Letter 44: To the imperial representative,

To the imperial representative, The campaign has concluded. The results are significant but not complete: Frankish forces achieved their objectives in the northern territories and the Lombards have been substantially weakened, but the comprehensive settlement we both hoped for remains to be negotiated. We approach those negotiations with the following understanding of what Frankish forces achieved and what that achievement is worth in terms of the post-campaign settlement. We commend our ambassadors to your attention; they carry full powers to negotiate on the specific territorial and commercial questions. We also want to address a concern that has reached us from several sources: that the imperial court is considering a bilateral arrangement with the Lombards that would not fully account for Frankish interests and contributions. We raise this directly because we believe transparency is better than allowing a misunderstanding to grow. If such an arrangement is being considered, we ask to be consulted before it is concluded. We remain committed to the alliance and to its proper conclusion. From the court of Austrasia