The courier remembered the exact words. He spoke them clearly into the rain.
"Tell him this," the courier shouted. "Duke Collin and I have done our part, the rest is up to you."
The eyes behind the small window widened slightly. The guard understood the message.
The guard reached his hand through the small window and snatched the brown envelope from the courier's fingers.
"I will deliver it," the guard said.
He nodded his head once. The small window slammed shut with a sharp clack.
The courier turned around, climbed back onto his tired horse, and rode away into the dark storm, eager to find a warm tavern.
Inside the high stone walls of the estate, the gate guard turned around.
He held the dry brown envelope tightly in his hand. He began to walk quickly toward the main mansion. He walked across a large, dark courtyard. The rain hit his metal armor, making a loud, continuous drumming sound.
He reached the back doors of the house, opened the door and stepped inside.
