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[Thrax]

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Mauric was resting on his bed at Sanctus' Hostel as comfortably as anyone could who was in doubt as to the safety and well-being of one's immediate family. He had been told by a reliable source that Elana had disappeared, but that their son was in safe hands. Luana was still in Papua, being cared for, if that could be said, by the present authorities. He had narrowly missed... something... likely capture or death, at the Shrine of Justice when told by an anonymous source to go there to learn more. Only the wiles and fortitude of a man named Khilaen had foiled that fate for him. So he was not at all asleep when he heard a soft knock at the door to his room. As he rose from the bed and put his robe on, he looked casually toward the door and then noticed an envelope lying on the floor just inside the room. He picked it up. "Who's there?" he asked, refusing to unlock and open the door until he had received a satisfactory answer. None came. He then surmised that, had he opened the door, no on would be standing there, for the note itself was all that he was meant to see. He sat down in a chair beside his bed, opened the envelope, and began to read it slowly and carefully:

"My Dear Mauric,

It does not matter that you show this letter to anyone else. I would tell you to destroy it, but what is the point? Your own mouth is what got you where you are today, and what will make things much worse for you yet... since you cannot seem to keep it closed. There is a cure, and I have it if you will but listen.

At this very moment, your beautiful wife, Elana, is my guest. She is, of course, being well treated. As strikingly lovely as she is, she is not the one whose company I desire. You see, I need you for a special reason my brother. I won't bother describing why or what for... that would only confuse you. All you need to know is that the power to see that your wife remains alive and is given freedom is in your hands and your hands alone. You must make this decision within three days. After that time, Elana will take your place in what might be described as an unpleasant exit from this plane, with an even less pleasant entry into another, much darker, and vastly less favorable to unbelievers like her.

You will be able to fulfill this transfer, your life for hers, by leaving Sanctus today and going to Umbra, where you will take a room at the Inn (the Innkeeper will tell you which when you sign in). Take your elvish tracker friend with you if you like, it doesn't matter; in fact, take the army of Sanctus as well. Umbra is lovely this time of year; they might enjoy the view. Seriously, though, many eyes are there who are friendly to me and they will be on you. I will know if you plan deception. I am a master of it and know all its clever faces.

You see, this is your choice to make, but I hold the cards. If I find you there the third day, I will know you have agreed to this. If not, I will know you refuse. If you refuse, you will never see Elana again. Most probably neither Luana nor Joel either, since I know where they are too. A gate will open in your room. It will take you to Felucca. You will enter this gate and proceed into the nearest house, enter it, and remain there until you receive further instructions. If anyone, anyone, including your nice invisible friends follow you, the deal is off. Do you hear? The deal is off. I take Elana instead of you, until later when those who tire of watching over you slip, and then I will have you too. If you do comply, Elana will appear in Sanctus, safe and sound. I only really want you. I have no desire to send her fair face and form into the netherworld.

So then, it comes down to this. No more chasing. No more narrow, harrowing escapes. Just a simple decision for you to make. Choose wisely. You will only cross me once to know the steep and bloody price of such folly.

The letter was unsigned.

Mauric crumpled the note and sighed with a shudder. He began to pack his things.