Lyoushka, I did not expect you to have bargained for me. Nor I would not have gone without Barty, and he would have been an even harder sell.

I don't know who the Secret-Keeper for Dover is, but yes, if I am able to determine it, I will do what I can to find him or her. Until then, though ... I don't know. A good hard look at how many mistakes I can at least partially rectify, I suppose. I should undoubtedly go check in with Bella and see what machinations are already underway, but I'm finding it difficult to drag myself out of this house. Perhaps I shall see what her next move will be.

I'm glad that you two are enduring. But if matters turn ill for you and it looks as though you may not make it through with your usual grace, if all else fails, go to Cairo: find the Conclave, and ask for Sayyid ibn Āzar al-Sadiq, who may even be Grand-Master by now, and tell him that you are mine. At very least he will arrange sanctuary for you. And yes, I know that I am catastrophising, but it eases my mind somewhat to arm you with some of my connections, in the hopes that if it all goes to shit -- goes further to shit -- you will have as much of a fighting chance as I can give you.

Luck to you both, my dear ones. And wish me the same.