Meriden Makes His Report
Director Ballentine,
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to report my latest findings from my assignment here in the “Carnival of Wonders.” I started off as an assistant to the acrobats and singers. I also helped fill in for extra roles in the various productions and plays we’ve put on for the people. I long ago memorized everyone’s lines, so I am often called to fill in when an actor gets sick, or more often, is too inebriated to perform.
Lately, I’ve begun a mentalism act of my own. I use the stage name of “Brother Meriden” and perform tricks and stunts of memory and “mind reading.” It’s obviously not real mind-reading of course. I use plants in the audience at times to do a cold “reading” on. I will often bluff my way through a scenario for a rube. These towns are all very similar, with similar issues and concerns. I have several scenarios I can usually tailor to the individual I “read.”
But my most useful skill at this mentalism act is simply blending in and listening. I will circulate among the carnival goers during the day, listening for information and gossip that I will later incorporate into my stage act. Calling out complete strangers by name and providing a specific fact of their life will always awe and stun the rubes. Little do they know I simply overheard them earlier in the day.
My main reason for writing is this: My mentalism act resembles actual magic so much that I have drawn the attention of an actual sorcerer!
Her name is Jerri Langtree, from Ravenwood, in the Wilds. She is the 17 year-old daughter of the local cooper in the town. She approached me after the show, thinking me a kindred spirit. She confided in me that she has a darkness inside her. Her skin was ice cold to the touch. She can see in complete darkness. She demonstrated this uncanny ability by reading from a scroll of mine in a completely dark room! And finally, she caused the flames from my torch to dance and shimmer, and eventually to extinguish themselves at her command.
It took all the self-control I had in me not to attack her right there. But I remembered your admonitions – “observe and report only. Don’t confront.”
I recommend that the Society send a team of cleansers to destroy this creature. She seems innocent and harmless, but don’t they all? Who knows what evil she can cause if left unchecked? I would also recommend that the team of cleansers wait until the carnival has long gone. I don’t want to draw any undue attention to it at this time.
I cannot express how excited I am to be able to bring you this news. After all the time, training and expense the Society has invested in me, I can finally repay that by exposing a magic user. This is truly my life’s purpose.
I remain vigilant. The Society is Mother. The Society is Father.
Your servant,
Meriden
