Swordsman of Gale

To: Borus Redrum, c/o Budehuc Castle, Grasslands
From: Percival Fraulein, c/o Brass Castle, Zexen Federation
December 10, IS 482

( My dear Borus... )

Dear Borus,

Forgive my absence and the delay in getting back. I had to wait for the field physician to return to Brass Castle and have a look at my shoulder, and in the meantime, I've gotten caught up in regular duty. The second opinion is the same as the first I got at the castle - that it needs slow and gradual exercise to return to normal. I suppose I shall simply have to accept that.

If all goes well, I should be returning to Budehuc shortly. There is work to be done here, primarily supervision and routine activity, so it isn't as though I am either bored or overworked. I wish to get back there, though, and resume my assigned duty protecting the castle. I think it may be time. Now, if only I could get these lazy louts to understand what they ought to be doing, so I can leave!

I pray every day that nothing untoward has happened to Budehuc while I've been away. I'm sure that if it did, you and Lady Chris would have ridden here for reinforcements right away, or at the very least sent word. So, I go about my business with the full confidence that you're taking good care of the place. I aim to wrap this up soon, so long as no one needs any more Council errands run in Vinay del Zexay.

Enjoy your time with your lady, my friend.

Yours,

Percival Fraulein

[this note is left on Borus' pillow, while Percival is passed out asleep in their room]

Borus,

I'm sorry I missed your birthday. I don't think they would let me have a drink anyway. We will find some way of celebrating, though. Perhaps in private, since I still don't feel up to doing much walking around.

Best wishes,

your friend,

Percival

I feel as though I have neglected writing, but there hasn't been terribly much to write about lately. Borus finally getting a break is about it, really. I have been dedicated to my routine so much that I have neglected a lot, it seems.

( Percival's private journal )

Who: Percival and Borus (rage_swordsman)
When: this week
Where: the cafe, outside
What: best pals meeting up for dinner and gossip

( Have you come to unwind a little after kissing all the castle's fair maidens, Sir Cassanova? )

Who: Percival and Borus (rage_swordsman)
When: the evening Percival returned to the castle
Where: their shared room in the manor
What: catching up

( She'll be fine, you worrywart. She's quite strong. )

I'm worried. It's been almost a month since Miss Luserina...since we had our falling-out. Someone said she'd packed a small bag and was last seen leaving the castle, but...I don't know why she isn't back yet. It makes me very worried. I honestly hope nothing has happened to her. I would be devastated if my ill-timed talk drove her to flee and she got into any sort of trouble.

I haven't seen Sheena lately either. That also worries me. The staff in the inn tells me not to worry, they're used to it - people come and go all the time. Some just disappear, going to their rooms one day and no trace is seen of them since. The innkeepers just clean the room and make it ready for someone else, they say it isn't unusual for some to...vanish. I hear tell Roget is one of them. I'm sorry to hear that, I found him a pleasant fellow and I think I owed him a drink. Perhaps, though, they belong in their own times...and it's better off...but still...still, I wonder. And if it happened to Miss Luserina...I shall miss her terribly.

Speaking of absences, I wonder if Borus got reassigned back to Brass Castle or even Tinto, he's been away so long. If not for Lord Salome I'd be the lone Zexen Knight here with a bunch of councilors around, and that doesn't sit well with me at all. I can only keep up appearances for so long before they start ordering me around.