April 20, 2003
Dear Keish,
I was really glad to get your letter. It came at just the right time—the day of the cotillion, actually.
I don’t blame you for being worried about the prince. If I were you, I’d start thinking up ways to discourage his interest. A girl from my dance class named Junip once wore a hideous black and brown dress every day for a month to discourage the interest of a suitor. And I think Treany dumped dirty dishwater on one of her suitors (although that might get you into more trouble). Anyway, if the prince loses interest, then you won’t have to run away. Of course, you could come hide out at my house too, if you end up running away.
Astrological predictions and magic—what a perfect combination for you! I remember when we were little and you turned one of the garden cats pink. You were really good at spells. Do you think you’ll stay in the palace, or strike out on your own somewhere? You could come be the court astrologist for King Trunsle—I don’t think he has one. You’d be great, and we could get together more often. You’d be good in the theatre too, but with all your astrology experience, the classes your father wants you to take should be easy. I have no idea what I’ll do with the education I’m getting. I think Uncle Winthrop just expects me to marry and keep house. Liop wants to be a magician, of course, but you know what Uncle W. thinks of magic. I remember when Liop begged him for a magic book.
"Magic is as useful as hen’s teeth," he told us, "What people really need comes from the eggs." Then he enrolled Liop in first year alchemy, but the class was for older kids and Liop had to drop out after a week, because he was still learning to read. Uncle W. was disappointed.
I went to graduation cotillion. Treany’s old dress wasn’t bad – her seamstress removed all the bows and added a green sash so that it wouldn’t look so childish. (Treany really can be nice sometimes.) When I saw the dress, I thought maybe things wouldn’t be so bad after all. Mendel came to pick me up in a carriage and he even opened the door for me like a gentleman. I noticed the coachman was watching him closely, and there were the two most beautiful cream-colored horses pulling carriage. Mendel sat opposite me in the carriage and he shifted stiffly in the heavy fabric of his black suit. I thought that I should probably say something polite, but it’s hard to think of polite things in Mendel’s presence, so I made a comment about the weather.
"I wish it would snow," he responded instantly.
I murmured something that might have been polite agreement.
"If it snowed," Mendel continued earnestly, "then we could have a snowball fight. I bet your sash would make a great slingshot."
"My sash?"
"Yeah," he said slowly, "I thought of that because the feathers on your headband look like a snowball."
I sat very still and looked out the window, because I couldn’t decide if Mendel’s comparison was a compliment. Liop helped me make that headband out of chicken feathers, so that I would look a little fashionable like the rest of the girls.
Mendel didn’t say anything for the rest of the drive.
When we arrived at the dance, Mendel jumped out and opened the door for me. Since there were people watching, he also offered me his arm and escorted me into the ballroom. The first dance was a waltz, and I thought I was doing okay with it until Mendel leaned over suddenly and asked me how many spikebacks I own. I was so startled, that I stepped on his foot and tripped both of us.
"What do you mean?" I hissed when we regained our balance. Mendel’s blue eyes were very wide and deceivingly innocent.
"I just overheard that you’ve got a hatchery in your basement," he smiled.
I hesitated, trying to decide what he’d heard.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about," I said finally. I accidentally stepped on his foot again and he winced, but he didn’t stumble. The dance ended and we walked over to the refreshment table where Mendel offered me a glass of red punch. On either end of the table there were crystal bowls with red and blue fire newts. I forgot about Mendel and walked over to examine them, my mind drifting to Uncle W. The newts were twisting and sliding gracefully along the curved bottom of the bowl and they cast wonderful red and blue patterns on the ceiling. Mendel followed me.
"Don’t you have any spikebacks?" he demanded.
"No," I said, a little sharply, "just some newts."
He looked disappointed.
"The next dance is starting," said Mendel.
