Keish- July 13, 2004

July 13, 2004
Dear Arri,

I think it has finally occurred to Imato that he and Gretel will be separated for several days, given that she leaves tomorrow.  They snuck away for a picnic and I doubt we’ll see them before dinner.  Actually with how much food Cook packed for them it may be after dinner.  I think Cook is going to miss Gretel (and Imato) as much as the rest of us.
I told Gretel to take Argentum-- heaven knows I won’t be able to take him out today with this spell giving me new fits.  Imato really must find her a good mount soon.  I know she’s not picky about horses but she is a fine rider and should have a mount that’s Glory’s equal.
In other news, Brooksby is most definitely still scared of me and I haven’t the faintest idea why.  It’s not as though I’ve done anything to the man and I’ve really been quite well-behaved in the time he’s been here.  Even Imato agrees, though there was certainly an undertone of sarcasm this morning when he declared I’d been a “model of decorum”.
This was after I’d spent a quarter of an hour trying to run the man to ground to ask him a simple question.  A task which Jace then accomplished in a mere three minutes.
So now I have to come up with a scheme to discover why my butler develops a tic when he’s in my presence for too long… as well as sort out the rest of this spell.
I thought I had a good grasp of it when Uncle W. and Nysa left yesterday but after breakfast this morning I discovered a new level of complexity to it.  Imato is of no help whatsoever, though he did at least have the grace to offer.  But really since he has basically no experience with a spell of this caliber it would have been a shame to ruin his day too.  Besides, Gretel may have killed me.
It’s old, Arri.  The kind of old that makes most things elegant and charming but unfortunately just makes magic convoluted.
With any other spell I’d “translate” it into something simpler and more in keeping with the latest theories, but with this… It’s too important.  I don’t dare.
And so I press on, slogging through parameters that I want to label excessive and ridiculous, but that I know I must follow in the strictest fashion possible.
It is a fine mess.
(Actually, that’s not a phrase that does the situation justice.  Liop would have a more colorful description I’m sure.  Set him to thinking of some for me, would you?  He can made a list of phrases and I will be able to choose from them at times such as this.)

Later

I’ve hit upon a scheme for finding out why Brooksby is terrified of me.  I simply delegated the task to Malia and Ryland.  There is no one quite like young servants for finding gossip.  Granted, butlers tend to be less gossipy--too proper-- but I’ve no doubt they’ll get it out of him eventually.
Ryland had misgivings, of course, but Malia thought it could be fun.
“I could just ask him,” Jace offered after I sent the siblings off to see what tales they could dig up.
“He wouldn’t tell you,” I argued amiably.  “It would be grounds for dismissal.”
“I suppose you’re right.  But you think he’ll tell them?”
“Well, maybe not.  But he may tell Marta or Cook, who’d be more likely to tell them.”
Jace considered this.  “Marta might be willing to tell you directly.”
I shrugged.  “Maybe, but this is, if nothing else, a good starting point.”
“Speaking of good starting points, where are you on the spell?”
I rolled my eyes.  “Just far enough to know I’ll be at it all day tomorrow too.”
“I hope you can pull yourself away for Cook’s feast.  Otherwise we may have a war on the domestic front.”
I smiled.  “Well we wouldn’t want that.  A terrified butler is one thing, but I shudder to think what troubles an offended cook would cause.”
“No good would come of it, to be sure,” Jace responded with a smile.  He kissed my forehead lightly.  “You’ll get it all worked out just fine.  You know that, right?”
I sighed.  “If I get just one detail of the parameters wrong…”
“You won’t,” he said confidently.
I looked back at the table, or rather at my notes, which currently render the table invisible.  I wish I felt as confident as Jace.

July 14th

I know I’ll see Gretel in a few days, but the permanence of it all hit me as I watched her carriage leave.  She won’t be coming back to Adya-- not to live.  I feel rather like having a tantrum.

