January 30, 2004
Dear Arri,
Four full days in Rousha and there is so much we didn’t get to talk about! It might as well have been four days in Adya, I have so much to write! Of course, I barely even saw you the first two days and the other two were so busy that we didn’t get to talk about much else.
So… how was spending a day helping Queen Elspeth get ready for the ball? I think I’d have died if I’d had to spend that beautiful crisp day directing servants in that busy ballroom. The tables did look nice, though. I’m sure your help was invaluable. (I’m sorry, I can’t help but tease you a little. I’m sure you were very helpful.)
I spent the day with Jace and Taty. He showed me old Rousha and all of the things he planned to show Liop the day after the ball. So many great things to see! It’s no wonder Liop kept switching languages in excitement that night.
It was good to spend time with Jace again. I’ve missed him, even though it hasn’t been too long since he left Adya. I think Taty got bored with us, though. She told Jace to “find another chaperone next time.” He just laughed.
The day of the ball was, naturally spent getting ready and controlling rumors. (Gretel says I should change that to spreading rumors, but really I was trying to control them,) Clearly, I spent too much time in the palace. I didn’t need all day to get ready, but everyone else seems to, so I stayed with Gretel and we heard all sorts of rumors. Most of them were about you, which is why I was trying to control them. (It’s also why I didn’t mention them to you that night-- you seemed nervous enough.) Anyway, even with Lady Pren introducing Clara to a few people as “a special guest,” nobody was picking up on it. Everywhere we went in the palace we heard the rumors about Tulson marrying a Brio.
In the anteroom, drying our hair after the baths, there were four of the young ladies of the court who were going on and on about you when we walked in. I decided enough was enough.
“Have you met Mistress Clara Songson yet?” I asked them, innocently. “I wonder why she would choose now to come to court.”
“The Prince’s announcement, of course,” one of them answered. (I don’t remember their names, so we’ll call her “Red Hair”.)
“Yes, isn’t she your cousin’s friend?” added Brown Hair.
“Well, yes I believe she is, so she must know…” I trailed off, “hesitating.”
“Know what?” asked Curly Blond excitedly.
“Well I don’t know if I should say anything,” I demurred.
Gretel rolled her eyes. “It’s bound to come out,” she said. “Just tell them.” (Not that she had any idea what I had in mind, but she trusts me… for some odd reason, she says.)
I fretted a moment or two more, then said softly. “Well I guess it’s okay to tell you, as long as you don’t tell anyone.”
They hastened to assure me that no a soul would be told, so, content in the knowledge that what I said would be everywhere within the hour, I continued. “I’ve read the cards for a match between Prince Tulson and Lady Arri. No matter how many times I do it, she’s a widow by 20. It always ends in disaster.”
“Now be fair,” said Gretel, trying valiantly not to laugh, “one time it was Lady Arri that was killed tragically and Prince Tulson was left a widower at 22.”
“That’s true. That was if they married on his birthday. If they married on her birthday they both died in a horrible accident within a week. The point is, it’s a bad match every time.”
“But couldn’t the cards be wrong?” Other Blond asked.
I responded abruptly, “You doubt my ability to read the cards?” (Said while rising dramatically, of course.)
They all quickly insisted that they didn’t doubt any such thing and I sat back down, mollified.
“It’s just so sad,” Brown Hair said. “We were all so sure. Poor Lady Arri.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t say ‘poor Lady Arri’. She’s being courted by a wonderful young man. And you know what ‘wonderful’ means,” I said with a wink.
“Lots of land and money,” Gretel answered in a conspiratorial whisper.
They all nodded.
“Who is he?” asked Red Hair.
I put my hand to the base of my throat in innocent protest. “Gossip about my cousin? And in front of her soon-to-be sister-in-law? Oh, I couldn’t. And you mustn’t say anything to Arri. It’s supposed to be a secret.”
Since nothing is so exciting as knowing about a secret courtship, I believed them this time when they declared they’d never tell. I’m sure you probably had four girls giving you very interested looks all through the ball, though.
“So who is Prince Tulson marrying?” Curly Blond asked.
I glanced at Gretel questioningly. She shrugged slightly and turned to the four girls. “You really haven’t wondered why Clara Songson would suddenly come to court?” she asked.
“I know if I were her, I wouldn’t have come unless the announcement was about a family member or something,” I said nonchalantly, watching their reactions while pretending to study my nails.
The reactions varied in levels of confusion. Red Hair was most perplexed. “But who is her family? No one has even been able to figure out where she came from. They might be minor landowners from the borderlands.”
“Have you seen her?” asked Gretel.
“Do you really think she’d hold herself like royalty if that were the case?” I added, playing to the common perceptions of class.
“Maybe she’s a relation of the Pren’s,” suggested Curly Blond.
“She is staying with them,” pointed out the Other Blond.
I shook my head. “Jace and Taty said she’s a family friend.”
Gretel jumped in before they could protest more. “Friend of a Brio, friend of the Pren’s, holds herself like a queen… I don’t think anyone needs to be concerned about her family.”
Brown Hair finally piped up. “But it’s just her. I’m not sure she has any family.”
I shrugged. “Well, if she’s not here because it’s going to be her friend and she doesn’t have any sister…” I trailed off significantly.
Their eyes all grew large. “You mean…” Red Hair started.
I shrugged again. “I’m just saying.”
Glowing with excitement, they all hastily gathered up their things and said goodbye.
As soon as they were gone, Gretel and I dissolved into hysterical laughter.
“You liar,” Gretel said when she regained her composure. “All that about the cards.”
I shrugged. “I can make the cards say anything I want them to say.”
“You know, it’s too bad you don’t like all the intrigue of court life,” she said as we went back to our rooms, “because you’re appallingly good at it!”
I ran into Tulson later in the afternoon-- he was uncharacteristically nervous. So much so, in fact, that Jace and I decided we really just couldn’t play any pranks on him.
And before anyone else asks-- NO! we were not responsible for the exploding cravat! I don’t know why people don’t believe me. Don’t they know how much I’d love to be able to claim responsibility for such a great idea?
You looked stunning at the ball. I’m glad you liked the gown. Imato seemed impressed. I thought Mendel might faint! (I’m sorry, it was just so funny!)
I actually enjoyed the ball. Jace and I don’t ever get to go to balls together. He was a little possessive, though, wasn’t he? I really didn’t mind, though. I really didn’t want to dance with anyone else. (Tulson doesn’t count, he only danced with me to ask what I’d been telling people about Clara and to accuse me of causing his cravat to explode,)
You danced a lot. Mendel, Sean, Tulson, and what… half a dozen others? It’s as if the whole kingdom suddenly realized you’re an eligible young lady. (I’m teasing again, aren’t I? I just can’t seem to help it.) Oh and if Imato starts lecturing you again, you’re supposed to remind him that Gretel said to leave you alone. He wanted to pull you aside after you danced a couple of times each with Mendel and Sean, but Gretel wouldn’t let him. “It’s a ball,” she told him. “Let her be. She should dance with whomever she pleases.”
He grumbled a bit. I don’t think he likes people realizing his little sister is a young lady. I guess it’s just part of being a big brother. This was Taty’s first ball and Jace was grumbling about who she was dancing with, too.
I thought Tulson’s announcement went fairly well. Her connection to you and how she carries herself was already being discussed and Gretel and I had already planted the suspicion that she was the one. The King and Queen were a bit surprised, but Queen Elspeth seemed to be pretty understanding. She had Clara move to the palace, after all. I think what you said to her at the Westridge’s really helped.
It was probably for the best that Sean and Mendel were the only Westridges there, though. I overheard Sean telling Imato that his parents were going to need some time to adjust to the idea.
Speaking of adjusting, I’m glad Nysa came to the ball. She looked lovely. I think she only danced with Sean, Mendel and Imato, but she seemed to enjoy herself. I saw several men that looked disappointed that she left early-- and a couple of them even looked jealous that Sean got to escort her home!
The day after the ball was fun, wasn’t it? I enjoyed the festival market the most. I’m glad Lady Pren convinced Clara to come with us; I enjoyed getting to know her. You’re absolutely right about her making an excellent wife for Tulson.
Father and Uncle Winthrop really seemed to enjoy the gifts we found for them at the market. (Well, okay, I don’t think Uncle W. was actually all that thrilled with the
book of practical magic I got him, but maybe he’s softening just a bit. Either that or he was just being on his best behavior because he had told you he would.)
Speaking of shopping, don’t think I didn’t notice you trying to put the rest of the money I gave you back in my handbag. It’s on the bookshelf in your room. It was a gift and I don’t want it back. If you can’t bring yourself to spend it on yourself (though that dress we found at the market was perfect-- you should get a couple more) then buy something for Liop or something. I’m not taking it back.
I’m glad you and Taty got along so well. You’ve got two good friends in Rousha now to help you get settled in. (Granted, Clara’s just getting settled in too, but still.) Clara and Gretel got along well, also, which will be great for Gretel if Imato ends up with a post near Tulson and Clara.
Did anyone else feel like Lady Pren was trying to push you and Taty together and Clara and Gretel together, leaving me with her? It certainly felt that way to me! I didn’t mind too much, she is wonderful, but it felt like she had some sort of ulterior motive-- like when the Queen wanted to meet you. I felt like I was being evaluated for something. But Jace didn’t say anything… Maybe I’m imagining things. I probably won’t even see Jace again for several weeks. He wasn’t ever sure he’d be able to come for my birthday.
Dinner was wonderful; I think everyone had a good time. Don’t you agree that Father is acting odd, though? I don’t suppose he said anything to you that would explain it?
While you and he were talking after dinner, Nysa and I went out for some air. I didn’t really get a chance to tell you about it though.
“I recognize you,” she said almost immediately. “You were the one in the cave.”
I nodded. “I made that journey.”
“You did for this family what no one else could have. That child was never born.”
“My mother was killed while with child,” I responded softly.
She looked startled. “Your… mother…” You could see her struggling to remember.
“Ellean, your sister,” I explained. That was when I noticed that she was holding you book of fairy tales. I took it from her and opened it to the picture of the three girls. I pointed to each in turn. “Jezreel Fae Brio, Ellean Ryn Brio, Nysa Brio.”
She studied the picture for a moment, then pointed out each girl. “Jessie, Elli… me. Nysa Mikel Brio.” She turned the pages slowly, looking at the pictures. “Someone is missing. I have an older brother.:
I nodded. “Winthrop Latit Brio.” I pointed back inside. “Winthrop.”
She was quiet for several minutes, then looked back at the book. “Jessie told my story.”
“My mother did, too. They told it differently, though.”
She nodded. “They were very different.”
“What about you?” I asked quietly.
Her face clouded. “I’m… still not sure. So much is still missing.”
I put my arm around her thin shoulders. “It will come.”
She smiled. “I know.”
We went back inside and I asked Uncle W. if he’d read any good spells lately. He wouldn’t take the bait, though. I guess he meant it when he promised you no controversy.
I can’t believe how much effort it took yesterday to get that book of spells away from Liop! I was starting to think I really was going to have to turn him into a fire newt! (It’s a good thing it didn’t come to that, though. I’m not sure that spell works.) It’s a good thing that locator spell worked, because I don’t think we’d have gotten it any other way. He seemed mollified by the newer book I gave him, though. Hopefully he’s not causing trouble with it. At least the spells aren’t going to cause any explosions.
It was nice to jest spend a day at your new home, even if we spent most of it arguing with Liop. It’s probably good Gretel and Imato had gone out-- I don’t think Imato would have been amused. Nysa sure seemed to think it was funny, though. And Brynn spent all of lunch laughing at us. Did she come today to discuss more with you or is she coming tomorrow?
Well, I have spent the whole day writing and now the carriage is arriving at the inn. Gretel informs me I haven’t been very good company, so I should stop. Honestly this is so long I’d better just send it to you. Since we’re just a day’s ride from Rousha I’ll just send it to you with the morning post and you should get it tomorrow night! I should be back in Adya by dinnertime on the 1st, so Hermes should find me there.
Love Always,
Keish
P.S. Shelly loved Rousha! I’ve only just seen her and told her you hoped she’d enjoyed herself. She was very gratified that you’d thought to ask after her. Since I did everything for myself, she spent all her time at the festival. Apparently it was amazing!
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Showing posts with label January 2004. Show all posts
Showing posts with label January 2004. Show all posts
Gretel-- January 22, 2004
January 22, 2004
Dear Arri,
I’m sending this by express messenger care of Prince Tulson, who solemnly promises, under threats of all sort from Keish, that it will get to you no later than the 25th.
I hope you enjoy this gown. Keish helped me pick the design and colors. We decided the green would match your eyes, and the gold belt looks so elegant. The cream across the bottom is embroidered with golden branches and flowers inspired by the drawings Keish saw in the Fairy book your mother made for you. We’ll make sure you have help lacing the gold cord up the back. I’m planning to send one of the lady’s maids my mother insists on bringing over to you.
Don’t worry about the silk-- Keish has enchanted it not to stain and she enchanted the hems so they won’t rip. She said you’d be glad to hear that, though of course, we both think you’ll do splendidly at the ball.
Keish also assures me the fit should be perfect. She managed to get all of your measurements while she was with you. She says that was why Brynn was laughing so hard the day she was trying to explain what lessons she wanted you to start with-- Keish was around the corner “zinging” (Keish’s word) spells into the room like “possessed measuring tapes” to get all your measurements. She assures me the spells are completely accurate, but I made sure Tulson could give you access to the royal tailors for a more precise fitting if needed.
Thank you so much for what you said to Imato-- I can’t wait to really have a sister!
Love
GRETEL
Dear Arri,
I’m sending this by express messenger care of Prince Tulson, who solemnly promises, under threats of all sort from Keish, that it will get to you no later than the 25th.
I hope you enjoy this gown. Keish helped me pick the design and colors. We decided the green would match your eyes, and the gold belt looks so elegant. The cream across the bottom is embroidered with golden branches and flowers inspired by the drawings Keish saw in the Fairy book your mother made for you. We’ll make sure you have help lacing the gold cord up the back. I’m planning to send one of the lady’s maids my mother insists on bringing over to you.
Don’t worry about the silk-- Keish has enchanted it not to stain and she enchanted the hems so they won’t rip. She said you’d be glad to hear that, though of course, we both think you’ll do splendidly at the ball.
Keish also assures me the fit should be perfect. She managed to get all of your measurements while she was with you. She says that was why Brynn was laughing so hard the day she was trying to explain what lessons she wanted you to start with-- Keish was around the corner “zinging” (Keish’s word) spells into the room like “possessed measuring tapes” to get all your measurements. She assures me the spells are completely accurate, but I made sure Tulson could give you access to the royal tailors for a more precise fitting if needed.
Thank you so much for what you said to Imato-- I can’t wait to really have a sister!
Love
GRETEL
Arri-- January 21, 2004
January 21, 2004
Dear Keish,
Yes, of course Jace can take Liop out exploring! I’m sorry I forgot to mention that in my last letter, but the answer was obvious. Liop is very excited, almost enough to cover up his fear of moving.
Uncle Winthrop thinks it’s an excellent idea to celebrate his and Uncle Alden’s birthdays together in Rousha. He says he will be on his best behavior and not utter a single controversial word from sun-up to sun-down. I made him promise, although Imato and Liop are taking bets on whether he can actually keep it.
I’m writing this letter from the coach that Uncle W. hired to take us to Rousha, so you’ll have to forgive the sloppy handwriting. It’s snowing lightly and we’ve gotten stuck in the mud twice, but Uncle W. is sure the storm will clear soon and it’s impossible to avoid muddy roads this time of year. Uncle W. is in a small carriage ahead of us with Father. Father doesn’t seem to be feeling well and I couldn’t get him to eat anything this morning. Hopefully the doctors and healers in Rousha will be able to help him. He still hasn’t said a word and he fought hard when Uncle W., Imato, Cook’s husband, and Mendel tried to move him from the bedroom to the carriage. I was afraid they would hurt him, but they were very careful.
