Chapter Text
[Transcription:
Image of paper, with the following text written in ink:
R,
If I'd ever questioned if my missions would get easier now that I report to you, I'd certainly have my answer now!
When I received those orders, I nearly thought you were sending me on a fool's errand, like that tale of Sailor Mikayl and his search for El's throne! But I know you well enough to know that you do not mix jokes and business. I have found the place you searched for - but without clear directions it took me quite a while. As you know I was in the Pirate Isles after my last errand for C and headed for Jamaillia with the Vivacia. Without your advance funds, I would not have managed to find a vessel to Chalced. The last war with Chalced might be over, but the Satrap's sanctions on trade still hold. As they say here, he has a turtle's memory when it comes to betrayal!
I am only a sailor and do not have your interest in politics, but I have never seen anything short of war stop trade this much for so long. I am sure you will be interested to know the black markets are as active as ever, even with the Pirate Isles as they are. The only trade with Chalced they respect is raiding their ships and everyone knows Queen Etta is more likely to throw them a feast rather than punish them as long as they free any slaves they find. So, I will not write much on that part of my journey except that I arrived safely in the Chalcedean harbour. If you want to know more, I'd be happy to tell you in person - for an additional fee, of course.
I could not find any information on my destination in Jamaillia or Chalced except for rumors of "pale folk" who tell the future. If I needed my fortune told, I'd as soon find any old hedge witch in the Duchies and I am sure this "pale folk" is as reliable as they are! But you do not pay me for my opinion on fortune-tellers. I masked my intent by going to Woolton and Cartscove and purchasing some weaves before continuing to the Spice Isles. They have almost as many islands as the Pirate Isles, so if I'd find out more about this "Clerres" anywhere, it would be there. It took me some expensive trades and generous presents, but I succeeded. Passage there was even more limited and rare than between Jamaillia and Chalced, except for the opposite reason - I could find no one who admitted to trading with Clerres outside the rigorously designated bounds! I proceeded to Mercenia first, despite the longer journey, more vessels offered passage there and easily found regular pilgrim's passages to Clerres. I have purchased a map of the Westian Sea here, detailling charts from the Spice Islands to MErcenia - including Clerres. I am sure you know the value of such a map and will be appropriately generous when you receive it.
And this is the part where my tale gets even stranger, though I suspect you might know more about this matter than you have shared with me. But I am used enough to this secrecy from C! A ship on its way from Clerres passed us by, the Sea Rose, and warned that a liveship had anchored there and been attacked with fire. Just as it seemed to burn, the sailors swore it turned into two dragons that ravaged Clerres! Thirty years ago I would've thought them liars, drunkards or mad, but the world has become much stranger since then. But nobody on my vessel had seen dragons or liveships - lucky for me, they continued without believing the sailors. The other passengers on the "Bluebell" described Clerres as calm and peaceful and Clerres Castle as the height of majesty with huge pearlescent towers visible from afar. Three days later, that is not what I found there, the sailor's tale seemed proven true. Only giant white bones remained of Clerres Castle and the remains of the town were huddled together like the survivors after a raid back in the days of the Red Ship War. Nobody was there to stop me from searching the scorched buildings or collecting the documents I've found.
So! Tis a long tale for an even longer journey. I am sure you will agree that I have more than succeeded in your impossible task, milady, and look forward to my reward.
Yours faithfully,
J