"I want to sit this one out," I looked around desperately, "See, there’s Felicia; you can ask her." That had the desired effect, because Felicia, like Mendel, is one of the best dancers in the class. Mendel hesitated a moment; then he left to ask Felicia for the next waltz. I stood with my back up against the wall, watching them move gracefully around the floor, and wondering how Mendel knew about the spikeback. I’m sure no one saw me release it, but maybe someone saw Liop catch it. You need a special permit to keep a spikeback—they’re too dangerous. Of course, Uncle W. never thought to get us one.
After that dance, Mrs. Dinette cornered us and told us to dance again. For the first half of the dance, neither of us said a word. I could tell Mendel was staying as far away from my bear’s feet as possible. Then, very suddenly, Mendel blurted out:
"How did you learn to speak Ripanian?"
My face went white as a sheet and I stopped dancing, which is probably the worst thing that I could have done. A few other people stared at us.
"I don’t speak Ripanian," I responded.
"But your little brother does," Mendel insisted, "Where did he learn?"
"He learned it from Father," I said slowly, "He traveled a lot, you know."
I wanted to run, but I’m glad I didn’t. Mendel must have realized he said something wrong, because he didn’t say anything else and tried to get me to dance again. I stepped on his foot twice. Then Mendel danced with Felicia the rest of the night, but he kept looking at me, probably because my face was so red. I could see people whispering everywhere, and I know this sounds paranoid, but I’m sure I heard Liop and Ripanian mentioned more than once. What an idiot I am! Why couldn’t I just smile and say Uncle W. hired a tutor to teach us? Everyone already thinks Uncle W. is eccentric, so it’s a good explanation. But if people figure out that Liop instinctively speaks all languages without having to learn them, then it’s only a matter of time before they start speculating about how it happened, and you know where that will lead—no one’s been in that cave for years; it’s blocked off, and the water—that’s supposed to be a myth. I hope people forget about it. I mean, it’s not like we’ve actually been to the cave, and that strange old woman who gave Liop the drink three years ago could have been lying about where the water came from, don’t you think? It could all be a strange coincidence. Still, I wish Father had taken her seriously and not let Liop drink it—or never let the woman spend the night in the first place. But Father would never do that; he would never turn an old woman away. And the water? Water that grants you your deepest, darkest wish—the wish that’s more likely to bring harm than good. Maybe that’s why she gave it to Liop—he was too small to have dangerous wishes. He only wished he could speak.
Last night I dreamt I was the girl in Rumpelstiltskin, only instead of spinning straw into gold, I had to draw maps to the Cave of Wishes. No one would believe me that I didn’t know where it was, and the king threatened to chop off my head. Then a little man came and said he’d draw me a map if I gave him Liop. I screamed and screamed for Imato until I woke up.
It would be wonderful if you could teach me to make chain mail. I want some to wear when I go searching for Uncle W. Imato doesn’t get any vacations for at least another month. I can’t ask him anyway, because he wouldn’t let me go.
Liop says "you’re welcome" for the seeds, but he thinks you’re making a mistake about Aron. I told him growth spells are overrated these days.
I hope your evenings are warm and cloudless for stargazing.
Love,
April 20, 2003
Dear Keish,
I was really glad to get your letter. It came at just the right time—the day of the cotillion, actually.
I don’t blame you for being worried about the prince. If I were you, I’d start thinking up ways to discourage his interest. A girl from my dance class named Junip once wore a hideous black and brown dress every day for a month to discourage the interest of a suitor. And I think Treany dumped dirty dishwater on one of her suitors (although that might get you into more trouble). Anyway, if the prince loses interest, then you won’t have to run away. Of course, you could come hide out at my house too, if you end up running away.
Astrological predictions and magic—what a perfect combination for you! I remember when we were little and you turned one of the garden cats pink. You were really good at spells. Do you think you’ll stay in the palace, or strike out on your own somewhere? You could come be the court astrologist for King Trunsle—I don’t think he has one. You’d be great, and we could get together more often. You’d be good in the theatre too, but with all your astrology experience, the classes your father wants you to take should be easy. I have no idea what I’ll do with the education I’m getting. I think Uncle Winthrop just expects me to marry and keep house. Liop wants to be a magician, of course, but you know what Uncle W. thinks of magic. I remember when Liop begged him for a magic book.
