Letters from October (14 Oct 2001) Letters found within the lion mirror.

Lady Angelique of April
The Green Sward
Elysia

My Dearest Angelique:

Your letter, as always, is welcome, though I would that you had gladder tidings to bring me. All Mirari grieves for the loss of Sir Theodore. But I vow that his brave sacrifice will not be in vain. The Destroyer will be made to pay for his crimes!

At least, however, I have news that I hope will cheer your heart a little: our search for a site on which to build the Palace has been a success! Yestermorning, I followed the edge of the dark forest, within which it was prophesized the palace should be laid. The forest is more intimidating than I had imagined, with trees packed tightly side by side, and dense undergrowth like a hedge of nettles all 'round. I hacked at the growth with my sword, but to little avail, as the weeds grew back faster than I could strike them down. Disheartened but not dissuaded, I looked for a better way in. At length, I found a narrow chink in the hedge, as of some woodland path long since reclaimed by the forest. 'Twas too narrow and o'ergrown for me to fit on, yet I thought it a good sign. Here I remembered my enchanted flute, and I drew it forth. Playing the melody of thorns -- you know the one, my sister -- I stood by the little gap. The forest seemed to give a great sigh, and the weeds and nettles melted back, opening the path to me. Elated, I walked upon it, sure that I was now nearing my goal. I continued to play the flute, and the path lay clear before me now, carpeted by grass and lined with flowers. At last, it opened into a great meadow, with a pattern of three interlocking circles described by flowers in the grass. As I stood in wonder at the sight, an angel descended from the sky, and lighted within one circle. In her right hand she held a great sword that blazed with fire, but I was not afraid. She smiled and gave me a courteous nod, then slid her sword into its sheath, and I understood the Sign. From here, our King might rule in Peace.

We began construction this morn.

Yours in all things,

Lord Bram of October

In the Second Year of Mirari, on the Thirtieth of August

Lady Angelique of April
The Green Sward
Elysia

My Dearest Angelique:

I understand your sentiments, yet I cannot share them. The Destroyer is no more our friend or ally. We must harden our hearts and forget past relations, and be grateful now for the respite Sir Theodore's sacrifice has won us. Though I know we both dread the coming of the Year's End, my sister, take heart: we have ample time to prepare, and the return of the King shall give us power to withstand it.

Work on the Palace of All Seasons continues smoothly. The Lords of September and November have sent twenty men each to aid me, and the materials you and the rest of Spring have sent go to good use. Never think that your role in all this is not critical, Angelique! The Palace shall be splendid because of all our efforts, not just those here and working upon it. I think the Houses of Winter are coming to their senses, and their efforts less grudgingly conceded. But Summer ... well, Lord July speaks prettily now, but I mislike him yet. I pray he does not turn on us as the Destroyer did, but yet -- well, time will tell. Lord Melchizedek keeps a close watch on him and his fellows.

And now it seems Lord Melchizedek is keeping watch on me, for he has just noted me writing this letter. He asks me to send his love to his lady wife, and so I give the message for you to convey. I hope all is well with yourself and the Lady Ariel -- and the rest of your court. I pray we have no further mishaps, now that the Destroyer has been forced to withdraw.

Yours in all things,

Lord Bram of October

Lady Angelique of April
The Green Sward
Elysia

My Dearest Angelique:

Your recent tidings fill me with trepidation. I beg of you, sweet sister, proceed with caution, if you must proceed at all! Yet -- do as you feel best. I trust your judgment. With this letter, I send a score of knights, and pray that they prove timely and useful.

The Palace of All Seasons grows more lovely and spectacular by the hour. Your heart would leap to see it, and I hope that, all things being well, you soon shall.

We have encountered a difficulty or two. Yestereve, an unearthly keening filled the air as I supervised the good people at work. Their hands flew to their heads in an effort to block out the terrible noise, and swarms of flying, stinging insects flew in from all directions. A great panic seized our folk. By reflex, my hand went to my sword, but soon I realized even that weapon would avail me naught against this threat. I ran for our encampment, searching wildly through my things for the talisman you had provided me. At length, my frantic searches yielded it up (forgive me for not keeping such things closer at hand, my lady!) I rushed to return to the sight, holding the talisman before me and using the gestures you had taught me. It radiated a soft white aura that cut through the swarm like a scythe. The spell of the insects seemed broken, and their keening drone faded to naught. Soon the clouds of them fell apart and dissipated, allowing us to resume our work.

