Personal Correspondence

The envelope is worn and creased, bearing several forwarding marks. Its original postmark is from Litran. The handwriting is careful but noticeably uneven toward the end of the letter. No sender's name appears on the outside.

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Dear Kota,

I hope this letter reaches you. I was told you had traveled west, though no one could tell me precisely where, and I have been sending inquiries wherever I thought you might eventually pass.

There has been news from Litran.

Three weeks ago, a clerk attached to the prison administration was dismissed after several sealed records went missing. Ordinarily, this would be none of our concern. But among the documents subsequently recovered was a transfer ledger concerning those condemned during the Grey Gardeners' proceedings.

I saw a portion of it myself.

There were names I recognized from your clan.

The entries did not record executions. They recorded reassignment, though I could find no explanation of what that meant or where those individuals were taken.

Beside several names was a notation I did not recognize: "Claim unresolved — pending reconciliation."

I have made discreet inquiries, but they have attracted attention I would rather not encourage. Twice now, strangers have asked how I came to possess information about these particular prisoners.

One of them carried a merchant's seal bearing a golden hand.

I do not know what any of this means, Kota. I do not know whether your people are alive. But I thought you should hear it from someone who remembers them as people, rather than entries in a ledger.

If you wish to pursue the matter, I would begin in Kerse. The merchant who questioned me mentioned a factor's office there.

Please be careful. Whatever business these men conduct, they appear to place a very precise value on things that ought never to be bought or sold.

Your old acquaintance,
A friend from Litran

P.S. I have not written your clan's names here. I think you will understand why.