I must start this letter from where I left off in my last letter. There were only three things left to do before we could move to Rousha.
The first was to have dinner with the Westridges. It was a formal affair, so Liop had to stay home. I wore one of Aunt Rawnal’s dresses made over. It’s a long red-brown gown with lots of hand-crocheted lace. Uncle Winthrop says it was one of the first dresses she made after they married. It’s old-fashioned, but elegant and Imato said I needed to wear something elegant. I would have worn the yellow dress that Treany gave me, but I’ve worn it so much it’s beginning to wear out. Cook says the shade of brown is wrong for my complexion, but I still like the color.
The dinner was awfully formal, which means that only Lord and Lady Westridge, Imato and Sean had anything to say. Uncle Winthrop was polite, but he and Lord Westridge never really had anything except a business relationship, and that was ending now. Imato told me beforehand that the Westridges were having us to dinner because of our social standing and because they wanted to keep the door open for social contacts when we move to Rousha. I really don’t understand any of that.
I spent most of the first course trying to remember what fork to use, and during the main course I mistook an oil vase for a salt shaker—it was dark—and poured oil onto my meat, which startled me and I knocked a fork (still not sure what kind) onto the floor and bent to pick it up, but I was still holding the oil vase, so I poured oil all down my dress. It all happened in less time than I just took to write it. Mendel put his hand over his mouth to try to hide his laughter.
Lady Westridge rang for Clara to come and help me. For some reason Mendel thought that made everything even funnier and he busted up entirely.
Lady Clara ignored him completely. She picked up the fallen dinnerware and led me away to a spare room without saying a single word. Then she produced a spare dress of Lady Westridge’s for me to change into.
“I really don’t think Mendel should have laughed,” I grumbled as Lady Clara helped me with my buttons.
“Don’t worry about it,” said Lady Clara, unconcernedly, “Mendel seems to laugh every time I do anything these days. It’s driving me crazy. I’ll be relieved when I can follow you to Rousha in three days. Lady Pren is sending a carriage for me the day after you leave.”
I didn’t think anyone could say “relieved” and “Rousha” in the same sentence. I stared at her.
“At least the Westridges never expect me to act like a lady,” I said, although it wasn’t really comforting, “Lord Westridge didn’t even raise his eyebrows. Aren’t you worried about using the wrong thing at dinner?”
“Not really,” Lady Clara answered, “I’ve had to set so many tables that I know what all the utensils are, and having to carry serving trays has given me pretty good balance.” I could hear the pride in her voice as she said this. It amazed me. I hadn’t ever thought about it before.
Lady Clara told me to wear the spare dress the rest of the evening and she’d have my dress ready for me by the time we left to go home. I spent the rest of the evening moving as little as possible. When I got my dress back, it was perfectly clean and spotless.
The second thing to do was to have lunch with Treany. She told me it would be very informal and just her and me, which meant that I didn’t have to worry because even if Treany does know the difference between an oil vase and a salt shaker, she doesn’t ever put both on the table at the same time, at least not for lunches. And she never notices what fork I’m using.
I told Treany about the dinner and she didn’t laugh once. She was very sympathetic and she called Lady Clara a “very superior kind of servant,” which made me laugh because I suddenly understood why Mendel thought the situation was so funny. I would rather forget it happened though.
“You ought to send for her when you move into the palace,” she informed me in a conspiratorial whisper. I was confused.
“I’m not moving to the palace,” I said, “We’re going to a nice two-bedroom apartment in the old city. We have a lovely view of the castle park.”
“Oh, I’m sure you don’t intend to be there long,” said Treany lightly. She studied my confused expression.
“Arri,” she said finally, “I promise I haven’t said a word, but really, you couldn’t have been more obvious.”
“About what?” I asked.
“You and Prince Tulson.”
It was like watching a vital puzzle piece fall into place and discovering the puzzle wasn’t what I thought it was. I started at her, trying to decide what to say.
“I’m not engaged to the prince,” I said finally.
Treany frowned at me.
“The queen came all the way to Rousha and the only person besides her brother’s family that she dined with was you,” she accused me.
“Yes, but you don’t understand,” I said, wondering how Treany knew I dined with the queen.
“You can’t spend most of your time with three young men, two of them highly eligible, without attracting attention, Arri,” Treany continued. Then she sighed, “you really should have taken Feminine Politics. People watch you. Besides, you’re the only eligible young lady in Odsreq.”
I shook my head. “There’s you and Felicia Lowling and…” but Treany interrupted me with a bright smile.
“Prince Tulson would never even look at us. We have no rank.” She shook her head in frustration.
I started to protest that, then shut my mouth, thinking that if I said too much I might accidentally give away Clara. Lunch with Treany wasn’t nearly as nice as I thought it would be.
“What do you mean, people watch me?” I asked finally, my voice soft.
“For all the reasons I’ve already said,” Treany told me, “and you’re really hard to figure out. You’ve never done what people expected a lady of quality to do. You were so quiet when you first came here. People though it was snobbery at first. It took me forever to figure out that you were just being shy.”
“I didn’t know anyone, and I was scared,” I defended, remembering that first awful drive to Odsreq after we were told Father died. I didn’t even know Uncle Winthrop very well. Then going to language class and everyone stared at me like I was a zoo animal and no one said anything…
“Do you think the people in Rousha will think I’m snobbish?” I asked.
She didn’t answer that. She just sighed again and then brightened. “You’re going to make so many important connections. Will you promise to send me sketches of the new season fashions? Old Rousha is the absolute center of modern design!” I promised to send sketches of every outfit I saw.
I don’t think I really convinced her that I’m not engaged to Prince Tulson, and she couldn’t understand at all why I was so nervous about moving. I don’t know what I’m going to do, Keish! I’m so glad you’re coming. I wish you could just stay here with us and keep me from making a fool of myself, although I’m not sure it will be possible to prevent that regardless. Everyone my age will be graduated from finishing school and very elegant, I’m sure.
The worst part of all is that I have to leave Glory behind with the Westridge’s. That was the third thing I had to do before we could leave. I walked her there myself and handed her over to Mendel, who didn’t even laugh once, but showed me the stables and how bright and clean they are, and introduced me to the head stableman and even the veterinarian who will help with the foaling. I know the Westridges have the best stables of anyone and Mendel says that no matter where I’m living, he’ll send for me as soon as Glory’s belly drops and she starts going into labor, so I still might get to see the foal born. But it won’t be the same as if I’m living there and can help take care of them. I know the foaling is still more than two months away, but I can’t help worrying about it.
I’m sorry, Keish. I feel so selfish and helpless and whiny. Everything we’re doing is for Father to help him get better, and I do want him to get well. I want that more than anything—more than Glory’s foal. So I shouldn’t be complaining, and I ought to be much happier than I am. Father’s going to have the best doctor in all of Elcaro! That’s something to be happy about. Everything will be so much better when he’s well again. Our apartment is within walking distance of the hospital. Uncle W. made sure of that, so we’ll be able to visit him whenever we want. And of course the king’s healer will help with the treatments. I wish I could help too.
I don’t know why the fairies didn’t take you, but I’m sure they could tell that with or without magic, I’m hopelessly incompetent.
Uncle W. was right. The snow has stopped and the sun came out while I was writing this. We’re traveling through countryside now with white, sparkly fields covered in fresh snow. It’s cold, but I have plenty of blankets, and Liop is asleep with his hot little head against my shoulder. I think I should quit complaining and just watch the scenery. I wonder though, why your father is in such a funny mood. Do you think he’s been talking to Mendel? He’s been awfully silly since Prince Tulson got engaged, and not just around Lady Clara. It’s like there’s some private joke going on that no one will explain. That’s one thing I just thought of—in Rousha I won’t have to spend so much time trying to figure out Mendel.
I threatened Liop with everything I could think of but I have no idea where that book of spells is. He’s bent on keeping it, even if he blows up the kingdom.
I can’t wait for you to get here. It will be so nice to talk to you in person again! And Aunt Nysa is so excited to meet you! She was very impressed by your spell work in the cave.
I have to end this now, as I’m almost out of paper. Everyone sends their love and safe journey, and we will see you in a few days.
Love,
Arri
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Dear Keish,
Yes, of course Jace can take Liop out exploring! I’m sorry I forgot to mention that in my last letter, but the answer was obvious. Liop is very excited, almost enough to cover up his fear of moving.
Uncle Winthrop thinks it’s an excellent idea to celebrate his and Uncle Alden’s birthdays together in Rousha. He says he will be on his best behavior and not utter a single controversial word from sun-up to sun-down. I made him promise, although Imato and Liop are taking bets on whether he can actually keep it.
I’m writing this letter from the coach that Uncle W. hired to take us to Rousha, so you’ll have to forgive the sloppy handwriting. It’s snowing lightly and we’ve gotten stuck in the mud twice, but Uncle W. is sure the storm will clear soon and it’s impossible to avoid muddy roads this time of year. Uncle W. is in a small carriage ahead of us with Father. Father doesn’t seem to be feeling well and I couldn’t get him to eat anything this morning. Hopefully the doctors and healers in Rousha will be able to help him. He still hasn’t said a word and he fought hard when Uncle W., Imato, Cook’s husband, and Mendel tried to move him from the bedroom to the carriage. I was afraid they would hurt him, but they were very careful.
I must start this letter from where I left off in my last letter. There were only three things left to do before we could move to Rousha.
The first was to have dinner with the Westridges. It was a formal affair, so Liop had to stay home. I wore one of Aunt Rawnal’s dresses made over. It’s a long red-brown gown with lots of hand-crocheted lace. Uncle Winthrop says it was one of the first dresses she made after they married. It’s old-fashioned, but elegant and Imato said I needed to wear something elegant. I would have worn the yellow dress that Treany gave me, but I’ve worn it so much it’s beginning to wear out. Cook says the shade of brown is wrong for my complexion, but I still like the color.
The dinner was awfully formal, which means that only Lord and Lady Westridge, Imato and Sean had anything to say. Uncle Winthrop was polite, but he and Lord Westridge never really had anything except a business relationship, and that was ending now. Imato told me beforehand that the Westridges were having us to dinner because of our social standing and because they wanted to keep the door open for social contacts when we move to Rousha. I really don’t understand any of that.
I spent most of the first course trying to remember what fork to use, and during the main course I mistook an oil vase for a salt shaker—it was dark—and poured oil onto my meat, which startled me and I knocked a fork (still not sure what kind) onto the floor and bent to pick it up, but I was still holding the oil vase, so I poured oil all down my dress. It all happened in less time than I just took to write it. Mendel put his hand over his mouth to try to hide his laughter.
Lady Westridge rang for Clara to come and help me. For some reason Mendel thought that made everything even funnier and he busted up entirely.
Lady Clara ignored him completely. She picked up the fallen dinnerware and led me away to a spare room without saying a single word. Then she produced a spare dress of Lady Westridge’s for me to change into.
“I really don’t think Mendel should have laughed,” I grumbled as Lady Clara helped me with my buttons.
“Don’t worry about it,” said Lady Clara, unconcernedly, “Mendel seems to laugh every time I do anything these days. It’s driving me crazy. I’ll be relieved when I can follow you to Rousha in three days. Lady Pren is sending a carriage for me the day after you leave.”
I didn’t think anyone could say “relieved” and “Rousha” in the same sentence. I stared at her.
“At least the Westridges never expect me to act like a lady,” I said, although it wasn’t really comforting, “Lord Westridge didn’t even raise his eyebrows. Aren’t you worried about using the wrong thing at dinner?”
“Not really,” Lady Clara answered, “I’ve had to set so many tables that I know what all the utensils are, and having to carry serving trays has given me pretty good balance.” I could hear the pride in her voice as she said this. It amazed me. I hadn’t ever thought about it before.
Lady Clara told me to wear the spare dress the rest of the evening and she’d have my dress ready for me by the time we left to go home. I spent the rest of the evening moving as little as possible. When I got my dress back, it was perfectly clean and spotless.
The second thing to do was to have lunch with Treany. She told me it would be very informal and just her and me, which meant that I didn’t have to worry because even if Treany does know the difference between an oil vase and a salt shaker, she doesn’t ever put both on the table at the same time, at least not for lunches. And she never notices what fork I’m using.
I told Treany about the dinner and she didn’t laugh once. She was very sympathetic and she called Lady Clara a “very superior kind of servant,” which made me laugh because I suddenly understood why Mendel thought the situation was so funny. I would rather forget it happened though.
“You ought to send for her when you move into the palace,” she informed me in a conspiratorial whisper. I was confused.
“I’m not moving to the palace,” I said, “We’re going to a nice two-bedroom apartment in the old city. We have a lovely view of the castle park.”
“Oh, I’m sure you don’t intend to be there long,” said Treany lightly. She studied my confused expression.
“Arri,” she said finally, “I promise I haven’t said a word, but really, you couldn’t have been more obvious.”
“About what?” I asked.
“You and Prince Tulson.”
It was like watching a vital puzzle piece fall into place and discovering the puzzle wasn’t what I thought it was. I started at her, trying to decide what to say.
“I’m not engaged to the prince,” I said finally.
Treany frowned at me.
“The queen came all the way to Rousha and the only person besides her brother’s family that she dined with was you,” she accused me.
“Yes, but you don’t understand,” I said, wondering how Treany knew I dined with the queen.
“You can’t spend most of your time with three young men, two of them highly eligible, without attracting attention, Arri,” Treany continued. Then she sighed, “you really should have taken Feminine Politics. People watch you. Besides, you’re the only eligible young lady in Odsreq.”
I shook my head. “There’s you and Felicia Lowling and…” but Treany interrupted me with a bright smile.
“Prince Tulson would never even look at us. We have no rank.” She shook her head in frustration.
I started to protest that, then shut my mouth, thinking that if I said too much I might accidentally give away Clara. Lunch with Treany wasn’t nearly as nice as I thought it would be.
“What do you mean, people watch me?” I asked finally, my voice soft.
“For all the reasons I’ve already said,” Treany told me, “and you’re really hard to figure out. You’ve never done what people expected a lady of quality to do. You were so quiet when you first came here. People though it was snobbery at first. It took me forever to figure out that you were just being shy.”
“I didn’t know anyone, and I was scared,” I defended, remembering that first awful drive to Odsreq after we were told Father died. I didn’t even know Uncle Winthrop very well. Then going to language class and everyone stared at me like I was a zoo animal and no one said anything…
“Do you think the people in Rousha will think I’m snobbish?” I asked.
She didn’t answer that. She just sighed again and then brightened. “You’re going to make so many important connections. Will you promise to send me sketches of the new season fashions? Old Rousha is the absolute center of modern design!” I promised to send sketches of every outfit I saw.
I don’t think I really convinced her that I’m not engaged to Prince Tulson, and she couldn’t understand at all why I was so nervous about moving. I don’t know what I’m going to do, Keish! I’m so glad you’re coming. I wish you could just stay here with us and keep me from making a fool of myself, although I’m not sure it will be possible to prevent that regardless. Everyone my age will be graduated from finishing school and very elegant, I’m sure.
The worst part of all is that I have to leave Glory behind with the Westridge’s. That was the third thing I had to do before we could leave. I walked her there myself and handed her over to Mendel, who didn’t even laugh once, but showed me the stables and how bright and clean they are, and introduced me to the head stableman and even the veterinarian who will help with the foaling. I know the Westridges have the best stables of anyone and Mendel says that no matter where I’m living, he’ll send for me as soon as Glory’s belly drops and she starts going into labor, so I still might get to see the foal born. But it won’t be the same as if I’m living there and can help take care of them. I know the foaling is still more than two months away, but I can’t help worrying about it.
I’m sorry, Keish. I feel so selfish and helpless and whiny. Everything we’re doing is for Father to help him get better, and I do want him to get well. I want that more than anything—more than Glory’s foal. So I shouldn’t be complaining, and I ought to be much happier than I am. Father’s going to have the best doctor in all of Elcaro! That’s something to be happy about. Everything will be so much better when he’s well again. Our apartment is within walking distance of the hospital. Uncle W. made sure of that, so we’ll be able to visit him whenever we want. And of course the king’s healer will help with the treatments. I wish I could help too.
