merrimanlyon | (no subject)

My lord Caspian,

I thank you for your letter and its accompanying information. My most sincere apologies for the lengthy delay in replying to you -- I have been out of the bar for some time, attending to a particularly pressing matter of importance.

Strictly speaking, Blodwen Rowlands is no longer a 'business' acquaintance of mine, as it were -- but I do not deny that she has good reason to wish ill upon those who have stood against her in the past. Particularly, for that matter, if those who have stood against her before see fit to spread word about her past actions, with the implied meaning that they still consider her a threat in the present.

She is mortal now, with the Dark driven out of her. Yet I believe you will take my meaning when I say that even a mortal needs very little in the way of outside power to cause harm to others if the circumstances allow it. If you wish to speak with me in person, I shall be in the bar more frequently than I have been of late. I look forward to continuing this conversation in person, should you have the time or further interest.

I remain,
M. Lyon

Mr Wells,

My most sincere apologies for the lengthy delay in replying to you -- I have been out of the bar for some time, attending to a particularly pressing matter of importance. Now that it has been settled to my satisfaction, I can give your reply the proper attention it deserves.

I would of course be willing to work on the translation, and provide you with either a full copy of the text or a properly annotated summary if you would prefer to avoid reading the actual words as they are written. If you believe that the book is as great a danger as you say it is, then it must certainly be examined to determine the contents before anything is done to it. In fact, if anyone were to attempt to destroy the book, there might well be a risk that destruction itself would have magical repercussions.

I will be around more frequently now than I have been of late, and I hope to speak to you as soon as possible regarding the book. If you would prefer to arrange a specific date and time at which to meet, I shall endeavour to be present and waiting.

I remain,
M. Lyon

Wrapped in the white linen cloth is a heavy leatherbound book. Any markings on either the spine or the cover have been worn away by what seems to be repeated use and handling, but the binding is still perfectly intact and capable of withstanding years of reading. A folded and sealed piece of parchment has been placed on top of the book, and the message inside it reads as follows:

Miss Lennox,

I hope that this will prove of value to you, now and in years to come. It cannot answer all of the questions you might have -- nor is it meant to, for that matter. This is merely one perspective on a story that has changed and altered significantly over the years. I leave it to you to determine wherein lies the truth of the matter...if, indeed, you conclude that there is a truth to be found within it at all.

That said, consider this also to be a gentle reminder to you, as you go through life, that there is indeed a kind of magic in the world. You know it well enough now. It is my hope that you will always know it, and know that you will always have a part in keeping that magic alive.

I remain,
M. Lyon

Upon opening the book, the reader will discover that it is an exceedingly fine copy of Malory's Le Morte D'Arthur.

It has been heavily annotated.*

* The margins are nearly black with (still quite legible) commentary written in an impossibly precise hand, primarily in modern English but with Latin, French, Old English, and quite possibly one or two other languages incorporated into the notes. There are cross-references. There are notes that direct the careful reader to other suitable or worthwhile sources. In short, the book has been annotated to within an inch of its life -- and will provide years of material for any reader to consider.