Your excellency,
We proceeded as instructed, with care and extreme caution. Unfortunately, in spite of our best efforts, I have to report that we lost one item which might have been of interest to you: a figurine of a coiled snake, made out of silver, with ancient markings on its underside.
The moment one of the Blood Guards picked it up, the snake unfurled itself, and then wrapped its body around his arm. The soldier started screaming, and blood started pouring out of his nostrils and ears.
Before we even realised what was happening, the Blood Guard fell to the ground, dead – and there was no trace of the snake, other than an outline of its silhouette burned into the flesh.
I suggest you inform other units that Blood Guards should not handle ancient artefacts, or at the very least ought to steer clear of any figurines such as the one we found here.
With utmost respect,
Hengest