The paper really was traditional writing paper. It looked just like paper we had been given at school while learning traditional Dallie. It had a slightly red tint to it and faint brown lines running down the page to guide your letters. The only difference with this paper and the other ones I had written on before was that this one was three times the price.

The dip pen was perfectly weighted. While it sat nicely in my hand, it felt like it was made for someone with a slightly larger hand. Looking at the man’s hand. It looked like it had been custom made for him.

Once the man saw that I was ready, he began to dictate. This is what he got me to write out:

Dear (he didn’t give me the name):

There have been several reports of Tiffer troop movement across the east border. My assumption is that they are preparing for an attack on the capital. From what we know, the Tiffer have doubled their troops in the area and have stopped engaging in battles along the front, instead pulling back. They have done the retreat strategically. Far enough to not allow our forces to move further forward but far enough for them to be safer.

I would suggest sending special units to the Sun City and moving army units 33 and 89 towards the east side of the Sun City. I believe that we need to start sending more attacks on their border towns. We need to start to spread their forces. I would also suggest that you send naval units 1, 2, 3, and 5 to Ikrel Island to launch an attack on the ports near the capital. I believe this will force the Tiffers to move their troops, making other attacks easier.

Army units 16, 77, 49, and 36 should be moved towards the coast. From the information we have been given from naval unit 4, the Tiffer are preparing for an attack on Kâlimèth. We do not want to lose that port.

I expect all this to be done by the time I return to Toolanta in two days. When I am there, we can discuss further.

Do not fuck this up.

Yours sincerely, (I still didn’t know his name.)

The letter had not been easy to write. It had been some time since I had written in traditional Dallie, and he spoke quickly. The ink was also very difficult to see, which made the whole process even harder.

I handed the paper and all the writing supplies back to the odd man. He took them with a smile. He then wrote his name and the person who it was addressed to.

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“At least I know how to write names in traditional Dallie,” he said with a chuckle.

The strange man then pulled a small vial of liquid and paintbrush from his bag. He brushed some of the liquid over the whole letter. The ink vanished. “You did a good job. Didn’t press hard enough to leave visible marks. I’m impressed.”

I nodded. Hoping my confusion wasn’t visible on my face.

The man then folded up the paper I had written on and slipped it into an envelope. He then pulled out a stick of wax and a wax seal.

That took me by surprise. Wax seals had gone out of style decades ago when better adhesives were made.

The man noticed my confusion. “The wax seal makes it harder to open and seal again without anyone knowing. The ink is another measure. Can’t read it without making it visible.” He finished with a wink.

I nodded again. I was only getting more confused.

All this was only making me more convinced that this man was one of the seven great commanders. The letter contents, the secretary around names, and all the precautions taken around the letter. The thing that confused me was the writing in traditional Dallie and the fact that this man wasn’t able to write or read it.

Before I could stop myself, I blurted out, “If you’re one of the great commanders, why don’t you know Dallie, and why are you even writing in Dallie?”

The man laughed. “It really is very obvious, isn’t it? That letter was a dead giveaway. As for your question as to why I needed to write this letter in Dallie. That is because we recently decided that more precautions needed to be put in place to prevent the Tiffer from getting their hands on our troop movement. The Tiffers know Mino, both traditional and modern, and modern Dallie, but since traditional Dallie is even dying in Ossory, they don’t know it, so we have made the decision to write all our correspondence in Dallie. The only problem is I don’t know traditional Dallie. I desperately needed to send a letter, so I asked the first person I thought could help me. I believed it would be all right considering you are a man of the military as well. Even if you are low-ranked, you are still in the army.”

I gave him a slow nod, trying to digest what he had just told me. It was all just so confusing. I had just written a letter that was aiding in the war for one of the great commanders. I was well and truly perplexed. This whole situation felt like a dream. I needed someone to pinch me.

“I cannot thank you enough for your assistance, Fi-Rico. Your name is one I will not easily forget.” The Commander snapped his bag shut. The train began to slow as it pulled into the station in Emden.

I stood up and bowed while covering my eyes.

The commander waved his hand nonchalantly. “There is no need for that. I don’t like people bowing to me, especially when they cover their eyes.” He must have noticed my discomfort. “I understand that it has just been drilled into you, but if you ever see me again, just shake my hand and say, ‘Hello, Mastiroo.”

I looked at him wide-eyed. He was Commander Ja-Mastiroo, the most highly respected commander in the Ossory military, and he had just told me to call him by his informal name.

“O-of course… Mastiroo. You can call me Rico then.” I said tentatively.

He gave me a wide smile. Then bowed to me, covering his eyes. “Till we meet again, Rico.”

He then left without another word. The Great Commander Ja-Mastiroo had just asked me to write him a letter, allowed me to call him by his informal name, and bowed to me.

I had never been more shocked, confused, and honoured in my life.