Meister of the Secret Prologue

My Dear Maaike,

I hope that Tijervyn has found you well, and that your purposes and dispositions have in some ways been advanced in these months since you left our humble city. I am afraid that news from Sentat is still something of a rarity here, but I am sure such a scandal as you are attempting to prevent would be heard of, even in our introspective halls. Still, even the fall of the Barony of Kanadis might go past my notice, so often am I in my lab and isolated from the comings and goings of the world at large.

Yes, I know you are indeed Kanadis, not Vorrena as you would have had the people of Adervyn believe. And while you are safely out of the city’s grasp now, rest assured, your secret is safe with me. You are not the first Sentatian I have had the honor of meeting during the war, and in fact it was a mutual acquaintance of ours that was the other. But, I am sure you already knew that as well. I have not heard from this person in some time, but should you happen to cross paths, send my warm regards and wishes for safety.

Ah, but I ramble, as so often I know I am accused of doing, so allow me to be forthright now. Avoid Tesma Barak. From your interest in me and my work prior to and during the war, I have no doubt you will find a fascination in the man and his work, but rest assured, there is only ruin in an association with him. He seeks dominion over what he cannot control, and the path he has chosen will lead to travesty.

Indeed, I would further urge you to be quit of Tijervyn and its court. I know you feel that your business in the city is pressing and urgent, and perhaps even the only course open to you now, but you must believe me: there are worse fates than those you would imagine.

I hope, truly, that you take my warnings in earnest. I close with a final request. Help Qristina. I knew the girl as a child, and I still hope against cause that she might somehow eschew her father’s malignancy by way of her mother’s nobler blood. Whatever contact you may have had with her, please understand: she was not always her father’s daughter.

I am, forever faithfully, yours,

Quintin Lazris

Story by Richard Fife | Art by April Herron