"Magic is as useful as hen’s teeth," he told us, "What people really need comes from the eggs." Then he enrolled Liop in first year alchemy, but the class was for older kids and Liop had to drop out after a week, because he was still learning to read. Uncle W. was disappointed.
I went to graduation cotillion. Treany’s old dress wasn’t bad – her seamstress removed all the bows and added a green sash so that it wouldn’t look so childish. (Treany really can be nice sometimes.) When I saw the dress, I thought maybe things wouldn’t be so bad after all. Mendel came to pick me up in a carriage and he even opened the door for me like a gentleman. I noticed the coachman was watching him closely, and there were the two most beautiful cream-colored horses pulling carriage. Mendel sat opposite me in the carriage and he shifted stiffly in the heavy fabric of his black suit. I thought that I should probably say something polite, but it’s hard to think of polite things in Mendel’s presence, so I made a comment about the weather.
"I wish it would snow," he responded instantly.
I murmured something that might have been polite agreement.
"If it snowed," Mendel continued earnestly, "then we could have a snowball fight. I bet your sash would make a great slingshot."
"My sash?"
"Yeah," he said slowly, "I thought of that because the feathers on your headband look like a snowball."
I sat very still and looked out the window, because I couldn’t decide if Mendel’s comparison was a compliment. Liop helped me make that headband out of chicken feathers, so that I would look a little fashionable like the rest of the girls.
Mendel didn’t say anything for the rest of the drive.
When we arrived at the dance, Mendel jumped out and opened the door for me. Since there were people watching, he also offered me his arm and escorted me into the ballroom. The first dance was a waltz, and I thought I was doing okay with it until Mendel leaned over suddenly and asked me how many spikebacks I own. I was so startled, that I stepped on his foot and tripped both of us.
"What do you mean?" I hissed when we regained our balance. Mendel’s blue eyes were very wide and deceivingly innocent.
"I just overheard that you’ve got a hatchery in your basement," he smiled.
I hesitated, trying to decide what he’d heard.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about," I said finally. I accidentally stepped on his foot again and he winced, but he didn’t stumble. The dance ended and we walked over to the refreshment table where Mendel offered me a glass of red punch. On either end of the table there were crystal bowls with red and blue fire newts. I forgot about Mendel and walked over to examine them, my mind drifting to Uncle W. The newts were twisting and sliding gracefully along the curved bottom of the bowl and they cast wonderful red and blue patterns on the ceiling. Mendel followed me.
"Don’t you have any spikebacks?" he demanded.
"No," I said, a little sharply, "just some newts."
He looked disappointed.
"The next dance is starting," said Mendel.
"I want to sit this one out," I looked around desperately, "See, there’s Felicia; you can ask her." That had the desired effect, because Felicia, like Mendel, is one of the best dancers in the class. Mendel hesitated a moment; then he left to ask Felicia for the next waltz. I stood with my back up against the wall, watching them move gracefully around the floor, and wondering how Mendel knew about the spikeback. I’m sure no one saw me release it, but maybe someone saw Liop catch it. You need a special permit to keep a spikeback—they’re too dangerous. Of course, Uncle W. never thought to get us one.
After that dance, Mrs. Dinette cornered us and told us to dance again. For the first half of the dance, neither of us said a word. I could tell Mendel was staying as far away from my bear’s feet as possible. Then, very suddenly, Mendel blurted out:
"How did you learn to speak Ripanian?"
My face went white as a sheet and I stopped dancing, which is probably the worst thing that I could have done. A few other people stared at us.
"I don’t speak Ripanian," I responded.
"But your little brother does," Mendel insisted, "Where did he learn?"
"He learned it from Father," I said slowly, "He traveled a lot, you know."
