The invisible imp flies towards the main tower of the Fourth House, in search of his target. His master has tasked him with finding Lady Petrichor and delivering a most important note. En route, he spots a farm and devours a few live chickens, his favourite meal. Stomach full, he resumes his mission.
With the ability to detect magic, along with heightened senses and deft movements, loyal Quagmire is easily able to locate Petrichor. She is pacing her quarters, still reeling and contemplating her last encounter with General Nyneve – How did things go so wrong? Quagmire, unnoticed, perches on her window sill and drops the note quietly on the floor. “Opportunity knocks”, he says before quickly flying away. Petrichor stops and turns in the direction of the sound. She sees the small envelope on the floor, scowls, picks it up, and tears open the red seal marked with a Z…
Dear Lady Petrichor,
Will you be my Valentine?
My ex-fiancé, Prempress Cambion, killed my lover then had me tortured. The Abomination has abandoned me twice (and you once). It now seems to be working against the general interests of the Courts. As for old Orphelia, well, let’s just say she needs to work on her disguise self spells.
Furthermore, it appears Grand Lady Malavox suffers a mild case of BVS*. Fortunately, however, it appears you do not.
My house needs a proper matriarch. A Countess. Will you help me prevent the gathering of the Lanterns, lead our ascent in the Courts, and plunge the multiverse into eternal darkness?
I know how to find the Abomination, and the Lanterns it protects. Let us dine on dragon flesh and monk blood soon.
Evily awaiting your reply,Count Zymaan
PS) My tail is as thick and nasty as ever, despite the rumours.
* Bond Villain Stupidity:…occurs when a villain fails to kill the hero when he has him cornered, incapacitated, or otherwise defenseless, thus giving the hero a chance to escape and later come back to defeat the villain.
https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BondVillainStupidity