In the early autumn of 1222, the following letter is sent to Mons Electi; it is addressed to Apollodorus, care of Reynault, but arrives after their deaths. All these delightful morsels of political speculation are so tasty to Theraphosa, however, that she offers to respond to the letter. Poor overworked Henri agrees and scarcely thinks more of it; Thera completely intends to reply, once she has finished researching all this political trivia....
Salve, Apollodorus.
The Stonehenge Tribunal is now completed, and I feel I have dispatched my duties well towards Nigrasaxa and my pater. The very fact of our meeting is a good sign, although I am not without my complaints about its dispensation. The local Quaesitors are putting even less effort towards hide their desire to influence proceedings in which they ought remain neutral: each one instructs a Redcap to vote on certain matters, so that any unseemly vote-swaying appears to originate with Mercere and not Guernicus - a fiction that is rapidly thinning. Tria warned me of the existence of less-than-noble Quaesitors; I am saddened to have to witness it in such important matters.
The prize for the fiercest politics that played out during the Tribunal must be awarded to the covenant of Ungulus! After the Wizard's War death of William Fireheart two years ago, the continued degeneration of Ungulus seemed certain, and Voluntas has not so subtly sought claims over magical resources that were disputed with the Winter covenant. But Flavius, no matter how soft and close to Twilight he appears, outdid himself on the Tribunal floor: at one point he had not just figuratively but literally backed Julia into a corner during arguments. We also witnessed a thoroughly crafted accusation of diabolism against Blackthorn, this one orchestrated by none other than Edward Milton ex Jerbiton, whose mind is as sharp as ever. Now I am no staunch ally of Blackthorn, but truly these magi go out of their way to slap that powerful covenant whenever they can - not particularly constructively, in my opinion. I suspect that Edward's true purpose was to divert attention from Schola Pythagoranis's dealings with the mundanes, notably (here I counsel you to confidence, as this conclusion is but my own based on circumstantial evidence) their magical support of the self-styled new Earl of Cornwall. In any case, these matters were entertaining enough to those in attendance that Nigrasaxa's quarrels with Libellus and Astolat over local resources will scarce be remembered, contrary to the prediction in my previous letter.
Speaking of my covenant, they have come to terms with my upcoming resignation from the council. Indeed, I should be so bold as to say that none of them count me as a traitor nor enemy, although only Thamik has come to me with overtures of continued friendship. Certainly I did not have to fight (hard, at least) to maintain possession of the equipment and enchantments within my sanctum, nor my private notes; I was even able to convince them to grant me a pittance from the covenant library (texts for two spells of my pater that nobody else would ever read, and our lesser summa on Mentem). In all honesty, the reaction to my imminent departure would surely have been less frosty were I the only one leaving. Ariel's sudden ascension to her House's leadership was quite unexpected, and although Nigrasaxa is not lacking in vigor, the loss of two active magae in the same year would be unsettling to anyone.
Finally we come to the main point of this prolix letter. I am asking your formal permission to take up residence at Mons Electi and join the council there. Of course you were right not to make any such promise before I explicitly resigned from Nigrasaxa; but I think our recent correspondence has made it clear that we are of the same mind on this. I will spend the autumn packing thoroughly and should start making my way there at the beginning of December (by which time I imagine I will have received your affirmative response). I very much look forward to meeting you in person and representing my new sodales and Tribunal with the distinction you deserve.
Yours most sincerely,
Tranquillina
(nb: I did receive those records from Edward that you had requested; I will deliver them to your hand upon my arrival)
Enclosed with the letter is a brief note, scrawled by Maximianus, affirming that Tranquillina will be giving up her membership at Nigrasaxa, effective on the winter solstice at the end of 1222.
((OOC: what I imagine happened is that Tranquillina, having heard nothing back from Mons Electi by December, contacted Tria and learned only then of Apollodorus's death. As Tranquillina was already committed to departing Nigrasaxa, Tria invited her to stay at Le Maison temporarily while matters could be resolved.))