To: Fiorella Arianna de Marco

[Victor Steiner]

To: Lady Fiorella Arianna de Marco of the Golden Cross Cartel

Lady De Marco

Word has reached me of a mild indiscretion. I believe Mr Skirka made the rather unfortunate decision to travel home by way of Maltese territory, where he stumbled upon you. I want to take the opportunity to thank you for not killing him outright, as would usually happen. I would also like the opportunity to say that whatever you did has resulted in him becoming....resistant, to the idea of going back North.

However, I also understand you mentioned to him your desire to know a little more of what is going in in Bretonia, broadly speaking, in relation to the Corsairs. Were I able, I'd send him back into the Northern Taus as a means of reminding him of his error. However I cannot actually order him to do anything, since we are both no longer part of the Service, which itself has functionally ceased to exist.

I realize of course that this is not likely to be the letter you were expecting, nor what Skirka agreed to, for that I can only apologize. However, if there is something that I learn which might be relevant to you I will pass it on. Alternatively, if you have any other ideas on how we might repay this debt, I would be happy to discuss it.

Kind Regards:

V. Steiner
Director Secret Intelligence Service (Retd.)