This document was published by the instruction of the Church via motion, the first and only of its kind (the power thereafter being assigned exclusively to the Senate and the Council of Six), raised by Mother Brine in Autumn 226. It is a letter on various subjects, some of which pertain to the Church, penned by Mother Brine.
2nd Letter to Bordevar
Written from The Narrows of Lorricazzo, unto an Unnamed Lord of Bordevar, in the 226th Autumn after the establishment of the Church of the Divine Spheres.
I.
I cannot commence this missive without first acknowledging the joyous cargo thou hast delivered unto mine weary soul!
I note, however, that thine challenge doth somewhat boldly imply thou standest a CHANCE of halting me, should I choose to set sail upon such a course. Pray earnestly that another rival doth raise their sails in opposition to thee, for I would regret to strip thine ego to a more suitable size.
II.
With that matter of excitement resolved, I would turn mine attention to the other concerns borne upon the tides of thine letter. To take a note on more mortal concerns is a rarity, I must admit It is an edifying thing to contemplate the similarities and differences betwixt our shared paths upon this Mortal Sphere. Unlike thee, I am far more baseborn; in mine youth, mine only commerce with the silks and gold of nobility came in the exchanges of bedchambers. It is only in the twilight of my life that I, too, have turned mine gaze upon the Divine Spheres and charted the course of mine own soul - and that of Lerona Mere.
Fortunately, any voyage I might yet undertake is smoother than most. After the work of my youth, I held little desire to marry. Mine grandchildren and great-grandchildren are well into adulthood, their own vessels launched upon the seas of life. Thus unburdened by such needy cargo, I am better able to devote mineself to matters of scholarship and the gentle traditions of the needle.
Yet thou hast far more decades of study; they stretch before thee like uncharted horizons. I am confident that, in years to come, others shall look upon thine words with the same kindness and esteem thou hast shown mine own.
III.
Meanwhile, however, I am here and content to offer what guidance I can. I am gladdened that thou hast found the courage to reconsider thine actions and convictions. To do so is valiant indeed. While the teachings of the Timid Husk are oft taken as a warning against vacillation, perchance there lieth yet value in learning from one's errors upon the waves of experience.
Such views may lie somewhat outside the strict orthodoxy of our Concordian Church, but still I wonder, as one who hath oft reflected upon mine own missteps as both revolutionary and Concordian citizen.
I shall not dwell long upon those treacherous shoals, however. I know thou would prefer I steer our discourse toward finally resolving the matter of the Warheart and Gravetree. But I wish to reiterate this, brother: thine words bring me profound joy. It is good to see that I might yet lead by example rather than by dictate. Perhaps this is why mine esteem within the Church hath risen of late.
Perhaps there remaineth yet hope for the causes I pursue, even amidst the gathering storms of Legend City.
As I consider mine regrets, I am reminded of other news. I am heartened that the lessons of the Timid Husk continue to echo across the Concord, yet I remain perturbed that, as his most ardent follower, I am not granted the full courtesy of his wisdom in mine own trials. That said, I wonder whether mine frequent reflection upon the course of mine life hath spared me his attentions. Perchance the actions of the Timid Husk serve as a call for all Concordian heroes to learn from their mistakes and misdeeds, forging finer steel through honest contemplation.
Perhaps the Timid Husk is not entirely a warning against vacillation. Perhaps these developments of Lerona Mere render a new hope for this pursuit and hope for contemplation. For I believe the steel of our Mortal Sphere would ring truer if each of us but took the time to reflect, as thou hast done in thy past missive.
And as we call for reflection, I shall discuss the Church’s response to the ongoing crisis in my home with Senator D’Zisseau at our upcoming meeting, and again at Summit. At this time, however, I hold that it would be wise for the citizens of Lerona Mere to follow the Husk’s example. To turn inward, learning from our recent blights. This course, I have faith, shall best be served if the Priests of the Needle lead the way, not by command, but by living example. As yet, however, these future horizons remain veiled in mist prior to Passage. We shall have to see what winds arise.
IV.
But I hath not forgotten that thou asked of mine vision from the Warheart. Indeed, your judgement is correct. The one granted unto me was of a different cast: of being drenched in blood, exhausted by endless violence, of the guilt that gathers like barnacles upon the hull when one reaps and brings such things upon others. After a time, one craves something new - a respite, a calm harbour. The desire to be done with strife and war, to lay down the burden of bravery at last.
I am reminded of the tales of thy countryman, Ser Yulian, who craves that same respite, an opportunity to grow and change beyond the ceaseless storm. I find myself in argument as to whether it is right to grant such mercy to one, when I would not extend it to the Artebezzani - yet the Warheart doth not summon Ser Yulian to further battle. It is a complex and difficult question, as faith so often leads us into dark, uncharted waters where even the most steadfast compass wavers.
Nevertheless… as I approach this Summit, I am filled with hope once more. I do believe my Realm holds me in higher regard than I first dared to believe. And I am grateful thou aught holds me in such regard. For while Bordevar’s virtues are not those of Lerona Mere, I note there is no blight in the virtues thine nobility espouses.
Is Lysander not now of Bordevar? We are more alike than either of us would care to admit, even though it may pain our egos.
V.
I thank thee kindly for thine notes on Signore von Voyant. They have weighed heavily upon my mind for some time. Thine opinion is of… import to me. And having conferred with thee and mine countrymen at length, I have resolved what must be done.
I beseech thee to hold me in thy prayers—unto the Striking Palm, the Bloody Handed, and the Striking Serpent—that I might follow through with this course, wretched though it may prove.
May the Spheres grant us both clear skies and steady winds in the days ahead, that we might navigate these trials together.
In Strength, Service, and Steel,
Mother Brine