The message from Dorian Valdris arrived on a Wednesday morning, three days after the Thornfield visit.
Not through his senior elder's office or the formal diplomatic channel — through his personal correspondence, which he had begun using for communications he considered too direct for institutional framing. This had started approximately two weeks after the alliance signing and I had noted it as a positive indicator of the relationship's development.
I read it at the map table while Kaden was in the morning patrol meeting.
The far eastern settlement where Venn is residing falls within informal contact range of two of my territorial liaisons. I've confirmed his presence independently. He's aware of the arbitration ruling. My contacts describe him as someone who has been waiting for the n
