To the Honorable Alexis and the Crimson Calling,

I received your missive with considerable interest, and I must admit, the developments regarding House Veronia and the unfortunate death of Master Alaric Trevelian have certainly given me pause. The implications of such a connection are indeed troubling, and I appreciate your diligence in keeping me informed of such matters.

However, while I understand the gravity of these political intrigues and the machinations within the Collegium, I must be forthright in my own priorities. You ask whether I have chosen to pursue the path of the warrior or the Collegium, and yet I feel this question overlooks the path that I have already made abundantly clear: my heart and my ambitions lie in the unearthing of ancient knowledge, the pursuit of mysteries long forgotten. The archaeological site, with all its secrets, remains my primary focus.

It is not the clashing of swords or the weaving of spells that drives me, but rather the promise of discovery—the thrill of uncovering the past and reshaping the present with its revelations. This is where I require your talents. Alexis, you and the Crimson Calling possess the skill, the courage, and the expertise to navigate the dangers that linger beneath the surface. What I want is your cooperation, your guidance, and your protection as we return to the site, which I believe holds the key to knowledge far more significant than petty politics or personal rivalries.

The opportunity awaiting us beneath those ruins is far more valuable than courtly intrigues or even the whims of the Collegium. There are truths buried there that could alter the course of history, and that is the path I have chosen—one of discovery, enlightenment, and a legacy that transcends the fleeting ambitions of men and mages alike.

You offer to teach, and I appreciate your generous spirit. But what I desire is not instruction in arms or arcane arts. What I seek is partnership—your expertise as adventurers, your knowledge of hidden dangers, and your ability to see this endeavor through to its glorious conclusion.

Let us return to what is important. If we can unveil the secrets hidden at the site, we will stand on the precipice of something truly great. Join me, Alexis, and the Crimson Calling, and together we will leave a mark on this world far beyond the concerns of politics and murder investigations.

I eagerly await your decision, though I trust you will see the wisdom in returning to the task that matters most.

Yours in anticipation of great things,

Lady Sophia Alba

Explorer of the Unknown

As for the scroll of Arcane