TheStarsAreRight:RedlandLetter11

Greetings Henrik.

Like the last letter I gave you, I wanted to start with an apology. I behaved poorly in regards to your newfound faith in the Worldsoul. I offer up as excuses the fact that I've been quite ill and tired, that I was concerned with your welfare, and that the guests at Wisphers had stomped on my last nerve (more on this below). This does not, however, excuse my rudeness, so I hope that, once again, you will forgive me.

I should probably not put to paper the rest of what I am going to say in this letter, as I hate to leave a record of statements that will not reflect well on me, but I want to make it clear to you that I have thought about this and that it is not just idle talk. Also, it'll give you some leverage on me, if you find that you need it.

I have long had (and expressed) doubts about the efficacy of the Spanish and French factions. In the back of my mind, though, I had always assumed that they would be able to ensure the world's safety in the dangerous times ahead. They have both power and experience. This enabled me to indulge myself in pet projects that would be beneficial to people, but would do little to help the world in the times ahead and goals that have a low probability of success, namely 'making friends' with the Outsiders. After all, even if I failed, as seemed likely, the Kings and their allies were going to provide a strong defense for the world. Even barring their success, we could always fall back on Pentheus.

Now, unfortunately, I have come to the conclusion that they lack the wisdom and intellectual consistency necessary to protect the world. I've rarely heard such confused blathering as I did from the Principle of Illumination, a misnomer if I've ever heard one. I wouldn't trust our current allies to successfully execute a plan to make an omelette, much less save the world. Furthermore, far from being mere bunglers, they have guys like Tony 'If we can't save all of them, let's save none of them' Grimaldi, who would, apparently see the whole world perish, rather than deal with people who make him uncomfortable.

This means that not only can we not count on these people to protect the world, we can't even trust our backup plan, Pentheus, since these oafs will undoubtedly botch things there. Thus, I can no longer sit back and concentrate my efforts on side projects and schemes that, if they worked, would leave me feeling pure and just, but are unlikely to succeed. It looks like I'm going to have to get my hands dirty.

To this end, I'm proposing that you and I form a splinter group removed from the influences of the three Kings, with you as the group's leader. I think our best chance of success lies in your connection to the Worldsoul. If anyone can give us good advice on how to protect the world, it must be the world itself. In addition, I know I can trust you, and I think you have the strength of purpose and integrity necessary to see a plan through to fruition.

Having the Worldsoul as a source of advice will be useful, and I can potentially bring some more resources to the table. Certainly, I have some ability to garner information from the Outsiders themselves. I also have some (admittedly weak) connections with the Alchemists, the Fae, the Chinese, the Snakemen, among others, that might withstand the strain of severing our path from that of the Kings.

If we could convince Patrick to stick with us, he could bring with him the powerful connections of the Church. Heck, in this time of miracles, it wouldn't surprise me if Mary could provide intercession from the Virgin Mary herself. Stewart brings with him the Sword of Solomon, a weapon that could aid us greatly.

Speaking of the Sword, why should we hand this over to the stewardship of the Kings? What did they do to help us find it? It was you and I who did all the work: I got us to the island, and you got us to the Sword. I say we're already more effective when we work on our own goals, than when we subsume them to the goals of our current allies.

This is not to say that I want, necessarily to be antagonistic towards the French and the Spanish. Just that I want to operate independently of them. To no longer labor for their confused, incoherent goals, but instead, to work towards something that is straightforward: the awakening of the Worldsoul ... the so-called 'One God' plan. It isn't exactly what I'd want, but I think it's the best plan, one with a good chance of success that will cause the least harm to people and 'The Land'. Insofar as Carl continues with his 'Many Gods' plan, it is my understanding that his goal furthers your desire of unifying the Worldsoul.

Finally, I should mention that I do not wish to act 'deviously'. That is, if you agree with me that this is something that you want to do, we should not misrepresent ourselves or betray our current allies in any way. We should be upfront about what we are trying to accomplish. Even though they are largely a great pack of idiots, they are still powerful and, in their way, well-meaning.

If you do not agree with me that this is something you want to do, I would ask you not to mention this to anyone else. Half a loaf is better than none, and if the only way I can help in the defense of the world is to continue on the path we are already walking, I would prefer that to being cast aside.

Your Friend,

Redland Jack