My dearest Linda
There is much that has happened since I was placed at the square by the Prancing Pony to watch mister Butterbur's tavern. I only told you about the walking tomato so far. You'll be happy to know he's not been of any trouble lately or if he has we are unaware of it. Let's hope that isn't the case.
Did I tell you about the bellowing foreigner? I don't think I did. Interesting night that.
Adalbart and the new-blood Anhdrew came to visit me at the square or at least they came to check on me. We heard about some witch hunt going on and one we are still looking into and not long after we hear a yell that could rival the strongest of horns.
I can't recall the name of the foreigner but he threatened to take away my hearing with his loud bellowing but I forgive him since I don't think I've ever seen Adalbart as awkward and embarrassed as he was when the boulder of a man embraced him. Oh yes, you read that right my dearest. Adalbart got hugged by a large southerner. Funny, isn't it? I had a good laugh at least.
It became a little more bothersome when something spooked the loud giant and his axe was drawn to swing through the air, near took off Adalbart's head there. Apparently the man had been having a good time at the tavern before and his mind clouded from drink. I had a mind there and then to lock him in the cell till he sobered up but before we could really do anything the giant bolted off after some dwarf.
We took off to try and find the man but I realized I was the only one left when I stumbled upon him in the boar fountain in the center of town. Got told he didn't make the turn and flew over the wall and into the water where to my surprise the man laid sleeping like a babe.
Now don't you worry, dear, there was a strapping young man that came along to help drag the man out of the fountain so I didn't strain my back. I know you worry about that.
Some kinsmen of the bellower soon joined and by this time I had taken the axe and thought it best we'd keep it while they stayed in town but it seems they were leaving anyway and so with Adalbart's permission we handed the weapon back over with a small warning. We can't have giant men swinging weapons around here after all.
It was an interesting night, that is for sure. Think we could have shared a good laugh you and I. How I miss your beautiful laughter.
Even seems that we are invited for a feast from his kinsmen as means of apology. Now if all the no-do-gooders would do that the men of the Watch would have a good, healthy belly on them.
Speaking of bellies. Those gold merchants are back yet again and after speaking to a dandy about some fishing I stepped over to talk to the merchants. I had hoped they had made some agreements with the merchant guild but they still refuse the coin.
I can't let them trade gold and precious gems for nothing and so after some talk I took the man, Aswaldr as he's called, down to the merchant guild so I could help them set up some deals. I think we managed to arrange something.
But you remember the gold merchants, don't you? We passed them in the summer and you wanted that ring but I had nothing on me to trade with. I promised to go the day after but the merchants were gone then and so I said next time.
Next time has arrived but you are not here. I only wish I had carried something that day to trade for the ring, even if it had been an unfair trade. I hope you are not mad at me, my dear.
I shouldn't write of the heavier things but I need someone to talk to about it. Radcliffe has been covering some of my shifts now that my back is acting up and my knees giving in or at least that is what I tell him.
Truth be told I'm getting a bit weaker after I have refused some of my meals back at home so that the children can eat. The coin is still too thin and that good for nothing poet refuses to find proper work.
But that might all be changing now since you'll never guess who I found in the tavern just a night or so ago.
Welten Oaksford, that young troublemaker. I thought he was long dead. It was pleasant to see him and the man was able to give me a good shock with the news he brought. Would you be able to believe the man is married now? Married that bard of his by the end of things and then ran off to Dale for the ceremony. Now after all that we've been through I demanded the man bring me and the boys a cake down at the jailhouse. It would take me a few days to count how many times that boy was locked up in the stocks with us, it had become a weekly event.
You'll be happy to know he's dropped his act, gotten too old for those things and has much to think about now. Happier you will be yet when I tell you that he has offered to drag that poet out of my home and put him to work as a coal-burner. If that poet is going to sit on his rear all day he might as well do so while watching coals. It seems Welten has a young man in his care who has work in such and assures me that he will keep an eye on that poet and make sure he does the work, that he finally brings in some coin before his children starve.
You still haven't visited me. Maybe you are busy there in the afterlife but I hope you shall take time soon to visit your old husband, even if I am not as dashing as I once was.
Please come soon, my dearest Linda. Before I forget.