I don’t know why the fairies didn’t take you, but I’m sure they could tell that with or without magic, I’m hopelessly incompetent.
Uncle W. was right. The snow has stopped and the sun came out while I was writing this. We’re traveling through countryside now with white, sparkly fields covered in fresh snow. It’s cold, but I have plenty of blankets, and Liop is asleep with his hot little head against my shoulder. I think I should quit complaining and just watch the scenery. I wonder though, why your father is in such a funny mood. Do you think he’s been talking to Mendel? He’s been awfully silly since Prince Tulson got engaged, and not just around Lady Clara. It’s like there’s some private joke going on that no one will explain. That’s one thing I just thought of—in Rousha I won’t have to spend so much time trying to figure out Mendel.
I threatened Liop with everything I could think of but I have no idea where that book of spells is. He’s bent on keeping it, even if he blows up the kingdom.
I can’t wait for you to get here. It will be so nice to talk to you in person again! And Aunt Nysa is so excited to meet you! She was very impressed by your spell work in the cave.
I have to end this now, as I’m almost out of paper. Everyone sends their love and safe journey, and we will see you in a few days.
Love,
Arri
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Keish-- January 15, 2004
January 15, 2004
Dear Arri,
It is absolutely too much of Tulson to make you do something like that! I should like to give him a piece of my mind on the subject. I think I will, when I’m there in a couple of weeks. Honestly, what could he have been thinking, putting you in such a position?!
And then to be upset with you for what you told the queen… the nerve! He makes me so mad sometimes. Spoiled youngest prince. Grr. That is just…. I need to go distract myself with something.
I’m calm now. I think you did an excellent job. Far better than what Tulson had in mind, I’d say, since you got the queen to admit that one must marry for love. Perhaps you should be studying diplomacy as well as healing.
As far as ways to introduce Clara… well that’s only part of it, isn’t it? How is Clara going to explain going to Rousha to begin with? Or are the Westridges the type of people that would understand? I wrote to Jace yesterday to see what he thinks-- and to tell him to make sure Tulson realizes she’ll need a wardrobe and such. Maybe he’ll have some ideas.
I suppose Clara could go with you-- supposedly as a sort of ladies’ maid or something.
I’ve been thinking about this since I got your letter and I haven’t come to any conclusions. It just isn’t done-- there’s no precedent. Even in the stories, they never bother to mention those kind of practical details. Gretel hasn’t been able to think of anything either and Papa just laughs… at everything these days.
I haven’t called him that in years, but it just slipped out the other day. He’s started calling me Keisha or Keisha Nerys. He hasn’t done that since Mother died.
Speaking of Papa-- I finally got things worked out for his birthday. He rather wishes we could all celebrate together since Uncle W.’s birthday is coming up also. We’re just going to have a quiet dinner here this week and then Jace is making arrangements with his parents for a larger dinner the day after the ball. Please tell Uncle W. and Imato and Liop so they plan on it. Since we’ll be spending the day with Lady Pren, I thought that day worked out the best.
Oh! Since you didn’t seem to object, I told Jace to go ahead and write to Liop about them exploring together while we’re with Lady Pren. If it is a problem, just let me know and intercept the letter from Jace.
Personally, I’m looking forward to being in Rousha as a good way to avoid Vanessa. Naturally, she’s coming too, but there should be enough going on to keep her from pestering me. Unfortunately for Clara, once it’s announced that she’s Tulson’s fiancée, Vanessa will probably want to compare notes on wedding plans.
It’s too bad Clara doesn’t have a long-lost father like Marie. Her presentation to court was a few days ago and it went very smoothly. It was pretty much like any other. She looked lovely in her gown and managed all the dancing, which she was quite concerned about.
January 16
I lost track of time while I was writing yesterday, so I had to leave off when Gretel came looking for me. We were supposed to go out to do some shopping. She needed to get away from the palace for a bit. Really, some of the gossip is getting out of hand. Even Vanessa’s mother is fading into the background as far as the gossip goes-- and her daughter is marrying the prince!
Gretel’s mother is taking the whole thing too far. If one more person mentions the idea that Imato’s training has taken longer because he’s really a sorcerer knight-- a position that no one has held in at least a century-- and that he’ll be the king’s personal sorcerer… well, I might scream. Poor Gretel has to put up with the talk constantly since there’s a steady stream of women coming to gossip with her mother. I think she’s starting to wish they could just elope.
Last night Papa told me that the king has been receiving reports indicating a complete collapse of the Narls. There have also been many reports of men suddenly not knowing why they are where they are, or arriving home after having been missing for years-- with no memory of what they’ve been doing.
There have been some reports of problems, but mostly it seems that taking care of Gessair has taken care of the Narls.
Does Nysa remember more? She asked Brynn some interesting questions. I hadn’t realized Brynn was from the Toroon line. I’m not sure there’s anyone left from that line…
I wonder why the fairies didn’t take one of us? Do you think our mothers found a way to keep them from taking anyone? Or did Nysa stop the fairies?
Oh! You said Liop made a bright blue potion that caught fire? That little sneak! That’s why I can’t find that book of spells-- he must have taken it with him. You’d better get it away from him-- several of the recipes have mistakes in them (like that one). It’s a small volume, kind of ragged and says simply “Practical” on the front. It’s sort of a dirty yellow with red lettering. Hopefully you can find it before he sets anything big on fire… a lot of the mistakes seem to result in flames. Sorry, I didn’t even realize it was missing until a few days ago. He must have found it after I left and he wouldn’t have realized it has so many mistakes. I’ll have to get it from you when I’m in Rousha-- I’ve been trying to correct it.
I’m bringing a “lady in waiting” to Rousha. Well, sort of. One of the maids that helps me from time to time said something a few days ago about wanting to visit Rousha, so I figured, why not? Her name is Shelly and I quite like her. I won’t need much, so I told her she could do all the exploring she wants. She’s thrilled. Gretel just laughs at me.
Speaking of which, (laughing, that is), I’m sorry everyone is telling you not to listen to everyone else. It is funny, though. I don’t know if it would be helpful if I tell you not the listen to Mendel or not, so I’ll refrain even though it’s tempting.
January 19
Sorry I haven’t sent this yet. I thought I’d best wait to see if Jace had anything helpful to say. I just received his letter and he says his mother wants to arrange things. She seems to know what to say to the Westridges and is going to have Clara come stay with her. Lady Pren also seems to think that just introducing Clara as “Clara Songson” is enough and that she (Lady Pren) can control some of the gossip. So I suppose Clara will be hearing from her. (This is one of the rare occasions when I am all too happy to turn things over to an adult!)
Oh, and Jace says that Tulson had already thought of the need for a wardrobe (there may be hope for him after all) but he was happy to turn those details over to Lady Pren also.
It’s quite late, but I’ll send this off first thing in the morning. You’re probably getting anxious since I’ve taken so long responding. I shall see you soon!
Love Always,
Keish
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Dear Arri,
It is absolutely too much of Tulson to make you do something like that! I should like to give him a piece of my mind on the subject. I think I will, when I’m there in a couple of weeks. Honestly, what could he have been thinking, putting you in such a position?!
And then to be upset with you for what you told the queen… the nerve! He makes me so mad sometimes. Spoiled youngest prince. Grr. That is just…. I need to go distract myself with something.
I’m calm now. I think you did an excellent job. Far better than what Tulson had in mind, I’d say, since you got the queen to admit that one must marry for love. Perhaps you should be studying diplomacy as well as healing.
As far as ways to introduce Clara… well that’s only part of it, isn’t it? How is Clara going to explain going to Rousha to begin with? Or are the Westridges the type of people that would understand? I wrote to Jace yesterday to see what he thinks-- and to tell him to make sure Tulson realizes she’ll need a wardrobe and such. Maybe he’ll have some ideas.
I suppose Clara could go with you-- supposedly as a sort of ladies’ maid or something.
I’ve been thinking about this since I got your letter and I haven’t come to any conclusions. It just isn’t done-- there’s no precedent. Even in the stories, they never bother to mention those kind of practical details. Gretel hasn’t been able to think of anything either and Papa just laughs… at everything these days.
I haven’t called him that in years, but it just slipped out the other day. He’s started calling me Keisha or Keisha Nerys. He hasn’t done that since Mother died.
Speaking of Papa-- I finally got things worked out for his birthday. He rather wishes we could all celebrate together since Uncle W.’s birthday is coming up also. We’re just going to have a quiet dinner here this week and then Jace is making arrangements with his parents for a larger dinner the day after the ball. Please tell Uncle W. and Imato and Liop so they plan on it. Since we’ll be spending the day with Lady Pren, I thought that day worked out the best.
Oh! Since you didn’t seem to object, I told Jace to go ahead and write to Liop about them exploring together while we’re with Lady Pren. If it is a problem, just let me know and intercept the letter from Jace.
Personally, I’m looking forward to being in Rousha as a good way to avoid Vanessa. Naturally, she’s coming too, but there should be enough going on to keep her from pestering me. Unfortunately for Clara, once it’s announced that she’s Tulson’s fiancée, Vanessa will probably want to compare notes on wedding plans.
It’s too bad Clara doesn’t have a long-lost father like Marie. Her presentation to court was a few days ago and it went very smoothly. It was pretty much like any other. She looked lovely in her gown and managed all the dancing, which she was quite concerned about.
January 16
I lost track of time while I was writing yesterday, so I had to leave off when Gretel came looking for me. We were supposed to go out to do some shopping. She needed to get away from the palace for a bit. Really, some of the gossip is getting out of hand. Even Vanessa’s mother is fading into the background as far as the gossip goes-- and her daughter is marrying the prince!
Gretel’s mother is taking the whole thing too far. If one more person mentions the idea that Imato’s training has taken longer because he’s really a sorcerer knight-- a position that no one has held in at least a century-- and that he’ll be the king’s personal sorcerer… well, I might scream. Poor Gretel has to put up with the talk constantly since there’s a steady stream of women coming to gossip with her mother. I think she’s starting to wish they could just elope.
Last night Papa told me that the king has been receiving reports indicating a complete collapse of the Narls. There have also been many reports of men suddenly not knowing why they are where they are, or arriving home after having been missing for years-- with no memory of what they’ve been doing.
There have been some reports of problems, but mostly it seems that taking care of Gessair has taken care of the Narls.
Does Nysa remember more? She asked Brynn some interesting questions. I hadn’t realized Brynn was from the Toroon line. I’m not sure there’s anyone left from that line…
I wonder why the fairies didn’t take one of us? Do you think our mothers found a way to keep them from taking anyone? Or did Nysa stop the fairies?
Oh! You said Liop made a bright blue potion that caught fire? That little sneak! That’s why I can’t find that book of spells-- he must have taken it with him. You’d better get it away from him-- several of the recipes have mistakes in them (like that one). It’s a small volume, kind of ragged and says simply “Practical” on the front. It’s sort of a dirty yellow with red lettering. Hopefully you can find it before he sets anything big on fire… a lot of the mistakes seem to result in flames. Sorry, I didn’t even realize it was missing until a few days ago. He must have found it after I left and he wouldn’t have realized it has so many mistakes. I’ll have to get it from you when I’m in Rousha-- I’ve been trying to correct it.
I’m bringing a “lady in waiting” to Rousha. Well, sort of. One of the maids that helps me from time to time said something a few days ago about wanting to visit Rousha, so I figured, why not? Her name is Shelly and I quite like her. I won’t need much, so I told her she could do all the exploring she wants. She’s thrilled. Gretel just laughs at me.
Speaking of which, (laughing, that is), I’m sorry everyone is telling you not to listen to everyone else. It is funny, though. I don’t know if it would be helpful if I tell you not the listen to Mendel or not, so I’ll refrain even though it’s tempting.
January 19
Sorry I haven’t sent this yet. I thought I’d best wait to see if Jace had anything helpful to say. I just received his letter and he says his mother wants to arrange things. She seems to know what to say to the Westridges and is going to have Clara come stay with her. Lady Pren also seems to think that just introducing Clara as “Clara Songson” is enough and that she (Lady Pren) can control some of the gossip. So I suppose Clara will be hearing from her. (This is one of the rare occasions when I am all too happy to turn things over to an adult!)
Oh, and Jace says that Tulson had already thought of the need for a wardrobe (there may be hope for him after all) but he was happy to turn those details over to Lady Pren also.
It’s quite late, but I’ll send this off first thing in the morning. You’re probably getting anxious since I’ve taken so long responding. I shall see you soon!
Love Always,
Keish
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Arri-- January 11, 2004
January 11, 2004
Dear Keish,Your dress is beautiful! You’re going to look so elegant at the Winter Ball. I showed the sketches to Treany and she said that you have flawless taste (which I already knew, but I thought you’d appreciate the compliment since Treany is also known for having good taste in clothing). I won’t ask about my dress, but I’m very grateful, and it’s wonderful to know that I don’t have to worry about it. I’m really not very good at fashion.
We hired Nurse Linder right before the trip to visit you, because Mother was feeling poorly and wanted extra help. She didn’t come from a healing background, and I think the traditional doctor who trained her was against healers (a lot of them are, since they’re kind of in competition for patients). I don’t remember why Father and Mother chose her. Miss Perlita was around— sort of— she was being courted by someone (I don’t remember the name and they eventually broke up).
I should tell you the plans for moving. Uncle Winthrop found an apartment, so we’ve begun packing. The apartment is smaller than the cottage, so we’ve been sorting things out that will be stored in the Westridges’ basement from things that we really need. Most of Uncle W.’s books will go into storage, and a lot of the furniture. He rented a shop in Rousha for his alchemy supplies. It’s probably best that Liop doesn’t have such easy access to them anyway. Yesterday he was caught mixing a bright blue substance that caught fire when Uncle Winthrop asked a little too loudly what it was. Liop says he was going to rub it on the windows so people could only see out and not in. Uncle W. says it was entirely the wrong color for that kind of potion, and he’s glad Liop was caught before he actually tried to use it.
I know you’re going to miss Jace a lot, but it is very comforting to me knowing that I have friends in Rousha: Brynn, Jace, and Taty. I don’t really know anyone else there, or at least it seems that way because I didn’t keep in touch with anyone I knew after I moved away nearly four years ago. The girls I shared classes with must be highly educated, refined young ladies. They will have graduated from school and be seeking marriage. I never graduated, and although I learned a lot in Odsreq, I don’t think it will serve me in the high society of Rousha. I wish you lived in Rousha; you know virtually everything about high society.
I still don’t know who my trainer will be. Everything is so busy, and Uncle Winthrop is pretty stressed out. Imato advised me to let the matter rest until we get to Rousha, and I think he’s right. Thank you, and tell Uncle Adlen thank you, for offering to pay for my apprenticeship. I think it will be okay now, but I’ll let you know. Thank you.
Brynn came on the eighth in the morning. “It’s too snowy to work outside today,” she said briskly, “is there a room we could use where we won’t be disturbed?”
“The basement,” I said.
Aunt Nysa looked up from the cross-stitch sampler I had been teaching her to sew on. Her long golden hair hid most of her face, but she was watching us.
“You’re welcome to join us,” Brynn told her.
Aunt Nysa turned her eyes on me. She set down the needlework and took my hand.
With Uncle Winthrop back, the basement is much better organized and cleaner than it was before. Brynn, Aunt Nysa, and I moved the table and instruments to clear a space in the center of the floor. Brynn pulled off her long white gloves, revealing her bright orange hand. At least the cuts from the crystal were almost completely healed. Then Brynn removed a cold pale object from her satchel and placed it in my hand. It was a peeled potato, carved round. Brynn smiled grimly: “At least this is closer to my natural skin color than the orange,” she said.
