Affection grew for years between Franwet, the Proprietress of the
Wintersbreeze Inn, and Tygrin, Warden of the Spires, amidst much
blushing and mustache-fidgeting. One, however, did not seem to observe
the budding romance. Ures, a Syssin defender, approached Franwet with
his own love several times, always with Franwet tactfully avoiding
direct refusal. Thus was Ures deluded into believing that she had some
amount of fondness for him, and asked her to marry him. She politely
declined and he grew more insistant, making Franwet so uncomfortable
that she called the guards to take him away. Ures took a forced leave of
absence, under orders of the Minister of Security and the Warden's
approval.

Some years passed and Ures was nowhere to be found. The ancient rites of
Unity were discovered by the monks of the Great Aetolian Library, to
Franwet's delight. Certain that her mother would approve, she set about
procuring an engraved engagement dirk. When she worked up enough
courage, she asked Tygrin to marry her and he happily accepted,
returning the blade in accordance with custom. Though it pained them not
to see each other, they did their best not to make overlong contact
during this engagement period. Instead, Spireans cheerfully spoke to
each individually, fulfilling their request for help in arranging the
details of their ceremony. Minister of Cultural Affairs Noxume Elistar
and Dhasan of the Arts Karim were known to lead the Unity planning.

Soon after the engagement was announced, however, Ures stepped from the
shadows and into the light of Enorian. He pleaded for help from the
Beacon's citizenry, saying that he has brought down the curse of the
Underking upon Franwet and wished to prevent its fruition. Many times
would he tell his story, which he called his Great Mistake. He claimed
that as a youth he had followed the ways of Death, and worshipped
loyally. On the night of his rejection, he bitterly prayed that Franwet
would feel the pain she inflicted upon him, ten times over, if ever she
should wed another. He said he had received the Underking's
ever-bleeding Mark upon his back as evidence the prayer was heard.
Convinced, however, that neither Tygrin nor Franwet would believe his
admittedly farfetched claims, he sought aid in abducting Tygrin and
"making him understand" the circumstances.

Enorian refused, and one of the citizens furthermore informed
Spinesreach of the danger their Warden was in. Ures was given the names
of a few rumored to be willing mercenaries - most notably, Caboose
Laurn, Wedric Vespertine, and Xarian. The four together devised many
plans over six months to abduct the Warden, most of which failed under
the watchful eye of Ard-Dhasani Mahakala Elistar and Minister of
Security Exodus Qunmai. A few greedy bandits from the plains were hired,
to no avail. Guards were ordered to be especially alert, guarding the
Warden and Proprietress.

Ures and his supporters grew desperate. Calling for help from many
others, a full attack plan was conceived. However, Ures was given orders
to take Franwet hostage against her will, and he proved unwilling to do
so. The Ard-Dhasani convinced Ures to trust him, and Ures guarded
Franwet from the mercenaries he had hired! While a larger group led by
Caboose Laurn hunted the Spirean leadership, Hazzyq Tkukzyn directed a
smaller, two-man team to the Warden's office. Before the guards could
assess the danger posed, they were skillfully distracted and diverted
while a dagger was placed at the Warden's throat. With Tygrin as a
hostage, the invaders successfully retreated from the city. Ures
remained, crying out for them to cease their efforts.

For nearly a day, a stalemate ensued. The mercenaries demanded payment
of five hundred thousand gold sovereigns, which Ures did not possess and
Spinesreach was unwilling to entrust. It was also becoming a political
nightmare - many were uncertain if the mercenaries could be said to act
in the interests of an organization. Was Bloodloch partially responsible
for the attacks? What of the Magi? Was it all a scheme of Lady
Chakrasul? Ures wept pitifully and knew that he had made another mistake
in trusting mercenaries with his affairs. Taking all responsibility for
ruining Franwet's life, unable to see a future in which he could live
with himself in this knowledge, and further encouraged by Luthien
Fae'ruithir, Ures perished at the tip of his own dirk.

The Spireans devised many plans to rescue Tygrin, but Strung Cardinalis
acted first. Using what trust he had among the mercenaries, he was able
to lead Tygrin away from them and into the skies. He soon deposited the
Warden behind the Basilica walls, to the frustration of a few and the
relief of Spinesreach. Franwet and Tygrin were both taken to the safest
chambers in the city and locked away until their rites of Unity, to be
held a month later. The corpse of the ex-Syssin Ures had meanwhile
disappeared from his final resting place, perhaps carried off by wild
animals.

The ceremony itself was very small, in early Ios, and held in secret
lest the rites should be violently interrupted. Acting as the Cardinal
appointed by Lady Niuri, Rolan Ariano united their souls, with only the
Ard-Dhasani and Franwet's sister Frannie as witnesses. An instant of
cold dread was the only dire effect observed; no curse made itself
apparent. The two newlyweds retired to their new room in the
Wintersbreeze Inn. A grand reception was held the following month,
filling the Institute gazebo with merriment, cake and champagne to
overflowing. The only regret heard was from the lips of Franwet, wishing
that Ures had been able to attend.

Penned by my hand on the 23rd of Lleian, in the year 170 MA.