of a new south wing at the manor. The baron is renovating the entire manor house and is doubling the size of the old castle, including a new enlarged solar and private residence with grand arched windows that open upon a lady's garden. The lady for whom this is meant for is not named, but I think we all know who the intended lady is to be.

In late March when the snows dissipated, the baron rode for Rhemuth to observe the last two weeks of Lent at court. He attended several lectures at the Schola, exchanged a number of books and scrolls at the Schola library for ones that were suggested to him by Megistra Helena and Bishop John.  He was seen on at least two occasions in the Schola's gardens in the company of a student and her maid. The student was Lady Fiona MacIntire. On another occasion, he was seen in the library with the same lady, where he unrolled a schematic of his new buildings at Morgan Manor. He willingly  accepted suggestions she made and wrote the changes in on the schematics. On April 4, he escorted the same young lady to Easter Service and thereafter enjoyed  sharing his trencher with her at the king's feast.

In the week following Easter, Washburn assembled, provisioned and then escorted a small contingent of twelve riders to  Meara. The party included Earl Iain Cameron, Magistra Helena, Lady Fiona, Father Columcil, Lady Anna (one of the queen's favored ladies-in-waiting and a trained Deryni midwife). Squire Robert was in attendance to the contingent, as were five Haldane lancers. Without incident the contingent arrived at Caer Mariot on April 15.  Lady Aliset de Cameron took to confinement on April 25 and after a great time with her pains, eased by the Deryni Healers present, she delivered twins, a pair of girls. Lord Darcy was beside himself with worry and then ultimately with joy. But I heard from my informant that it was a very good thing that Father Columcil and Lord Washburn were present to calm him.

In mid May the contingent returned to Rhemuth well pleased with their trip. Washburn continued on to Lendour. He met there with His Grace, Duke Kelric and nephew Lord Kenric. Much ado was made of introducing the young Earl of Lendour to his people and his lands. It seems the transition of stewardship was successful. Washburn did arrange for two of Lendour's finest knights to become his men, and he took them back to Rhemuth with him. He as yet does not have his own squire, but one of the sons of one of these knights has been placed as a page in Haldane livery with a promise that Lord Washburn will squire him when he comes of age.

It is now July and Lord Washburn is back at Morgan Manor seeing to the new construction there and already making plans for a new chapel and an infirmary building on the far side of his enlarged courtyard. The money for the castle construction was Washburn's own. The money's for the chapel and infirmary are being supplied by the Archbishop and the king himself. It seems the barony will become the home of a Royal Hospital here on the border between Gwynedd and Meara.

As to the item of interest to you about his special talent? As far as we are able to discern, no other Healer as yet has been able to learn this thing from him. We will keep you informed if we hear differently.

I am as I always shall be your third hand for the order
Donald Madon  Tailor Extraordinaire 
Newly appointed Tailor to the king's court of Rhemuth. 

[revanne]

Some very interesting story lines suggested there, Laurna.

[Jerusha]

I would say it is a very good thing Father Columcil and Washburn were in attendance in Caer Mariot to calm Darcy down!  Probably more difficult than assisting Aliset.

I am on pins and needles with concern about the new tailor in Rhemuth!   

[Laurna]

The new tailor at Rhemuth Court has many, many pins and needles for you. LOL
I am certain he gets an earful of info every time he drapes a garment for a prominent figure at court. Although he may not have yet come to the esteem of the king and queen, but I am sure he is building his reputation to get there.

And like Revanne, I would dearly love to see some of the events listed in the letter if far greater detail.  ****just a small hint****   

[Bynw]

I am certain that the tailor isn't a common murderer or thug either. He is a skill professional. And his reputation in his skills are his life. Perhaps he dreams of becoming high ranked within the Order. Being elevated to a title somewhere where the Order has the influence to do it. Even if it's just a landed hereditary Knighthood.

The Order isn't discriminatory to one's origin. High born or low. Even Humans have their advantages. Servants can be bought or reveal information during a round of drinks at the tavern. Soldiers like to brag of their deeds. And with Humans of course, a simple pattern can cause them to sleep while their minds are simply read and then left to go about their business. "I passed out at the campfire after the battle and the drinking."

Servants gossip about who is at their Lord's table or visiting the sitting room of their Lady. It's a fact of life. It happens everywhere.

[Laurna]

I am certain that the tailor isn't a common murderer or thug either. He is a skill professional. And his reputation in his skills are his life. Perhaps he dreams of becoming high ranked within the Order.

The tailor does have moderate aspirations of gaining rank within the Order. After all he received praise for his dealings with Lord Oswald during the Mearan Rebellion. Madon the Begger was known to very few. But Donald Madon the Tailor was a prominent figure in Ratharkin's merchant guilds. He even received a letter of commendation from Duke Rory for helping to repair Ratharkin's economy.

Donald Madon used that letter to install himself at Rhemuth court, and in the spring and summer of 1165  he is happily doing wonderful business.

[DerynifanK]

I really enjoyed the reports of Feyd's observers I do wonder what he is up to. Is he hoping that Washburn will at some point be able to teach another Deryni healer that blocking skill, one who might be more ambitious or amenable to persuasion and agree to join the Assassins. Or is he seeking to learn more about Wash himself in order to find a way to pressure him into joining them? Lots of fun story lines suggested in these reports.