Day 7: 946 words, 13,461 total

Interlude: Epistology

Arthur, Duke de Nueva Granada, to Magistrix Salome di Geraudi.

Darkspring House, Clearview Heights, New Granada, 10th October, Anno Domini 2005

My dear Salome,

Please accept my apologies for the long silence. I am sure You appreciate the tedium that I have found myself in; at times I am of the thought that the only reason one would want the burden of power is to commit an elegant form of assisted suicide. Nevertheless, now that the past matters are somewhat settled, I find myself with time to write letters of leisure again.

Since the last time we set eyes on each other, I have managed to quell the factors that led to the spring disturbances and left me in this position of authority. Most of them have wisely chosen to seek their fortunes elsewhere, though I expect I shall hear of them again. Julian Oxenberg is the only ally of the former Princess who has remained. I am not sure if he is biding his time, or has made his peace with the current state of events; either way he remains a reliable if sometimes overly critical supporter, with his customary reserve and distrust of matters magical. I am told that he is at present involved in civil disputes with several New Granada Elders, but I have chosen to ignore the matter as long as it does not reach my ears through official channels, as I trust Julian is a gentleman who will not let events get out of hand.

I am aware that You encountered Kirill Yevgenyevich in the Bahamas, though both he and the others present at the encounter have been vague about the exact details. I would love to hear about it, and especially the impressions You have formed of Kirill Yevgenyevich and his allies. His party has been most active in the city as he expands his sphere of interests, and at times I am not sure how to proceed about them. He is certainly not to be underestimated, as my acquaintances in Russia keep reminding me, with the three centuries that he has spent pulling the strings of night-folk politics in that strange country. And yet in the immediate future I remain more concerned with his son, Anton Kirillovich, and Mlle Malory. They are unpredictable factors, as they have proven in a recent altercation with the werewolves that took sizable concessions to smooth over. There are also concerns in the city about their pasts: Anton Kirillovich is after all of the Butor bloodline, and has frequently been absent from his father's side, and nothing is known about Mlle Malory's actions except for the last twenty years or so. I am loathe to raise these concerns in council, as I remain indebted to Kirill Yevgenyevich's aid during the previous spring, but I would be indebted to You, dear friend, if You could offer some insight into the matter.

On the other hand, I am satisfied with the improvement of our relations with the daylight world. Lady Eudokia's business interests have contributed to this fact, as without the limits enforced by the former Princess she has been able to influence the standing of her locales and establish them as welcoming to all on both sides of the Night. I hold the hope that in two to three years New Granada shall be the most harmonious city in the region.

I would also like to thank You for Your recent message and perhaps even more for the messenger. Mme Sands has been most useful in settling a certain delicate affair in the city, and I hope You will not mind if I retain her services for the foreseeable future. A matter has arisen in the past few days that may require her particular expertise, though I hope that the end effect will be to unite the factions of the city.

Until the next time Fortune brings us together, I hope You walk in the Night's favour.

Believe me, &c.

Arthur

Salome di Geraudi, Tribunal Magistrix Second Class, to Arthur, Duke de Nueva Granada

Sanctia Manor, Crowthorn, Berkshire, 11th October Anno Domini 2005

Arthur,

You won't be getting a long epistle for the prosaic reason that I'm short on my favourite stationery, and Maria won't be going to London until next week (car broken, as far as I've been able to determine). I'll be brief then: stop posturing about how hard the job is. You love it, and you're good at it - Kirill&co told me a lot about what a mess the city was before you arrived on the scene.

Speaking of which, I think they're all splendid people. Ask Anton about the statue of Queen Victoria in Nassau Parliament Square if you want to hear a fun tale. The Butor might have been psychopaths (I actually wrote bloodthirsty brutes first, but then it hit me that it wouldn't be politically correct - hence the inkblot), but it seems to cancel out with the Rossov sense of humour.

As for Rachel, I got her to talk a little, and then dug into things. Can't go into details, since it's work-related, but she's a white-hat, and you don't want to know who told me this.

Speaking of work, it's killing me even though I'm nominally on holiday. Someone got the bright idea to imitate those abominable Rowling books and the woods are thick with enchanted owls. Pls recommend a reliable assassin to dispose of said idiot.

Yours and all that,

Salome

P.S. I expect you to make it here for my birthday. The Rossovs are also invited, so you might want to tag along with them. Kirill's in the transportation business, isn't he?

XXX

Sal