Aunt Nysa stood by, watching us with intense interest. I closed my eyes and felt the weight of Brynn’s hand on top of the potato. Suddenly I felt like I had been doused in cold water. I jerked my hand instinctively and the connection broke. Aunt Nysa laughed as the potato hit the ground with a soft thump.
“I’m sorry,” I said, feeling the color rise in my face.
“Not to worry,” said Brynn, “Keish almost hit me in the head with the crystal when I used the spell on her— said she felt like a spider was crawling on her.”
“Is that what I should have felt?” I asked nervously.
“Different people feel different things,” said Brynn nonchalantly, “Don’t worry; I got the information I needed.” She stretched out her hand and studied it. It was still bright orange, but no worse than that. She sighed.
“Well, Arri,” she said finally, “your magic is as strong as Keish’s and much stronger than mine. Actually, it’s surprising the fairies never took one of you.” She glanced at Aunt Nysa as she said it.
“The fairies have a more accurate method of measuring magic,” said Aunt Nysa softly.
“Yes— and very invasive. I’ll stick to this one since I really don’t need that many details.”
Aunt Nysa looked abashed.
“Sit down,” said Brynn, and since there weren’t enough chairs we all sat cross-legged on the floor. “Now Nysa,” said Brynn gently, “what would you know of me?”
Aunt Nysa blushed, soft rose giving color to her pale cheeks. She looked down and let most of her face be hidden in her hair. A couple of minutes of silence surrounded us.
“I would know who you are, and how you came here,” said Aunt Nysa, “and why you are connected to this family.”
Brynn whistled. “That’s a list,” she said, “but it’s a wise one.” Aunt Nysa raised her head briefly.
“Very well,” said Brynn sofly, “but understand that I’m not in the habit of telling more about myself than I need to. My name is Brynn Garrard and I am of the Tooron magic line. There is also a little Maurisald in me, but the Tooron is much stronger. Actually neither the Maurisald nor the Tooron can compare to the Brio line in strength. The fairies were slow in deciding to take me— in fact they waited so long that they almost lost their window of opportunity. I was fully seven years old when I was taken.”
“Why?” asked Aunt Nysa, and I asked, “What’s a window of opportunity?” at the same time.
“The fairies’ time allotment in which they can take a child without permission is between two and eight years of age. Before the age of two, they must ask the parents, and after eight, they must ask the child. The fairies waited so long, because they were hoping a more magical child would be born into my family. None was.”
Brynn gave us a minute to think about this.
“How old are you?” I asked.
“Old,” said Brynn simply, “I was fully grown when Nysa came to the fairies.”
Aunt Nysa raised her head and looked at Brynn.
“It had been a long time since a powerful child had entered the world of fairies,” Brynn continued, “when Lord Bastion Brio married the Lady Katja Whiteleaf. They were 4th cousins, both magical, and both from the line of Brio. You can imagine” (she looked mainly at Aunt Nysa) “the kind of excitement a marriage like this caused. The first child, Winthrop with only a little more than the average amount of magic, was a disappointment. Jezreel was much more promising. Most fairies were certain Ellean would be taken, but still the listening fairies waited. Then you were born.”
Aunt Nysa shifted in her seat and her large blue eyes narrowed.
“You were exactly what they wanted. They needed only wait for the perfect moment. You were three years old when it finally came.”
Brynn frowned. She stopped looking at either of us.
“I didn’t pay much attention at first. I didn’t really care about new baby fairies, but then Jezreel and Ellean came. Other families had looked for their lost children. Other families had even found them. But eventually they would quit coming, especially once the child lost its memory. Even children who never lost their memory soon stopped getting visits. They were too difficult. Jezreel and Ellean were different. Years later they were still coming, still pouring every ounce of magic they possessed into finding a sister who couldn’t always remember them from one visit to the next. They never gave up.”
“I thought you said you didn’t know my mother,” I said.
“I never spoke to her while I was in the fairy ring. I was only aware of what was happening; I wasn’t involved. I didn’t become involved until I left the ring and a couple years later went to tutor Ellean.”
Brynn became silent. I looked at Aunt Nysa and saw tears in her eyes. It occurred to me that Brynn must have had family. Did they find her? Did they stop coming to see her? They were questions I knew I couldn’t ask.
There really isn’t much to tell after that, although Brynn didn’t really answer the question of why she is connected to this family.
In the afternoon Prince Tulson showed up and asked if I would go walking with him, but Imato pointed out that it was snowing, so the prince looked uncomfortable and finally said he had something to speak to me about in private. Imato raised his eyebrows at me and gave me a chance to say no. I knew what he was thinking, so I shook my head and turned a little red.
“Okay,” I said to Prince Tulson and we went into the basement. I seem to be spending a lot of time there.
Once downstairs, Prince Tulson began to look awkward. Usually, when I see the Prince he immediately has something to say and says it, so I wasn’t sure what to think when he started by asking me how I was and then how Father was. Actually, I kept thinking about what Imato said about the prince courting me, and even though I knew it was silly, he was acting so funny that I started to get nervous.
“How long are you going to be in Odsreq?” I asked finally.
“Not long. Mother is visiting Uncle Perris. Actually, I wanted to ask you a favor, since she’s here too.”
I was confused and worried all at once. Prince Tulson was watching me very closely.
“You see, Clara and I have been doing a lot of talking, not just when you’re around. She’s really a great lady, don’t you think? I like spending time with her.”
Relief washed over me. I smiled.
“I like Clara a lot,” I said, “she really does deserved to be called a lady.”
“Or a duchess,” said Prince Tulson, “You see, I made her an offer this morning and she accepted.”
“Really?” I almost shouted I was so happy, “I’m so glad! Congratulations!”
Prince Tulson looked so relieved that I felt a little startled.
“I’m glad you like her,” he said with more confidence, “I was a little worried… well, the problem is more with Mother and Father. They’ve been letting me spend more time here, and I’ve told them a lot about you and Clara, but they didn’t expect me to fall in love with Clara. She’s… well, she’s a servant. And you and I know she shouldn’t be one, but that isn’t going to be so obvious to the king and queen.”
I nodded, wondering what the favor was and starting to get nervous again.
“So I was thinking that you could talk to Mother for me,” the prince continued, “You can have lunch with her tomorrow and talk about Lady Clara. Explain all of her qualities. She’s so graceful and well-mannered…”
“When they meet her, they’ll be able to see that,” I protested.
“I want them to look for it, to expect it. I started to, but Mother interrupted to explain how interested she is in meeting you. She feels badly that she didn’t have an opportunity to speak to you when you were last in Rousha. When you have lunch with her tomorrow, talk about Clara.”
I kept trying to protest, but the Prince Tulson kept insisting. He never listens when I try to get out of things, so in the end, I had to go upstairs and think about what dress to wear. Keish, I really don’t think it’s fair.
I arrived at the Westridge manor right on schedule, walking carefully through the snow with the hem of my yellow dress held up to keep it from getting wet. The day was clear, cold, and beautiful. I climbed the steps to the manor entrance and rang the bell. In a minute a servant answered, but not one I recognized. He, however, recognized me in a moment and admitted me. I handed him my coat and scarf.
“Lunch is about to be served, my lady,” said the servant, “Let me escort you.” He led me through the main hall and into the parlor. Prince Tulson was sitting at a small table with the Queen talking. When he saw me, he jumped up and came to offer me his arm. I curtsied. Queen Elspeth nodded her head and came forward to offer me her hand. She was gorgeously dressed in navy blue with white and gold trim. When she took my hand, I realized with a start that I was still wearing one of my gloves. I gasped a little and removed it hurriedly, trying to stuff it in a pocket, but I didn’t have any pockets, so it dropped on the floor. The Queen laughed a little.
“I’m very pleased to see you again, Lady Arri,” she said. I was glad she didn’t say my full name. Prince Tulson escorted me to the table. He gave us very formal introductions, then stepped toward the door.
“Will you excuse me, Mother?” he asked. She nodded and he hurried out of the room, catching my eye and giving me a slight nod as he went.
I didn’t expect him to leave us alone so soon. I wasn’t ready for it. My mind went blank and I stared stupidly at the Queen, wondering what to say.
“Tulson speaks very highly of you, Lady Arri,” said Queen Elspeth, smiling kindly, “He says you are one of the smartest girls he knows.”
I blushed. It was a moment when I should have said something about Lady Clara, but my mind was still too jumbled up. I never thought the Queen would compliment me.
“I hear you and Tulson have been spending a lot of time together,” she added. I jumped slightly, because I could tell from her tone of voice that she was implying something more than that.
“Not just us,” I stammered, “Lady Clara Songson too.”
“Yes, Tulson has told me about her. She’s a servant here, isn’t she?”
“Yes,” I said, “And I like her a lot.” I tried to think of something else to say about Lady Clara, but it didn’t seem appropriate to say she was great at climbing trees or fixing picnic baskets, or any of the other things Clara did. All those things only emphasized her social status, and I knew Prince Tulson wanted me to make her sound higher class.
“Yes,” said the Queen, “Are you looking forward to the ball?” She smiled politely.
“Yes, I am,” I lied, “Imato and my cousin Lady Lakeisha Leilani are coming too.” I wondered whether I should mention Lady Clara, but decided against it since I didn’t know if the Prince told them he invited her.
Queen Elspeth began telling me about her plans for the ball. She was particularly involved in the decorating and she gave me long descriptions of the flower arrangements and tablecloths. I only half-listened. I was trying to figure out how to draw the conversation back to Lady Clara. Every once in a while, when I could tell the Queen had just asked a question, I nodded politely.
Before I realized how much time had passed, Prince Tulson returned.
“Sorry I took so long, did you enjoy your chat?” he asked, looking mostly at me.
“We had a lovely conversation,” said the Queen, “Lady Arri has agreed to come a day early to help me put the last minute touches on the tables.”
I blinked. I couldn’t remember making any commitments like that, but then again, I couldn’t remember hardly any of the conversation at all, so I figured I must have agreed. Prince Tulson looked at me. I looked away guiltily.
We ate lunch for a few minutes, Queen Elspeth making light conversation. The food was good, but I couldn’t enjoy it very much, knowing I’d failed the Prince so terribly. Then one of the servants came to the door. He called Queen Elspeth and Prince Tulson out of the room. I suppressed a sigh of relief.
Once they were gone, I went to the window, put my hands on the sill and looked out into the spacious backyard. Mendel was playing with one of the cats. They looked peaceful and happy. I sighed miserably, wishing I was home playing with Kestrel or brushing Glory. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around, and found the Queen standing behind me.
“You have a lot on your mind, I think,” she said kindly, “May I do anything for you?”
I’m not sure why, but I didn’t expect Queen Elspeth to be so nice. She looked genuinely concerned about me. I looked back out the window, trying to organize my thoughts. Then I plunged forward with the only thing that came to my mind:
“Your Highness, do you ever think about marriage?” I asked. It sounded stupid the moment I said it, but I couldn’t take it back.
“I think about my son’s marriage frequently,” the Queen replied, “I want him to marry a fine young lady.”
I frowned, knowing she was misunderstanding something important, but not knowing how to approach it. I decided to deflect the subject for a minute.
“What about your marriage?” I asked, “Why did you marry the King?” Then I put my hand over my mouth in fear of my boldness. Is that an appropriate question to ask royalty? Probably not.
The Queen studied me thoughtfully for a minute.
“I fell in love,” she said finally. She didn’t look offended, so I ventured another question.
“Would you have married him if you didn’t love him?” I asked.
“No,” she said slowly.
“Love is very important,” I said.
“Very important,” her eyes were full of questions that she didn’t ask.
“Would you have married him if he wasn’t a prince?” I asked.
“Yes, of course,” she said, “We must marry whom we love.”
“No matter what?”
“Yes,” she agreed, narrowing her eyes slightly, “are you in love with my son?” She put one hand on my shoulder.
“No,” I whispered, “but someone else is.”
“Who?”
I hesitated; it didn’t seem right to just tell her. “I’m sorry, but I think you should ask him that question.”
“Does he love her?”
“More than anything!”
The Queen withdrew her hand.
“Forgive me, but I was sure it was you.” She was disappointed. I felt a worried chill.
“It’s someone better than me!” I cried in a panic, “It’s someone who will make sure he eats three meals every day! She’s really great: smart and pretty and everything.” I tried to remember Prince Tulson’s adjectives, but in that moment they escaped me.
“Do you think so?” asked the Queen.
“I know so. Only… she’s not what you expect.”
“How so?”
“I don’t know, Your Majesty,” I said awkwardly, “but she’s good and kind, and I know she’ll take good care of the Prince.”
“Then I can’t wait to meet her.” The Queen smiled a little perplexedly.
I smiled back as a new idea struck me.
“You’ll meet her at the ball,” I assured her, “The Prince will introduce her to all the court.”
Prince Tulson was really mad at me when I told him later what I said to the Queen. He said he would rather introduce people to Lady Clara one at a time, so he could get their reactions. I said that we should spread rumors through the court about what a fine person she was, so they would already have a good opinion of her before they met her. He liked that idea, but the announcement still worried him. I didn’t know what else to suggest. I mean, I hadn’t planned on making a promise like that to the Queen. I said it without thinking. Do you think I did okay? I hope it turns out all right, and I’m never letting the prince talk me into something like that again.
I told Imato that you said he is the most frustrating person you know, and he said (smiling) that the feeling is mutual. I think it’s funny that Jace took Imato’s side. Imato says men should stick together, especially when stubborn young ladies try to argue with them. I’m glad you told me about how Imato proposed; I knew it had happened, but Imato didn’t give me any details at all. He especially didn’t tell me about kissing Gretel.
By the way, Imato hasn’t ever killed a dragon. None of the squires have. Imato says he did fight one once, but it was Sir Aoweir who finally killed it.
Sean is twenty-two years old— I think— unless he’s had a birthday recently. Treany says Lady Westridge has introduced him to “countless” girls, but he hasn’t courted any of them seriously. I never paid much attention to Sean before. He’s kind of shy and quiet, not at all like Mendel. If Sean wants to court me, I wish he would just tell me. Well, maybe not. I don’t know what I’d say. I guess I’d say yes, because he is nice, and I can’t think of a reason to say no. I wish Imato would stick to his own courtships and not worry about mine. I don’t know why anyone would want to court me anyhow. My education is incomplete, and I’m always getting in trouble for something. I’m too young anyway. At least, I feel too young. Treany says her mother got married at sixteen. I wish I hadn‘t asked Treany about courtship. Imato says I shouldn’t pay attention to her. Uncle W. says I shouldn’t pay attention to Imato who says I shouldn‘t pay attention to Uncle W. Brynn says I shouldn’t pay attention to Liop (not that he has any opinions about courtship). Prince Tulson and Lady Clara only pay attention to each other. Brynn went back to Rousha. That leaves Mendel, which isn’t very comforting. No one else in Odsreq pays much attention to me. I’m glad I have you to write to.
As for the queen, Imato tells me that connecting the royal family to the Brios would be very desirable. I, myself, might not be a perfect match for the prince, but my legacy is, and that would be enough. I’m glad I don’t have to deal with the idea. I don’t want to be courted for my heritage.
I hope you are enjoying getting ready for the ball. If you have any ideas for how to introduce Clara as a Lady to the Court, I’d really appreciate it.
Love,
Arri
Go to NEXT Letter
Keish-- January 5 2004
January 5, 2004
Dear Arri,
Patience may be a virtue, but as you well know, it is one I was not blessed with! So while I am trying my very hardest to wait for your next letter before responding… I’m starting this letter now. After all, even without a response to my letter (was that really only yesterday?) I have plenty to respond to!
I got your letter from the 4th earlier today. I read it at lunch (good thing Jace doesn’t care much about how poorly I play hostess!)
Isn’t it funny that we both had formal audiences the same day? And then we both sat down yesterday morning to write letters. You’ll probably get mine today, so you can read how mine went.
Yours sounds… interesting. Actually I laughed out loud and Father insisted on knowing what you were up to that was so funny. I told him about Brynn and Uncle W. arguing.