Later

Rather than a tantrum, I walked Imato through what I’d gotten done of the spell.  The incantations are finished, thank heavens.
I’ve also worked out the location parameters-- it has to be done outside, preferably in some sort of courtyard without any fountain or other water but surrounded on at least three sides by greenery.  Luckily, Jace says he knows just the place and sent word to Tulson to secure it for our use the entire time we are in Rousha.
There are also time specifications, both for the spell and for preparing the location, but I’ll deal with those tomorrow.  Hermes just arrived, so I’m going to read your letter.

July 15th

I meant to respond to your letter last night, but when I read the number of other relatives I went straight back to the spell.  Being unsure how many would want to be involved, I worked out minimum parameters (8 people) and maximum parameters (30 people-- I rounded up just to be safe).  Once we are in Rousha and know the exact number it will be a simple thing to adjust the spell within those bounds.  (I hope.)
By all means, Arri, speak up in class!  If a man in intimidated by your intelligence he most certainly doesn’t deserve you.  (That’s from Imato and Jace too, though they had more… colorful things to say about young men that are intimidated by smart women.)
I think it’s fabulous Liop had such a fine birthday party.  He certainly deserved one.
The conversation you overheard certainly seems odd.  It’s a pity you didn’t hear more-- there’s so little to speculate on!
I can’t see anything about you and the fairy healer.  Not that I expected to after what Trena said, but I figured I’d try.  I think she’s right-- it must be far in the future indeed.
As for the present, though, it’s back to my work.  I want to get the rest of the parameters set today so that I can watch Imato compete and enjoy the ceremonies afterward with out this spell weighing on my mind.  (You know, I think I’m actually going to miss your brother-- even if all he does most of the time is heckle me.)  If the parameters are worked out any remaining tasks can be completed in the carriage or something.

Later

Not too long after writing the above, I worked out the time parameters.  And sent out a calling spell to fetch Imato almost immediately.
“Does your calling spell have to sound like a bell ringing?  I’m not your servant, you know,” Imato grumbled good-naturedly as he entered the library.
“You are until we get to Rousha.  Gretel said so,” I retorted.
He snorted.  “She probably did.  Very well,” he sighed, giving me a slight bow, “what do you wish of me, Milady?”
I bit my lip.  “The spell has three parts-- two preparatory rituals and the final ceremony.”
He nodded quickly.  “Yes, we went over that.  We need everyone to gather, then there’s the preparation that can be done by one or two, and then the actual spell.  What of it?”
“I’ve worked out the timing,” I said, softly, feeling almost timid.  “And I discovered an offshoot spell.”
“Okay…” Imato said slowly, confused by my unusual behavior.
I spoke in a rush.  “The initial gathering has to be at moonrise two full days before the spell in to be preformed.  The preparation work, moonrise again, the night before.  The actual spell, however, mush be performed at sunrise and can only be performed on certain days of the week.  And the moon must be at least waxing, preferably becoming full at the completion of the spell.”
He thought on this a moment.  “And the offshoot spell?” He sounded almost afraid to ask.
“A separate ritual to be preformed if anyone was not married during the initial spell-- to be preformed within three days after their wedding.”
Imato furrowed his brow.  “Which means what, exactly, for us?”
“Well, with the schedule of events, you have to put off leaving on your wedding trip so that everything can be done after your wedding.  Full moon will be Saturday.”
He put his face in his hands.  “Lovely.  Gretel’s going to kill one of us.”
“Neither of us wrote the blasted thing,” I said.  “Let’s just be grateful it won’t interfere with the actual wedding.  I have a feeling Lady Aoweir really would kill one of us.”
That earned me another snort, but Imato still didn’t look up.  After a few moments silence he finally looked at me.  “I suppose I’ll be changing travel plans, then?”
I nodded.  “I don’t think it’s wise to put it off another month, really.”
“No,” he said firmly.  “Now that we have the spell we most certainly want to be done with it.  Though I suppose we’ll be casting the other spell at every family wedding from now on.”
I sighed.  “I haven’t even looked closely at it yet.  I suppose I have some time, though.”
With that settled, he left to write a few hasty letters concerning travel arrangements before heading back out to the training yards to prepare for tomorrow.
I, of course, went back to the spell and got a good bit accomplished.  Not on the secondary spell, of course, but I shouldn’t need that until someone else gets married.
Unfortunately, Jace has just come in to remind me that we’re to go to a dinner party this evening.  Lord Schieving, another of the King’s advisors, invited Jace and I as well as Papa and with everything that’s been going on it completely slipped my mind.  Which naturally meant that Papa accepted on our behalf as well as his own.  I may have to speak to him about that.
For now, though, I suppose I have to go get ready.
Much Later

