(2024-05-15) The Loss of a Well-Tended Legacy

Details

Author:	inkie
Summary:	Lord Siamus Fallon responds to Lady Ismene Hazan's letter of May 1st regarding the fall of Southshore.
Rating:	T for Teen

Stormwind City
15 May

Lady Ismene -

I must first of all beg your pardon; I have been unforgivably remiss in not replying sooner to your letter of 1 May. I will make no excuses; my own situation has been no worse than most and better than some. I am myself obliged to you for your timely notice at what was surely a time of terrible tribulation to you yourself.

It seems to me that the greater part of any sympathies on offer should in fairness be yours, and so permit me to extend them. Though the title in the land resides with my family, it was yours that was settled there and keeping the orchards on behalf of the Talbots before the Fallons ever came to the Eastern Kingdoms. I know how long and well the Callises tended that land, and so as shocked and outraged as I am, I am grieved as well on your behalf. To be exiled from one’s first and fondest home, to see the loss of a well-tended legacy after generations: these are deep wounds indeed, and I pray that you find healing in time.

There is no cause whatever to apologize to me for the outcome of such an atrocity – indeed, an act of evil so incomprehensible that it could never have been foreseen by any decent soul. It is a remarkable stroke of fortune that you were able to save the people that you did. Please convey to them my condolences. I will arrange a small stipend for each and do what I can to see them resettled within the kingdom; I know that these are difficult times for many.

I intend to visit the territory in question in some few days’ time in company with your father-in-law, Lord Ference, so that we may provide firsthand testimony before the House of Nobles, the better to advise His Majesty on the kingdom’s next course of action. You have my word that this vile act will not go unanswered.

If there is anything I might do for you or your family, I hope that you will tell me. The Callises were stewards of the orchards for generations, and though they were tenants of the Fallons for less than one, it behooves me nonetheless to see such long and faithful service rewarded.

The great wave that came to the kingdom’s shore destroyed a substantial portion of the land behind Fallon House and washed our gardens out near entire. I hope it may gladden you to know, however, that the northeastern slope behind our stables and pasturage was untouched, and it is there that the apple and pear seedlings that you and your husband very kindly sent to Her Grace and myself for our wedding last year were planted. It would be my honor to offer you cuttings of both trees at any future point, and so restore to you some small piece of your legacy.

Yours faithfully,