(2023-12-07) The Heron Letters

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	Vice Admiral Siamus Fallon has heard a troubling rumor, and writes to the Admiralty for further information.
Rating:	T for Teen

Arc: Before the Cataclysm

Arc: The Missing Heron

Adm. Jes-Tereth
Stormwind Admiralty
Stormwind Keep
4 December 27

Admiral -

Gower’s Shipping Bulletin in the Gazette this morning puts the Heron at six days late into Menethil. To the best of my knowledge, there’s been no heavy weather along the Hillsbrad or Wetlands coasts in the last week, and neither the Bloodsails nor the Firebrands are operating in the region. I’m under the impression the Heron was carrying munitions for transfer at Menethil to the northbound icebreakers. Is this an official matter of concern for the Admiralty?

Yr obdt svt.,
V. Adm. S. Fallon

Vice Admiral Fallon
Fallon House
Elwynn Forest
4 December 27

Vice Admiral -

Your impressions notwithstanding, the Heron was not officially carrying anything of note, and therefore this is not an official matter of concern for the Admiralty.

Unofficially, if certain Alliance cargoes were to go missing, a discreet inquiry into same might be undertaken personally by the Menethil harbormaster, who understands his job to hang in the balance.

Cordially,
Adm. L. Jes-Tereth

Adm. Jes-Tereth
Stormwind Admiralty
Stormwind Keep
5 December 27

Admiral -

With all due respect, we are at war, and lost weapons cargoes are a matter of Alliance security. A “discreet inquiry” by the harbormaster is madness.

Yrs.,
V. Adm. S. Fallon

Vice Admiral Fallon
Fallon House
Elwynn Forest
5 December 27

Fallon -

Was that “all due respect,” in fact? It didn’t read like all due respect. I assure you that it is a matter of Alliance security and that discretion in this case is necessary, even if it is a concept you find natively difficult to grasp. At some point I expect you to begin to appreciate that the upper echelons of the Admiralty are not all morons, Odesyus notwithstanding.

The harbormaster’s hired Cobalt Company, which at least ought to please you. If it would ease your frayed nerves, feel free to put a ship or two in Menethil waters; the Admiralty hasn’t got any to spare, as we are, in fact, at war.

Adm. Jes-Tereth

5 Dec. 27

Admiral -

You know bloody well why I haven’t ships to spare at present either.

Fallon

6 Dec. 27

Siamus -

I apologize. That was thoughtless of me. You will understand if this business has a number of us on edge.

You’re welcome to inquire with Boran in Menethil directly, or with the Cobalt team he’s hired. If you could steer for at least the general territory of discretion, I’d appreciate it. His Majesty is in a mood.

- L.

7 Dec. 27

Lelah -

I may do that. Inquire, that is; I make no guarantees as to discretion. I do have three new ships launching from Fallon Harbor, and upon consideration may in fact be able to divert one to the Southshore-Menethil lanes for a few weeks.

Dinner? We can further discuss your apology.

- S.

Siamus -

What would your wife say?

L. -

Dinner with my wife?