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Keish- January 20, 2005


January 20, 2005
Dear Arri,
Words cannot express what a strain it has been this week to carry on as if everything were perfectly normal.  Thank heavens we had already made tomorrow a study day-- I’m not sure I could handle teaching.
We’ve explained the situation to our students as best we could.  I’m proud to say we’ve not lost a single one.  In fact, the boys have begun escorting the girls to classes as much as they can.
Sadly, however, two of our students have lost their positions as a result of all this.
One is the footman who worked for the Viteris.  We made it clear that we will find positions for anyone turned off for attending school, so he came straight to us.  He’s been sworn to secrecy (as have all of our servants, of course) about Caden’s comings and goings and when Caden showed up this afternoon he promptly made Alexander his valet/assistant.  Alexander will continue to stay with us, of course, but he is certainly pleased with the arrangement.
(Caden of course already had a valet, but the man is technically in the employ of his parents, so Caden doesn’t feel easy with him.  Especially now.)
We have had a couple of minor incidents.  Nothing serious, but Imato will be pleased to hear that his wards have been very useful.  Especially on Jace’s training yard.  Today I actually activated the personal wards on both of us as well.  Just in case.
Caden was able to get an original manuscript but because he has to be so careful about coming we had to wait until late this afternoon.
He arrived looking grim, carrying the printed Gazette as well since we’ve stopped receiving it.  I reached for it, but he held it away.  “There’s something you both need to know first.  King Trunsle called up the 14th Division yesterday.”
I closed my eyes briefly.
“Imato,” I heard Jace say in a soft, pained voice.
Caden nodded.  “They leave Saturday.”
I had to sit down.
Jace read the Gazette while I read the original manuscript.  It was awful, of course.
“Why couldn’t they leave Uncle W. alone?” I asked angrily.
“I don’t know,” Caden said quietly, “but it didn’t show up in the FlyBy at least.  And I was able to adjust it a little before final printing.”
Jace and I looked at him then quickly traded.  It was still bad, but at least what was actually printed didn’t directly accuse Uncle W. of using his fireworks as weapons.
We were already in my study, so I took the original manuscript and the blank pages and started setting things up.
Caden cleared his throat.  “Do you want me to make sure Imato receives today’s Gazette before he leaves?”
“No,” I replied quickly.  “In fact, I’d like you to make sure his subscription is cancelled if you can.  Or at least send it to Uncle Winthrop instead.”
Jace nodded in agreement.  “If it’s forwarded it will just distract him and if it’s not…”
“It will just upset Lady Gretel,” Caden finished.  “Done.  Speaking of Lady Gretel…” he trailed off nervously.
“Out with it,” Jace ordered.
“Lady Aoweir was over for tea with my mother today.’
“My condolences,” I said without looking up as I rearranged the papers in front of me.
“Yes, well.  I happened to overhear her mention that she was going to write a stern letter explaining to her daughter that there is not shame in leaving a husband who…”
I cut him off with a growl.  “Enough.  I’m quite capable of imagining Lady Aoweir’s remarks.  I’ll mention it to Arri.  Hopefully my letter gets there first, since I’m sure Lady Aoweir will make sure Sir Aoweir doesn’t remove it from the post.”  I sighed, leaning against the table.  “I imagine it’s only a matter of time before Keaton’s parents get similar ideas.”
“Actually, I may have caused an accidental suspension of their subscription.”
“Really?” Jace asked, amused.
Caden nodded somewhat sheepishly.  “I didn’t think you needed more stress.  With the weather deliveries can be less than reliable this time of year anyway.”
“Thank you,” Jace said sincerely.
I was frowning at the table.  “Well that’s not going to work.”
Caden looked panicked.  “What did I do wrong?”
“Nothing,” I replied.  “We’ll just have to deal with things one at a time.  You took both old and new paper?”
“Oh yes.  I forgot to mention that.”
I nodded absently, running my fingers lightly over the blank sheets.  I could tell the difference-- the simpler enchantment on the older sheet with the much stronger spell on the newer.
“I wonder…” I murmured, rearranging yet again.  This time I removed the manuscript and put the blank sheets on either side of my mirror.
First I very carefully checked the enchantments on the newer paper. While not quite as bad as those on the FlyBy I was still going to have to be very very careful.
I said as much and the worry line between Jace’s eyes grew deeper.
