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1165

Lord Cleobulus,

Your recent work is to be commended. You have done well in your assigned post, and the abundant samples you have supplied has allowed our southern projects to proceed at an accelerated pace. Be aware your contributions are noted and much valued.

That said, we would you be acquire live specimens as well if possible. An interested party of great influence has approached our agents and desires to buy live crest-bearers—preferably young and without defect. You will be well compensated for the trouble with a share of the gold and research material.

Of course, do nothing that would jeopardize our operations in the kingdom.

Forever for Agartha,

Shambhala,

1165

Myson,

Spiriting away the living is more tiresome than the dead. ‘Death while in quarantine,’ I say, and the family starts mewling to see the body. A little grief and they forget the plague culling their herd.

‘Bodies must be cremated,’ I say. ‘Bodies are a vector of plague,’ I say. Do the fools listen? Never. I’ve started providing them with bones to placate their fragile hearts. They’re far too simple minded to notice the difference in bones.

Solon tells me we will see dividends of our deal soon. I remain doubtful an outsider has anything of value to offer us. Nevermind, I will soon release the cure for the plague and secure influence over the kingdom. What I have accomplished more for us here in Kingdom than Thales’ pet projects in the Empire. Is Odesse still stalking Ordelia?

Forever for Agartha,
Cleobulus,

1165

Myson,

Despite my reservations at what an outsider could offer us that we could not acquire for ourselves, I will admit our…new associate is knowledgable in the realm of necromancy—more so than even our greatest magi. Seems this is an art their dark mages have devoted countless of their fleeting generations to mastering.

Their ‘Risen’ are crudely sophisticated things. I will enjoy playing with these ‘Reeking Boxes’ of theirs.

Forever for Agartha,

Cleobulus,

1165

Lord Cleobulus,

That man has not taken the news well. I know not his purpose for crested specimens, but he is a fanatic. He threatens and offers vast riches in the same breath to secure a continued supply of subjects.

As he is not one of us, I am not threatened.

Nonetheless, without the plague to cover our tracks, spiriting away crest bearers in our current numbers will no longer be viable. The avarous and pride of nobles keep careful track of their precious crests. Still, the generous gold he offers for even a single specimen is worth the occasional cover-up—funds beyond the preview of both our superiors and the kingdom’s crown.

Forever for Agartha,

Myson,

1176

Myson,

That affair in Duscur was resounding success. The king and most of his inner circle dead. If only Duke Fraldarius could have made it. Nevertheless, the operation has also been pleasingly profitable—even if that idiot Anaximandros just had to bash in Ser Charon’s skull and wring Dame Ifan’s neck. What part of ‘he’ll only buy them if they’re still alive,’ couldn’t that moron understand?

Send the bodies of Charon and Ifan to Shambhala. That Odesse will find some use for their crests. As for the other five, I want you to contact our necromancer and negotiate a deal.

Forever for Agartha,

Cleobulus

Inventory Report 07.1176

*Major Crest

Fraldarius

18

M

Alive