[MR] To my esteemed and worthy Barun

[Gail]

To my esteemed and worthy Barun Siegfried Sebastion Faust and my most
beloved Baroness, Francesca Angelo I recommend me to your good Excellencies
and impart news.


 Recently a group of fine gentles arrived at our manor claiming to be
members of The Atlantian Tribunal of The Holy Office of Brewing Inquisition.
And although we were not expecting them...we worried not as the spence and
wine cellar were stocked full due to Your most gracious generosity. As
theirs was a long and dusty road of travel we bid them take their ease by
the fire whilst many fine victuals could be prepared. I bade the servants
bring chilled pitchers of our very fine highland spring water so as to ease
their thirst.


 Once settled comfortably, the discourse turned from the weather and state
of the roads to the reason they were sent. They claimed they had it ...on
good authority...that the beverages being brewed here in the Highlands were
of poor quality and not fit to be drunk by man nor beast. Needless to say
the members of my household were shocked! Even the servants had disbelief on
their faces. I sent my castellan in haste to prepare a sampling of Your very
fine potables that are housed in our cellars. While waiting for the sampling
to be assembled we passed the time in quiet conversation. Many times I
carefully tried to inquire as to who had sent them but to no avail. They
were plainly dressed in cloth of black with no insignia to declare their
loyalties.


 In but a short time I was informed that the samplings were ready and we
adjourned ourselves to the banquet tables. The gentlemen were most efficient
and set themselves to their task at hand. Through each flagon of mead,
cider, beer, and wine not one word was uttered. Once finished, the oldest of
the men arose signaling to his man at arms. After a whispered conversation,
his man left the manor and departed back down the road they had traveled.
Apparently I must have looked somewhat alarmed for the gentleman hastily
made his way over to me. Please my good lady, he said, do not be uneasy for
there is nothing amiss. He then proceeded to tell me that never in his life,
which was some 50 years, had he ever tasted such a marvelous assortment of
beverages. He sent his man back to the Tribunal to inform them that the
information they received must have been fabricated by some malcontents and
that there was not a bit of truth to it. He also informed me that after the
report was given, his man was to go straightaway to their manor and inform
his Lady wife that they should immediately begin packing up the household.


 It has been in my mind lately that being of a goodly age I should retire
and take my ease he said, and now I think I have located the perfect place
to do so. The only thing to make my life complete is if you would share your
brewing secrets with me. I told him that although I have a passable hand at
brewing, these libations were not of my making, but made by the hand of our
dear Baron, Siegfried of Highland Foorde.


 As we sat at supper come eventide we spoke of many things such as vacant
land, highland cattle and the news of possible war from the east. He had a
good laugh when I told him the highland secret that haggis was not meant to
be eaten but to be used as a very effective poultice. I did learn that his
name was Lord Robert and he was from south of us, where exactly he did not
divulge, but he did keep muttering something about bridges and dragons. I
could glean no other information from him. As he took his leave the next day
he assured me that we would meet again come this fall when his household was
settled in.


 My good Barun, I know you will welcome him with the same warmth and
friendship that you have for all your populace. I pray God keep you in his
grace

I remain your ever faithful and obedient servant,

Margaret
Baroness House Sayher