To Denholm, Captain of the garrison in Bancross,
It has come to my notice that you have in the garrison cell one minor offender of the name, Criba. His master has been asking after his whereabouts, and as the man holds particularly entertaining dinners, I do not want the action of one of my people to cause him offense.
Unless you have a very good reason to keep this Criba under your supervision, you will free him upon receipt of this message and bid him come to me in Edoras where I will recompense him for his poor treatment. I will not have the Lords here talk poorly of me because of one of my servants.
I bid you see this sort of unwarranted arrest does not happen again.
I am also expecting a small group of friends to arrive in the village within days. They will give my name, and the message we agreed upon as a sign they have my approval. They are to be given freedom of movement, and are not to be interfered with. They will stay at my house. I will be joining them soon.
Averel, Thane of Bancross.
