Cutlass Mission 13B (1/06/21) pt 3 of 3 “A warning from Rai Sahib Gautam Mehta to Khan Bahadur

Message:

His Most Magnificent Majesty, Emperor of the Mughals and the Indus, Sunrise and Stars, His Excellency and Singularity, Lord of Lords Bestower of Bracelets, Khan Bahadur, Maharadjadhiraja Berge Lord du Destin, your Most Humble Servant, Rai Sahib Gautam Mehta, does present information of interest and import to Your Imperial Advisors.

After disappearance of traitor Raleigh and associate Lorenzo this one did travel the length and breadth of Europe with associates on mission at behest of Vice-Admiral Jehan Lord Colin of France. Vice-Admiral Colin did charge Edgar Rielly Vernass of France to seek out “World’s Greatest Gunsmith,” and obtain weapon from same. Vernass did obtain services of Friends to Khan Paxton of Wildemoon, Yonten, Gilbert Durand, Julianus Lord Ravenot, and Nathaniel Captain Lord Mayweather and others.

This had been accomplished - Bishop Zuccato of Merida in Spain, is craftsman who makes but one weapon per year. Even one unfamiliar with firearms, like this one, recognized instantly unsurpassed workmanship.

Rather than return weapon to hands of Vice-Admiral Colin, Vernass did decide to pursue Rival of mission, Charles-Michel Queel. Queel was hidden in Abbey of Merida.

We did approach Abbey in Merida. Man named Roland de Marius had just arrived with Nawab Paul Cae carrying supposed urgent message from Vice-Admiral Colin when fluke explosion did occur. This one, Captain Lord Mayweather, Lord Ravenot, Vernass himself, and others were caught in blast.

Uninjured in party did move wounded to “Lady Catherine’s Suites (Merida),” then Yonten, Alize Baptiste Pozzo, Grimbald Boislevesque, Paxton and Ricardo of Wildemoon, Roland de Marius, Trema Damond, Gilbert Durand, Santiago du Antonio, and Nawab Cae did all return to Abbey to subdue Charles-Michel Queel.

I did still hold message from Vice-Admiral which was order to abandon efforts to subdue Queel and return to Naples with weapon. This one, Captain Lord Mayweather, Lord Ravenot, and Vernass were unable to rise and move to stop other’s attack. We could but wait and hope for best outcome all throughout evening, overnight, and well into next day.

Eventually, party did reappear, bearing Charles-Michel Queel as captive. Later did I hear of battles through Abbey Foyer and capture of Boislevesque and Damond, of deceptions to keep scribes from sounding alarms, of attempts to sneak through lofts - and of terrors when lofts did collapse, almost burying de Marius, Yonten and Nawab Cae, and crushing Santiago du Antonio. I did learn of fighting through Refectory, injuries to Ricardo of Wildemoon,and bounties placed on heads of all. I did glean how Trema Damond was slain by Queel, but Boislevesque rescued in daring attack, and how Paxton of Wildemoon did leave Queel sleeping on stone floor like infant.

From thence did we take river barge from Merida to Vatican and contract ship for voyage to Nantes. There, Vernass did receive messages from French Vice-Admiral Colin. Admiral did redirect Vernass from travel to Nantes to errand in Turin.

Fine weapon from Bishop Zuccato is to be brought to man known only as “William Tell.” Tell is reputed as “Best Marksman in World.”

After Vernass shared message, Durand intoned, “Taking best rifle in world to best marksman in world? Someone is to be assassinated.”

Questions abound. This one believes, oh Great and Mighty Khan, You personally know Vice-Admiral Colin? This one knows Great Khan has travelled with Nawab Cae, Lord Ravenot, Gilbert Durand, Paxton of Wildemoon, Alize Pozzo, Yonten and Nathaniel Captain Lord Mayweather, but this unworthy asks if Great Khan truly trusts these men?

As eyes and ears of Great Khan in lands far from throne this one should be aware of purpose of exceptional weapon in hands of exceptional marksman if purpose behind use of said weapon was to further security of Empire and glory of Mighty Khan. Slaying of Khan, or even King would be unlikely use of weapon, but death of mere courtier or trusted agent could have wide repercussions crossing many lands. For this reason, oh Great and Mighty Khan, does this True and Humble agent, ambassador and spy send warning, that Your Imperial Majesty possess all knowledge needed to make early and wise plans.

Your Most Humble Servant, Rai Sahib Gautam Mehta


Yours,