“It’s okay.  A comparative spell is more complicated, but ultimately safer,” I explained.  “I’m ready.”
I slowed my breathing and slowly brought a hand over each paper.  I closed my eyes.
“Are you sure you should let her do this?” I heard Caden whisper to Jace.
“Quiet please,” I said, trying to slow my heart and clear my mind.
“Jace, this isn’t a good idea.”
“Quiet,” I said more sharply.
“What if it’s like…”
“Jace!”
My eyes were still closed but I heard Jace grab Caden and put a hand over his mouth.
When I felt centered and focused I opened my eyes and looked deep into my mirror.
“Not the same person.  Part of the deal in printing the stories to begin with was paper with a better enchantment…”  My eyes narrowed.  “Lord Schieving?” I asked, looking at Caden and Jace in surprise.
“He has magic?” Jace asked in surprise.
“No, she meant he runs the Gazette,” Caden answered.
Jace shook his head.  “That puts that awful dinner party in an entirely different light, doesn’t it?”
Caden gave him a crooked grin.  “He was hoping for a good story.  Instead you left him embarrassed, speechless and in more than a little trouble with Lady Schieving.”
“At first the stories probably looked harmless.  Maybe the manuscripts were even enchanted to make them seem so.  Then eventually Schieving was in too deep.”  I stared into the mirror, focusing on just the newer paper (very carefully).  “I can’t tell who it is, but I think whoever enchanted the paper is also writing the stories.”
I pulled away from the blank sheets carefully.  “Jace, would you remove those for me?  I’m not sure I dare actually touch them.”
“Can I burn them?” he asked.
“Probably shouldn’t just yet.  We may need them again.  When this is all over, though, I think a bonfire is in order.”
Caden nodded.
I brought the manuscript back out and placed it on my mirror, slightly off-center.  I quickly searched for dangerous spells.  Finding nothing concerning, I took a deep breath and blew onto my mirror, fogging the surface.
As it cleared, I watched closely.
The image was very fuzzy.  Frowning, I tried harder, putting more magic into the spell.  I had leaned forward so far my nose was nearly touching my mirror, but the image didn’t get any clearer.
I made one final attempt, pushing even more magic into the spell…
And was thrown backwards into my chair for my troubles.
Jace must have moved behind me at some point because he caught the chair when it tipped.  “Okay, love?”
I nodded, eyes closed.
“Are you sure?” Caden asked, concerned.
I opened my eyes a slit.  “What did you think the pillows were for?”
“What happened?” Jace asked.  “The paper?”
I shook my head slowly.  “Wards,” I said, “but different wards.  I didn’t recognize them.  Certainly not the same person.”
Jace looked thoughtful.  “Then it would have to be…”
I nodded.
“Would have to be what?” Caden asked, exasperated.
“A protected location of some sort.  The wards aren’t new, so it’s possibly coincidental, but I’m not going to find anything out while he, or she, is there.”
“So we have nothing.”
Jace shook his head.  “No, actually.  We know that this will work as soon as whoever it is leaves.  It was the wards that affected the divination, not the person.  I’d say that’s pretty good news.”
Caden looked confused still, but didn’t pursue it once he realized what time it was.  “The opera,” he muttered.  “With whichever Melchoir I invited.”
“You don’t remember?” Jace asked.
He sighed heavily.  “They’re practically interchangeable.”  He looked at me.  “You realize this is the last event on that schedule you gave me.”
I shrugged.  “Bring me all the notes you’ve supposedly been taking and I’ll draw up a new one.”
Caden nodded and turned to leave.  “You’re sure you’re okay?”
I rolled my eyes and Jace chuckled.  “She’s fine.  Trust me, she’s had much worse results.”
I chose to ignore that.  “I’ll try again later and I’ll keep trying until it works.”
Caden nodded again and left.
Jace pulled me up and into his arms to reassure himself that I was okay.  Once I’d convinced him I was indeed fine, we enjoyed a lively dinner with Keaton, who told us all about what happens to eggs that have been left in vinegar for a completely ridiculous amount of time.
And then he showed us the large purple dragon on his arm.  Apparently he found my other copy of the book of personal transfigurations.  He was disappointed, actually.  The spell was supposed to make purple dragons appear all over one’s body, but personally I was impressed he’d managed it at all.  After dinner he went off to write to tell Liop all about it.  I decided not to confiscate the book quite yet.
After dinner I tried divining the writer of the manuscript again, but the wards were still in full effect, so I gave up and started writing.  I’ll try again tomorrow.

