Intermission: Letters

Rashidi,

Go to hell.

Love, Mack

.o00o.

To Alejandro Guillermo

Regards Alejandro,

News of England has reached Russia with more rumor than truth. Many of my people who have been informed of the war are far more worried that the defeat of one lord will only proceed to the rise of another, as you have correctly assumed in our last correspondence. With father's death not weeks prior to the whispers of a new contender, my people and my business are plagued with suspicions and fear.

I do not wish to involve Moscow, etc. in this war, sir. As the last head of the Novikov family, entangling us and our followers in this mess is out of the question. Too many of my people were caught in the crossfire of Britain's last magical war. As for Sanka Allstrat, he has yet to meet with me in regards to the our business and apparently has no will to do so in the future. His presidency shall not last long, Alejandro.

You have mentioned Kort Lukasz to me. I wonder if you know of the blood between our families, and that, though I am the last Novikov to speak to Lukasz, I am certainly not the first to forsake him. You had best ask elsewhere for news of precious Lord Luka.

I trust you most now. You are the wisest of us, and your silence on matters of importance until the very moment speaking is needed, while many of us fail to remain sensible, gives me much admiration for you. Father always said a Novikov was like-minded to a Guillermo. In acknowledgement of this truth, I must ask you if one rumor has made it to Barcelona: Is it true, Andro, that someone seeks to begin a war between us and the wizards? I confess I am ambivalent as to what to think. The man behind the war (if he or she does exist) must be mad or, perhaps, very stupid. You must realize, Andro, that, should a war of this magnitude begin, we would have little choice but to involve ourselves in it. You know, of course, the Novikovs' stance on Wizards.

Aleksy wishes you well, and I do hope this letter finds you in good health.

Sincerely,

Mina Novikov

.o00o.

Lukasz,

You are very stubborn man. I am sorry for your cousin's passing, but I had thought you honored through blood, and Oscar had rather strong ties to McAllister. We both know of the Americans' wish for war, and, by blood, you should be obligated to commit to the effort. I, however, have predicated your tenacity and have little to say about your pompous 'neutrality.' Except for this: buenos suerte.

Oh, and speak to Mina, will you? This feud you both have going is long past the ridiculous.

Alejandro M. Guillermo

.o00o.

Alejandro,

If I am stubborn then you must be the most hypocritical ass there ever was. Lukas do not ignore blood bonds, and, therefore, despite my resentment, I will honor the last of the Van Rueds with respect to their contacts. That is what you say. What you don't know is that I had planned to do so already. How do you like that?

I have nothing more to say.

Kort Lukasz

.o00o.

To Frank McAllister:

Rudeck has refused. Give Henry my sincerest apologies, but the man is an ugly bastard.

Rashidi

.o00o.

Dear Henry,

All is well here in New York, or as well as it can be for this type of fast maneuvering. I blame you fully for this uprising so suddenly taking wing; you didn't have to destroy the Vatican, kid. I haven't spoken to Guillermo directly, but I've no doubt he has heard of our movements already.

Rashidi, as well, has a big, stupid mouth. Lee contacted me yesterday, relaying a message from his cousin Chi Zing or Chi Dang or whatever the fuck his name is. Anyway, he's interested in the modified weapons because Rashidi mentioned them. Greedy bastards.

Also, apparently, Mack told Rashidi to go to hell, which, despite making an enemy of Shad, I found particularly funny. I would really rather not deal with Mina Novikov, Henry, but I know it must be done. If I contact her directly, she'll gather that I owe her something, so I'll wait for her maniac half-Russian-half-English letter to arrive demanding answers.

John's been complaining about Denny, though he's probably already called you about it. I sent Denny on a couple of jobs, but he's still restless as hell. You two are so alike, I don't think you're adopted, kid. You're too much alike, it's creepy.

The munitions factory has a couple hundred on the payroll now. I know you just visited the place and fiddled with the 'power cores,' or whatever the hell you called them, but there's still close to a hundred thousand guns without magic. No rush, really, Henry, but people are talking, and the big guys are taking notice. So, you know, you may want to rush a little bit. I meant to ask you, by the way, does putting your power in these guns weaken you? Rashidi asked as well because (if you haven't noticed) he's taken a liking to you in a strictly non-homosexual way. There's a first time for everything.

The school you're at must be full of window lickers. Owls suck ass for delivering post. They bite.

Frank McAllister

.o00o.

Frankie,

I've told Denny to calm the fuck down. He hasn't. I'll tell him again. Once I finish this Dark Lord business in England, I'll head to the factory and zap the guns. To answer your question, I'm not using my own power, but rather the lay lines of magic in the earth. I'm like a sieve for it, and it doesn't weaken me, nor is it painful. It's a bit like rubbing one off.

Rudeck is an imbecile. I've no patience for him and neither should Rashidi. To blazes with him. Guillermo is talking, and though you're hesitant to do so, Mina Novikov must be contacted. Politely, if you please. Meeting with her lot is wise, and we both know it. I'm proud of you, old man. Give me a bit and we'll have this show on the road. Mind this owl, I forgot to feed it.

Love, Henry