A Letter from Bakir to Brencis

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My Knyaz,

As expected, the rebel vermin are causing us trouble again – but as you very aptly said yourself, they are just humans and they make many mistakes. Like dogs, they yap and yap and yap, wanting to be noticed. And so we give them the attention they need – my soldiers were able to hunt some down, and execute them in a very festive fashion. I’ll spare you the rebels’ names – I know you have more important things to do than care about the cattle.

The fact is that the manumits will soon be a memory of the past, turned to ashes in the fires we’ll throw them into. When the people see what delicious reward awaits for playing freedom fighters, they will realise what’s good for them and return to the fold. If not, I’ll gladly bathe myself in their thick blood.

There is of course the matter of so-called ‘Crake’, the oh-so-elusive, and valiant leader of the manumits. I assure you that I already have a few promising leads on his whereabouts and I’ll personally bring you his head on a spike. Adorned by a few beautiful flowers.

Boyar Bakir