I suspect Summer's hand in the swarm, though of course July denies everything, and assures me he means us no malice and has every interest in championing the King's cause, and does all in his power to promote the King's name, etc., etc. I believe none of it, nor does Lord Melchizedek. I would that Lord July could resign himself to his lot, but I am certain in his heart he still believes he alone should rule. With every passing day I am more grateful that Riordan will be our King. Some of our number are not fit to be even Lords of Houses, much less to rule o'er us all! I pray that once Riordan arrives and is crowned, he will be able to soothe these troubled, quarrelsome lordlings, and bring lasting peace to Mirari.

In any event, the swarm caused only a minor delay, and I have every confidence that the Palace will be completed in a timely fashion. When the King arrives, he shall have a royal seat worthy of the name.

Yours in all things,

Lord Bram of October

In the Second Year of Mirari, on the Third of September

Lady Angelique of April
The Green Sward
Elysia

My Dearest Angelique:

Your mirror proves its worth once again! 'Twas a clever use of a gateway, sister, and not one of which I would have thought. My thanks for the safe return of my knights, and I am glad that they were not needed.

Lord August came to me with a dire warning -- it seems the Lady June and Lord July approached him, trying to enlist him in a Summer plot to contact the Destroyer! August swore that the two suggested the Destroyer might make a fitter King than Riordan! Then an hour later, June and July came to me declaring that August's men were plotting to enthrone /him/. I swear that as lovely as the season is, there's many a day when I could do without it entirely. I am investigating all their claims. We may yet have new heads to every House of Summer if these allegations prove true. The Lord Protector's instincts, and my own, say that June and July are the traitors. I think I will have to venture to the Destroyer's lands to learn the truth.

Yours in all things,

Lord Bram of October

In the Second Year of Mirari, on the Fifth of September

Lady Angelique of April
The Green Sward
Elysia

Dear Angelique:

Do not try to dissuade me! I will do as I must, and I have learned nothing concrete from any of the minions of the Houses. My ravens have spied upon the dogs of July and the butterflies of June to no avail. Today I share Lord Melchizedek's sentiments in wishing his wife were here -- she is a wiser creature than any of my winged minions. But I know her work now is too important for her to be spared.

Phah. A venture to the Destroyer's lands is the only option.

Yours in all things,

Lord Bram of October

In the Second Year of Mirari, on the Eleventh of September

Lady Angelique of April
The Green Sward
Elysia

Dear Angelique:

No, your warnings did not fall on deaf ears. I did what I had to, and yes, it was perilous. As if your dealings with February have been less so!

Five days previous, I journeyed to the gates of the Destroyer, locked and barred against all intruders. At twilight, I drew my flute and played again the melody of thorns. One by one the locks fell off and the bars lifted, and I played as gently and softly as I might, so as not to awaken his dread servants.

Once the gate was unbarred to me, I pushed it gently open and eased inside. I stealthed my way past traps -- e'en your cats would have been proud of my display, had they seen it -- and around terrible monsters that I will not describe here. E'en so, as I approached the heart of his fortress, I felt as though sinister eyes were watching me. Many a time I turned to look at a sudden sound, and it always seemed that something behind or 'round me had scuttled, just out of sight.

I know you would have cautioned me to turn back then, but I felt sure that, somewhere near, was the proof I needed 'gainst July and June. Confident, too, was I that the Destroyer himself was yet absent. At least I reached his lair!

There, upon his great desk, I saw letters scattered. T'were from Lord July himself, and unveiled all their sinister plotting! I gathered them up as evidence, and hurried from the room. I moved through the maze of corridors and out the dread gate, and then did I relax, certain now that all would be well. Just then did I hear a terrible voice speak a single word of Power -- and I was trapped, frozen to the spot. A thin coat of black stone encased my limbs, rendering me an inanimate statue.

