A Letter On the Most Recent Events Delivered to L.L. at Lady Catherine's Sanitorium (Belfast)
Message:My good and dear friend,
If there is anything I have learned from my years under the tutelage of our most esteemed benefactor, Commodore Mayweather--
I can see your head shake with confusion, but please know that he has not awarded himself this title, but rather it was bestowed upon him by a Dutch regal fellow who was grateful for time well spent at Lady Catherine's Suites (Rotterdam) and our great companion "enjoyed the sound of it, so I will retain it if only to make dear du Sang just a bit jealous at my elevated title"
--it is that myth is more powerful than truth. This is why I have been quite busy creating a version of myself that inspires fear and wonder. For some, I am that strange Mughal fellow who will always choose the most circuitous route rather than chance encounters with supernatural or subterranean abominations. Others see me as a devious criminal capable of dark and terrible acts of larceny and violence. I have gathered favors from pyrates, prostitutes, and potentates. Some desire my company and others shun me as an infamous villain. To be sure, Yonten is a name that inspires more fear than love.
And so most recently, I set about creating chaos. I have stolen money I have no need of, committed crimes to demonstrate I am a capable criminal such as creating knock-off jewelry such as the kind you were like to send to your chums in Marseilles, and nobly jumped into the fray to save those whom others find of little value for they have not yet had the opportunity to show their worth. Although I will say there was one untested fellow I took great pains to shoot and then lament his injury the result of a defect in the pistol. As you well know, I would never fire a weapon without verifying its proper function. There are times when one must be unpredictable, such as the "failure" of my skills to remain sober through the use of my alchemy. People are reliably loose-lipped when they believe you to be intoxicated. I have learned this from the Commodore on multiple occasions except he plays the fool to invite such communication. No one would believe me to be such a character, so I have to resort to the occasional slurred word or purposefully missed step.
You will no doubt be excited to hear how I slipped aboard an enemy vessel and silently assassinated its captain. Stealth is a lovely weapon and, when employed as perfectly as I have done, can only add to the growing legend of the Mughal Demon (something a fellow whispered at my arrival at the Lady Catherine Suites (Venice) which caused quite a stir and could only be remedied by leaving this coward to drain his blood into the canal beneath the city's famed Bridge of Sighs in a pose not unlike the "Hanged Man" on that lovely tarot card you shared with me. I have thought there might be good sport in similar artistic interpretations of your prized divination cards in such places where the Commodore has spread his affinity for the finer things. I do promise to share each work of art with you as I can. I have no doubt you will wait patiently to hear.
Oh, I must mention that a fellow I travel with gifted me with a lovely horse which I named in your honor. I confess I made a cruel jest at your expense which none understood. I am used to not being understood. Even the Commodore has little appreciation for me, which is of no matter as I, being his ever trusted secretary, have carte blanche when it comes to the gifting of free stays at his most prized Lady Catherine Suites. This has proven to be of vastly greater value than a kind word or demonstration of respect. But you, my good and dear friend, you understand my value and remain loyal to me above all others.
As I ride Lawrence, I think fondly of you and hope one day you are able to travel with me once more. I believe you need only have proper motivation to rise from your self-imposed prison. Know I have created a list of your most loved friends and relatives. Do you remember that fellow in Venice? I believe him to be the Italian cousin you described to me as dearest to your childhood heart. There are others such as Tonio equally worthy of inclusion in my tapestry. Perhaps your father's illegitimate daughter, the good Sister Eloise who has shared such lovely memories of you to the "funny little fellow" who brings her sweets from Eastern shores?
I will write soon, I promise.
Ever yours,
Y
Yours,
IronTasha
14-Jan-2021