Chapter 3

A passage from Rutger's Journal
''Upon returning the boy to his father it would seem that he was a willing (albeit stupid) sacrifice. As we interrogated him the farm was surrounded by Elves and we made a break back to town after a skirmish on the road.''

''Having just returned from battling a dragon at that old abandoned fort I was very much looking forward to a rest and a hearty meal! But alas we met up with former associates of the tiefling Ignatief, it would seem that they were to kill him, but after a minor brawl we subdued them and send for the town guard who have packed them off back to the capital. Quite what Ignatief did to get a death sentance I shudder to think, but I'm not surprised he has powerful enemies!''

A passage from Ignatief 's journal
"Ah, Viktoriya. So much more trouble even than others of your sex, and yet so very nearly worth it still. Who was to know that Vasily, your runt of a brother-in-law, would become Minister of the Interior? And that your husband Pyotr would tell his brother it was I who had cuckolded him? ''Those Hellions were no match for us, although I was worried the dragon brute and Jakar would not think this their fight. Their assistance was...appreciated, I must say, as I was fighting not one but 2 former colleagues. I still can't believe I didn't sink my dagger deeper into Lepa's neck when I had the chance, but I tarried too long, trying to reconcile what needed to be done with the presence of witnesses. I can still see the dagger indenting her skin, and the bead of her foul blood at its tip. The others urged me not to be a fool, but I know Lepa....she was taunting me with her surrender. Having fought them together, we are not safe until she and her fellow slattern are dead.''

''Pyotr Shuvalov's little clique will be emboldend by Vasily's elevation to Minister of the Interior. Dubov's promise of protection is welcome, but cannot be relied upon, I think; Dubov seems sound, but who can be sure? And a large territory such as Eroeth  is nigh-on impossible to police..."''