Dear Gideon,

It is good to hear from you again, old friend. I'm glad to hear that the path you have taken is working well for you; I hope that it continues to shape you in a positive manner. I apologize for having been so distant, sometimes one gets so caught up in the future that the past wanes from memory.

Once again I must apologize, I have been keeping my public information as private as I can, for reasons not unlike your own. I am gladdened that it was not easy for you to find me, that is reassuring. I am also glad that you persisted and found me anyway.

Things are certainly about to change, but I cannot yet gauge the wind. These are interesting times, and I feel like we must do everything possible to keep track of the flow of information; particularly who desires to know what. I can tell you this: Senator Gneisenow has been carefully monitoring the troop movements and training methods of at least two other battalions, though effectively they are now private armies. I do not who whose allegiances lie where. I have also heard whispers of a highly trained and rather secretive group, one that will likely tip the scales in Gneisenow's favor. Perhaps you know of them.

There is one other thing. I have been travelling, gathering information for myself. I stumbled upon something, just whispers right now, but unsettling whispers. There is a faction, it is not safe to say which, that is conducting ... experiments, though they are not far from torture. I hear they are looking deeply into the mind, pushing people to death and pulling them back just before it is over to see what happens. I don't know what they hope to achieve just yet.

Keep yourself safe. If you need help, do not hesitate to contact me. I have resources.

Your friend,

Theogenes