I wanted to run, but I’m glad I didn’t. Mendel must have realized he said something wrong, because he didn’t say anything else and tried to get me to dance again. I stepped on his foot twice. Then Mendel danced with Felicia the rest of the night, but he kept looking at me, probably because my face was so red. I could see people whispering everywhere, and I know this sounds paranoid, but I’m sure I heard Liop and Ripanian mentioned more than once. What an idiot I am! Why couldn’t I just smile and say Uncle W. hired a tutor to teach us? Everyone already thinks Uncle W. is eccentric, so it’s a good explanation. But if people figure out that Liop instinctively speaks all languages without having to learn them, then it’s only a matter of time before they start speculating about how it happened, and you know where that will lead—no one’s been in that cave for years; it’s blocked off, and the water—that’s supposed to be a myth. I hope people forget about it. I mean, it’s not like we’ve actually been to the cave, and that strange old woman who gave Liop the drink three years ago could have been lying about where the water came from, don’t you think? It could all be a strange coincidence. Still, I wish Father had taken her seriously and not let Liop drink it—or never let the woman spend the night in the first place. But Father would never do that; he would never turn an old woman away. And the water? Water that grants you your deepest, darkest wish—the wish that’s more likely to bring harm than good. Maybe that’s why she gave it to Liop—he was too small to have dangerous wishes. He only wished he could speak.
Last night I dreamt I was the girl in Rumpelstiltskin, only instead of spinning straw into gold, I had to draw maps to the Cave of Wishes. No one would believe me that I didn’t know where it was, and the king threatened to chop off my head. Then a little man came and said he’d draw me a map if I gave him Liop. I screamed and screamed for Imato until I woke up.
It would be wonderful if you could teach me to make chain mail. I want some to wear when I go searching for Uncle W. Imato doesn’t get any vacations for at least another month. I can’t ask him anyway, because he wouldn’t let me go.
Liop says "you’re welcome" for the seeds, but he thinks you’re making a mistake about Aron. I told him growth spells are overrated these days.
I hope your evenings are warm and cloudless for stargazing.
Love,
Dear Keish,
I was really glad to get your letter. It came at just the right time—the day of the cotillion, actually.
I don’t blame you for being worried about the prince. If I were you, I’d start thinking up ways to discourage his interest. A girl from my dance class named Junip once wore a hideous black and brown dress every day for a month to discourage the interest of a suitor. And I think Treany dumped dirty dishwater on one of her suitors (although that might get you into more trouble). Anyway, if the prince loses interest, then you won’t have to run away. Of course, you could come hide out at my house too, if you end up running away.
Astrological predictions and magic—what a perfect combination for you! I remember when we were little and you turned one of the garden cats pink. You were really good at spells. Do you think you’ll stay in the palace, or strike out on your own somewhere? You could come be the court astrologist for King Trunsle—I don’t think he has one. You’d be great, and we could get together more often. You’d be good in the theatre too, but with all your astrology experience, the classes your father wants you to take should be easy. I have no idea what I’ll do with the education I’m getting. I think Uncle Winthrop just expects me to marry and keep house. Liop wants to be a magician, of course, but you know what Uncle W. thinks of magic. I remember when Liop begged him for a magic book.
"Magic is as useful as hen’s teeth," he told us, "What people really need comes from the eggs." Then he enrolled Liop in first year alchemy, but the class was for older kids and Liop had to drop out after a week, because he was still learning to read. Uncle W. was disappointed.
I went to graduation cotillion. Treany’s old dress wasn’t bad – her seamstress removed all the bows and added a green sash so that it wouldn’t look so childish. (Treany really can be nice sometimes.) When I saw the dress, I thought maybe things wouldn’t be so bad after all. Mendel came to pick me up in a carriage and he even opened the door for me like a gentleman. I noticed the coachman was watching him closely, and there were the two most beautiful cream-colored horses pulling carriage. Mendel sat opposite me in the carriage and he shifted stiffly in the heavy fabric of his black suit. I thought that I should probably say something polite, but it’s hard to think of polite things in Mendel’s presence, so I made a comment about the weather.
