Salve Soldalis

It was with joy that I read your letter, and I hope that I am not too late in responding. My pater thought it best to delay my gauntlet some seasons, as my responsibilities of the past few years had lessened the time I had to master my studies.

First, however, a word about myself may be in order. By birth I am a Dane, and have lived upon that peninsula for most of my 25 years. At a young age, I was apprenticed to my uncle, who was what is known colloquially as a "faerie doctor". As their custom is towards celibacy and chastity, I was to succeed him in that business, eventually passing it on to a nephew or niece of worth. However, several factors prevented this from happening… indeed, had it, you would likely not know of me, save through reports of slain or cowed hedge-magicians.

First was my pater, Olaus ex Merinita. He discovered in me the Gift, and bore me away from my uncle for a small price. My uncle was unconcerned, as he had other nieces and nephews of promise. I began my apprenticeship in my ninth year, and continued normally until my 16th year.

It was then that I met my Catarine. I met her upon one of my first visits to the Court with Olaus, and she was the fairest creature that I have ever beheld, and I know that she is far fairer than any I will behold again. Catarine was of the alfar, a dryad, to be precise, and I lost my heart to her upon our first meeting. We courted for a time, she attracted to my humanity and vitality, I to her beauty and wisdom. Each time we visited the Court (stripped of iron and the Cross, I can assure you!), I sensed there was something that Catarine wished to ask of me, but she would not say. Finally, she trusted me enough to tell me. She wished to bear a child, yet needed a mortal's help. I foolishly asked, "How may I help?" Let it suffice to say that I was shown how I could help, and that I found the task most enjoyable.

With Olaus's permission, I retired from the Covenant to a cabin not far from it, to live with my Catarine. I spent two seasons each year with Olaus, one for training, one in which I paid him through labor for the training, and two seasons each year with Catarine. Olaus also had me learn from Catarine what I could, and pass it on to him, counting that as my other season of work. In the due course of three years, Catarine bore me two sons, who I named Sigurd and Wiglaf, in honor of two heroes that Catarine enjoyed hearing of. With them named, Catarine took Sigurd in her arms, kissed me once upon the forehead, and left, saying our bargain was complete. She left. She [there appear to have been further words at this point, but they seem to have smeared, then been blotted out]

My son and I returned to Olaus, and completed my apprenticeship, while Wiglaf was watched over by a wet-nurse, the wife of a turb sergeant who had enough milk for a second child. Those were trying times, as Wiglaf could not be near iron and showed an early distaste for the trappings of the Church. I twice had to intervene to keep him from being baptized, and how often he was allowed to play near iron knives I have no wish to know. Nonetheless, he grew into a sturdy boy, though far slower than others. Though he is by age six, he is by form only three.

My apprenticeship was soon completed, with Olaus having me study my son and compile my notes on he and Catarine into a book, On Dryads and their Progeny (Tractatus: Faerie Lore, Quality 4+*), which comprised my gauntlet. The work was judged good, and so I am a magus ex Merinita.

My magical skills lie largely in the realm of Herbam, Aquam, and Auram, with talents in Creo, Muto, and Rego, as well. These abilities have served Olaus well, allowing him to increase the covenant's food stores and the value of its goods at market time, thus creating a store of renewable wealth in the land. I am hoping that the Covenant Prudentia Litus will benefit from these talents, as well as provide a place where I can gain new information on faeries unknown in the lands of the Danes, and raise my son, if not as a full magus, then as a good an honorable consortes, instilled with a love of the Order.

I look forward to hearing your reply.