*Spoiler alert in case any readers would rather not know about Mire's inner machinations, or rather learn about their background in person.*

- The following letter seems to be penned down in an elaborate handwriting, written entirely in the rodensi language.-


Dear Rogar

I hope this letter finds you well. Albeit you likely care less about my wellbeing than the success of my assignment. It's been two months since I've embarked, and I reckon it will have been three by the time my correspondence reaches you, if we're lucky. With the frequency of the migrant waves here, there's been a better opportunity to send letters back.

I've kept the same name as I was born with. This place is about as faraway from Briarroots as may be for anyone to have heard of the little black rat named after that murky lake by her mother, who in turn got the name from a red-hair drunk that just can't shut up about how good it is in the north. Well, other than missing our local charms, there's equally a lack of starving, diseased critters languishing, like between the roots of our great tree. Instead, beasts flock here because they hear there's food, work.. and plenty of opportunity. No doubt inspired by all those old Kalrisian myths. Well, there's no abundance of food... But I don't see critters going hungry for long. Especially with that strange crystal keeping them fed every now and then. But I won't bore you with the intricacies of magical artifacts.

Yes, the land is plentiful enough. and the few that seem to have lived here for a while seem quite well off. Benefiting from the rich ore for protection, and the easy access to quartz for magic. Why, I'd send you a formal invitation instead of this lengthy drivel, if not for this cumbersome arch mage named Silyna. It seems she's trying to start up a racket of her own, aiming to control the rare herbs and quartz that are oh so prevalent here. I'd even believed she was hiding her ruthlessness beneath green magic to force submission, but no, she's just as happy to openly beat critters in a way of excessive violence you're oh so fond of. Well, she's not got the forces like your irritable uncle does, but I doubt there's enough claws to spare to displace her, and set up an operation of our own.

You might also be pleased to know about the sheer amount of sweet berries that grow here. No. That latent talent I seemed to have back home was trivial to develop here. I seem to have outpaced just about every student at the local academy for magic here. My new skills are already useful, helping me secure funds and other supplies. And I've been getting the population warmed up towards my presence. I trust that, should you send more agents against my wishes, they at least have the dignity to neither muck up my cover, nor sever fresh bonds I've forged. I'm not the best fighter, and even though the curses I've learnt here would make the black coven oh so jealous... An angry mob won't feel the effects until I'm battered and bruised.

Good luck with the ruffians back home. I'll keep you updated as I'm able to.

- Mire.

Dear Rogar

Another couple months, another letter. I'm not sure whether it pleases you to hear or not, but it have been quiet times in Morenth since Silyna's defeat. There's been a brief altercation between some blood sucking critter named Veraius and a couple other critters, but otherwise it's been a dull silence. At the very least, it's a good opportunity to gather information on other critters without as much of an air of suspicion.

But, more on what little events did transpire. I've had the opportunity to pressure another critter, Harris. Not that I think he makes for a good mark. The bunny is poor, and as the month progressed, continued to remain so. But then why did I curse and blackmail him? Curiosity, and to probe the community to find out how well I'm able to navigate rowdy fields with my tongue. 

Unfortunately, despite my best efforts. I was not able to develop Harris' latent ability to become a cook to a satisfactory level. I'm amazed a student can even manage to burn 16 out of 26 bowls of wax. It's not cheap, but it's at least cheaper than having him ruin pans. Surprisingly, even Magdalen was interested in offering him an opportunity to learn with her equipment. She's normally stoic, with little patience for failure. I'll leave it up to Lumi to decide whether she wants to waste more resources trying, I rather feel like it's a lost cause.

Otherwise, the guy did try to weasel his way out of our agreement. After some careful exposition, most critters have come to believe Harris shattered one of my most expensive quartz crystals, and is struggling to pay off two drakes, whilst occasionally paying me a third of the normal rate for yellow magic, keeping him from starving under the effects of my silencing curse. Briefly, some critters like Arachnis, Wulfwyn, and possibly Riley ended up taking his side, even curing his curse. But given Harris' shaky reputation... Deeming him a liar once again proved to be rather effective. After all, why would I blackmail a critter with no ability to generate the coin required to pay off a dire debt? A critter with no marketable skills.

For some reason, Dusk and Arachnis also appear to have left Morenth suddenly. It does certainly make it easier to curse other critters in the future, without them being cured for cheap or free, as I trust Lumi and Eyes to actually charge critters to erase their 'mistakes'. Unfortunately though, most of the wealthy targets are already good supporters of mine, buying expensive magic to keep their possessions safe. I'll have to be patient and wait for someone else to find success. It should be far easier to convince critters now that I'm well trusted. Or perhaps I can orchestrate the local vagabonds. Chisel, Cher. They haven't been as active, but even lacking good quarry, some smaller theft could still give rise to a larger interest in yellow magic again. And whilst not particularly wealthy, some of the now successful scroungers might be able to spare a drake or two when pressured.

There's still some other details that I need to work through, so you might receive my next letter sooner. We'll keep in touch. That includes you, it's been a while since I heard anything... Did a letter get intercepted?

- Mire.

No letter to him this time. No, I've much to think about.

The goods I've been expecting for so long have finally come in. It's about time my presence here gets more... interesting. It doesn't hurt to let some of the sayings from back home tease the ears of critters here, not a single immigrant from Briarroots seems to have reached this far south.

A shame, and a blessing. No one needs to know who I am here. No one needs to know what I really think.. What I really know. Information is a resource to spend carefully, and as much as I would like to share more with certain critters... I really can't trust anyone as much as myself. Especially in such valuable times when everyone's occupied with Veraius. He seems cumbersome to approach. No knowledge about enchantments or magicks, instead he proves his usefulness by distracting everyone that so much as looks at him the wrong way. It is... Quite excellent. But otherwise it is best the two of us stay separated, and I'm quite pleased with that.

And whilst I still cannot discern whether Quarrel would make a good ally to more closely involve in my affairs, I have found certain others that are interested. No need to fear some desire to adhere to a greater good to come in the way of more pragmatic solutions. It really is a shame critters with proper disguising ability continue to elude me. But, perhaps they wisely do not want to be discerned like some of the more... Eager practitioners. I am convinced an expert... Or master critter is hiding amongst the others, but I have not managed to get any closer to finding out who.

Otherwise I've found out some rather... Interesting knowledge about Lumi. Something that connects the two of us to the past, even if she doesn't realize it. I am uncertain she is ready for the burden of what those times before her amnesia are hiding from her. Perhaps I can reveal a little every now and then, until she finds her true self.

Lastly, I am hoping that Elysia's attempts to discern more enchantments go well. I can sense that the experimentation is putting a heavy weight upon her mind. Perhaps it wouldn't hurt to find some other activities to keep her busy in the meantime. With how easy it is for her to maintain a cairn... Perhaps it wouldn't be the worst investment to get her a garden. I should see if such things soothe her. If not, perhaps I'll have to search after other interests. I'm sure I can think of... Something entertaining depending on the answer.

Do not let the blade dull.

Sincerely - Yourself.