Rhyn

LETTER TO LORD BALAR:

G'day M'laird- I be hoping nae tae disturb ye but I did hear of ye need fer volunteers tae help fight fer ye. I no' a gentlewoman and no' a highborn lady sae I fear ye might no' be used tae recieving word from the likes of me, yet I canna see how it can hurt tae at least ask ye. I bae called Rhyn MacTavish an' I bae a smithy by trade- mae mon Duncan and I did ply our hammers in Lairg near Loch Maddi fer 'ver 8 seasons. I nae bae a young lass anymore- yet w'th the death of mae Duncan and mae sweet Jamie- the wee bairn- may God rest both their souls- I dinna see how I can go on as before. I mun apologize fer mae weakness in dwelling on such things- but tis hard tae bae forgetting the sight of mae Duncan finally shot thru w'th arrows and then ridden down- having been unable to flee due to foul fairie magicks which hae froze him in his steps. And it sorely does wound me that I dinna find mae wee bairn's body amongst the ashes of our house, thou a passing cleric did come tae say his blessing 'pon the ashes and told me that the wee mite's spirit was wisked up upon the smoke tae his heavenly reward- sae I take comfort in that.

So ye see M'Laird, w'th mae home in ruins and all mae village kinsmon in Lairg all slain there bae naught tae do but swear an oath of vengence sae their souls can bae at peace. Ye may be thinking that I bae a wee bit tae auld tae be giving up all I know and following the likes of yer soldiers, but I bae a Highlander lass and hearty and I dinna need help carrying supplies fer I can carry mae own weight and then some. I swing a mean hammer M'laird and it would gladden me heart to see it smash down upon those who did mae such a wrong and would do others the same. I also wish tae assure ye that I bae no paid doxy and I willna play at such w'th yer men at arms- leastwise no' fer pay and I canna think ye would bae denying such true men as ye would be having serve ye, bae they Sassenach or no, an innocent quick tumble 'ith a willing lass. Dinna fash yer self 'ver it thou, M'laird, I willna break any lad's heart and 'ith mae own heart still agrieving I would only bae interested in cooling mae widow's hot blood and I bae not sae daft as tae be causing trouble amongst yer brawny lads lessenning they be of like mind and off duty.

In short M'laird- I be feeling it would bae a right shame if ye dinna want mae- since I be true of heart and willing tae swear tae ye cause. I dinna breath oaths once I make them and I no' made one yet other than tae seek justice fer mae poor kinfolk

Rhyn MacTavish
PS I needs bae also telling ye that I no' much of a horsewoman- the wee beasties and I dinna get along tae well, but lest ye bae worried I be stout enou' tae walk to any bedammed place and the bluidy seasons would bae a changing afore I bae needing a rest.
PPS: I have as my sworn duty faithfully renderred all this good woman's words to you M'Lord down as accurately as she did speak them-with no alteration of any words ( which she impressed upon me with her hand on her huge hammer as being necessary -sigh). She appears of goodly intention though a bit rough spoken at times. Her appearance is startling at first- for she easily tops 6 foot and I do not know what you use you may deem her fit for but she seems set upon avenging her family and fellow villagers. I did come upon the village of Lairg whilst the remains were still smoking from the devilish attack they sufferred from dwarvish raiders aided by some unnatural magics. There were very few survivors and of the lot none were unwounded- including her, but she protested my attempting to remove the arrow that pierced her completely through her arm and pointedly told me t'was a mere scratch and others needed assistance first. Make of that what you will M'Lord- but her hammer showed evidence of use and several dwarven bodies displayed wounds caused by what I take to be extremely heavy blows. I can not attest to her ability to in actual combat, no doubt she lacks any training what so ever. I can however bear witness to her stoutness of heart and her courage, for it was by her walking into several homes still aflame and bodily heaving burning timbers off people at great risk of causing the remaining roofs to collapse that so many people of Lairg were saved. I forward this letter with the hope that she may be of aid in some way to you and and she through your guidance and wisdom may achieve some peace of mind from her anguish. May be saints guide you M'Lord- and God's blessings be upon you.

- Friar Girvan