"I wish it would snow," he responded instantly.
I murmured something that might have been polite agreement.
"If it snowed," Mendel continued earnestly, "then we could have a snowball fight. I bet your sash would make a great slingshot."
"My sash?"
"Yeah," he said slowly, "I thought of that because the feathers on your headband look like a snowball."
I sat very still and looked out the window, because I couldn’t decide if Mendel’s comparison was a compliment. Liop helped me make that headband out of chicken feathers, so that I would look a little fashionable like the rest of the girls.
Mendel didn’t say anything for the rest of the drive.
When we arrived at the dance, Mendel jumped out and opened the door for me. Since there were people watching, he also offered me his arm and escorted me into the ballroom. The first dance was a waltz, and I thought I was doing okay with it until Mendel leaned over suddenly and asked me how many spikebacks I own. I was so startled, that I stepped on his foot and tripped both of us.
"What do you mean?" I hissed when we regained our balance. Mendel’s blue eyes were very wide and deceivingly innocent.
"I just overheard that you’ve got a hatchery in your basement," he smiled.
I hesitated, trying to decide what he’d heard.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about," I said finally. I accidentally stepped on his foot again and he winced, but he didn’t stumble. The dance ended and we walked over to the refreshment table where Mendel offered me a glass of red punch. On either end of the table there were crystal bowls with red and blue fire newts. I forgot about Mendel and walked over to examine them, my mind drifting to Uncle W. The newts were twisting and sliding gracefully along the curved bottom of the bowl and they cast wonderful red and blue patterns on the ceiling. Mendel followed me.
"Don’t you have any spikebacks?" he demanded.
"No," I said, a little sharply, "just some newts."
He looked disappointed.
"The next dance is starting," said Mendel.
"I want to sit this one out," I looked around desperately, "See, there’s Felicia; you can ask her." That had the desired effect, because Felicia, like Mendel, is one of the best dancers in the class. Mendel hesitated a moment; then he left to ask Felicia for the next waltz. I stood with my back up against the wall, watching them move gracefully around the floor, and wondering how Mendel knew about the spikeback. I’m sure no one saw me release it, but maybe someone saw Liop catch it. You need a special permit to keep a spikeback—they’re too dangerous. Of course, Uncle W. never thought to get us one.
After that dance, Mrs. Dinette cornered us and told us to dance again. For the first half of the dance, neither of us said a word. I could tell Mendel was staying as far away from my bear’s feet as possible. Then, very suddenly, Mendel blurted out:
"How did you learn to speak Ripanian?"
My face went white as a sheet and I stopped dancing, which is probably the worst thing that I could have done. A few other people stared at us.
"I don’t speak Ripanian," I responded.
"But your little brother does," Mendel insisted, "Where did he learn?"
"He learned it from Father," I said slowly, "He traveled a lot, you know."
I wanted to run, but I’m glad I didn’t. Mendel must have realized he said something wrong, because he didn’t say anything else and tried to get me to dance again. I stepped on his foot twice. Then Mendel danced with Felicia the rest of the night, but he kept looking at me, probably because my face was so red. I could see people whispering everywhere, and I know this sounds paranoid, but I’m sure I heard Liop and Ripanian mentioned more than once. What an idiot I am! Why couldn’t I just smile and say Uncle W. hired a tutor to teach us? Everyone already thinks Uncle W. is eccentric, so it’s a good explanation. But if people figure out that Liop instinctively speaks all languages without having to learn them, then it’s only a matter of time before they start speculating about how it happened, and you know where that will lead—no one’s been in that cave for years; it’s blocked off, and the water—that’s supposed to be a myth. I hope people forget about it. I mean, it’s not like we’ve actually been to the cave, and that strange old woman who gave Liop the drink three years ago could have been lying about where the water came from, don’t you think? It could all be a strange coincidence. Still, I wish Father had taken her seriously and not let Liop drink it—or never let the woman spend the night in the first place. But Father would never do that; he would never turn an old woman away. And the water? Water that grants you your deepest, darkest wish—the wish that’s more likely to bring harm than good. Maybe that’s why she gave it to Liop—he was too small to have dangerous wishes. He only wished he could speak.
