1) From a letter to Gordon Malcom, (aka Beren Gerhardt)...
The winter passed quietly however Spring has been anything but quiet. Volger mentioned that he'd encountered your old friend, the hobgoblin Steelback with a large force and encampment, well south of the Jordan, in the region of the southern hills (between the Castle and the road to 'civilisation'. Soon after this the 1st caravan of spring into NJ was totally wiped out a few days down the road, by a force of hobgoblins and other abominations according to the dozen or so survivors. The Volunteer Patrol under Captain Brock (Gerhardt having been "persuaded" to take permenant control of the Guard due to the external threats) headed off to warn the next convoy while preparations for a Q-convoy were made in NJ overseen by youself - half a dozen wagons being packed full of TG, a couple of swivel guns and one wagon specially modified to take a broadside of 20 blunderbus barrels a side.
The VP returned safely from their mission, having arranged to meet the wagon train again with the Q-wagons. The Q set out mid-April with the VP, a few adventurer volunteers, and some 25 TG, and returned early May with the main convoy attached. Casualties were guite heavy, the attack this time having involved light cannon and human mercenaries, the hobgoblins having attacked at first in pike block formations. The attack was broken however (the humans fleeing first) and the cannon captured - 2 modern 1-2 lb swivels and 1 primitive bombard-style piece, a second of which had exploded during the fighting, and around which lay some bodies (pretty messed up) apparently of dwarves.
It is the opinion of Cllr Volger that the threat to the wagons has been neutralised, and he has set out to investigate the region of Steelback's camp with a patrol of adventurers. That was two weeks ago, and the site was said to be 2 days south of NJ. Brock will be taking the patrol out to see if he can find any trace in a few days - Volger & co set out with only 2 weeks rations.
As to Captain Gerhardt's policy with the Guard: in view of the increased threats he'll be trying to expand the Guard, to take advantage of the two forts. Also he's approached the Dutchman van Rijn with a view to setting up a section of mounted dragoons, as a quick reaction force at first eventually to patrol out into the wilderness though that is not to be officially mentioned as yet. Van Rijn is willing, and Volger amongst other Councillors will support this plan.
2) From another letter to Gordon Malcolm (Beren Gerhardt)...
31/12/86
The Leibnitz/Trummernburg affair
With the evidence presented by the church authorities you had no choice but to act, as the fools had actually mentioned seeing things only when a certain ring was worn. You were able to delay long enough to discreetly meet with Volger and warn him what was coming, that he might be ready for the inevitable search of his house, and also that he might make whatever arrangements he would over the two, for obviously they were likely to say things under interrogation that none of the 'adventurers' present or past would like to see on a deposition before Council or anyone else. You didn't ask his intentions and he didn't volunteer anything, but you did say you'd be forced to act first thing next morning.
Come the dawn and Volger's appearance at the gates you were 'sleeping soundly' (in full armour as usual) and were only awakened with difficulty. After that there was some confusion as to what the councillor wanted (you being somewhat annoyed and sleepy with your early awakening, him incoherent with rage). Then there was a bit of difficulty finding Luther Brock, to gather the Volunteer Patrol now he's captain, and a 'free, frank and wide ranging' discussion of the Patrol's responsibilities and duties, extent of the town's authority on the matter etc, which delayed pursuit from setting out until some twelve or more hours after the miscreants had fled. Most unfortunate.
The later interrogation of the three auslanders who had accompanied the fled witches on their last trip had a few minor difficulties, but with a little prompting from a burly (and trustworthy) guard sergeant they admitted that they knew nothing of the witches activities, that the two had disappeared in the night to do their devil's work, that none of the three had gained profit by these nefarious dealings and their most earnest desire was to leave NJ on the next caravan out, which you arranged.
They were warned not to return to NJ and come to your notice without good reason, though the hint was later passed to them that if busines were to take them to Southfort that wouldn't matter too much (that is what it is there for, at least in part). It seems that the woman, now called Hilli Jaeger (or something like that) is still active with the adventuring crowd that is growing up there.