Galvin's letters, 1/8/1348
1/8/1348 To: Elata Hall, Acting Headmistress of Her Holy Order of Epona Peter, Regional Headmaster, Russia
Elata and Peter,
The death of Brigit and the subsequent transfer of her spheres and responsibilities to Epona causes some immediate and pressing problems that need solving. The clerics and paladins (otherwise known as the Knights Hospitaller) who have chosen to convert will, as the clerics of Sucellus before them, be confused, grieving, and some of them will undoubtedly be angry. Sir Gavião will be taking care of the disposition of the Knights Hospitaller, but it's the Temple that will have to address the matter of the converted clerics. I'm leaving the matter in your hands to handle, as I'm not going to be able to be there to address it--the powers that killed Brigit appear to be planning to attempt it again.
Some advice, though, from watching our Headmistress-in-abeyance go through much the same thing a few weeks ago: find the head of Brigit's Order. If the Headmaster hasn't converted, find whoever was in the position of most power who has. We can't afford to wait for them to come to us. My overall impression of Brigit's people is that they are people of reason and dedication, and you may find them relatively easy to work with. Work with them but do not create an official position for them right away; you'll need to take their measure before you do so. If the former Brigit Headmaster proves to be trustworthy and willing to work with us, you can create a position for them equivalent to Marcus'. Most of all, find out what their current problems are. They may be fighting battles we know nothing of, and those problems are now ours to deal with.
Who you may have more issues with are the clerics who were originally of Epona. This will be the second time that the Temple has been disrupted by the sudden influx of a whole new Order coming into ours. This time may well be worse than the last, as the druids tend to keep to themselves, but Brigit's clerics are quite a bit more social. Warn the regional Headmasters to keep an eye out for serious unrest. The last thing we need is someone upset by recent events to do something truly stupid.
Elata, have you picked a Second yet? This new development makes ensuring that you have both a successor and someone who can care for the Irish Temple in place vital. Pick someone you can rely on--borrow one of the other Regional Seconds if you need to for the interim, just to care for daily matters of the Temple. (In fact, borrowing one of the Regional Seconds may not be a bad idea anyway. Tol, I think, could be persuaded to part with Jatar for a week or so if needed, I think.)
Good luck, both of you. I know Callas has utmost faith in both of you, as do I.
Galvin Dubois
Headmaster of Her Holy Order of Epona
[a letter that catches up with Galvin in Belfast on 1/7.]
12/31/1347
Dearest Galvin,
I knew it, big brother! I knew you had a crush on that Callas girl. Every single time you ever mentioned her name, you looked moonstruck. So it turns out she fancies you back, oui? Ooh la, I bet you two are adorable. So when are you going to come visit and introduce her to the family? After all, teasing you in letters isn't much fun, we need the chance to do it in person. You haven't exactly given us many opportunities since you left home, what with you never telling us about any of your conquests! And we need to get all our teasing in before you get married and turn all boring.
Milette sends her love, she's been busy preparing for the New Year celebrations and Claude's been busy in the shop. You'd think midwinter would be a slow time in the printmaking business, but a lot of people have had posters made recently. Mostly wanted posters, strangely enough. Our nephews are fine, Ghislain is still thinking about following in your footsteps and going into the Order this summer, but he still hasn't decided if he wants to be a priest or a knight. Petit Claude's interest in the printmaking business is still going strong, and, oh, Marcel has finally started talking! Only eight months late! He was waiting until he got it right, he just opened his mouth up one day and started chattering nonstop. Nearly gave our sister a heart attack, poor thing!
The weather here's been warm for midwinter. We've barely gotten any snow so far. It's been a nice change from the usual muck.
Don't think you can pull one over on me, big brother, with all your talk about how village life can be a lot more fun than Paris. I know Milette and Claude moved us out here so I wouldn't get into so much trouble. I'm still getting into trouble, it's just harder to find. And these farm boys! No imagination! Can you believe that the last one I kissed actually thought I was going to marry him! Not likely. I long for the city. I am so very bored. Bored, bored, bored.
But it sounds like you're having an exciting life! Traveling all those different places, meeting werewolves, being chased by evil people--all of it sounds like so much fun. I wish I could come join you. I've even been practicing with Father's sword, since neither Milette nor Claude will touch it. There aren't any lessons around here to be had, though, but I've gotten awfully good at looking fierce. I even menaced a holly bush the other day. Do you see what my life has come to, big brother? I've taken up hitting bushes with a sword in an attempt to find something entertaining to do!
I don't know, do you think it's possible that I might come join you?
Please?
Come for a visit soon, at least, Galvin. We all miss you. Me most of all.
Much love from your youngest (and most adorable!) sister,
Lisel
1/8/1348
Dearest Lisel,
You don't want to come join me, little sister. No, really, you don't. After this war is over, if I'm able to go back to sea, I promise to teach you how to sail and you can come along with me for a while, if you like. But for the moment, people who are far more experienced at battle than you die in our fights on a regular basis, and I can't protect both you and Callas at the same time.
I am planning on seeing you as soon as I'm able. I think you'll like Callas, and she has a sister who's about your age who you might even be a good influence on. We were in the vicinity a few days ago, but we were busy running for our lives, so we didn't think it wise to drop by.
And be careful of those farm boys, little sister. If you happen to fall pregnant, our older sister will have you married off in the blink of an eye, if I know Milette. And where will you be, little Lisel, stuck on some farm somewhere forever, without even an adventure to your name? Keep practicing with the sword, it's safer. Boys tend to be wary of girls who have four feet of steel on them, even if said girls have little idea how to use said steel.
(And have I mentioned how glad I am that someone's finally picked up Father's sword again? It's a fine piece and should be used, not allowed to rust away.)
And as for your sly little suggestion, don't worry, there hasn't even been any talk of weddings yet. You'll have plenty of time to tease me as much as you want, little sister.
And now, to the serious stuff.
Lisel, you and Milette and Claude and the boys are going to need to leave France. Jacques will, as well, but I'm sending him a separate letter. I'm sending this letter and hoping it reaches you before the knights who will be sent to protect you on your journey do. They'll take you south, to Madrid. The threat to you is threefold: first, there will soon be a pair of armies marching out of Germany and England on Paris. You're too close, little sister, far too close. The second threat is the plague, which will soon enough be sweeping through the populated areas of Europe. Be glad you're not in Paris, truly. The fact that the weather has been warm there worries me. I hope you're all right.
The third threat is that our enemies seem to be in the habit of trying to kill all those we love. Callas has seen her whole family die in the last two weeks, and we fear they will start on you next. Our enemies are not people of honor. It's a sad fact of war.
Be sure to tell Milette this so it doesn't come as a surprise to her. Tell her the knights who come for her will know the names of the two vintages from the vineyard in the year you were born. I'm sorry to have to uproot you and the rest of our family, but I think it's for the best.
I miss you, little sister, and I love you. I'll see you soon, I hope.
Much love,
Galvin
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