Lord Auxentius, while my heart is solemly against this proposal specifically because of the rogue-nature of House Auxslyvus and their traitor-lord Cadeyrn Abaddon -- your yearning for peace has moved me. I have considered your proposal and would like to re-issue another, with certain conditions of my own. I hope it will please all parties.

Glamorgan and its fortress will continue to be guarded by men loyal to House Varosean. Given the betrayal beset upon Lord Linnuis in the east and the murder of Lady Faustina in the west it is our belief that any third party cannot be trusted. Therefore we will remain in total and absolute control over the fortress. This is a condition will we not be moved on.

We will, however, in an effort for compromise be willing to move Lady Freya out of the fortress -- so long as Cadeyrn is kept out of Glamorgan. She will be placed under my direct protection and should anyone attempt to harm or befoul her in anyway -- it will be open war.

Alas, we also do not trust Lord Magnus with this responsibility. While we feel he is a humble lord, in command of a humble province with humble intentions -- we feel his neutrality in this matter may not be entirely forthright. Beyond this I feel that there is only one lord in all of Britannia who has any right to play supervisor over this morbid affair. It is the only lord to whom I bow my knee -- Imperator Steapa III. While Lord Auxentius you do not bend your knee to him, and while Lord Auxslyvus has not proclaimed loyalty to him -- House Varosean has. Loyalty is its own reward my lords and oaths are something we hold fast to. Therefore we call upon the Regent-Mother to make her own recommendation upon who will be the neutral third party in such an affair. Whoever she selects, in the name of the Imperator, we too will concede.

House Auxslyvus will be permitted only one of their lords, with a nominal bodyguard, to enter Glamorgan and participate in this investigation. In return, House Varosean shall also send but one of our own in the province -- absent the commander of the fortress who shall play no role whatsoever in the investigation. Surely, Lord Auxslyvus you will understand the need for security given recent events?

Again given the rogue-like nature of House Auxslyvus and their sudden disdain for the Father Abbot of the Brotherhood of St.Alban -- we will not concede to the Father Abbot Aulus being denied a role in this matter. I do, however, understand the issues pretaining to his relationship with Lady Freya and therefore am willing to concede that perhaps the Father Abbot in York would be a suitable second candidate. Surely House Auxslyvus, distant descendants of the vaunted Defender of the Faith, does not doubt the purity of holy men -- chosen by God himself? These men, some of whom contain noble blood, have forsaken their material wealth and entitlements to serve God Almighty. Who are we, but mortal rulers, to question their faith and their purity? Do we not ask our court priests to forgive our sins? Or ... perhaps Lord Auxslyvus does not hold the Church in as high esteem as we do?

In the name of peace, beset upon me by the humble and pure words of Lord Auxentius -- these are House Varosean's conditions.

Lady Tarian Varosean
Master of House Varosean

Death smiles at us all. All a man can do is smile back.