He shook his head. “Brynn and that uncle of yours must be the only people in two kingdoms who would forget themselves and start yelling at each other during a royal audience.”
Jace cast a sly grin in my direction. “Well, maybe not the only two,” he said.
I glared at him and replied sternly, “Arguing with Tulson does not count! It’s usually his own fault.”
Father chuckled. “Perhaps you’re right, Jace.”
I scowled as fiercely as I could with soup in my mouth.
I’m responding all out of order, aren’t I? I think I do that every time. Since I have a plenty of time, I shall try to restrain myself and go through your letter in order.
I think it was a good idea to take Liop. One never knows what that scamp will do when no one is looking. Uncle W. probably would have been irritated it Liop burned the cottage down with some spell or something. I’m surprised, though, that he didn’t try a scrying spell to watch the audience with King Trunsle since he couldn’t go in. I imagine he knows enough about them to pull it off. (Don’t tell him that though, it’ll just give him ideas.)
I remember Father’s reaction when I asked if we were going to attend your mother’s funeral. I know it had been some years since my mother’s, but when his face turned white and he wouldn’t answer me I knew it was just going to be too hard for him. I didn’t press the matter. I remember wondering if you would be upset with me for not coming. I was always too scared to ask you.
Nurse Linder… was she the one who came with you when you visited a few months before Liop was born? She didn’t like me much. I don’t think she approved of me. I seem to recall hearing her muttering something about my being undisciplined, wild and entirely unladylike. Not that she was wrong. I was probably at least two of the three.
Jace showed me the sitting room you were in while I was in Rousha. It is certainly very busy. We laughed about the mural. I doubt people dressed that was when they went hunting dragons. Can you imagine how annoying it would be? Those clothes would definitely get in the way. I suppose your mother was wearing a very nice dress when your father rescued her from the dragon, but she hadn’t been planning on running into one, so that’s an entirely different matter.
Only Uncle W. would try to tell the King that he was already making arrangements! People say I’m outspoken, but good grief! Maybe it runs in the family.
I’m glad King Trunsle won’t let Imato just give up on his training. I’m sure he would have regretted it as soon as things settle down. Sir Aoweir didn’t like the idea of giving up on him, or letting him give up on himself.
I’m glad you don’t have to take Feminine Politics. (That made me laugh, which meant I had to read that part to Father… He and Jace both laughed loudly too.) Poor Imato-- he’s so serious sometimes. You shouldn’t have to take it, though, and I’m glad everyone is in agreement on that.
What was Uncle W. talking about? How could proper training lead to your death? Isn’t the opposite more likely? If you were to try to use your magic without training the results could be dangerous. Besides, your mother died of complications from childbirth, didn’t she? What does that have to do with magic? And what, if anything, does Brynn know? She must know (or at least suspect) something to have let it go at that.
What about Master Ujifil? If he looks forward to seeing you often, does that mean you’d be his apprentice? Or is that just because he’ll be treating your father? It’s wonderful that King Trunsle is going to take care of the apprenticeship. Father and I talked about it last night after I sent Hermes off and agreed that we would fund your training if you would let us. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I guess maybe we should have been talking to Father about these sort of things all along. In the future, Father says, you are to let us know of such needs immediately so that we can help. He said he was going to write stern letters to Imato and Uncle W. on the subject (though he didn’t think Uncle W. would necessarily listen.)
The next part of your letter made me laugh again. (Actually, I can’t think of it without laughing, which Jace says, teasingly, is most distracting.) It’s probably a good thing Sir Aoweir thought to give Imato the helmet. I suppose that makes Gretel’s letter to you a little superfluous, but she’s been upset enough she may not have noticed. Actually, she says in her note that she didn’t know if she would be seeing Imato or not. If I were Imato, though, I’d have been far more nervous about facing her, too! (You’ve probably never seen her in a temper… it’s a frightening thing for whomever is on the receiving end. She doesn’t scream or throw things the way I tend to-- she becomes deadly calm.)
Imato, however deserved it! I’m convinced he either thinks too much or not enough. He may be the most frustrating person I know, and you are welcome to tell him I said so.
Jace thinks I’m being too hard on him. “Imato is being cautious,” he said. “You don’t understand the pressure put on young men to make good matches and be able to provide for them so that delicate young ladies” (I snorted at that) “don’t have to know any sort of hardship.”
“One,” I responded, “that sounds very boring, and two, we’re not all that delicate, and three, who said such things were anyone else’s decision to make?!”
Jace’s voice took on a tone not unlike my father’s when he thinks I’m being unreasonable. “But a young man simply cannot approach a young lady’s father to ask permission to court her or to ask for her hand if he has no viable means of supporting the young lady. Fathers are intimidating enough as it is without feeling like you’re asking with nothing to offer in return.”
“My father isn’t intimidating. And I don’t see how Sir Aoweir can be that intimidating either, when Imato already knows he likes him. Besides if I want to marry someone then I want to marry them and if that means we would struggle, then that’s our decision to make. The man can’t just decide without giving the girl a chance to voice her opinions too.”
“That’s part of your problem,” Jace pointed out, “most young ladies don’t have strong opinions and don’t even know what a struggle would mean. If they know from experience, then they probably aren’t that good of a match to begin with. Fathers, on the other hand, know what a struggle would mean because they are older and wiser and have seen more of the world. They have to protect their daughters, it’s their job. If a young man knows the father is going to disapprove because he can’t provide, then it’s better to let the young lady move on.”
I blew out my breath in frustration. “But Sir Aoweir likes Imato and Gretel isn’t that sheltered. Do you honestly think she cares a jot about giving up fancy ball gowns until Imato’s established himself? She has them in spades! It’s not as though Imato has no prospects, he just has to finish his training. And it’s not like they’d be starving and homeless until then. All she wants is to be with him.”
“But it would be more prudent for them to wait until Imato is done. I’m sure Imato is thinking Sir Aoweir holds that opinion. Imato’s just being practical.”
“I think in this case the ‘delicate young ladies’ are being more practical than the young men! They would have her dowry, and she comes of age in April and will receive a portion of her inheritance and they have his wages. Plus, he should receive be receiving his inheritance soon, right?”
“I think finding Sir Quin has likely changed that,” Jace pointed out.
I rolled my eyes. “Even if it has, I’m sure Uncle Quin would be willing to give Imato at least a portion once he’s well enough to do so. Plus once Imato finishes his training and enters knighthood it’s only a matter of time before he has a status equal to Sir Aoweir, so in the long run, what has she lost?”
“But that’s the long run,” Jace said, starting to get ruffled at last. “Imato has to consider what she’ll lose in the short term as well-- and in the short term, he’s still just a squire.”
I was ready to pull my hair out. “Am I the only one who realizes that he only has about 6 months or something left?! It’s not as though they would elope! Even the shortest formal engagement is at least six months.”
“Did you learn that in Feminine Politics?” Jace asked mischievously, hoping, I’m sure, to throw me off.
“I didn’t take Feminine Politics,” I retorted crossly, “which you well know.”
Jace sighed. “Maybe you should have,” he muttered.
I threw a quill at him. It was the best thing in reach since I was still sitting at the table in the library where I’d been writing this. (Where I’m sitting now, actually.) Of course my aim was way off, which is too bad, because he deserved being hit in the forehead for that comment. “What are you talking about? You don’t like that rot any more than I do,” I practically hissed.
“But at least we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”
(There’s that word again-- why do people insist on calling arguments with me discussions?! I think they do it because they know it gets me even more riled up!)
“It’s not my fault that Imato’s being ridiculous. And it certainly isn’t my fault that you’re defending him. Even if they didn’t have her inheritance and dowry, which as far as I’m aware would likely be plenty to live on for months, his wages aren’t nothing. And it’s not as though her parents wouldn’t let them live there or help them out in some way. Lady Aoweir certainly isn’t going to allow Gretel to miss any balls or important social functions. Being married won’t mean Gretel can stop living the status life her mother wants her to have, probably. If their circumstances interfere, Lady Aoweir will step in and make up the difference. And, as I’ve pointed out, the soonest they’re likely to marry is fall, since I’m sure there will be some sort of formal engagement. And they can’t really marry until Uncle Quin is at least making some progress. So that’s plenty of time for Imato to finish up and take his place as a knight. There can’t possibly be objections to the daughter of a knight marrying a knight, can there? And I still say it should be her decision and no one else’s. Surely Sir Aoweir can see that, too.”
I was slightly out of breath and very worked up by this point, so I broke off and went back to writing. Jace looked completely taken aback and how passionate I was. I don’t know why-- I thought he knew how I felt about such things. But then, I was surprised too. I didn’t think he would be so seriously agreeing with Imato! “Fathers are intimidating” indeed. It’s not as though he’s had experience going about asking for the hands of this or that young lady. At least, I should certainly hope he hasn’t, for he’s not said a word about it to me and he’s been telling me practically everything for years now. (Just as I’ve been telling him.)
Perhaps he was more taken aback than I originally thought, though. He’s been silent for an hour. That doesn’t mean he agrees with me, of course. I’m sure he still thinks Imato is being perfectly sensible. Though I do hope he realizes I made some good points.
Speaking of good points, I could also go on and on about Imato’s concern that something might happen. That, as I understand it, is life. Of course something will happen, but it doesn’t follow that it will be something bad. You can’t live in fear of vague possible disasters. What if our parents hadn’t married because they were worried something might happen? Things did happen to them, both good and bad, and that’s what has made us who we are.
I just read that last bit to Jace, hoping to draw him out of his rather distracting reverie. He says I’m waxing philosophical.
“But that doesn’t mean you’re entirely wrong,” he says, giving me a broad smile. It’s even more distracting than his peculiar silence was, so I’m sending him off to see about tea.
As he left, he poked his head back in the room. “I’m sorry for what I said about Feminine Politics. I’m glad you didn’t take it.”
“I know, but it was very bad of you to say,” I responded.
He just grinned and shut the door before I could throw something at him again.
I’m sorry Imato was disappointed. He probably doesn’t understand that it’s more difficult for a young woman, especially when you haven’t come of age and aren’t completely sure who knows best, to interrupt that kind of an argument. Just because you were quiet doesn’t mean you’re weak. Sometimes it’s better to let the argument blow over before adding your thoughts. (I know, I know, this sounds strange coming from me, but if you’d started yelling like I would have, what would have happened? The argument would have just gotten worse and Uncle W. wouldn’t have really been listening to you anyway. Much better to go to him after he’s calmed down some.) I’ve always known you have it in you to stand up to him. I’m sure he’ll let you once he realizes how important it is to you. I know Brynn and I and Imato have all told him that, but it’ll mean more coming directly from you (and he’ll be able to see it’s not just my idea or something). Or you could always come here and live with us. Father could arrange and apprenticeship, I’m sure.
I’m glad you set Imato straight about Gretel. They’re both in your debt, I think. I’m sure I’ll hear a lot of details when Gretel returns-- which I hope is soon, though I guess it wouldn’t be fair to separate her from Imato right away. But then again, maybe Imato will be coming back to Adya soon, anyway. Or will he stay until you are settled in Rousha? (Then again, I may know before I even send this off.)
It’s night now. At dinner I asked Father about his letters to Uncle W. and Imato. He had already written them both.
“I told Winthrop that he was being a stubborn, prideful fool not coming to me. We are family, after all. I don’t see why he didn’t write or even mention it while we were there for Christmas! He acted as though everything had been taken care of, arrangements all made, payments decided upon. I didn’t offer help because he made me think everything was done.”
I chuckled. “What did you say to Imato?”
“A lot of the same things-- that he should have come to me. Especially since Winthrop was making an idiot of himself. If he had simply written a letter he could have let the adults handle everything and gone back to his training.”
I nearly dropped my fork. “You didn’t say that, Father.”
He nodded, looking confused at my tone.
I looked at Jace (who was so staunch in defending Imato earlier in the day), but he was suddenly very interested in the fish course.
“Father,” I began gently, “Imato is an adult. He may not have finished his training yet, but he’s 21 years old. You and Uncle Winthrop have to stop treating him like a child.”
Father blinked. “I’m not treating him like a child. I just want him to be able to finish his training. He can’t do that very well if he’s worried all the time about taking care of everything.”
“I know, but he’s not going to see it that way. He’s going to feel like you think he’s 12. Why do you think he and Uncle Winthrop keep arguing? He wants to be allowed to be the adult he is.”
At this point Father looked to Jace for help, but he was still intent on the fish (he was apparently trying to ensure that the sauce was spread as evenly as is humanly possible). I kicked Jace under the table, but he just smiled without looking up. I glared at him.
I turned back to Father. “The fact is that if you don’t rewrite it, it will serve the opposite effect. It will simply convince Imato that you are like Uncle W. and he most certainly won’t come to you for help. It would be better to be on friendly terms, especially since he’ll be coming back to Adya.”
He finally agreed to rewrite the letter. I think he saw my point once he’d thought about it. Jace did quite an amazing job cleaning his plate. He can be very aggravating.
After dinner we went up with Father to the observatory. Jace was finally helpful, keeping an eye on what little could be seen through the clouds. I supervised while Father rewrote the letter. It’s much better now.
It’s late, So I will put this away for now.
Jan. 6th
Grr. Blaze seems to think that the moment the slightest bit of light sneaks in through the crack in the curtains he has a duty not to let me miss it. Personally, I would like to sleep until the sun is high enough that it demands attention, but no, he’s got me up when the sun isn’t even sure it’s up. In fact, this morning, it wasn’t even a hint of sunlight glimmering through the curtains, it was the light from the servants’ tower. Grr.
The advantage to this (the ONLY advantage) is that it has given me a chance to look over this letter and write more before breakfast. And rereading it I noticed that I completely forgot to tell you about the other letter I received yesterday.
It came in the morning, but when I got yours a few hours later I forgot abut it. It was not at all a letter I expected. It was from Jace’s mother.
Remember I told you we’d had tea the day I was in Rousha? It was kind of odd-- having tea alone with a woman you’ve only just met that day, but upon whose household you’ve wreaked a fair bit of havoc over the years. I like her and we had an enjoyable discussion on growing up at court (she’s the daughter of a knight, but then you likely knew that), but it was still just a bit odd.
I guess she liked me, though, because this letter is an invitation to spend the day after the ball shopping with her and Taty. She says the market will be larger than usual for the Winter Festival and the shops will have all their best merchandise out. There’s a letter here for Gretel, too (who apparently instructed the couriers to bring her mail to me… I’ll have to ask her about that). Lady Pren says she has sent a letter to you as well. I guess it’s probably waiting for you in Odsreq. (She must not have known you’d be in Rousha.) She hopes I can persuade you to join us unless your father’s condition absolutely prevents it.
Jace laughed at that. “Between Mother, you, and Gretel Arri had better just say she’ll come or she may find herself pulled out of the house in her dressing gown!” I glared at him and he laughed more.
Jace is here to find out why I haven’t come down to breakfast. “Make sure you tell Arri not to worry about what to do with Liop while she’s out with you ladies-- I’ll take him on a tour of Old Rousha and I promise to keep him out of trouble. With her permission, I’ll write him a letter inviting him to spend the day with me,” he says. He’d just write the letter, but he wants to make sure it’s okay before he gets Liop’s hopes up.
Well, breakfast is cooling and Father wants my opinions on the possible implications of the current proximity of Jupiter to the constellation of the Unicorn. So I guess I shall put this away again.
Evening
Gretel’s back! (I know, it’s completely selfish of me to be so excited when she and Imato can’t spend more time together, but I’ve really missed her these last couple of months.) I’m sure Imato has already told you what happened when he went to find her the other morning, but I somehow can’t picture him giving you a detailed account, so I’ll tell you what Gretel said. Perhaps it’s not a fair judgment of Imato. If that’s the case, it might still be fun to compare versions of the story. Anyway, here is what happened, with minimal commentary from me, as Gretel told it.
