The next morning, Julia enters Queen Mariam’s apartments carrying two carefully folded letters. The attendant clears the writing table and places sealing wax, cords, and court stationery within reach.
Julia
The first letter gives my family names and addresses for Warsaw. The second uses wording suitable for Persian or Russian intermediaries, without claiming more than we know.
Julia lays both copies before Mariam. Her pale, slender hands remain steady, though she watches the queen closely as the court stationery is sorted into separate piles.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
The Warsaw letter may travel under my household seal, but the eastern version requires greater care. A seal must promise protection, not invent diplomatic authority.
The attendant warms a small lump of wax over a lamp and sets two blank slips beside the letters. Mariam studies the routes, considering which officials may safely receive each document.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
For Warsaw, I will authorize a request for news and safe passage for Julia’s family. For Persia or Russia, I will identify her as a protected Christian refugee, not as an envoy.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
Makeda, you may oversee their preparation and dispatch, but no merchant or foreign official is to hear a promise beyond these terms. Do you understand the responsibility?
“Excuse me, your Majesty, I am new here. Who is it that usually dispatches your correspondence?”
SUCCESS (Superb Etiquette, rolled -2)
Makeda
Excuse me, Your Majesty. I am new here. Who usually dispatches your correspondence?
Mariam studies Makeda for a measured moment. Julia remains beside the table, silent, while the attendant pauses with the warmed sealing wax.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
My official prepares the outgoing register and presents sealed letters to the chancery. The attendant carries them from these apartments, and the clerk records their departure.
She indicates a narrow register beside the wax. Its columns name the recipient, bearer, seal, and date, leaving little room for an unrecorded promise or private alteration.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
You may supervise Julia’s letters, but the official will inspect their wording before sealing. Your question is sensible; it also tells me you were considering outside carriers.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
That discretion is no longer yours to exercise alone. Any merchant you approach must be named to my official first, and I will hold you answerable for the introduction.
“"I have not yet approached any merchants, and they would surely expect money from me, if they can help at all. But I expect the spice trade extends to Moscow, so it might be worth trying. A letter to Poland is one thing, but one sent to Moscow might be better forwarded through the foreign ministry in Isfahan, because the diplomatic pouch is quicker and more secure."”
SUCCESS (Legendary Oratory, rolled +0)
Makeda
I have approached no merchants, and any carrier would expect payment. Still, the spice trade may reach Moscow; a letter sent onward through Isfahan could travel faster and more securely.
Makeda’s proposal turns the uncertain trade route into a specific diplomatic possibility. Julia watches Mariam, while the attendant keeps one hand near the warmed wax.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
That route merits consideration. I will not call it secure until my official confirms which Persian channel can receive a letter and forward it toward Moscow.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
You may propose the wording and identify reputable Moscow-bound merchants, but no approach will be made in my name before the register records it.
Mariam draws a fresh slip beside Julia’s letters and marks it for an inquiry to the official. The eastern route is now accepted for examination, without promising a carrier or payment.
Julia
I can prepare a Moscow version that explains my family’s situation plainly. If Isfahan is the proper junction, the letter should say so without pretending to possess authority there.
Queen Mariam Dadiani
Prepare it. Makeda will supervise the inquiry, and my official will decide whether the wording and route can bear the court’s seal.
✓ Quest Accepted
Secure official confirmation of the Moscow route
“Makeda goes with Julia to prepare the letter. "We may need Angela's help with this. The letter should bear an address readable in several languages."”
FAILURE (Great Reasoning, rolled -2)
Makeda goes with Julia to the writing table, where the Moscow draft and court stationery await under the attendant’s supervision. Angela is not present.
Makeda
We may need Angela’s help with this. The address should be readable in several languages.
Julia
I agree, but she is with the account clerks. I can write the family details; the address is where a careful error could lose the letter.
Julia compares the address forms already prepared, but their spellings do not align. Makeda cannot begin a clean copy because the writing materials remain under the attendant’s control, not hers.
The Attendant
The official must inspect every version before the court stationery is used. I can send for Angela, but I cannot release the materials for an unsupervised copy.
Julia
Then we should not force the address today. I will mark the disputed forms, and Angela can settle the languages before the official reviews them.
The letter’s family details are ready, but its multilingual address remains unresolved. Julia sets the draft aside for Angela’s consultation, making a solitary copy no longer the sensible next step.
