Lady DeRomiano,

I am writing to inform you that I am no longer the Baroness of Old Temple and can no longer assist the Scathachian Sisterhood in that capacity. The new Baroness, Nayun, would like to meet with you. I have told her of my agreement to assist your Sisters where possible. She seems very willing to continue. Please contact her at the Old Temple Baronial Manor or, if you wish me to be liaison, I shall bring her to the Sanctuary or other appointed place to meet you.

My sister and I are still most willing to aid the Scathachian Sisterhood. You simply need to call upon us.

Sincerely,

Rhiannon D. Harker

Nayun sat there within the quiet manor and looked over the letter that had just arrived. With brow perked and a look of concentration on her face. Leaning over and giving a squint of her eyes to attempt to make out a few of those words...but, alas, she'd have problems reading them. Fingers pressed to the letter and gently pushed across the table.

"Read this.."

Sliding the parchment over to a rather well dressed maid at her side. The woman looked to the new Baroness and then back to the letter. Nayun sat back against her chair and crossed fingers while listening.

—

A rider would be sent out an hour later with her response.

"Thank you I have made the manor my home for now I am willing to meet I will come to you Please give me information on date

That is all

Nayun"

Isuelt threw down the parchment which she had been studying just as a few of her Sisters walked into the room. It looped slowly and came to rest on the shined wooden surface of the table, ink side up.

"I thought I heard a runner. What is it?" Delphinea was first to speak as she took her steps forward the take up the letter.

Isuelt made no movement other than a wave of her hand that acted as an exemplary answer to her Sister's question.

"Is it about that Winterfest' I fancy we should have a kissing booth," Janie's blonde head was still wet from her morning bath as she came to stand next to big Delphinea, as she knew she would never be able to read over her shoulder. The Aussie received a scathing look from both Isuelt and Delphinea which prompted her to continue, "You know, to raise money for the ankle bite— uh, Orphans' Fund." Her blue eyes immediately returned to the ink on the parchment.

As the women finished reading over the letter, both sets of eyes - one blue and one green - came to look upon Isuelt, who was still seated in the armchair. "Who is this?" Delphinea's voice housed obvious concern.

"Apparently, she is the new Baroness of Old Temple," Isuelt leaned back and crossed her leather-clad legs, resting her interlaced fingers across her abdomen.

"'That is all'" She sounds as if she is dismissing us, as if we were her private servants or subjects," Delphinea's taller blonde head shook with evident disapproval.

The shorter of the blondes then spoke up as she took the letter from Delphinea's hands, "Quite a commandment, if ya ask me." Janie's brow curved upward. Isuelt only nodded as her silence spoke volumes.

"What's going on?" Sheryl had entered the room, wondering what order they were receiving from Isuelt. "Which commandment, Illea?" As the Scathachians turned to their Sister, Janie handed Sheryl the letter. "The head of Ravenlock?" Her wide blue-gray eyes blinked three times in something resembling surprise. "Sister Jenai's Ravenlock?"

While the priestess began a loudly overlapping banter about if he was Jenai's any longer and whether or not a Baroness had the right to order them around, as well as sentiments that agreed with the contract, Isuelt put her hand up suddenly.

"Enough!"

The women were immediately silenced as they looked to the brunette who took leave of her chair, drawing herself to her full height. "Baroness Nayun has requested a meeting with us. Here. And each of you will show her the proper respect of her station. And that is something that you will pass along to the others as well," Isuelt paused her speech as she stepped away from her chair and moved toward the hearth. "I would request that as many of you as possible are present for this meeting. We will be discussing many things, not just Brian Ravenlock."

"But Illea, commanding that we bring her his head" It's nearly barbaric!" Sheryl's sensitive nature was showing.

"Yah, like that's all we were waiting for was her okay. Oh, sure! Now we can go ahead and route him since she says it's the right thing to do..." Janie's fire burned, and another round of superimposed voices began their chorus.

"I said ENOUGH!"

Only a single sigh from Janie was heard as the girls once more quieted their bickering. Isuelt's eyes were on the flames, rather than on her Sisters. "Sheryl is right. We are not mercenaries. We do not produce heads as proof of allegiance or completion of objective. But Baroness Nayun has no way of knowing that. That is what this meeting is for; for us to get to know who the other is. We will be working with the Baroness, taking care of her district, as we do the rest of the city. Our partnership will aid this city and help it to rise to what it can be. We are fortunate in her request, ladies. We now know that we share the same enemy and perhaps the same ideals." Her chocolate eyes looked to Delphinea, "She is not dismissing us. She is simply a woman of few words, as this is the second similar letter I have received. We are all on the same side here." The tallest of the blonde heads bowed to Isuelt as her point was understood. "Now, I will extend the invite for the Baroness to come to the Sanctuary and we will dine together and talk together. And we will work together to make that district as free from trouble as it should be." Her gaze focused on each of the women in turn. And her stare received the answer of a nod from all of them. "Sheryl, you are due in the Temple today. Make sure you take my response to the Baronial Manor on you way."

"Of course, Illea," the ringlet curls dipped as she bowed her head.

As the hour progressed, the Sisters made ready their patrol routes and daily duties. Sheryl left for the Temple District with Isuelt's letter.

Baroness Nayun;

I look forward to welcoming you this coming week to the Sanctuary on the Northwest Cliff road. We would be honored if you would join us for a meal as we may discuss the affairs of your district. Many of the concerns at hand are both urgent and shared; and we are grateful for the occasion to work with you on their resolutions.

Respectful regards, Isuelt DeRomiano

After private deliberation as well as discussion with her Sisters, Isuelt sat down to write a reply to the somewhat surprising note that was delivered from the Baroness of Old Temple.

Baroness Nayun; I was at once distressed and concerned by your latest letter and wish to make something perfectly clear to you. The business that you discuss with me in your correspondence is made plain to my Sisters, as we operate as a unit. Such is our training, and our culture. Any matters discussed outside of that unit, however, were not shared.

The fact that we were to meet with you, the new Baroness of Old Temple, was the only detail that was made known to the general public. Please understand our disappointment, as we feel that a meeting with you would benefit both parties, as well as the district itself.

We seek to further our knowledge of you, share what we can of ourselves and seek understanding in our partnership for the district. We would request that you consider a meal at our home at a time of your choosing.

Respectfully yours,

Isuelt DeRomiano