Mr Troyston Goldwood

Guest

The Willow Estate

Westhills

Or Beyond

 

October 2nd

 

Dear Troy,

 

Good work. Those men arrived last week, along with a fairly ragtag bunch from Woodlund. I am guessing you finally talked the Keeper into action. I shall remember to lean on him at the next meeting, this is absolutely not the time for sloppy behaviour or efforts like this one! His men are currently wasting time in combat training that they should have been drilled in years ago. Fortunately, Woodlund is not that large a County, else we would notice this laxity more.

Irontooth has not let up. Our borders are under constant threat and I have had no choice but to issue orders to retaliate – the fighting will happen one way or another, better it be on his soil than ours. Following the loss of Deepsby we have lost three towns nearby. For every inch we gain along the border, we are losing it along our shore. Please redouble your efforts, we must have more men, as it is clear that Irontooth’s military presence around Deepsby is growing, and he cannot be permitted to hold the city for long!

To that end, you will find enclosed written authority to order the Keepers of the Counties to provide the necessary manpower. Should they be reluctant to cooperate, you have been granted the power to relieve them of their lands and title, and place their County under direct Council control until this war has ended. In this eventuality, you have full authority to assemble troops by whatever means necessary. Standard solider wages are offered, plus five percent hazard pay, but should this prove insufficient then remember that the ex-Keeper’s personal guards (where available), and the police force of the County will be yours to command. Use them if you must, but keep those men coming to the front line.

I know you will not enjoy this task, but it is necessary, and I ask you to be strong for me. You are not alone, son. We have a number of Councillors setting about the task of raising military support, though none, I might say, with such efficiency.

As well as raw manpower, we require skilled labourers to support the troops. Should you encounter good blacksmiths, armourers or fletchers, I would like you encourage them to make their way here to Keystone, where there is a sign-up office. You can assure them that they will be well compensated for their services.

Strangely, your comment about a dragon with Irontooth’s army is not the first I have heard of those. Several people claiming to be refugees from Deepsby brought the same story to Keystone last month. I agree with you that this is most likely a weapon of some variety. I am assembling a group of specialist soldiers to attempt to get close enough to destroy it, or even better capture it, as I wonder if it may be some new kind of siege weapon. I would take great pleasure in turning Irontooth’s weapon around on his own cities.

Your mother sends her love, and insists that I ask you to remember to buy extra clothing before the cold weather arrives.

Keep up the good work, Troy. The Freelands are depending on you.

 

Tarwin

 

P.S. Word has just reached me that Callum Plainspire has been killed while defending Greenpoint town. I am sorry, son, I know he was your friend. This now makes four towns we have lost. We must not allow the sacrifice of our brave people to go ignored – we must win this war! Please do everything in your power to raise troops. I will send out more people to support you in this task. Please focus on the north-western Counties, but stay away from the coastal towns.