#stone secrets

My friend,

I write to your from my home, resting away my sores and my sorrows. After being crushed beneath our quarry, Ash took my survival as more important than capturing our prey. Though this has perhaps set us back more than it was worth, I note his loyalty and caution as something worthy of awe. With that in mind, I certainly wish he had let me die so that I might see the other side as my wounds are healed. I know of the nature of death in the Neath and perhaps it would have been the respite I needed to escape my sorrows. With such time passing, I believe it might be best I offer some form of discount to the Clay Coalman as I have failed to return his secrets to him within any truly acceptable timeframe. If it were socially acceptable, I might have offered the Coalman recompense from his thief but I doubt he would take part in it.

As I lie here, eyeing the stains in the ceiling, I have devised a perhaps cunning plan yet to be had. Of course, this might be the laudanum speaking, but the prey was found as he stole a job from Mr. Harper. I believe if we offer work that is, indeed, dangerous but likewise lucrative, we might draw him in. I will run this by Ashley in hopes he help get word out but I am uncertain if he should be included as the accepter. No doubt, he will be recognized. We must be sly. We must be cautious.

Pardon as I meander about my point. I am feeling quite lightheaded and I can't quite piece together a letter worthy of praise. Perhaps allow this one to fall away into the annals of you mind. In any case, mind dropping in? I would enjoy your company.

Sincerely,

My friend,

Apologies yet again for my extended silence. It seems the individual we needed to set out to find has become rather reclusive and would rather not be found at all. Of course, that did not stymie our efforts but rather slow our progress. Admittedly, I find my deductive talents to be exemplary but when it came to handling our target, I was certainly grateful for the presence of Ashley. He is quite a talented individual.

I will preface this by saying we did not recover any useful, though I have gained quite a few new bruises to nurse. We came across the individual in his home on the edge of the swamp. It wasn’t that attractive but then against it was well out of the way. Having seen our approach, he burst through the door, threw a chair at me, a brick as Ashley, and soon we were on him. Well, Ash was. I was lying in the swamp, sullying my old suit. Perhaps it was time to purchase something new, but all the same it was quite the disgusting moment. In any case, Ashley and his rival were at one another’s throats, matching blow for blow and though I knew I couldn’t quite stand against him on my own, I believe it was for the best that I went to quickly rifle through the man’s home.

I did not account for Ashley throwing him through the wall and onto me. Concerned I might be crushed beneath the muscular wall of living flesh, I promptly blacked out. It was quite the scenario and though I couldn’t help Ashley had thrown the man on top of me, I would like to think he felt some measure of guilt as apparently the man escaped and he prioritized my wellbeing. After waking, I found we were not much successful, I was rather bruised, but we have at least flushed out the quarry.

The hunt begins.

SIncerely,

My friend,

I expected my search would take some time, as an alias is hardly anything to find someone by. With such a scarce strand to follow, I did what any desperate individual might do and simply decided to go from pub to pub to find this Daring Brawler. Upon my first inquiry, I was approached by the powerful, and unmistakable, Ashley Harper.

The man I met in passing as he boxed as well as other hardly noteworthy encounters has become even more powerful. He is oddly well spoken for someone as physically focused as he is, but I will not hold this to the negative. Considering he was quite pleased to see me once more, I believe this search may end swiftly.

Now to discover how I might retrieve the Coalman’s secrets from someone whom is so physically formidable.

Sincerely,

My friend,

I mingled and meshed and skulked with a mixed response. Some hated my very being, some found someone such as I coming to them quite funny, with the rest being smart enough to avoid me entirely. I was forced to earn their trust. To do so, I was required to do something rather illegal. I participated in what could only be described as a highly exciting but likewise highly illegal fighting club. I was assigned a target as well as a method and thus the hunt began.

I will spare you the details, for time as well as safety, but I will admit I took quite a wallop in the first bout. It was a stilted fight but one I learned a good deal from. For instance, if your opponent treats such a fight with gentlemanly candor, a knife between the ribs acts well enough to end whatever streak they might have. My rather cruel attack earned me enough trust to drink with the louts I had been hounding so I set to drinking some under the table while purposefully allowing others to win out in their own drinking competitions.

By the time I had a shining eye I couldn’t quite recall the source of was when one finally bit. Not physically, of course, but instead took my bait. A job had come down promising pay to feed a family for a month. Normally, this would dissuade most as it was simply too good to be true. After the details were shared, very few were willing to touch the job. It would require not only someone of desperation but also one willing to brave the wrath of a Clay Man. No names were shared, but now I have a reputation to find and an alias tied to it. I must find the Daring Brawler.

Wish me well, friend. With such a history, I will need all the assistance I can receive.

Sincerely,

My friend,

I have not quite set out for Spite yet though I find myself pondering my next move as if it might hold some semblance of middling importance. Perhaps so integral to my search that failing it might set me back months but not so drastic as to have me at incredible risk, yet I fear how I might handle such situation moving forward. In normal circumstances, I might find myself worrying a tad more than needed but it seems that with my lack of a soul, I have found such a process to be of little import. I do not worry so much as I bide my time. Perhaps this can be an advantage to use in the coming weeks. I am still numb to my loss but, indeed, it is showing its uses.

Despite how I am interpreting my feelings for this investigation, I have recently reaffirmed something I believe to be important without question. Amber Wolfe is my direct source to public acceptance. With Amber’s Angels still drawing funds and support, I can remain in the public’s good graces so if I handle this outing correctly, I will be able to repair ties to Upper Society rather thoroughly. However, I believe even now my ties to Amber Wolfe has become something more than mutual benefit. I will seek them out in my return to London. I believe it is time to enjoy their company once more.

It is rather cold tonight. Stoke the fire, friend. Stay warm.

Sincerely,