Letters of Aloyisius Frobisher
In a book from the diplomancy section of the library, we discovered the following letters, in a bundle of correspondence from the Ambassador’s Office, dated some years after the loss of the white ship. When queried with a librarian, they believed that there are several letters from Aloysius Frobisher:
“841
My Lord Chancellor,
As per your request I have extended my stay here in Lyonesse and sought a meeting with the Lady Eleanor. This was granted to me, and I write this letter immediately on my return from taking tea with her.
The Lady did indeed seem in good health, which I am sure my Lord shall be relieved to hear. Her firstborn son is hale and hearty, and both mother and child are very well indeed.
We made polite conversation and talked at length about the weather in Lyonesse – though Lady Eleanor did indeed seem somewhat wistful when we spoke of Albion’s rains, she maintained that she is happy in Lyonesse with her husband.
The man himself is agreeable, if somewhat lacking in nobility, but I confess they do seem quite in love, and his business interests do appear to keep Lady Eleanor in the comfort to which she is accustomed.
She inquired as to how Albion fared under the stewardship of the Council, and in this I embellished somewhat the state of the realm – it was my hope that by playing at her heart I might have convinced her to aid us, but though her concern was evident, all talk of the Throne was very swiftly changed to her orchards.
I begged her forgiveness for asking the question, but I did state I could not help myself – would she undertake the quest for the seven swords and help restore her family to the Throne? At this she tried to change the subject once more but I was insistent – she relented, and explained her disdain for the warring and fighting and bickering around the court – that she hoped that, for a time at least, Albion would calm and heal, with the noble houses ruling instead of constantly vying for power.
I do feel, my Lord, that the Lady Eleanor truly believes what she is doing is good and correct, and though you, and I, may disagree with her methods, her heart is truly in the right place.
On my leaving the house I was able to slip a coin into the palm of a maid and discover that the Lady Eleanor believes herself to be yet again with child but is cautious about revealing the fact. I only hope that this is a girl, that one day we may convince her to undertake the quest for the swords.
I shall return here once more when I am able, and shall continue to write to you of my progress.
I remain Albion’s servant,
Aloysius Frobisher
Attache to the Lord Ambassador”
“842
My Lord Chancellor,
On my travels through Lyonesse, I took the initiative to visit once more upon the Lady Eleanor. I must report that she has given birth to a second son, not a daughter as we had hoped.
The lady and the child are both well – and I was gratified to find Lady Eleanor was much pleased to see me again. She invited me to stay for supper, and her husband and spoke long into the night about Albion and possible business interests that he might find there.
Of course I abhor business but I did begin to conceive the idea that if his business interests could be moved into Albion, we may be able to have Lady Eleanor return to Albion, where we can better protect and guide her.
I say protect for I noticed an increase in the number of guards around the Lady’s abode since my last visit. Upon asking about this, I was told there was a minor incident earlier in the year with an intruder into the house, but that his was dealt with by the lady herself, seeing the intruder off – she is certainly a Pendragon, if the tale is to be believed.
With my increased duties to the courts here and in Estragales, I shall make it my duty, should my Lord approve, to visit Lady Eleanor as often as I can manage, and take an interest in the raising of the two boys.
I would request that my Lord ensures that places are made ready for them at the Academy at Norhault, that we may offer to have them educated in Albion when the time comes.
I remain your servant,
Aloyisius Frobisher
Ambassador”
“842
My Lord Chancellor,
I have received word there has been another intruder at Lady Eleanor’s residence – I write this note to inform you I am heading there directly from Dyeppe with my guard.
I remain your servant,
Aloysius Frobisher
Ambassador”
“842
My Lord Chancellor,
The Lady Eleanor is safe – but I intend to leave some members of my guard here to assist her household guard.
It appears that several men attacked the gate house as a distraction to allow two intruders to enter the house in the confusion. The Lady Eleanor, it is said, fought them like a dragon when they tried to enter her sons chambers, in which the lady was sat sewing.
Apparently a replica of the Kingsword which hung above the mantle was used to great effect. I have, of course, used this to suggest that perhaps she should wield the real Kingsword. Lady Eleanor was amused by this – progress, I feel.
This incident has, I believe, impressed upon Lady Eleanor and her husband, the importance of the safety, and dare I say, secrecy, of her children. There are those, I have explained to her, in Albion who would not welcome the return of the rightful kings of Albion.
Truly, Lady Eleanor’s reaction to this, I believe she had not considered that her blood would make her sons a target. I have suggested to the Lady that the best option, as strange as it may be, would be to hide her in Albion. We could protect her with much more effect were she to return home.
I believe she may consider this – for she told me that she would enjoy seeing the Greenwood once more, and that she has always wanted to visit the Fells of Keswick.
I shall remain here for a time.
I remain your servant,
Aloysius Frobisher
Ambassador”
“842
My Lord Chancellor,
I write to you from the healing houses near Rouen. It would appear that my regular visits to Lady Eleanor have been noticed by our enemies, for an attempt was made on my own life not three nights ago.
I must ensure that I am more careful – I have despatched a trusted guard of mine with a letter for Lady Eleanor, instructing her to be extra vigilant in the coming days.
For now, I must rest.
I remain your servant,
Aloysius Frobisher
Ambassador”
“842
My Lord Chancellor,
Lady Eleanor has been taken ill – the healers believe she has been poisoned. The new attache you have assigned to me has taken over the interrogation of the staff – we were able to find evidence that one of the maids had been beguiled, but alas, we know nothing more.
The poison appears to have been caught in time, but it is feared that the Lady Eleanor will never fully regain her health. Due to this matter, Lady Eleanor has agreed to the suggestions I have made to her on your instruction. She has asked me to thank you for being her, as she put it, silent guardian, these long years.
I will leave my guard here when I return to Albion next week in order to make arrangements.
I remain your servant,
Aloyisius Frobisher
Ambassador”
“842
My Lord Chancellor,
I have set in motion what we discussed when we met. I have placed extra guards in the necessary places. I keep my eyes to the horizon for I expect the arrival of winter any day now.
I remain your servant,
Aloyisius Frobisher
Ambassador”
“842
My Lord Chancellor,
I write to inform you that winter has arrived in Lyonesse. I have instructed Lady Eleanor to ensure that Alexander and Charles wrap up warm. Lady Eleanor’s husband is taking the carriage to warmer climes, hopefully the eyes we’re avoiding have seen and will follow.
I remain your servant,
Aloyisius Frobisher
Ambassador”
“842
My Lord Chancellor,
I write to inform you of news – the good, winter has left the shores of Lyonesse.
I must also inform you that Aloyisius Frobisher is dead – he was found this morning, we believe he was poisoned.
I shall return to Albion to report on the weather.
Albion’s servant,
Jaster Corbyn
Provost”