[only a little deadpanning at the jokes. Forgive him, his humor tends toward sarcasm]

No, it really isn't. [thinking!] Hm. Servants or soldiers? No, I don't believe so. Granted, there were contingents of our soldiers who went with my father and other retainers to our other holdings, and I have not yet heard from them, so it is possible they've disappeared as well. Or, they are simply having a difficult time reaching me. That is yet to be determined.