Lotharingian Missive to Sixtus IV, 1574

[Publius 4098]

With the sun rising on a new day, a courier rides from the East into the city of Johannesburg and along to the Apostolic Palace. A letter from the Regent of Lorraine finds itself passed along to the Ordermen guarding the gate. It reads as follows:

 

Spoiler

 

 

Greetings to you Your Holiness,

 

My apologies for not coming personally to deliver this message; I wish not to imply at all any disrespect or disinterest, but I toil in the East with my people to establish Lorraine.

 

For well over a year now, I have had to guide the Archduchy in my brother’s stead. As a second son, perhaps it is just good manners that I did not expect to have to maintain my father’s legacy, but every day going on the permanence of my position becomes clearer to me. In knowing that, I appeal to you now.

 

With mild motions I work to move the good Lotharingian men and women, but without the guidance of The Creator, I do so with doubt in my heart. Nothing but an ardent passion backs all my words and actions, but I know that my efforts alone are no match for the evils of the world.

 

Our lands are named after our most holy of symbols; the Cross of Lorraine. Canon’s place in Lorraine is central, in both culture and tradition. It would be my greatest shame as a good and faithful man to see his own outside of the guidance of GOD.

 

Having all this admitted and in mind I must implore that we meet most immediately, assuming you can humour me with an audience. My faith and effort in the Church of Canon will not end where my responsibilities to the Empire begin, and I believe between us both, we can set a new precedent for all faithful to follow.

 

Humbly yours,

Regent of Lorraine, Jacques d’Amaury

[Piov 2643]

A courier arrives in Lorraine, a letter exchanged back to its sender.

 

To his grace, the Regent of Lorraine, Jacques d'Amaury

 

It is with my most humbled gratitude to have received a correspondence from you. I am most pleased to hear of the prosperity and success of the faith and ever progressing I hold it is with duty of solemn grace and with pure intentions that I accept your invitation and furthermore arrive to the Duchy of Lorraine with grand prospects of the fervent faith and strong heritage of its past. In doing so, I am fully grateful for your request and wish likewise to assist in the guidance of GOD within the fellowship of the Lotharingian people. With grand prospects of visiting a land rich in history and ardent faith in the Canon, I am most touched in hearing the news of great joy and diligence in your efforts in the absence of your brother. With this in mind, I grant thee my blessing and I will send for my retinue to Lorraine with deliberate speed. 

 

With God's blessing,

•  
• His Holiness Sixtus IV, High Pontiff of the Holy Church of the Canon, Vicar of God, Successor to the Laurel of Horen, Metropolitan Bishop of Johannesburg and the Crownlands, Sovereign of the Holy See, Head of the Pentarch, Keeper of the Sacred Scrolls, Blessed Servant of the Servants of God

 

 

A small card, ornately decorated, is attached with the letter with a verse from the Holy Canon.

Spoiler

For I placed into thy heart

a wealth of virtue,

and I have created for

thee a garden of abundance.