"Well, the picture's perfectly clear now. Oh, if only this ill-conceived letter had been lost to time, if my p

"Well, the picture's perfectly clear now. Oh, if only this ill-conceived letter had been lost to time, if my poor brother hadn't found it and been infected with this deadly craving for adventure! Well, Your Grace... Today I'll leave for Gralton — the city in which, from this day on, you will have a loyal friend and ally."