“The sun was barely rising when Imato knocked at my door. I hadn’t slept well, so I was already in a morning gown. I’d been staring out the window trying to decide if I’d been to hard on him [I told her she probably hadn’t]. I was glad to see him, especially since it seemed he was radiating a new confidence.
“’I’m sorry,’ he said simply, taking my hand and sitting beside me on the window seat.
“I nodded. ‘Me too.’
“’But you were right,’ Imato said. ‘I shouldn’t have written you that letter. I’ve just been so worried about everything.’
“I tried not to smile at the look on his face. ‘What changed?’ I asked him.
“He chuckled. ‘I talked to Arri. She gives pretty good advice for a little sister.’ His smile was larger and happier than anything I’d seen from him before.
“’You can’t be just figuring that out,’ I told him sternly. ‘You have a wonderful sister. I wish…’ I trailed off uncertainly.
“’It’s true,’ he said softly. ‘Shall I share her?’
“I looked up sharply. Was he saying what it sounded like he was saying? ‘Don’t you dare toy with me, Imato Quin Etautca,’ I told him.
“His eyes were sparkling like Liop’s do when he’s trying a new spell. ‘After yesterday do you think I’d dare do anything resembling toying with you?’ [“Not if he’s half as smart as his siblings,” I muttered at this point in her narrative.]
“My eyes filled with tears. I don’t know what I pictured this moment would be like, but I’m sure it was far more wonderful than I could ever have imagined. [Here I rolled my eyes.] ‘I’ve always wanted a sister,’ I admitted.
“His face grew more serious. ‘I still have to talk to your father.’
“I laughed. ‘He’ll be very pleased to talk to you.’
“He still looked somewhat troubled. ‘And I don’t know when the wedding could be. I still have months of training, and I don’t know how long it will take for my father to recover and…’
“I put my hand firmly over his mouth. ‘There will be plenty of time to sort all that out. Just knowing I can be your wife is enough…’” [Apparently Imato interrupted her here, but she just blushes and nearly giggles. I’ll assume that means he kissed her. I don‘t suppose that‘s a detail he‘ll give you.]
I guess then Imato went to talk to Sir Aoweir. Then of course, Gretel and her father left for home and I guess you and Imato and Liop and Uncle W. did too. It is too bad that they had to be separated so quickly after becoming betrothed.
So Gretel arrived just after lunch and we spent the afternoon trading stories about the winter. Jace helped me tell stories about our journey for a while, but then we sent him away so that we could dress for dinner. It was Jace’s farewell dinner and it was to be a formal, if small, dinner. (Well, okay, as formal as I can persuade myself to be. After two months away I thought we may as well try a formal function, or an informal formal function, as Jace called it.)
Father was in absolutely rare form. I think he told every joke he knows. He was jolly through every course, laughing merrily at anything anyone said that even approached being funny and sometimes… snickering (or something… I can’t think of a better word) to himself for no apparent reason at all. Have you ever seen my father snicker? Until tonight, I hadn’t either. It was very odd. If he were at all prone to drinking I would have suspected he had been having wine earlier, rather than tea. It was nearly as distracting as Jace’s smiling.
I do hate to let Jace go, but it’s not as though I can order him to stay. Well, okay, I suppose I could, but it wouldn’t be very polite of me. It will be Taty’s birthday soon and I have kept him from his family long enough (which really is just one of those things one tells oneself whether one agrees with one’s self on the matter or not is another matter entirely).
Jan. 7th midmorning
I beat even Blaze this morning, waking early to see Jace off. I was sorry to see him go, but I tried not to let him see just how sorry. He didn’t seem to want to go, but said he must speak with his father about several things and left with a certain air of purpose.
I resisted the temptation to return to bed (as if Blaze would have let me) and went up to the observatory. Father was acting somewhat silly again, and as soon as he had had his breakfast I sent him to bed and went looking for Gretel.
The court is positively buzzing about her and Imato. I’ve never understood how so much gossip can have circulated so far and so quickly! I suppose since it’s been a few years since you’ve lived in Rousha maybe you’ve not experienced it, but it’s quite a phenomenon. Gretel’s been back less than a full day and already everyone is talking about what a wonderful match she’s made. Lady Aoweir, of course, has been spreading much of this gossip to make the other mothers jealous. It’s quite the favorite pastime at court, you know. She has made certain that everyone knows that Imato rescued Uncle W. and your father (which technically he doesn’t deserve all the credit for and I’ve had to bite my tongue several times to avoid saying as much) and that King Trunsle has declared him to be Elcaro’s most promising squire and how he’s bound to follow his father as captain. Apparently Lady Aoweir is no longer bothered about the fact that your brother is not landed.
That’s all of the legitimate gossip. There’s also a great deal of ridiculous gossip, probably also started (slyly) by Lady Aoweir, though I’m sure she’d deny it (it’s all part of the game to women at court). Some of it, though, is getting silly. If I’m asked once more how many dragons Imato has slain (the current estimate is 4), I’ll likely go insane. (Ah, court life)
Well, Gretel and I are to have lunch with Marie and help her with gowns and such.
Jan. 8th
I am supposed to tell you that you are not to worry in the slightest about a new gown for the ball. Don’t ask, that’s all I’m allowed to say. You’ll just have to trust me on this.
Gretel and I went to have lunch with Marie (you remember, she’s the girl who used to be a servant, but found out she’s the daughter of a knight). It was a much more enjoyable lunch than the one with Vanessa, even if we did talk about gowns. Marie is to be formally presented at court in a couple of days, so after lunch we went with her for her fitting. It’s fun to spend time with her without her having to be working. She’s been away near the sea getting to know her father.
Gretel and I decided we may as well take the opportunity to see about gowns for the ball. (And naturally there was a discussion of wedding gowns and trousseaus and such, but Gretel demurred for the most part, declaring that she was not starting that process until she and Imato had further discussed dates and such.) One of the dressmaker’s assistants, Annette, always keeps an eye out for things I would like. She’s been helping me keep things mended (since I’m so miserable at it and I always have something in need of mending) for a while now. She set aside a lovely crushed velvet that exactly matches my eyes, which is no mean feat.
Now, you know my sketching is at least as deplorable as my mending, and I’m certainly no designer, but with a few patterns and a little magic, I was able to design my own gown. It will use the crushed velvet and some silver brocade. It’s funny, I always hated going through fittings and everything, but after having been gone so long it’s kind of exciting to get a new gown. I guess court life is a part of me after all. Not that I want to bury myself in it-- in fact I’m avoiding Vanessa who wants Gretel and I to come to tea or lunch, or something now that Gretel’s back. I, however, have no intention of subjecting myself to that again. If Gretel chooses to accept, she’s on her own. (Oh, I’m enclosing the sketches of my dress, since I’m not very good at describing such things in detail.)
Now that I’ve told you about yesterday, I shall answer your letter. I received it not long ago, and read it, but I had to put things down in order.
Gessair is not going anywhere any time soon. King Menion has not formally decreed what will happen to him, but I rather hope he’s simply put to death. Letting him recoup his magic would really not be a good idea.
I’m sorry no one would let you do anything. That is the chief difficulty of being a young lady. No one wants to let you do anything. It’s quite frustrating.
Poor Uncle Winthrop. It must be hard for him to have Aunt Nysa not remember him. I’m glad she is comfortable with you, though. It must be very hard for her, too. All of this is strange. I wonder if she remembers my mother. I hope she continues to remember things. I wonder what Brynn will have to say about it. Do you think they know each other? I don’t know how long it’s been since Brynn left the ring. I never thought to ask.
Mendel does come up with odd compliments, doesn’t he? What a strange thing to say. I’d consider it a compliment, though. Well, of a sort.
Imato does think about courtship too much. And if he doesn’t think much about Tulson and Clara he’s never seen them together. (Not that I have, but I’ve read your accounts of such times) As to the rest of it, if they were courting you, wouldn’t they have gone to Uncle W. or Imato for permission? Mendel doesn’t sound as though he is thinking about courting anyone. I don’t know about Sean, though. How much older is he than you?
I suppose that does explain why the Queen just sat there taking notes. But would it be proper for a princess to be a healer?
I can’t seem to hold the quill from laughing, everything Imato said is so funny. I’ll have to tell Gretel later.
I hope things are going well with Nysa, and that your magic test went very well. You’ll have to let me know what Brynn says about it all. I’ll close now, because I fear that if I write more I will need more than just Hermes and Clotho to send this. (It’s lucky I have both of them here now)
Love always
Keish
View the Sketches
Go to NEXT Letter
Dear Arri,
Patience may be a virtue, but as you well know, it is one I was not blessed with! So while I am trying my very hardest to wait for your next letter before responding… I’m starting this letter now. After all, even without a response to my letter (was that really only yesterday?) I have plenty to respond to!
I got your letter from the 4th earlier today. I read it at lunch (good thing Jace doesn’t care much about how poorly I play hostess!)
Isn’t it funny that we both had formal audiences the same day? And then we both sat down yesterday morning to write letters. You’ll probably get mine today, so you can read how mine went.
Yours sounds… interesting. Actually I laughed out loud and Father insisted on knowing what you were up to that was so funny. I told him about Brynn and Uncle W. arguing.
He shook his head. “Brynn and that uncle of yours must be the only people in two kingdoms who would forget themselves and start yelling at each other during a royal audience.”
Jace cast a sly grin in my direction. “Well, maybe not the only two,” he said.
I glared at him and replied sternly, “Arguing with Tulson does not count! It’s usually his own fault.”
Father chuckled. “Perhaps you’re right, Jace.”
I scowled as fiercely as I could with soup in my mouth.
I’m responding all out of order, aren’t I? I think I do that every time. Since I have a plenty of time, I shall try to restrain myself and go through your letter in order.
I think it was a good idea to take Liop. One never knows what that scamp will do when no one is looking. Uncle W. probably would have been irritated it Liop burned the cottage down with some spell or something. I’m surprised, though, that he didn’t try a scrying spell to watch the audience with King Trunsle since he couldn’t go in. I imagine he knows enough about them to pull it off. (Don’t tell him that though, it’ll just give him ideas.)
I remember Father’s reaction when I asked if we were going to attend your mother’s funeral. I know it had been some years since my mother’s, but when his face turned white and he wouldn’t answer me I knew it was just going to be too hard for him. I didn’t press the matter. I remember wondering if you would be upset with me for not coming. I was always too scared to ask you.
Nurse Linder… was she the one who came with you when you visited a few months before Liop was born? She didn’t like me much. I don’t think she approved of me. I seem to recall hearing her muttering something about my being undisciplined, wild and entirely unladylike. Not that she was wrong. I was probably at least two of the three.
Jace showed me the sitting room you were in while I was in Rousha. It is certainly very busy. We laughed about the mural. I doubt people dressed that was when they went hunting dragons. Can you imagine how annoying it would be? Those clothes would definitely get in the way. I suppose your mother was wearing a very nice dress when your father rescued her from the dragon, but she hadn’t been planning on running into one, so that’s an entirely different matter.
Only Uncle W. would try to tell the King that he was already making arrangements! People say I’m outspoken, but good grief! Maybe it runs in the family.
I’m glad King Trunsle won’t let Imato just give up on his training. I’m sure he would have regretted it as soon as things settle down. Sir Aoweir didn’t like the idea of giving up on him, or letting him give up on himself.
I’m glad you don’t have to take Feminine Politics. (That made me laugh, which meant I had to read that part to Father… He and Jace both laughed loudly too.) Poor Imato-- he’s so serious sometimes. You shouldn’t have to take it, though, and I’m glad everyone is in agreement on that.
What was Uncle W. talking about? How could proper training lead to your death? Isn’t the opposite more likely? If you were to try to use your magic without training the results could be dangerous. Besides, your mother died of complications from childbirth, didn’t she? What does that have to do with magic? And what, if anything, does Brynn know? She must know (or at least suspect) something to have let it go at that.
What about Master Ujifil? If he looks forward to seeing you often, does that mean you’d be his apprentice? Or is that just because he’ll be treating your father? It’s wonderful that King Trunsle is going to take care of the apprenticeship. Father and I talked about it last night after I sent Hermes off and agreed that we would fund your training if you would let us. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I guess maybe we should have been talking to Father about these sort of things all along. In the future, Father says, you are to let us know of such needs immediately so that we can help. He said he was going to write stern letters to Imato and Uncle W. on the subject (though he didn’t think Uncle W. would necessarily listen.)
The next part of your letter made me laugh again. (Actually, I can’t think of it without laughing, which Jace says, teasingly, is most distracting.) It’s probably a good thing Sir Aoweir thought to give Imato the helmet. I suppose that makes Gretel’s letter to you a little superfluous, but she’s been upset enough she may not have noticed. Actually, she says in her note that she didn’t know if she would be seeing Imato or not. If I were Imato, though, I’d have been far more nervous about facing her, too! (You’ve probably never seen her in a temper… it’s a frightening thing for whomever is on the receiving end. She doesn’t scream or throw things the way I tend to-- she becomes deadly calm.)
Imato, however deserved it! I’m convinced he either thinks too much or not enough. He may be the most frustrating person I know, and you are welcome to tell him I said so.
Jace thinks I’m being too hard on him. “Imato is being cautious,” he said. “You don’t understand the pressure put on young men to make good matches and be able to provide for them so that delicate young ladies” (I snorted at that) “don’t have to know any sort of hardship.”
“One,” I responded, “that sounds very boring, and two, we’re not all that delicate, and three, who said such things were anyone else’s decision to make?!”
Jace’s voice took on a tone not unlike my father’s when he thinks I’m being unreasonable. “But a young man simply cannot approach a young lady’s father to ask permission to court her or to ask for her hand if he has no viable means of supporting the young lady. Fathers are intimidating enough as it is without feeling like you’re asking with nothing to offer in return.”
“My father isn’t intimidating. And I don’t see how Sir Aoweir can be that intimidating either, when Imato already knows he likes him. Besides if I want to marry someone then I want to marry them and if that means we would struggle, then that’s our decision to make. The man can’t just decide without giving the girl a chance to voice her opinions too.”
“That’s part of your problem,” Jace pointed out, “most young ladies don’t have strong opinions and don’t even know what a struggle would mean. If they know from experience, then they probably aren’t that good of a match to begin with. Fathers, on the other hand, know what a struggle would mean because they are older and wiser and have seen more of the world. They have to protect their daughters, it’s their job. If a young man knows the father is going to disapprove because he can’t provide, then it’s better to let the young lady move on.”
I blew out my breath in frustration. “But Sir Aoweir likes Imato and Gretel isn’t that sheltered. Do you honestly think she cares a jot about giving up fancy ball gowns until Imato’s established himself? She has them in spades! It’s not as though Imato has no prospects, he just has to finish his training. And it’s not like they’d be starving and homeless until then. All she wants is to be with him.”
“But it would be more prudent for them to wait until Imato is done. I’m sure Imato is thinking Sir Aoweir holds that opinion. Imato’s just being practical.”
“I think in this case the ‘delicate young ladies’ are being more practical than the young men! They would have her dowry, and she comes of age in April and will receive a portion of her inheritance and they have his wages. Plus, he should receive be receiving his inheritance soon, right?”
“I think finding Sir Quin has likely changed that,” Jace pointed out.
I rolled my eyes. “Even if it has, I’m sure Uncle Quin would be willing to give Imato at least a portion once he’s well enough to do so. Plus once Imato finishes his training and enters knighthood it’s only a matter of time before he has a status equal to Sir Aoweir, so in the long run, what has she lost?”
“But that’s the long run,” Jace said, starting to get ruffled at last. “Imato has to consider what she’ll lose in the short term as well-- and in the short term, he’s still just a squire.”
I was ready to pull my hair out. “Am I the only one who realizes that he only has about 6 months or something left?! It’s not as though they would elope! Even the shortest formal engagement is at least six months.”
“Did you learn that in Feminine Politics?” Jace asked mischievously, hoping, I’m sure, to throw me off.
“I didn’t take Feminine Politics,” I retorted crossly, “which you well know.”
