Dear Sister.

Thank you for your letter. I hope my reply reaches you well. At the time of writing, we are about to embark on our trade expedition to our fair sister city of Emeraldsmoke, there to trade the blood wine as discussed. The agreement in return is for a single canister of what we in the business call kvrna-krurot; that is, “black death”, a very dangerous poison, suitable for application on spearheads and arrowheads and the like to guarantee a quick kill whilst hunting.

I hope our sisters in Emeraldsmoke are impressed by our recipe we have spent so long refining. I understand Sister Krmida is especially keen to hear their response. The recipe was originally hers after all.

Our expedition is smaller than usual, but please don’t fret. I’ve done this many times with both smaller and larger caravans, and I’ve been on my own a few times as well. I will keep everybody safe on the road. Honestly, I thought I’d put the new girls through their paces, rather than let them go with a larger, safer caravan, for their first time.

Me and Sister Prmenta will be the senior Trademasters for this expedition. We will try to get regular messages to you as we make stops, and after we arrive at Emeraldsmoke, but please, if you don’t hear from us, just assume it is a problem with the messenger worms. Be patient.

Regarding our good friend Prmenta, she still talks wistfully about the absent sunlight, as if she were actually there when it disappeared. She still desires the return of the Sun. I can sympathize with her desire, but I don’t believe I can ever share it. From my point of view, the Sun is gone permanently. The world has ended, and there is now no possibility of a return to the world that was. We are living (or lingering) in the after-days of our world. It is not even the twilight of our world - that twilight has come and gone with the last sunset, which was over a thousand years ago (or so we estimate).

Anyway, I digress. On to happier things. I am pleased to hear that Sister Ankuria has expressed an interest in joining our household. I am happy to reply that she would be very welcome. I believe she would be a valuable addition to our coven, and I am excited to formally initiate her when I have returned.

Hail Father,

Kreda.