It's No Rumor, But Fact: Not only our borders are unsafe — our towns are troubled! My informant from Fort Kelvin reports sounds from inside the mountains! Their caves rumble at night as if something is about to break through! Will Gormander deploy help? Start an investigation? Maybe pass an infrastructure bill? Most likely not, but one can dream. If I were a betting man, I'd say he'll wait for the concerns to resolve themselves, for better or worse! — Ramone Jones, editor of The Pike Weekly. That's the only draft that was approved. Couldn't put in your info about the embezzlement... if it's too controversial, they won't officially let me print it. I'll find a way, though. Stay safe, Jakes!

Thank you for granting me access to your spare basement, Henry. I won't write in peace with these guards on my tail, but I can't let them silence me! I know this room was Finnean's, so I'll take good care of it. He was such a sweet kid... and the little stories he wrote were magical. There's nothing I can say to make this easier, but there's one thing I can do. I can't pay you back in gold since editors don't earn much coin, but I know how to repay you. It mustn't be the last time that you saw him. The old sorcerer in the Imperial Gardens owes me, and perhaps he can reunite you. Don't ask too many questions, just let him lead you to his secret attic, and never speak of it to anyone else. Just promise me you'll be responsible and come back. It's a deal with the dark that we're striking!

Henry hasn't come back. He's not been down to bring me water, and I don't dare to step outside knowing that this spells demise. Right now I'm still hidden, but who knows what the guards will do if they find me. I'll hang for treason, most likely... just for speaking the truth. However, I only have enough water for maybe 3 more days. And what's even more depressing... it seems like my last words, written or screamed, will never reach a single living soul. Such a meaningless death for a reporter... A wise man would call it irony. I would call it twisted. — Ramone Jones, Editor of what used to be The Pike Weekly.