Last night I dreamt I was the girl in Rumpelstiltskin, only instead of spinning straw into gold, I had to draw maps to the Cave of Wishes. No one would believe me that I didn’t know where it was, and the king threatened to chop off my head. Then a little man came and said he’d draw me a map if I gave him Liop. I screamed and screamed for Imato until I woke up.
It would be wonderful if you could teach me to make chain mail. I want some to wear when I go searching for Uncle W. Imato doesn’t get any vacations for at least another month. I can’t ask him anyway, because he wouldn’t let me go.
Liop says "you’re welcome" for the seeds, but he thinks you’re making a mistake about Aron. I told him growth spells are overrated these days.
I hope your evenings are warm and cloudless for stargazing.
Love,
April 20, 2003
Dear Keish,
I was really glad to get your letter. It came at just the right time—the day of the cotillion, actually.
I don’t blame you for being worried about the prince. If I were you, I’d start thinking up ways to discourage his interest. A girl from my dance class named Junip once wore a hideous black and brown dress every day for a month to discourage the interest of a suitor. And I think Treany dumped dirty dishwater on one of her suitors (although that might get you into more trouble). Anyway, if the prince loses interest, then you won’t have to run away. Of course, you could come hide out at my house too, if you end up running away.
Astrological predictions and magic—what a perfect combination for you! I remember when we were little and you turned one of the garden cats pink. You were really good at spells. Do you think you’ll stay in the palace, or strike out on your own somewhere? You could come be the court astrologist for King Trunsle—I don’t think he has one. You’d be great, and we could get together more often. You’d be good in the theatre too, but with all your astrology experience, the classes your father wants you to take should be easy. I have no idea what I’ll do with the education I’m getting. I think Uncle Winthrop just expects me to marry and keep house. Liop wants to be a magician, of course, but you know what Uncle W. thinks of magic. I remember when Liop begged him for a magic book.
"Magic is as useful as hen’s teeth," he told us, "What people really need comes from the eggs." Then he enrolled Liop in first year alchemy, but the class was for older kids and Liop had to drop out after a week, because he was still learning to read. Uncle W. was disappointed.
I went to graduation cotillion. Treany’s old dress wasn’t bad – her seamstress removed all the bows and added a green sash so that it wouldn’t look so childish. (Treany really can be nice sometimes.) When I saw the dress, I thought maybe things wouldn’t be so bad after all. Mendel came to pick me up in a carriage and he even opened the door for me like a gentleman. I noticed the coachman was watching him closely, and there were the two most beautiful cream-colored horses pulling carriage. Mendel sat opposite me in the carriage and he shifted stiffly in the heavy fabric of his black suit. I thought that I should probably say something polite, but it’s hard to think of polite things in Mendel’s presence, so I made a comment about the weather.
"I wish it would snow," he responded instantly.
I murmured something that might have been polite agreement.
"If it snowed," Mendel continued earnestly, "then we could have a snowball fight. I bet your sash would make a great slingshot."
"My sash?"
"Yeah," he said slowly, "I thought of that because the feathers on your headband look like a snowball."
I sat very still and looked out the window, because I couldn’t decide if Mendel’s comparison was a compliment. Liop helped me make that headband out of chicken feathers, so that I would look a little fashionable like the rest of the girls.
Mendel didn’t say anything for the rest of the drive.
When we arrived at the dance, Mendel jumped out and opened the door for me. Since there were people watching, he also offered me his arm and escorted me into the ballroom. The first dance was a waltz, and I thought I was doing okay with it until Mendel leaned over suddenly and asked me how many spikebacks I own. I was so startled, that I stepped on his foot and tripped both of us.
"What do you mean?" I hissed when we regained our balance. Mendel’s blue eyes were very wide and deceivingly innocent.
