#the black shroud

9th Sun of the 4th Umbral Moon, 1537

My dearest cousin,

Your letter comes to us in good health, and I do believe you would be pleased to know that I showed your letter to Ruvierre and he became so delighted upon catching its scent that he barked over and over as he spun in circles til he tripped over his own paw, upon which my granddaughters decided it was the perfect opportunity to festoon him in laurels and the pair of them chased him up and down the river creek til all three of them were coated in mud to the shoulders.

Family reunion aside I am deeply grieved to hear matters for you are so grave. We were not untouched by the drought, but the caves are still replete with Mun-Tuy beans and the Gridanians sup upon the backs of luscious Thanalan merchants as they always do. We are getting by.

To that end I send this letter with three crates of dried beans and a wheel of antelope cheese. I wish we could deliver more but the Wailers are thick in the forest this year and I do not wish to bring trouble to your house.

I know you are loath to consider it but I would be remiss if I did not suggest again that you and your clan do not have to live apart. Though we may live on opposite stretches of Tinolqa, if any number of you chose to stay with us we still would be able to feed and house you despite the troubles of the season. More hands are always welcome and those hands need not engage in conversation with the Gridanians if so chosen. Even now there is plenty to be done amongst the beans and antelope if continuing your sort of work is the life that they desire, and any sojourn need not be permanent if that is your wish.

I implore you to please consider the suggestion in earnest. I could not forget your disapproval of our methods of farming, but it is better to farm another way than to starve. Sometimes I do think the fewer of us, the happier the Gridanians would be. There is no love lost from them, and you know as well as I that they do not see us much different no matter how we choose to live.

My wife would like to add that we will also be sending along a box of maple brittle for the children as well as a few extra blankets if you are in need, but that is the most we can provide without sending a real wagon. If the Wailers relent we can try again.

Please let me know your thoughts for else I might go mad with worry.

Your loving cousin,

Jiorraut Laisonoix