Undated Correspondence from Executor of the Imperial Catechism Carice ‘ja Tordren

Circa 244 AE, Archives of the Catechism

Art by Alana Fletcher.

Agents have tracked my predecessor to a city called Qaikannes.

Indigents suggest it is thirty leagues northeast, but I suspect it is much further if it even exists at all. We shall set forth no later than the end of the week.

I do not expect to find the old Executor. Neither in Qaikannes nor anywhere. Blair ‘ja Aurric will never be found. And if he is, he will prove untouchable. His designs were always too subtle to determine and then too intricate to prevent. I learned all my tricks from him.

Carice ‘ja Tordren was one of the most influential and powerful Executors the Imperial Catechism has ever known. Art by Robert Frankel.

But the Empire expects me to bring the old Executor to justice, and thus I shall. It will cost us, I am certain. It will cost me. As I have said before, I am committed to this regardless. Let the sun dash all shadows — except those that serve our purpose. That, too, I learned from Blair.

But it will not change that he has scattered our secrets to the wind. That no moves against us have yet been made does not put me at ease. That Mard was so quick to offer us assistance raises my suspicions. That an Executor would be a spy disturbs me more than it angers me.

But this office has precious little capital, now. I must heal confidence in the Catechism, but rest assured I am curing the infection already. The tools for amputation are prepared.

Do not share this with Roderick. It will destroy him.