"I just overheard that you’ve got a hatchery in your basement," he smiled.
I hesitated, trying to decide what he’d heard.
"I don’t know what you’re talking about," I said finally. I accidentally stepped on his foot again and he winced, but he didn’t stumble. The dance ended and we walked over to the refreshment table where Mendel offered me a glass of red punch. On either end of the table there were crystal bowls with red and blue fire newts. I forgot about Mendel and walked over to examine them, my mind drifting to Uncle W. The newts were twisting and sliding gracefully along the curved bottom of the bowl and they cast wonderful red and blue patterns on the ceiling. Mendel followed me.
"Don’t you have any spikebacks?" he demanded.
"No," I said, a little sharply, "just some newts."
He looked disappointed.
"The next dance is starting," said Mendel.
"I want to sit this one out," I looked around desperately, "See, there’s Felicia; you can ask her." That had the desired effect, because Felicia, like Mendel, is one of the best dancers in the class. Mendel hesitated a moment; then he left to ask Felicia for the next waltz. I stood with my back up against the wall, watching them move gracefully around the floor, and wondering how Mendel knew about the spikeback. I’m sure no one saw me release it, but maybe someone saw Liop catch it. You need a special permit to keep a spikeback—they’re too dangerous. Of course, Uncle W. never thought to get us one.
After that dance, Mrs. Dinette cornered us and told us to dance again. For the first half of the dance, neither of us said a word. I could tell Mendel was staying as far away from my bear’s feet as possible. Then, very suddenly, Mendel blurted out:
"How did you learn to speak Ripanian?"
My face went white as a sheet and I stopped dancing, which is probably the worst thing that I could have done. A few other people stared at us.
"I don’t speak Ripanian," I responded.
"But your little brother does," Mendel insisted, "Where did he learn?"
"He learned it from Father," I said slowly, "He traveled a lot, you know."
I wanted to run, but I’m glad I didn’t. Mendel must have realized he said something wrong, because he didn’t say anything else and tried to get me to dance again. I stepped on his foot twice. Then Mendel danced with Felicia the rest of the night, but he kept looking at me, probably because my face was so red. I could see people whispering everywhere, and I know this sounds paranoid, but I’m sure I heard Liop and Ripanian mentioned more than once. What an idiot I am! Why couldn’t I just smile and say Uncle W. hired a tutor to teach us? Everyone already thinks Uncle W. is eccentric, so it’s a good explanation. But if people figure out that Liop instinctively speaks all languages without having to learn them, then it’s only a matter of time before they start speculating about how it happened, and you know where that will lead—no one’s been in that cave for years; it’s blocked off, and the water—that’s supposed to be a myth. I hope people forget about it. I mean, it’s not like we’ve actually been to the cave, and that strange old woman who gave Liop the drink three years ago could have been lying about where the water came from, don’t you think? It could all be a strange coincidence. Still, I wish Father had taken her seriously and not let Liop drink it—or never let the woman spend the night in the first place. But Father would never do that; he would never turn an old woman away. And the water? Water that grants you your deepest, darkest wish—the wish that’s more likely to bring harm than good. Maybe that’s why she gave it to Liop—he was too small to have dangerous wishes. He only wished he could speak.
Last night I dreamt I was the girl in Rumpelstiltskin, only instead of spinning straw into gold, I had to draw maps to the Cave of Wishes. No one would believe me that I didn’t know where it was, and the king threatened to chop off my head. Then a little man came and said he’d draw me a map if I gave him Liop. I screamed and screamed for Imato until I woke up.
It would be wonderful if you could teach me to make chain mail. I want some to wear when I go searching for Uncle W. Imato doesn’t get any vacations for at least another month. I can’t ask him anyway, because he wouldn’t let me go.
Liop says "you’re welcome" for the seeds, but he thinks you’re making a mistake about Aron. I told him growth spells are overrated these days.
I hope your evenings are warm and cloudless for stargazing.
Love,
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