ArsMagica.it > Cliffheart > saga > Covenant inhabitants > Patrick's letters
Patrick, during the Tribunal of 1220, kept at Waterkeep, met August Von Haste, a knight from Howling Hills. This last knew about the intesting initiative about the construction of an armoury inside the fortress of Cliffheart and a considerable exchange of letters began between them. Here it is.

 

Howling Hills, October 1220
Salve sodalis,
it's curious I've greeted you as our Masters do, isn'it ? Probably, spending all our time with them, we have gained some of their habits.
I write to you about the construction of the armoury inside your respectable Covenant. How are your businesses going ? What kind of weapons do you produce? I am fond of wepons and, in my lifetime, I used several types. I'd like to pay you a visit and maybe to buy something useful and well done.
I hope in a your fast answer.
Your
August von Haste

 

 

Cliffheart, Dicember 1220
Hi August,
Only recently I recovered from the deep wounds I received during the travel to Waterkeep for the Tribunal and, for this reason, I had no time to look after the armoury. The Excellentissimus Primus of our Covenant, approved my project; works will start with the fine season and I can't hide a certain excitement to begin working on something. I'm expert in bows and crossbows, I have experience with these kind of weapons because I built some of them, being able to learn how to use them too, even if I'm just a beginner with the crossbow. I learn from your letter you can use several types of weapons; if you have, as I guess, experience with the types I can use too, we could get deeper in the subject, letting me know your preferences. Most of the weapons I'll build will be common, but I don't hide you I'm thinking about to build something special.
I'll wait to hear from you or, why not, a visit, even if the laboratory is not completed.
Patrick Windowl

 

 

Howling Hills, January 1221
Dear gentleman,
I'm glad to hear you're better now. I remember the bad feeling I had when we met for the first time. You must be a brave fighter and your lady should be proud to have you at her side. I am happy for the approval of your project too, given by your Primus, wise and fiery man. My curiosity grows up learning you're expert in constructing bows and crossbows and I don't hide you that I'd like to have some lessons too, if it's possible. I had some experience with such a weapons but it was just occasional. I thought to pay you a visit in the next October, as long as my services are not required or my aid necessary.
Dark times are at the horizon.
Friendly
August Von Haste

 

 

Cliffheart, February 1221
Dear August,
I'm sorry I made you worry about my condition but events like this are too common in this era, often I encounter dangers while travelling with my Lady and with her companions and when the danger or the attacker is close, I am not at my ease because I'm a good bowman and I have some difficulties in a brawling. To my little experience with swords, I must add my discomfort with iron, which is a real trouble. But I have a good mate with me, while the third had to leave the Covenant.
But I don't wanto to get you bored with such a sad news. I'll be glad if you pay me a visit to our Covevant, and I'll prepare anything to welcome you.
I'll be happy to teach you something in archery, but I can't do too much in the art of crossbow.
I'll wait for your news.
Your
Patrick Windowl

 

 

Howling Hills, March 1221
My friend,
few lines to let you know about my departure. Obligations to my Covenant will take me far away and only God knows when I'll be back, if I have the fortune to see my beloved home again. You can realize how I have to keep my mission secret. Please, don't blame me. I read abour your courtesy and availability to spend your time with me to improve my war techniques. I hope to pay you a visit before the winter could prevent any travel.
I wish you a quick recovery.
With deference
August Von Haste

 

 

Howling Hills, December 1221
My friend,
I beg your pardon if I didn't write you before, but grave events took me far away, to the north. I tell you I'll have the honor to come to your Covevant the next March, a.d.1222.
I take this occasion to order you a common bow for my personal use.
See you
August Von Haste

 

 

Cliffheart, January 1222
Dear friend,
I hope you have achieved with joy the year that's just gone, because the best way I could end my one was my first son's birth, Dexter, which my wife Dunlaith had without problems. These new responsibilities make me fully conscious and proud for our role, as Custodes, to protect the Order that our Ladies and Lords join and the whole country at the same time. I'm not fanatic for war, but it's necessity doing something to make not Ireland succumb by English Dominion, and I'll do all what people expected by me and my armory. I wait for your come to our honored Covenant; I'll be glad to show you our residence and the armory, I'll give you as a present a bow made just for you.
See you soon
Patrick Windowl

 

 

Howling Hills, March 1222
Fellow,
this will be my last letter, written in hurry, before my departure for a long travel; travel which will touch your Honored Covenant too. I'm glad to hear about the birth of your son and my heart is filled with you by knowing you happy. We'll talk face to face about matters regarding our beloved land. My arrive is foreseen for the third decade of the month.
See you
August Von Haste

 

 

Cliffheart, November 1222
Dear friend,
I write you this letter with my haert full of joy, because my wife Dunlaith told me she 's pregnant again and she'd prefer a female, this time. But I think I'd be happy for the new baby, either male or female. The happy event should have to be in the next summer, as my consort said. What about You? Have you got a family?
I know that it's non easy for a warrior having a family and the relative responsibilities, but you better will try to save your life if things get bad when you have your beloved waiting for you at home.
For this things I decided to teach my son to be the best bowman of the country, so he had not to stay when the battle is more dangerous. A father's love for his child does'nt agree with the desire to rescue our land; if the war against Englishmen should make worse I dont't know if I'd prefer a dead hero or a still alive son.
Now I leave You, perhaps You have better to do than reading father's ravings.
Your
Patrick Windowl

 

 

Howling Hills, January 1223
Faithful friend,
it's clear as the sun you know how to enjoy life's pleasures like, as you said, to have a family which loves you and which is waiting for your return at home. I recognize I'm not so lucky.
The bow you built for me is an excellent weapon and I feel I have still to thank you for your kind donation. Did you receive my friend's request, didn't you?
My life flows more tranquil in this period. Here in the north we were able to construct a good cohabitation with the Norman invaders who, at the contrary of what English do, don't act like hounds looking for fresh blood. Some rumors say Lord Robert's army will be moved from the oriental coasts near Corcaigh (Cork) to the western ones. The Fitz Stephen wants to conquer the all Munster, banish the High Kings and donate the land to Henry III. I surely don't envy your situation. Be strong Patrick Windowl, try to remain alive and you'll see deep mutations.
August Von Haste

 

 

Cliffheart, July 1225
Dear friend,
it has been a long time since my last letter, due to the big changes in my Covenant and, moreover, my armory really kept me busy. But I can't moan: my family is good and businesses go on smoothly.
I want to inform you about a tournament which will take place inside our walls on the next July 7th, when we'll remember the disappeared Primus of this Covenant.
I hope you'll be able to participate; of course, consider yourself my guest. I can't wait to see you fighting.
Patrick Windowl

 

 

 
Noble Master,
I send you this letter to let you know what happened in the city, recently. Our common friends disliked the peaceful solution of the last month. I can't recall nothing worse than letting the people's fury fade out. It won't be easy to close the gap between us and the people.
Moreover, this letter wants to show you the decision we have taken: last January, I and my friends, were to easy in entrusting you and your men. I know you understand what I mean.
Well, to show us your loyalty, the noble men, our common friends, want to entrust you a mission. An emissary of the norman family Rocheford will cross these lands to reach Corcaigh.
You have to intercept this man, steal the family sigil and deliver it into my hands.
There are few available roads with this ice.
Please, no golden apples.
Sincerely
yours M.

 

 

updated on 04.04.03