What sort of man am I become, that lies and false promises drip from my quill and from my tongue? I was raised to hold honour highly, to speak truth, or not at all. I was raised to hold to my word, to keep any oaths I uttered, any promises I made.
For what is a man without his honour?
And I despise myself, for what I must be in these times.
It is needful, I am reminded, that I play the wealthy fool who cares only for the vintage of the wine he drinks, the quality of the finery he wears, the comfort of the bed he sleeps in. I play a man who would trade the lives and wellbeing of those he is bound to defend as naught. And worse. I play a man who would willingly sell his very soul to amuse and enrich himself.
Each time I feast with those I must, it is all I can do to maintain my act. I return to my rooms in the city and retch until I am empty. I would vomit forth all the taint that is now upon me if I could.
And then I remember my father’s words to a beardless youth, the first time he spoke of what lay beneath Bancross. ‘We command our villages. We lead from the front, and by example when the need arises. But sometimes, the most honourable way is one of dishonour. Will you lay down all to protect our people, my son?”
For my father, for my King, for my people, and for just a short while longer I will play this part of craven knave. My honour and self respect, the price for my people’s survival.
So be it, though I forfeit my soul.
~ ~ ~
Fourth Letter to Captain Denholm.
Denholm, Captain of the Garrison at Bancross,
As I mentioned in my last brief missive, it is my intent to return to Bancross for the apple harvest. This time I do so openly. I expect no warm welcome from those there, but duty and oaths will hold most of the folk until I can address them directly. Then we shall see clearly where loyalties lie.
I would have it that you encourage celebrations in the village. There may be a lull in threat, but I have every reason to suspect this is temporary, and that we will see a rise in local attacks on travellers and smaller villages. We are being tested in our strength and resolve.
You may have heard whisper that some garrisons are being ordered to lessen their numbers. My order still stands. Prepare our folk for conflict, and any from Middlemead that you can. I am pleased to say I hear murmurs of complaint about my village from certain others. I dismiss their words as meaningless, and encourage them to be in their cups as much as possible. But be aware, not all are as easily distracted and I suspect my real motivation may soon come to light.
If aught should happen and I am taken unawares, it is my order that you do not seek to find me, but stay with my people as acting commander. My only living relative, my sister at Dol Amroth, has been kept informed of what transpires, and she will return if necessary as Thane in name only. She knows you have my full trust. Keep them safe, Captain!
To that end I send more coin to you, to pay for more men, and for all weapons and horses to be in the very best condition. If you have need of more, then send to me through my man, who will remain in Bancross for my arrival, if he has no return message to bear.
As to the relic. My main concern is that it does not fall into the wrong hands. My sister is well informed on the situation, should it be required.
We spoke before, you and I, when I camped near the Pukle Man, and had the place guarded. I said then that this matter needs to be kept among very few. Yourself, sergeant Thilwend, and that rough man, should suffice. If you require the aid of one or two others, then I trust your judgement. My order is that you make search of the southern and eastern areas of Bancross at the time of festivities in my Hall. My main suspicion is the silver-like (Mithril?) dish was buried in one of the catacombs in that area. There is quite a network of underground caves as you may know. One reason for Criba’s interest in the home of the man, Waelden, is that it has a cave leading to the catacombs on its land. Another point of entry is in the basement of my house, which I showed to you. It is under the central sigal which will need to be raised. There may well be several other entrances. Once found, then the relic needs to be kept safe and silent until I, or my sister can deal with it. Speak to no one else of the matter.
Time presses us. The need to know who speaks truth, who has honour, becomes ever more urgent. I fear for the Mark, yet know what we are capable of to defend ourselves.
Until I am home.
Averel, Thane of Bancross
~ ~ ~
Second Letter to a Friend
Greetings to you and your supporters in Cliving,
I send you reply to your letter by my same man, Aldholm, whom you now know well.
As you observed, matters are not going as straightforwardly or as fast as expected. The man Criba, and his associate, got themselves arrested during their search for the artifact. I have told the Captain of the Garrison to keep both at Bancross. If they were brought to Edoras it is just possible they may catch the eye of one of Eomer’s folk. That third Marshal is proving too inquisitive, and he is close friends with the Prince.
There is still much reason for hope. I am returning to Bancross for the final harvest celebrations and will ask all my folk to attend in my Mead Hall. While they are there, my three most trusted men will make search, and succeed where Criba failed. You shall have your reward.
In response to your note that the folk hereabouts are not as low in supplies as I first reported, it seems some general ‘do-gooder’ has been sending food from Aldburg to Bancross and Middlemead. Fear not on his account, for when he is identified his recompense shall be swift.
I note, and it is a matter of conversation with our friends in Edoras, that the attacks have lessened in frequency. Are we employing cowards and charletons to deal with the orcs? Why have the Easterlings halted their advance? I thought we were to weaken the Mark, so that when the time comes, there would be few able-bodied men to oppose us?
Forgive my pointedness, but if I am not kept up to date on the plans, I cannot act accordingly to support them. We must keep the common folk weak, and devoid of hope. That is the way we best serve our Master.
Yours in a higher service,
Averel, Thane of Bancross
