My one, true rock. My guiding light. My wonder. You will lead the world to beauty one day, and that day, I hope I am beside you.

I was selfish. The more I think about it, the more I realize–begging you to stay with me. Clinging to your skirts like I did 10 years ago when we were young. I begged to follow you and asked you to reassure me because I needed you. I still need you. But I have to learn not to. This realization hurts more than anything else I have, because you were my authority. When I think of God, Isabel, truly–truly I think of you. You are everything God should be. Critical, cautious, but loving and willing to change for the greater good. You are what everyone should strive for, Isabel. And all of them will look different, but those characteristics that you taught me are what has kept my faith so strong.

But today we must part. You need to have time to yourself and your husband and I need to trust you with that time before I beg you to walk this path with me. My first stop is here; these Inquisitors are my first targets for change. I have to become closer to God once more. I can not do that alone.

We will walk together again. When I can walk beside you, and not look up at you in awe.

But I do have one confession, as well–a failure in me I hope you will atone me for when you return.

I cannot forgive your husband, Isabel. Not right now. When everyone came to me to tell me he was the reason the forest cried out, I told them I did not want to hear it. It was too much right then. I could not be alone, and also reside in the pain of betrayal. I cannot know if you knew, because it would break me if you did. I trust you. So I put it aside.

But the immediate danger is passed, and what he has done is still scarred into the trees and dripping off the animals and plants. He has not yet embraced our community. He loves you, and few others. And that is better than it was. And when we meet again, he will be even better than he is now, because he will change with you, outside of the annoyance of me. What drives him, I cannot imagine, but I am certain that being able to be free of us–of this–will help him.

I believe in your husband, Isabel. He has taken so many steps forward, and this step backward is expected in a time of strife. I believe, honestly, that he thought he was doing what was best. He is just quick to take the easiest route. He is brilliant, and more brilliant when shining on you.

So I ask that you take this time and indulge. Take a few years to rest in his arms and love him, because your first task, like mine, is very close to home. Take him to the beaches that he wants to see. Take him to the beautiful places and let him find the depths of good within him. He has already found so much; there is an ocean inside that man.

But I would hurt his growth with my anger. With the way I confuse and upset him. So I entrust him to you, and ask that you come back here when you are done, and we will begin our work in earnest then.

I ask that you rest. You’ve slain a witch king. You need time to breathe and enjoy, and in that time, you will be doing Gods work. We have a lifetime; we will make this right.

With all my love, and all my hope,
Prosecutor Marinette Rocheaux