Dinner was fine; what came after was a disaster.  Well, maybe not entirely, but the Gazette will certainly have a field day.
We were in the parlor afterwards-- our hostess had arranged some card games and other such entertainment-- and Jace and I were each drifting about talking to acquaintances.  At one point, Jace was engaged with our host.  As I’ve never particularly liked the man, I lingered near a game of cards, pretending to be interested, while waiting for our host to be drawn away from my husband.
Unfortunately, I was near enough to hear their conversation quite clearly.
“We’ve all been so pleased, Master Pren, at how well you’ve taken Lady Lakeisha in hand,” our esteemed host was saying in that oily tone he has.  “There were of course some rumors about your wedding trip, but all’s been quiet since your return.  I’ve not heard of even a single thrown teacup.”
Given the topic of the conversation, I drifted a bit closer, reaching Jace’s side as the nasty man said, “I dare say you’ve managed to tame her more fully than anyone expected was possible.”
I drew myself up to my full height.  “You will refrain from speaking about me as though I were not present, Sir.”  My voice rang with the full authority of both families I was born to.
It was utterly satisfying to see the little toad of a man rendered speechless.
“Actually, I don’t think there’s anything left to say,” Jace commented.  He gave an overly formal bow and offered my his arm.  We swept out of the room in a most regal manner, making polite goodbyes to our rather stunned hostess.
When we were safely back in our own rooms, Jace erupted in laughter.
“I’m glad you find this amusing,” I said, trying vainly to remain affronted.
Of course that only made him laugh harder and so when Imato came into the sitting room demanding to know what I had done now, Jace was of no help at all in explaining matters.
By the time I was finished, Imato’s mouth was twitching from trying to hid his amusement, which naturally renewed Jace’s and soon they were both laughing.  I did the only sensible thing-- joined them.
“The look on his face when she said it,” Jace told Imato once we’d all subsided.
“Well he rather deserved it,” Imato declared.  “It’s one thing for me to say something about you taking charge of Keish, as if anyone could.  But for him to say such a thing, with Keish right there!  And in company, as host!”
“His wife did seem rather appalled as we took our leave,” I said dryly.
Imato snorted.  “I should hope so.”
Of course then Papa came in, having stayed behind us a bit.  Doubtless to smooth things over with poor Lady Schieving.  “Perhaps I shouldn’t accept invitations from Schieving on behalf of any of us anymore,” he observed as he came in.
Jace tried to look serious.  “I am sorry to have caused such an incident.”
Papa just laughed.  “Nonsense, Jace, the man had it coming.  Keisha was quite right to call him on it.  Insolent prig.”
Perhaps I won’t have to speak to Papa about accepting invitations for us in the future after all.

As it stands, I am doubtless once again all the talk, though I don’t care anymore now that I’m a married woman than I did before.  In fact, I shall sleep quite well tonight in spite of it all.
I have done enough on the spell to leave off until we leave Adya, I’m looking forward to seeing Imato do well for himself over the next two days and I’m even almost looking forward to the ball at the end of the exhibition.
Rather than stealing Imato’s thunder, though, I will close this letter now and allow him to give you a full account of his performance when he sees you.
I think I’ll bring Argentum, perhaps… rather than be confined to a carriage for more than two days.
I’ll have to send Hermes off in the morning since it’s so late now, but I shall see you soon!

Love Always,

Keish

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