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ancient Ipaxalon lands in the Tiers in the gap between prologue and plot
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Ipaxalon does read the missive before he leaves, because Straydus did not appear to be lying when he claimed she offered permission, and there might be something within that she wished him to know. 

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Father,

I am well. I am not free, but none of us are, are we? I was hurt somewhat early in my stay, but nothing I have not healed from a dozen times in your service, and not since the Edict - earlier, even. I have been treated as an honored guest, if one behind bars and locks, for almost all of the span. I am allowed to walk around the keep as long as my Iron Walker's arms stay under watch, and Straydus has been as kind as caution permits. I agreed not to collect numbers of soldiers, nor provisions against the siege, inside the walls, as part of being free to move, and in any case it's likely changed little from your last reports. They have been honorable, and I think they will continue, so so will I.

I love you,
Amelia

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He notes the vagueness of "hurt" and the possibility that a few lines might contain important subtext, but nothing here looks like a cry for outside help. It's concerning they didn't want him to meet her, and the lies in the previous conversation could have been about her, but he has other business, and needs more trust and leverage before he tries to unravel this. Something to ponder again under the effects of cultural adaptation, perhaps.

 

He stops by the courtyard to collect his borrowed flag, then bids farewell to the guards here and sets out for the Unbroken camp to update Janos and company. 

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The camp's still where it was, and active, though Janos isn't in evidence. Some of the sentries look up and salute when they see him approaching, and Captain Rodica gets them to clear a space for him to land.

"Sir Ipaxalon! I take it you spoke to the Regent?"

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"I did, and I have news.

"First, I have decided to support Stalwart against Kyros. It was overdetermined, really, since even the Overlord's own forces admit he invaded without much cause, is responsible for multiple genocidal Edicts, and apparently employs the appalling travesty that is the Scarlet Chorus. 

"Second, the First Regent expressed openness to negotiate the reunification of the Unbroken. Not necessarily under his rule, if the Edict can be ended and an alternative governance peacefully established. I am bound for Duskwatch, next, to communicate this offer, unless my information is outdated and I should look elsewhere." 

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