Gregory Grey and the Fugitive in Helika
Page 23
CHAPTER 11.1
A Letter From Pencier
To Gregory Grey,
c/o Commander of the Throne’s Watch, Magus Quincy Appleby
The Apple, High Town, The West Wing,
Domremy City
July 19th 1909.
Dear Gregory,
In the weeks since you have left, I have had occasion for both, great joy and great grief.
Word of your incredible deeds has reached even here, and everyone now remembers you only fondly; to hear them speak now, one would get the impression that you were delivered to the village by angels, could commit no mischief, had a way of lighting up rooms when you walked in, and were gracious and generous to a fault.
Well, lad, we won’t remind them of certain incidents that surrounded your stay at the orphanage, but I will say that while I expected you to do us proud, I certainly didn’t expect you to take my wishes to heart quite so instantly.
Bless you, and your courage.
I say courage, because you will now need it, son. Pencier was hard struck by the quake. We saw little enough of the spectres that haunted the streets of others cities, and for once, we are glad that so few of us could truly cast spells. But the quaked devastated us thoroughly enough.
I’m so very sorry to have to inform you that Reginald and Alfred did not survive the quake. They and Michel were in the kitchens when the quake struck, and the building collapsed on them. We do not believe your two friends suffered as they passed on. However, Michel was struck down and pinned by a wooden beam. It shattered his lower spine – we’re afraid he may never again walk. Your friend Astrid Moser is safe.
The Earl did not survive the quake either. Sheriff Shinde has taken over his duties in the interim.
As of the moment of writing this letter, I know that you are yet in a coma, and I pray that by the time it reaches you, you’ll have woken.
With best regards and utmost condolences,
Director Lawrence Hughes