Four long days was I held so, motionless, near helpless. I gathered my strength within the stone, and sent my spirit questing from my imprisoned body, seeking aid. 'Twas difficult indeed to make myself known in such a fashion, and harder still to maintain the manifestation. At length, howe'er, I managed to contact the good Lord Melchizedek, and he came to my aid. He shook his fiery mane at me when he saw my plight. He circled me thrice widdershins, and spoke three times an incantation o' power. "Stars and Moon, Sun and Sky, let the dark Pow'rs pass, pass by. East and West, South and North, unite and call this man's body forth." Then he touched his horn to my forehead, and the black rock crumbled and flaked from my form like so much dry powder.

I thanked him for his aid, feeling quite the fool at having been so handily caught, especially after having thought myself well away from the true danger. As he carried me from the scene, he shook his head at my self-rebuke. "Do not berate yourself for error, Lord of October. The Lord of Year's End is an insidious foe, and the trap of stone especially devious. Had such a snare been laid for myself, I do not know think that e'en I would have evaded it."

So there, sweet sister, do not rebuke me for my troubles, for I did gain the proof I needed of Summer's misdeeds. I beg you now, hurry to my side from the Green Sward, and bring Lord March and Lady May with you. We must move together 'gainst June and July, if we are to o'erthrow them ere they can do more harm.

Yours in all things,

Lord Bram of October

In the Second Year of Mirari, on the Nineteenth of November

Lady Angelique of April
The Seat of Winter
Snowfield

My Dearest Angelique:

Your court cannot miss you more than I do. I pray for your safety, and that your diplomacy will earn the new Lady February's friendship. My own recent deeds seem quite paltry by comparison with your adventures. One of Lord November's hawks spied a gathering of the Destroyer's minions, but as soon as the animal laid eyes upon the creatures, they vanished. Nasty beasts of a worse Lord! I will devise something fierce to keep them from haunting our lands, or the Palace of All Seasons. E'en now I am working upon the problem.

Yours in all things,

Lord Bram of October

In the Second Year of Mirari, on the Twenty-first of November

Lady Angelique of April
The Seat of Winter
Snowfield

My Dearest Angelique:

Please write again soon, sister, if only to say that you have no news to report. I do wonder at your silence.

I have devised quite the snare for the Year's End minions: Scare-Crows. They are wicked-looking golems, indeed, and they fright more than my crows. They have the pow'r to inspire fear in the hardiest of men or beasts, bringing their darkest nightmares to life. I have set some to guard my manse, the Palace, the Green Sward, and other places of power.

Yours in all things,

Lord Bram of October

In the Second Year of Mirari, on the Twenty-fifth of November

Lady Angelique of April
The Seat of Winter
Snowfield

Dear Angelique:

I apologize for the difficulties Lord March has encountered, and especially the unfortunate condition of his favorite goat. I have removed the Scare-Crow from the Green Sward in accordance with your wishes.

I am greatly relieved to hear that your troubles with the Houses of Winter are nearly at an end, though I could wish you had not quite so much difficulty with them. Mirari owes you a great debt -- and Lord Melchizedek as well. It reflects well on you that you have been the first to point to his assistance, critical as it has been to your success.

There are rumors to the north, beyond Avarre, that a Dragon stirs. I have sent my crows to investigate. If there is truth to the tale, then I hope that the completion of your mission in the South will allow you to join me, ere you return to your own demesne. I have not forgotten that the Year's End looms near -- I shudder to think that we might need to fend off both a Dragon and the Destroyer, so close together. Yet we can only do our best.

Yours in all things,

Lord Bram of October

In the Second Year of Mirari, on the Twenty-seventh of November

Lady Angelique of April
The Palace of All Seasons

My Dearest Angelique:

I am glad that you have finally had the chance to pay a visit to King Riordan and see the Palace in all its glory. But, I beg of you, do not tarry. The rumors are true: Jordan of Avarre spied the Dragon, a great winged lizard with a back of steel plates and a stomach lined with diamonds. It approaches the lands of Mirari e'en now.

Join me quickly. Together we must learn for what purpose it comes -- and defeat it, if we may.

Yours in all things,

Lord Bram of October

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