Jace sighed. “Maybe you should have,” he muttered.
I threw a quill at him. It was the best thing in reach since I was still sitting at the table in the library where I’d been writing this. (Where I’m sitting now, actually.) Of course my aim was way off, which is too bad, because he deserved being hit in the forehead for that comment. “What are you talking about? You don’t like that rot any more than I do,” I practically hissed.
“But at least we wouldn’t be having this discussion.”
(There’s that word again-- why do people insist on calling arguments with me discussions?! I think they do it because they know it gets me even more riled up!)
“It’s not my fault that Imato’s being ridiculous. And it certainly isn’t my fault that you’re defending him. Even if they didn’t have her inheritance and dowry, which as far as I’m aware would likely be plenty to live on for months, his wages aren’t nothing. And it’s not as though her parents wouldn’t let them live there or help them out in some way. Lady Aoweir certainly isn’t going to allow Gretel to miss any balls or important social functions. Being married won’t mean Gretel can stop living the status life her mother wants her to have, probably. If their circumstances interfere, Lady Aoweir will step in and make up the difference. And, as I’ve pointed out, the soonest they’re likely to marry is fall, since I’m sure there will be some sort of formal engagement. And they can’t really marry until Uncle Quin is at least making some progress. So that’s plenty of time for Imato to finish up and take his place as a knight. There can’t possibly be objections to the daughter of a knight marrying a knight, can there? And I still say it should be her decision and no one else’s. Surely Sir Aoweir can see that, too.”
I was slightly out of breath and very worked up by this point, so I broke off and went back to writing. Jace looked completely taken aback and how passionate I was. I don’t know why-- I thought he knew how I felt about such things. But then, I was surprised too. I didn’t think he would be so seriously agreeing with Imato! “Fathers are intimidating” indeed. It’s not as though he’s had experience going about asking for the hands of this or that young lady. At least, I should certainly hope he hasn’t, for he’s not said a word about it to me and he’s been telling me practically everything for years now. (Just as I’ve been telling him.)
Perhaps he was more taken aback than I originally thought, though. He’s been silent for an hour. That doesn’t mean he agrees with me, of course. I’m sure he still thinks Imato is being perfectly sensible. Though I do hope he realizes I made some good points.
Speaking of good points, I could also go on and on about Imato’s concern that something might happen. That, as I understand it, is life. Of course something will happen, but it doesn’t follow that it will be something bad. You can’t live in fear of vague possible disasters. What if our parents hadn’t married because they were worried something might happen? Things did happen to them, both good and bad, and that’s what has made us who we are.
I just read that last bit to Jace, hoping to draw him out of his rather distracting reverie. He says I’m waxing philosophical.
“But that doesn’t mean you’re entirely wrong,” he says, giving me a broad smile. It’s even more distracting than his peculiar silence was, so I’m sending him off to see about tea.
As he left, he poked his head back in the room. “I’m sorry for what I said about Feminine Politics. I’m glad you didn’t take it.”
“I know, but it was very bad of you to say,” I responded.
He just grinned and shut the door before I could throw something at him again.
I’m sorry Imato was disappointed. He probably doesn’t understand that it’s more difficult for a young woman, especially when you haven’t come of age and aren’t completely sure who knows best, to interrupt that kind of an argument. Just because you were quiet doesn’t mean you’re weak. Sometimes it’s better to let the argument blow over before adding your thoughts. (I know, I know, this sounds strange coming from me, but if you’d started yelling like I would have, what would have happened? The argument would have just gotten worse and Uncle W. wouldn’t have really been listening to you anyway. Much better to go to him after he’s calmed down some.) I’ve always known you have it in you to stand up to him. I’m sure he’ll let you once he realizes how important it is to you. I know Brynn and I and Imato have all told him that, but it’ll mean more coming directly from you (and he’ll be able to see it’s not just my idea or something). Or you could always come here and live with us. Father could arrange and apprenticeship, I’m sure.
I’m glad you set Imato straight about Gretel. They’re both in your debt, I think. I’m sure I’ll hear a lot of details when Gretel returns-- which I hope is soon, though I guess it wouldn’t be fair to separate her from Imato right away. But then again, maybe Imato will be coming back to Adya soon, anyway. Or will he stay until you are settled in Rousha? (Then again, I may know before I even send this off.)
It’s night now. At dinner I asked Father about his letters to Uncle W. and Imato. He had already written them both.
“I told Winthrop that he was being a stubborn, prideful fool not coming to me. We are family, after all. I don’t see why he didn’t write or even mention it while we were there for Christmas! He acted as though everything had been taken care of, arrangements all made, payments decided upon. I didn’t offer help because he made me think everything was done.”
I chuckled. “What did you say to Imato?”
“A lot of the same things-- that he should have come to me. Especially since Winthrop was making an idiot of himself. If he had simply written a letter he could have let the adults handle everything and gone back to his training.”
I nearly dropped my fork. “You didn’t say that, Father.”
He nodded, looking confused at my tone.
I looked at Jace (who was so staunch in defending Imato earlier in the day), but he was suddenly very interested in the fish course.
“Father,” I began gently, “Imato is an adult. He may not have finished his training yet, but he’s 21 years old. You and Uncle Winthrop have to stop treating him like a child.”
Father blinked. “I’m not treating him like a child. I just want him to be able to finish his training. He can’t do that very well if he’s worried all the time about taking care of everything.”
“I know, but he’s not going to see it that way. He’s going to feel like you think he’s 12. Why do you think he and Uncle Winthrop keep arguing? He wants to be allowed to be the adult he is.”
At this point Father looked to Jace for help, but he was still intent on the fish (he was apparently trying to ensure that the sauce was spread as evenly as is humanly possible). I kicked Jace under the table, but he just smiled without looking up. I glared at him.
I turned back to Father. “The fact is that if you don’t rewrite it, it will serve the opposite effect. It will simply convince Imato that you are like Uncle W. and he most certainly won’t come to you for help. It would be better to be on friendly terms, especially since he’ll be coming back to Adya.”
He finally agreed to rewrite the letter. I think he saw my point once he’d thought about it. Jace did quite an amazing job cleaning his plate. He can be very aggravating.
After dinner we went up with Father to the observatory. Jace was finally helpful, keeping an eye on what little could be seen through the clouds. I supervised while Father rewrote the letter. It’s much better now.
It’s late, So I will put this away for now.
Jan. 6th
Grr. Blaze seems to think that the moment the slightest bit of light sneaks in through the crack in the curtains he has a duty not to let me miss it. Personally, I would like to sleep until the sun is high enough that it demands attention, but no, he’s got me up when the sun isn’t even sure it’s up. In fact, this morning, it wasn’t even a hint of sunlight glimmering through the curtains, it was the light from the servants’ tower. Grr.
The advantage to this (the ONLY advantage) is that it has given me a chance to look over this letter and write more before breakfast. And rereading it I noticed that I completely forgot to tell you about the other letter I received yesterday.
It came in the morning, but when I got yours a few hours later I forgot abut it. It was not at all a letter I expected. It was from Jace’s mother.
Remember I told you we’d had tea the day I was in Rousha? It was kind of odd-- having tea alone with a woman you’ve only just met that day, but upon whose household you’ve wreaked a fair bit of havoc over the years. I like her and we had an enjoyable discussion on growing up at court (she’s the daughter of a knight, but then you likely knew that), but it was still just a bit odd.
I guess she liked me, though, because this letter is an invitation to spend the day after the ball shopping with her and Taty. She says the market will be larger than usual for the Winter Festival and the shops will have all their best merchandise out. There’s a letter here for Gretel, too (who apparently instructed the couriers to bring her mail to me… I’ll have to ask her about that). Lady Pren says she has sent a letter to you as well. I guess it’s probably waiting for you in Odsreq. (She must not have known you’d be in Rousha.) She hopes I can persuade you to join us unless your father’s condition absolutely prevents it.
Jace laughed at that. “Between Mother, you, and Gretel Arri had better just say she’ll come or she may find herself pulled out of the house in her dressing gown!” I glared at him and he laughed more.
Jace is here to find out why I haven’t come down to breakfast. “Make sure you tell Arri not to worry about what to do with Liop while she’s out with you ladies-- I’ll take him on a tour of Old Rousha and I promise to keep him out of trouble. With her permission, I’ll write him a letter inviting him to spend the day with me,” he says. He’d just write the letter, but he wants to make sure it’s okay before he gets Liop’s hopes up.
Well, breakfast is cooling and Father wants my opinions on the possible implications of the current proximity of Jupiter to the constellation of the Unicorn. So I guess I shall put this away again.
Evening
Gretel’s back! (I know, it’s completely selfish of me to be so excited when she and Imato can’t spend more time together, but I’ve really missed her these last couple of months.) I’m sure Imato has already told you what happened when he went to find her the other morning, but I somehow can’t picture him giving you a detailed account, so I’ll tell you what Gretel said. Perhaps it’s not a fair judgment of Imato. If that’s the case, it might still be fun to compare versions of the story. Anyway, here is what happened, with minimal commentary from me, as Gretel told it.
“The sun was barely rising when Imato knocked at my door. I hadn’t slept well, so I was already in a morning gown. I’d been staring out the window trying to decide if I’d been to hard on him [I told her she probably hadn’t]. I was glad to see him, especially since it seemed he was radiating a new confidence.
“’I’m sorry,’ he said simply, taking my hand and sitting beside me on the window seat.
“I nodded. ‘Me too.’
“’But you were right,’ Imato said. ‘I shouldn’t have written you that letter. I’ve just been so worried about everything.’
“I tried not to smile at the look on his face. ‘What changed?’ I asked him.
“He chuckled. ‘I talked to Arri. She gives pretty good advice for a little sister.’ His smile was larger and happier than anything I’d seen from him before.
“’You can’t be just figuring that out,’ I told him sternly. ‘You have a wonderful sister. I wish…’ I trailed off uncertainly.
“’It’s true,’ he said softly. ‘Shall I share her?’
“I looked up sharply. Was he saying what it sounded like he was saying? ‘Don’t you dare toy with me, Imato Quin Etautca,’ I told him.
“His eyes were sparkling like Liop’s do when he’s trying a new spell. ‘After yesterday do you think I’d dare do anything resembling toying with you?’ [“Not if he’s half as smart as his siblings,” I muttered at this point in her narrative.]
“My eyes filled with tears. I don’t know what I pictured this moment would be like, but I’m sure it was far more wonderful than I could ever have imagined. [Here I rolled my eyes.] ‘I’ve always wanted a sister,’ I admitted.
“His face grew more serious. ‘I still have to talk to your father.’
“I laughed. ‘He’ll be very pleased to talk to you.’
“He still looked somewhat troubled. ‘And I don’t know when the wedding could be. I still have months of training, and I don’t know how long it will take for my father to recover and…’
“I put my hand firmly over his mouth. ‘There will be plenty of time to sort all that out. Just knowing I can be your wife is enough…’” [Apparently Imato interrupted her here, but she just blushes and nearly giggles. I’ll assume that means he kissed her. I don‘t suppose that‘s a detail he‘ll give you.]
I guess then Imato went to talk to Sir Aoweir. Then of course, Gretel and her father left for home and I guess you and Imato and Liop and Uncle W. did too. It is too bad that they had to be separated so quickly after becoming betrothed.
So Gretel arrived just after lunch and we spent the afternoon trading stories about the winter. Jace helped me tell stories about our journey for a while, but then we sent him away so that we could dress for dinner. It was Jace’s farewell dinner and it was to be a formal, if small, dinner. (Well, okay, as formal as I can persuade myself to be. After two months away I thought we may as well try a formal function, or an informal formal function, as Jace called it.)
Father was in absolutely rare form. I think he told every joke he knows. He was jolly through every course, laughing merrily at anything anyone said that even approached being funny and sometimes… snickering (or something… I can’t think of a better word) to himself for no apparent reason at all. Have you ever seen my father snicker? Until tonight, I hadn’t either. It was very odd. If he were at all prone to drinking I would have suspected he had been having wine earlier, rather than tea. It was nearly as distracting as Jace’s smiling.
I do hate to let Jace go, but it’s not as though I can order him to stay. Well, okay, I suppose I could, but it wouldn’t be very polite of me. It will be Taty’s birthday soon and I have kept him from his family long enough (which really is just one of those things one tells oneself whether one agrees with one’s self on the matter or not is another matter entirely).
Jan. 7th midmorning
I beat even Blaze this morning, waking early to see Jace off. I was sorry to see him go, but I tried not to let him see just how sorry. He didn’t seem to want to go, but said he must speak with his father about several things and left with a certain air of purpose.
I resisted the temptation to return to bed (as if Blaze would have let me) and went up to the observatory. Father was acting somewhat silly again, and as soon as he had had his breakfast I sent him to bed and went looking for Gretel.
The court is positively buzzing about her and Imato. I’ve never understood how so much gossip can have circulated so far and so quickly! I suppose since it’s been a few years since you’ve lived in Rousha maybe you’ve not experienced it, but it’s quite a phenomenon. Gretel’s been back less than a full day and already everyone is talking about what a wonderful match she’s made. Lady Aoweir, of course, has been spreading much of this gossip to make the other mothers jealous. It’s quite the favorite pastime at court, you know. She has made certain that everyone knows that Imato rescued Uncle W. and your father (which technically he doesn’t deserve all the credit for and I’ve had to bite my tongue several times to avoid saying as much) and that King Trunsle has declared him to be Elcaro’s most promising squire and how he’s bound to follow his father as captain. Apparently Lady Aoweir is no longer bothered about the fact that your brother is not landed.
That’s all of the legitimate gossip. There’s also a great deal of ridiculous gossip, probably also started (slyly) by Lady Aoweir, though I’m sure she’d deny it (it’s all part of the game to women at court). Some of it, though, is getting silly. If I’m asked once more how many dragons Imato has slain (the current estimate is 4), I’ll likely go insane. (Ah, court life)
Well, Gretel and I are to have lunch with Marie and help her with gowns and such.
Jan. 8th
I am supposed to tell you that you are not to worry in the slightest about a new gown for the ball. Don’t ask, that’s all I’m allowed to say. You’ll just have to trust me on this.
Gretel and I went to have lunch with Marie (you remember, she’s the girl who used to be a servant, but found out she’s the daughter of a knight). It was a much more enjoyable lunch than the one with Vanessa, even if we did talk about gowns. Marie is to be formally presented at court in a couple of days, so after lunch we went with her for her fitting. It’s fun to spend time with her without her having to be working. She’s been away near the sea getting to know her father.
Gretel and I decided we may as well take the opportunity to see about gowns for the ball. (And naturally there was a discussion of wedding gowns and trousseaus and such, but Gretel demurred for the most part, declaring that she was not starting that process until she and Imato had further discussed dates and such.) One of the dressmaker’s assistants, Annette, always keeps an eye out for things I would like. She’s been helping me keep things mended (since I’m so miserable at it and I always have something in need of mending) for a while now. She set aside a lovely crushed velvet that exactly matches my eyes, which is no mean feat.
Now, you know my sketching is at least as deplorable as my mending, and I’m certainly no designer, but with a few patterns and a little magic, I was able to design my own gown. It will use the crushed velvet and some silver brocade. It’s funny, I always hated going through fittings and everything, but after having been gone so long it’s kind of exciting to get a new gown. I guess court life is a part of me after all. Not that I want to bury myself in it-- in fact I’m avoiding Vanessa who wants Gretel and I to come to tea or lunch, or something now that Gretel’s back. I, however, have no intention of subjecting myself to that again. If Gretel chooses to accept, she’s on her own. (Oh, I’m enclosing the sketches of my dress, since I’m not very good at describing such things in detail.)
Now that I’ve told you about yesterday, I shall answer your letter. I received it not long ago, and read it, but I had to put things down in order.
Gessair is not going anywhere any time soon. King Menion has not formally decreed what will happen to him, but I rather hope he’s simply put to death. Letting him recoup his magic would really not be a good idea.
