Note to Kal

Kalthrenmehnraoh was companion to Kykini Cede, Flame Dragon of Kassak, when King Cliovan first drew Condioh's borders. He and the king did not have the warmest of relationships, as this letter indicates.

From the notebook of Shiobe:

In this document:

All artwork by Shanda Nelson unless otherwise stated

From Kalthrenmehnraoh

Kalthrenmehnraoh hailed from a noble Condi family, the Ruvah. When he became a dragon companion, his family pressured him into favors he did not want to perform. One of those favors was to kidnap the Roshein high priest Tiexhj, and hand him over to King Cliovan. This allowed the king to blackmail the Roshein into giving up their land to Condi rule.
This is a note from Kal to Cliovan, upon the successful kidnapping of Tiexhj. It was written sometime in 2020 AGI, probably in late Hot Sands Lesser Season, since by the end of Black Rocks Lesser Season, Tiexhj was in Joidioh. It says:
"Tiexhj in Joidioh. Bother me again, and you'll be spending a bit more time in the Blackshine Mountain. --K"
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As can be seen, the document isn't in the best shape. The words are hard to read. But I noticed more smudges that I thought were words.
I find this odd since Cliovan should have burned a growly document like this one in a fit of rage. The man did not have the best of tempers, even during his calmest times. While it seemed unlikely, I wondered if he responded, instead?
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After unsuccessful attempts to make out the words, I held the sheet up to the light. That worked better; I have the feeling the note was written in that special mystery artist ink to hide it from causal view.
*Of note: Tiexhj was visiting Gada Kiore when Kal kidnapped him. I don't know if that caused problems for him and Kykini Cede, but it made him easy to find.
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From Shelethios

Much to my surprise, the note was not from Cliovan, but the queen, Shelethios. Shelethios was a daughter of the Muhiendhi, the most powerful political family descended from the Ga Iniria. The lust for power and wealth and standing was second nature to her, or so the histories say.
It appears Shelethios sent the note back to Kal. That might explain it's survival. It says:
"Cliovan is quite busy with his army and his new land. He asks that I reply to your demands. Perhaps you may show me the Blackshine Mountain as no other has seen it. I am a curious woman and look forward to meeting you and Coibe. LSM."
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I suppose the reason this note survived was that the king probably didn't see it, despite what she says. I'm betting Shelethios responded without her husband's knowledge or consent--nor did that matter. She, a daughter of the Muhiendhi, would do whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted.
Cliovan was a politically weak king--odd for a conquerer, but historians believe the power of the throne lay in Shelethios, not him. She would see an opportunity in diplomatic relations with a dragon companion that went through her rather than her husband's official ambassador--and her family would latch on right behind her.
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*As an aside: she did visit the volcano. Stchn said that Shelethios thought to use Kal like she used everyone else, for greater power, wealth, and prestige. Instead, she fell in love.
He also said that Cliovan was the last of the direct descendants of the woman who led the Ga Iniria across the Strait of Co Jer and to Seari after the volcanic eruption. All of Shelethios's children were Kal's. So the direct line to their ancestor that modern Condi rulers believe they have is actually to a dragon companion and the Muhiendhi.
This, apparently, was for the best, because while Cliovan was not insane, he was not mentally well, either. Several in the court guessed at Shelethios's infidelity and supported it because they thought Kal would produce better offspring. He was a famous lightartist-turned-shadowartist before he became Kykini Cede's companion, so he had a lot of traits the court would find desirable to pass on to future leaders.
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