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| Details |
| Author: | Athena |
| Summary: | Avrenne responds to Siamus' questions with answers, of Bran, Sintha, and High Captain Bartlett. 950-ish words. |
| Rating: | T for Teen |
Chain: Siarenne
In Response to Siamus' letter to Avrenne in the flurry of letters.
[As a major departure from every letter thus far, this letter is not in Avrenne’s own hand; it is written in Sophie Mercailles’ impeccable secretarial handwriting, with a slant to the right to the words.]
February 29th, Year 28
Dearest Siamus,
The dwarven priest who attended you introduced himself as Prospector Brannagen Stillwall, as a member of the Explorers’ League, Cobalt Company, and Priest of the Light (in that order). He is related to a family of brewers out of Ironforge, the Stillwalls, who produce Stillwall Barleywine. They are a moderately successful smaller brewery.
Sintha has returned to Stormwind, and is staying comfortably at home in the townhouse. The experience of the battle has left its inevitable mark, but she has come through to the other side with the expected resilience of her House.
The battlefield was, according to those with expertise on such matters, of similar horrifying difficulty with healing and resurrection as the Wrath Gate, adding to the unexpected loss. Sintha managed to not only survive, but did everything in her power to try to ensure that one of the soldiers serving on the Skybreaker did as well, but he succumbed to his wounds, and died on the battlefield. His name was Corin Ivalius, and his two siblings, Errol and Pamla, are stationed at Valiance Keep.
Having heard her speak of her conviction and courage in the face of such devastation of a mission, I admit that I am extraordinarily proud of her, and so deeply grateful that she survived to come back to us, and have told her so. It is still a new experience for her, I imagine, to be praised so directly and openly as a soldier of the Alliance, as her work before prevented most from ever knowing what she did in service, but I can speak as a civilian and sister-in-law both to tell her how much she is appreciated.
From her telling of it, she responded to a call from her superior officer of the necessity of an engineer on the ground, and quite understandably relied on his judgment for the field deployment. We all know, unfortunately, how thinly spread the Alliance is at present, and the High Captain likely made a decision based on his understanding of the mission at the time, not anticipating the Horde’s interference.
Whether or not that would have made any difference, we will never know, and he may have made an error in judgment or assumption at the time to allow her to be deployed in the intended capacity regardless. It was still, in hindsight, an obvious mistake given what did occur, but Sintha has very admirably spoken of wanting her actions and choices to stand on their own merit, success or failure, and not leverage the inherent support of her brother’s political and military power against the commander. Much like her brother, Sintha is inclined to take responsibility for her own choices, even if in this case, she could point a finger to someone else whose decision nearly cost Sintha her life.
Of the man himself, High Captain Justin Barlettt is a son of Lordaeron, of no particularly notable descendance to have it remarked upon, who joined the Alliance military in the call to arms of the Second War to fight against the Horde. He has served with appropriate enough time and distinction that His Majesty promoted him to High Captain of the Skybreaker, to set him as leader of that region for the Valiance Expedition. His sympathies are known to be firmly for the Alliance as a whole without notable bias against race or creed if they are allies, and his reputation is that he is a man who has spoken of a future where our children might know a world at last devoid of the orcs. Those familiar with him say he will not be taking the recent attack lightly.
There appears to be more concern that he might retaliate with more force against the Horde than has been generally understood permitted if he is not strictly ordered not to do so. At present, such countermands against action of the orcs in the region have not been issued, and it is likely High Captain Bartlett is pursuing the matter to be sure the Horde understands the Alliance will not stand for our soldiers cut down by dishonorable action.
I will be speaking with Lord Lysander about the matter again soon. Thus far all the information I have, however, indicates that there is no other official planned response to the disgraceful attack. His Majesty appears to be heeding advice that directs him away from any course of larger military action or consequences for the Horde at this present time. High Captain Bartlett will be acting on his own at present, and there is no telling when he may be ordered to stand down.
As always, I remain at your side for whatever you decide to make of this information. There is no course you might chart that I would not willingly follow you through, nothing that would ever make me turn from you. Do lead on, Vice Admiral.
With all my unwavering regard for you,
Your wife,
Avrenne Esprit Fallon
[In Avrenne’s own hand is a Postscript, the writing so light that it seems she barely touched the page with the pen]
PS – I miss you terribly. What I would not give to have your hands over mine, and your arms around me for even just a moment. But, I know it is not feasible, and I will make do with a possibly alarming amount of chocolate in proxy. I love you.
[This letter has a pressed Alyssum blossom scented with lotus enclosed.]