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From Severian
Marcella, Notes: Various
Chief Grolmar Lightning-Hand, Lord Baron of Moghedu:
The black rock that carries Sarapis' immortal
watery moss is the exact same type of rock that
made up the ornamentation of that ceremonial statue
you gifted us with! I make apology for the informality
of this letter, but this is a very exciting discovery:
by growing the amar moss on your unique obsidian,
we can solve the water problems of both our communities.
Please send an emissary with a quantity of that
rock, and we will send him back with as much of
the moss as we can grow on it. Yours in Friendship
and Hope,
Duke Severian Marcella,
Right Hand of the Emperor
Ralshev,
Congratulations on your recruiting and training
efforts. Although we're all a bit unclear on the
exact nature of this "Black Wave", and
the conquest of Ashtan and Shallam both seems
pretty unlikely, I'm as excited as anyone to have
such a large project to embark upon. Keep bringing
in the fighting men as quickly as we gain capacity
to feed and house them.
Severian
Dear Mother,
No, "that ruffian Nikolas" has not
lured me into bad influences against my will,
and his name is Nicator now. Sarapis said so.
And yes, I'm wearing the sweater you knitted me,
and a very good sweater it is, too. Tell Father
not to work so hard, and I'll be sure to visit
you both when we conquer Thera.
Love,
Severian
Emre Nikain Ironhand, Supreme of the Mannaseh
Trolls:
Mighty Supreme, I send greetings from Nicator,
King of Seleucar and Conqueror of the World. He
prays that you accept this gift: a two-handed
cleaver of folded stainless carbon steel. Fight
with this weapon, and you will find that it needs
no gems or gold to prove its worth: as it was
made using our special magic, it will cut through
copper and bronze as if through old cheese, and
it will not break as iron will. Its sharpness
is absolute; no razor could hold an edge as well
as this blade. This is the first such weapon we
have made, but we can make many more; and we will
give them to you and your people, if only you
will help us fight against those who have oppressed
you for so long, the arrogant humans of Ashtan
and Shallam. My ruler graciously awaits your response.
Duke Severian Marcella,
Right Hand of the Emperor
Ralshev,
Are you doing all right in integrating the Mhun
and the Trolls into your formations? I'm still
in shock over their response… first the Mhun
pledge the loyal service of their entire race
for two generations, then the Trolls pick up their
entire tribe and march here to become citizens.
If you have any troubles, let me know; I'll get
Nicator to wave his staff around and turn everyone
into bosom buddies.
Severian
Nicator:
Only two years settled and all is in readiness!
I'll never believe you gathered so many people
so quickly, even though I was the one administrating
all the levies… it's amazing what kind of
fighting men you find when you promise them a
better life and make them believe it. All right,
Nikolas… you know I've no talent for warfare,
so I'll handle the logistics. Ralshev and Rico
will command the troops. We move for Shallam on
your orders, so I hope you get this note as soon
as you get back from the temple.
Severian
PS: I'm actually quaking in my boots, but if
you wave that staff at me I'll deck you. I'd rather
piss myself than rely on a god's power to take
away my fear.
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