Jan. 21st
Still nothing.
Whoever this person is, they have to leave the warded location eventually, right?
Caden sent his notes to me by way of a convoluted series of messengers that he has set up.  I made up another schedule and sent it back through the same system.
Jace and I graded assignments while Chewy attacked a poor defenseless boot that Malia found for him.  Keaton spent the morning pestering Master Zart until he gave in and the two of them went to visit Tish.
If it weren’t for the divining periodically and the shadow hanging over us, it would have been a wonderful day.

Jan. 22nd
I have your letter.  Are you at the parade?  I suppose you are.  I don’t see anything celebratory about seeing Imato off, but I understand the reasoning.
I wish I’d thought of a way to warn King Trunsle’s magicians.  King Menion hasn’t kept one at court in years and since I have been involved he didn’t see a reason to call for any of the magicians he consults.  I’m glad Master Ujifil is tending to them.
I suppose Imato’s experiments will have to be put on hold.  It’s unlikely he’ll have any proper equipment at the border.  Just as well, I suppose, though I do hope he’s taking the book of wards with him.
Looking at cells almost sounds like divining-- sometimes the problem is looking so closely everything is a blur.

Later
Caden’s unexpected arrival interrupted my writing.  I told him and Jace about your essay assignment.
“Why is that such a popular selection?” Caden asked.  “It’s not even well-written.”
Jace laughed.  “Queen Elspeth forbade palace tutors from using it years ago.”
“I read the first page and then burned it,” I said with a shrug.
Caden’s eyes widened.  “I’ll bet Master Nedhor had a fit!  I’m surprised he gave you passing marks!”
I smiled.  “He had to.  I wrote a ten page rebuttal that not only refuted Reilly’s premise but also detailed how it was demeaning to my intelligence to insist I read it.  It was well-written enough he had to pass me.”
Caden laughed.  “He’s the one who got me started on the Gazette, you know.  I’m surprised he didn’t ask you as well.”
“I think I frightened him.”
Jace laughed.  “More than likely.  I agree with Arri, though-- no taking your best dress to a battle.”

Caden is very pleased that Liop loved the kit as much as Keaton did.  I think he’s planning to make up another later in the week.
Personally I am very glad Uncle W. is going to approve Liop’s ideas.  The alternative is terrifying.
Caden has ensured that Imato will not be receiving the Gazette, so there’s one less distraction at any rate.
I told Jace and Caden about King Trunsle’s orders.
Jace shrugged.  “If they’re as in the dark about all of this as we are here it might not help.”
“My uncle told me this morning he was going to issue the same orders,” Caden said quietly.
“What did you say?” Jace asked.
“I told him he might as well start with me then.  He was surprised, but not as much as I thought he’d be.  He insisted I give him a list of everyone involved.”  Caden looked uncomfortable with that.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Jace told him.  “This way King Menion can make more discreet inquiries.”
“And he promised to keep my involvement secret.”
“There, see.  Better than blanket orders probably, anyway, right?”
I was reading your letter still and interrupted them.  “Jace, what do you know about the wards on the castle?”
“Mostly just that they’re ancient.  Why?” Jace asked.  “What are you thinking?”
Instead of answering I went to my study.  Jace and Caden followed, finding me already divining.
I tried the spell again, but this time I focused on the wards-- on the resistance-- and I gasped.
“Keisha?” Jace asked softly.  “Are the wards ancient?”
I nodded, biting my lip.
Caden looked startled.  “But wouldn’t that mean…”
“Whoever this is… is in the castle,” I whispered.
We just looked at each other in stunned silence for several minutes.
“We have to inform King Trunsle,” Caden said insistently.
Jace was more cautious.  “We don’t know enough.  An official dispatch may cause more harm than good.  We need to be very careful about sending anything directly to the castle until we know what we’re dealing with.”
“I hate to say it,” I put in, “but I think we need Tulson.”
Jace nodded slowly.  “He’ll be in Rousha for the Winter Festival, but not at the castle.  A letter to him is less of a risk and he can take the information directly to his father.”
Caden agreed reluctantly.  “Let’s just hope he’s not as worthless as Euan,” he muttered as he left to give what little information we had to King Menion, as well as inform him that we’d write to Tulson.
Jace wrote to Tulson and we sent it by a palace passenger pigeon, so he should have it when you receive this, but I’ll end now so that I can send Hermes back to you.
I’ll keep trying the divination.  Eventually he or she has to leave the castle.

Love Always,

Keish

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