Tenth Day of the Fourth Month 294 AC
Rumors of the Reach:
The Doom of Faerie: Rumors are carried on a hot wind, ash and poison upon it. The Court of Stars, the guardians of Summer, have fallen in the plots of gods and men. So it is said to hedge witches and cunning men, so it it shared with those forethoughtful souls to lay down honey and milk for the fey. From the least hob to the proudest knight this tale is known to all, the names of the Gods who cast down this fel curse seared into the memory of those who endured, the Crimson Flame R'hllor beloved of the easterners, the Depths, the Ferryman, returned with a vengeance from his long exile to drown those who so bedeviled his children and the Old Gods, betrayers of old alliances gorged on blood.
The blood of demons flowed like black wine, like a tide of poison and the one who poured it, why his name is more feared among the lesser fey of the Reach than even the gods who struck the blow, the Dragon over the Sea, Him of Crimson Claws. While the new made Kings and Queens who endured the plot behind their mighty wards and the broken shards of the fallen seek shelter the smaller spirits can only brace against the fearful age to come.
As to the hedgewise, those mages who dealt often with the fey, those smallfolk who found their fortunes in the company of the Good Neighbors, they are more wary by far of joining the Scholarum than they had been before. The Imperial Times on its imperishable bespelled paper promised much that was hoped for, but the taste of the dragon's wrath, even at once removed, has made them wonder if they should embrace the Imperium to come as readily. Strange gods are fearful enough on their own, when those gods are blood-drunk by the king's hand whispers only grow.
Flowers of Wrath: The unrest in Florent lands erupted into violence three days ago as a crowd of the 'faithful' tried to burn the business of a tailor who had converted to the Lord of Light, due in no small part of wanting to retain his lord's patronage. The man was killed and one of his sons gravely injured in the blaze which almost burned out of control since many of those who should have been called up for bucket chains were instead in sympathy with the arsonists.
It was only the fortuitous arrival of otherwise fickle summer rain that saved much of the town from falling to the flames, a fact which Lord Florent did not forget, nor forgive. Eleven people were hanged for arson, treason and murder, including the septon who had helped spark the unrest. He was thankful that the local Inquisition presence had even lent him their investigative skills, enough to take their advice on what would and would not be seen as proportional response by his soon to be king. Still, spirits remain agitated and sermons about the evils of R'hllor worryingly common in Florent lands, with some even going to far as to call the people executed by Lord Florent martyrs as in the days of the Faith Militant. The inquisitor on the spot ends the report with 'one is thankful to the Lord of Light they are not so well armed'.
Smoother Sailing: Following the news of the destruction of the Court of Stars Lord Tybalt Blackbar has warmed considerably to your new envoys. Apparently the knowledge that his soon to be king is both willing and able to call down divine judgement on the wily fey courts is just the thing to make the man sleep easier at night. The letter from Horn Hill shares a similar tone, though colored by Randyll Tarly's more martial pursuits. He is curious if you will attempt to mobilize armsmen to garrison the Feywild. You make a note to have someone tactful explain planar mechanics to him. The last thing you need is another upset lord because someone in your service decided to be needlessly condescending.
Finest Wines: Horas Redwyne has pledged that he will wed Asha as soon as she is restored to rule of the Iron Isles and moreover his father writes that he will seal the marriage by investing heavily in the islanders' trade. In the words of Paxton Redwyne, 'If I can't make those bloody rocks green than I'll make their ships' holds golden'. The fact that he also stands to make a tidy profit from the Iron Isles' hopefully permanent turn towards trade is left unsaid.
***
Asha confirms the latter report with a confident nod and a beaming smile that makes you suspect she is thinking of rather more than just Redwyne wealth, but she also drops a small complication in your lap. She does not wish to speak her wedding vows before the Seven, rather she would dedicate the restored House Greyjoy to the Ferryman, 'a better patron for sailors, be they out for blood or gold' she calls him and to that you cannot disagree, but you doubt Lord Redwyne will be pleased with the announcement that he can look forward to heathen grandchildren, likely putting the investments at risk, if not the marriage itself.
