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so cordial relations between Fulrach and me are essential.
An epidemic of hog-cholera has broken out in Sendaria,
however, and I found Fulrach totally preoccupied with
the problem. I expect that the price of bacon and ham will
soar before winter.
Astounding news from Tol Honeth! General Varana, in
an effort at conciliation, called a meeting at the palace to
propose a series of steps which would lessen the tensions
surrounding the succession to the Imperial throne. The
Grand Dukes of all the major houses of Tolnedra were
present, as well as the Council of Advisors. The Council,
obviously aware that Varana's proposals would seriously
cut into the bribes they were receiving from the great
houses, shrilly attempted to shout him down. Varana,
normally as patient as a stone, eventually grew irritated;
and, acting in his official capacity as regent, he dissolved
that body! The Council rashly declared that they would
refuse to accept his decree, and he immediately threw the
entire lot of them into the Imperial dungeons. Since the
die had been cast at that point, Varana, with a certain
pragmatism typical of the military mind, took all the
Grand Dukes of Tolnedra into protective custody, holding
them in comfortable, though well-guarded, apartments
in the palace. Then, following the inescapable logic of
the situation, he somewhat reluctantly assumed full
command of the Tolnedran Empire as military dictator.
The entire world trembles under the impact of these
events. Much as I dislike the Empire, I must admit that
Tolnedra is a tremendously stabilizing factor in world
affairs. If she crumbles, the Gods alone know what will
happen.
I am advised that the woman, Taiba, who appears to be
as fertile as a rabbit, bore Relg, the Zealot, a,,second child
(a girl) in late 5377 and that now she has just delivered
another girl. Given Relg's tendencies toward extreme
asceticism, I'd be curious to know exactly what
blandishments she used to lure him to her bed. I mentioned this
jocularly to Islena, and she replied with uncharacteristic
heat, calling me (among other things) a lewd and
disgusting degenerate. Oddly enough, I found the conversation
more exhilarating than any I've had with her in years.
5380
ISLENA continues to behave peculiarly. If I had the
time, I'd investigate to find out what's at the bottom
of her problem.
Trouble in Cthol Murgos! 'Zakath has landed a huge
armada on the south coast of the Military District of
Hagga and has caught Urgit squarely between two huge
Mallorean armies. The battle took place on the border
between Hagga and Cthan, and our informants advise us
that Urgit was disastrously defeated, barely escaping with
his life. 'Zakath has retaken Rak Hagga, and my belief that
he was done in this part of the world seems to have been
grossly premature. I think that I'd better have a long talk
with Belgarion. Things in the south are reaching the point
that we're going to have to take steps.
Matters in Tolnedra have deteriorated even further, I'm