I’m sorry no one would let you do anything. That is the chief difficulty of being a young lady. No one wants to let you do anything. It’s quite frustrating.
Poor Uncle Winthrop. It must be hard for him to have Aunt Nysa not remember him. I’m glad she is comfortable with you, though. It must be very hard for her, too. All of this is strange. I wonder if she remembers my mother. I hope she continues to remember things. I wonder what Brynn will have to say about it. Do you think they know each other? I don’t know how long it’s been since Brynn left the ring. I never thought to ask.
Mendel does come up with odd compliments, doesn’t he? What a strange thing to say. I’d consider it a compliment, though. Well, of a sort.
Imato does think about courtship too much. And if he doesn’t think much about Tulson and Clara he’s never seen them together. (Not that I have, but I’ve read your accounts of such times) As to the rest of it, if they were courting you, wouldn’t they have gone to Uncle W. or Imato for permission? Mendel doesn’t sound as though he is thinking about courting anyone. I don’t know about Sean, though. How much older is he than you?
I suppose that does explain why the Queen just sat there taking notes. But would it be proper for a princess to be a healer?
I can’t seem to hold the quill from laughing, everything Imato said is so funny. I’ll have to tell Gretel later.
I hope things are going well with Nysa, and that your magic test went very well. You’ll have to let me know what Brynn says about it all. I’ll close now, because I fear that if I write more I will need more than just Hermes and Clotho to send this. (It’s lucky I have both of them here now)
Love always
Keish
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Arri-- January 7, 2004
January 7, 2004
Dear Keish,
I got your letter and also Gretel’s. It must have been awful facing Gessair in front of King Menion. I’m glad he didn’t get away or have any magic left. I’m glad you had your father and Jace to back you up. Jace really is indispensable. I think there must be a way for you to stay close to him and still be able to do the things you want to do. Maybe staying close to him is more important than the other things. I don’t know. It’s a lot to decide.
What are you going to do with Gessair now? Is he going to prison? For how long? It seems dangerous to ever let him out again, but maybe he could repent. I don’t know.
I think my last letter explained about Imato and Gretel, so I don’t need to respond to Gretel’s letter. I’m not sure what I would say anyway, except that I’m excited to see her at the ball, and I hope she isn’t too mad at Imato. I thought that maybe we would see Gretel some more before then, but she had to go back to Arella with her father. I didn’t see her before she left, but Imato seemed cheerful.
I slept most of the way home. Staying up most of the night isn’t easy for me. I don’t have as much practice as you do. Kestrel was very happy to see me. She would rather I didn’t go on adventures at all, but if I have to, then she thinks she ought to come too. I think Nozama feels the same way.
Yesterday, I woke up very early. The cottage was very quiet and full of soft blue morning light. I went out to the stables and began caring for the animals. Nacks woke up and joined me after a few minutes. I saddled Sprigs and rode him down to the river and back for exercise. I tried to be busy enough to make time pass quickly, but lunch was slow in coming.
After lunch I went up to my room and started gathering my things so that I could move in with Liop, but Uncle W. stopped me. He said we’d talk to Aunt Nysa first, but he thought that I should share my room with her and leave Liop and Imato as they were. I went and found Cook and asked if we could have a big dinner and could I help her make it, but she said Aunt Nysa would be tired from traveling and that dinner should be simple and light, so that she could go to bed early. It seemed like no one wanted me to do anything, so I went outside. I brushed Glory (though I could tell Nacks had already done it). Nacks, himself, was holed up in the servant’s quarters off the stables. He wouldn’t come out, and he wouldn’t give me anything to do. He just wanted to hibernate.
I went up to my bedroom and found my embroidery (sorely neglected for the last few months) and tried to satisfy myself with the rhythmic in and out of the needle. It’s nice on cold, lazy evenings, but frustrating when I’m trying to keep my mind off something else. I don’t know how the time passed, but it finally did, and I heard horses trotting up the rode.
I recognized Aunt Nysa the moment I saw her, though she was buried in blankets and clung tight to reigns of her pale dappled mount. Mendel and Sean rode on either side of her. Mendel waved to me as I dashed out to meet them. He jumped down from his tall stallion, took the reigns from Aunt Nysa and led the horses forward. I stood on the porch and tried to think of something to say. Mendel bowed deeply.
“Lady Arri,” he said, with a broad smile, “may I present your aunt, Lady Marigold.”
“Oh!” I said as it suddenly occurred to me that Aunt Nysa still didn’t know her name. I was trying to decide how to tell her when I felt someone standing behind me. A trembling hand steadied itself on my shoulder.
“Nysa?” asked Uncle Winthrop, his voice cracking.
The woman on the horse looked troubled. She dipped her face gracefully and stared at Uncle W. with large, hazel eyes.
“Do you know me?” she asked, her voice barely reaching our ears.
Uncle W. was crying. “Since the day you were born, I’ve held your face in my heart. Time has not changed it. Do you know me, little sister?”
Aunt Nysa looked at Mendel. He glanced awkwardly towards us.
“She still doesn’t remember much,” he explained.
“I’m sorry,” said the lady, dropping her head until the blankets around face hid her from view.
“Fairy,” said Mendel, “it’s all right, just as I said.” He reached up and found her hand. Aunt Nysa allowed Mendel to help her down from the horse. Every movement she made was graceful.
“Come in,” said Uncle W., “it’s alright; it’s alright.” He walked down and tried to put his arm around her, but she shied away closer to Mendel.
“Arri, come take her hand,” Mendel told me. I did so and together we guided her into the living room. I helped her out from the bundle of blankets around her. She was thinner than anyone I’ve ever seen, and her skin was almost white. From her post in the kitchen, I heard Cook gasp. Later she apologized for refusing to help me make a large dinner (“The poor bird’s starving!”). Imato added wood to the fire to make it blaze, and moved the sofa closer to it. Aunt Nysa held her hands out toward the warmth. She looked at me and at Mendel, but shied away from anyone else’s glance. I sat down at her feet so that I could look up into her face. It was the face of the woman in the cave, but melancholy.
For a long time none of us said anything. Cook brought in a tray of hot chamomile. Liop began as if to interrogate her, but before he finished the first sentence, Imato grabbed him and took him out of the room. Aunt Nysa watched them leave, and then turned her gaze back to me.
“I remember you,” she said, “Jesse brought you to me when you were just a baby… she bade me watch you… I never knew why.”
“I’m your niece,” I said. She smiled.
“I think she told me that, but I forgot it,” she murmured, “Some fairies remember everything, but I was never important enough for memories.”
“I thought that fairies who remember their old life leave the ring and become house fairies.”
“Yes, the less powerful ones do,” said Nysa, “but there are other fairies, powerful ones, called listening fairies. They lose the memory of their former life, but they keep all of their memories after that. They are the leaders of the fairies. I am very powerful, but I’m not a listening fairy.”
“Where are your wings?” I asked.
She sighed deeply. “I lost them when I left the ring. They never told me that would happen.”
“Nysa,” asked Uncle Winthrop. She turned her large, sad eyes on him. “Nysa, do you know who I am?”
“I saw you in the cave,” she said, “you were one of many.”
“I’m your brother Winthrop.”
She didn’t say anything, just sat looking in the fire.
“Will you still forget things?” I asked.
“I don’t know…”
Mendel knelt down next to me.
“I think Fairy’s memory is getting better—not worse. When I found her she couldn’t remember why she left the ring, but now she remembers your mother. And she remembers everything about me. It’s a good thing she still has her magic, because she’s been wandering in the forest for the past month, and she probably would have starved if she hadn’t bee able to use magic.”
“Will you stay for dinner?” asked Uncle Winthrop.
Mendel accepted, but Sean declined, giving his worrying mother as his excuse. We ate quietly. I was bursting inside with questions, but Aunt Nysa looked so tired that I didn’t want to do anything that would keep her up late. Aunt Nysa said she liked the idea of sharing her room with me. The problem was we didn’t have an extra bed. It turned into something of an argument, but finally everyone decided that the thing to do was to move Uncle W.’s big bed into my room for Aunt Nysa and I to share, and my bed became Uncle W.’s. Mendel stayed long enough to help move the furniture around. Then he went home.
This morning when I went out to help Nacks in the stables, I found Mendel waiting for me. He asked if “Fairy” was awake yet, and when he found out she wasn’t , he offered to help me with the animals. So I woke Nacks up and told him he could sleep in, which he very much appreciated. While we worked, Mendel told me all about his search for Aunt Nysa and how he found her. It wasn’t very easy, because when she left the ring, Aunt Nysa lost her memory of why she left it, so she wandered for a long time before Mendel and Sean found her. Mendel says she remembers a little more everyday. I told Mendel about the cave and Gessair, and he was surprised to hear about it and said that Aunt Nysa hadn’t said anything to him about it.
After the stable work, it only seemed fair to invite Mendel to breakfast. He wanted to help me make it, and I would have let him, except it soon became obvious that he hadn’t ever cooked anything before except wild game on a spit while traveling.
“It must be great to be useful to you uncle,” he said, sampling an omelet.
“Well,” I said slowly, “before Liop and I came, Uncle Winthrop could afford to hire Cook to make all his meals. But with us, it’s different.” I felt a little embarrassed to say such a thing, but it seemed best to be honest.
“Still, you’re not like other young ladies who wouldn’t have known what to do, and would have been ashamed to do it.”
“I didn’t know what to do at first. Cook had to teach me.” I said.
Mendel grinned. “I’m glad you’re not so well-bred as other girls,” he told me. It sounded like a compliment, but I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not. I turned back to the stove, and Imato came down and rescued me from having to respond.
When Aunt Nysa came down, she still looked tired, and she ate slowly. When Liop tried to ask her questions, Uncle Winthrop shushed him. I agreed. It seemed like Aunt Nysa would answer everything in her own time. Often she looked from me to Mendel and back again. After breakfast, I excused myself to practice the magic exercises that Brynn gave me. I have a note from Brynn saying that she come on the eighth to test my magic again, although I’m a little afraid. She already has to where gloves because of me. What if I accidentally change something else orange?
After lunch, Imato and I walked to the market. It was clear and chilly, but the dirt roads were frozen hard and that made it good for walking.
I asked Imato how his magic test went, but he just shrugged. “It’s a good thing I want to be an knight instead of a healer,” he told me, and changed the subject.
“You know, Arri, you’re really setting yourself up for a catastrophe,” he told me. We were walking back from the market with ingredients for dinner.
“How?” I asked.
“Well,” said Imato, “it seems like you have at least two young men trying to court you.” He looked amused. I was at a loss.
“Don’t you already know who?” he demanded.
“No,” I said.
“Prince Tulson and Mendel,” said Imato.
“What? That stuff about the prince and me eloping was a rumor. You know that.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t erase the fact that three young men, two of them with plenty of other business to attend to, dropped everything to help me rescue you. Grant it one may have been mainly helping his brother, but I wouldn’t dismiss any of them entirely.”
“Prince Tulson and I are friends, and Mendel was helping Aunt Nysa, and Sean hardly ever speaks to me directly.”
“Do you know why the Queen attended our audience with the King? She doesn’t normally do that.”
My mind was blank.
“She wanted,” Imato grinned, “to get a good look at you, to see if you were worthy of her son.” He gave me a chance to respond, but I didn’t.
“I wish I knew her well enough to tell you what she concluded, but I think the fact that Prince Tulson is back in Odsreq is a good sign.”
“Is he?” I asked.
“Yep,” Imato touched the brim of his cap as though in salute, “that’s quite a conquest, Arri, if it’s true.”
“I think you’re mistaken,” I shook my head doubtfully.
“Now the next suitor is Mendel.”
I made a face and Imato laughed.
“Perhaps we’ll leave him alone for a while. After all, you’re a highly eligible young lady and have much greater prospects to consider.”
“Sean?” I asked, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
“Sean,” said Imato knowingly, “who sold you a tamarin for half its value and needed no incentive to ride out with Mendel in search of you.”
“He’s just a good guy,” I said.
“He’s a gentleman with a valuable inheritance, and parents who would love nothing more than for him to marry a lady of high birth.”
“Yes, Treany said something like that once,” I said, “but I don’t see how Sean could be interested in me. Wouldn’t he have to court me first?”
Imato put his arm around me as we walked.
“I don’t want you to marry anyone you’re not in love with,” he said seriously, “what I’m doing is warning you, so you don’t get pulled into something you don’t like. Prince Tulson and Lord Sean are both good matches, but only if you really like them. Mendel is something else, but I think you’ve already figured that out.”
“Then why are you telling me this?” I asked.
“You need to be more careful about spending time alone with young men you aren’t interested in. You could be leading someone on unintentionally.”
“I’m never alone with Prince Tulson. Clara is there, and I think he likes her more than he likes me. Besides, if I did like someone, wouldn’t I need a chaperone to be with them?”
“It’s unlikely the prince is interested in a servant,” Imato told me, “and you’re right, you should always have chaperone.”
“Well, I’ll remember that if I’m ever alone with Sean,” I said.
“What about Mendel?” asked Imato seriously.
“I’ve never intentionally been alone with Mendel. It just seems to happen, no matter what I do.”
Imato laughed, and that was the end of the conversation.
Keish, do think Sean might like me? It seems so unlikely, and I’ve never thought about it before. I’m too young for marriage. No one has ever wanted to court me. The whole idea is just as frightening as facing the Narls was in the desert. I’m not worried about the prince or Mendel. But I wish Imato hadn’t said anything about Sean. How am I ever going to speak to him again without thinking about it? I can’t even write this without my face turning red. I didn’t know he gave me such a good price for Nozama. Why did he do that?
I think Imato thinks about marriage and courtship too much. He should get married soon, so he doesn’t have to think about it anymore. You probably feel the same way about Prince Euan and Vanessa, right? Having lunch with Vanessa must have really tried your patience. At least most people only get married once, so once Vanessa picks her dress and fabric and everything, that ought to be the end of it. I guess she picked on you, because you do have nice taste in dresses—Imato told me that once. I love the ribbons you gave me. I don’t know what I’m going to wear to the ball yet. The nicest thing I have that still fits me is the dress Treany gave me, but Imato says I ought to have something new. Or I might alter something of Aunt Rawnal’s. I’m going to get Treany’s advice.
If Prince Tulson doesn’t tell me about the container of honey, I’m going to ask him the next time I see him. After all, he can’t make me build any traps for you! Arella is too far away.
I have a note from Lady Pren asking me to join everyone for the festival the day after the ball. It sounds like a lot of fun. I asked Uncle Winthrop and he thinks it will be all right. I haven’t been to the Winter Festival since I moved away from Rousha.
Imato likes the talisman. He attached it to his mail shirt. Liop is so glad that you like the hat. He says his next project is to make a hat that acts like an umbrella.
I wish you well with trying to decide what to do with your life. I’m having similar problems. Magic really complicates things. Without it we would probably just get married and become wives. What do wives of noblemen do, I wonder? It would get boring to just hold tea parties all the time. Maybe if I’ll find out when I move back to Rousha. Uncle Winthrop says we’ll move the week before the ball. That’s only two weeks away.
I have to end this letter now, so I can sleep. May the winter snow be light and peaceful.
Love,
Arri
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Dear Keish,
I got your letter and also Gretel’s. It must have been awful facing Gessair in front of King Menion. I’m glad he didn’t get away or have any magic left. I’m glad you had your father and Jace to back you up. Jace really is indispensable. I think there must be a way for you to stay close to him and still be able to do the things you want to do. Maybe staying close to him is more important than the other things. I don’t know. It’s a lot to decide.
What are you going to do with Gessair now? Is he going to prison? For how long? It seems dangerous to ever let him out again, but maybe he could repent. I don’t know.
I think my last letter explained about Imato and Gretel, so I don’t need to respond to Gretel’s letter. I’m not sure what I would say anyway, except that I’m excited to see her at the ball, and I hope she isn’t too mad at Imato. I thought that maybe we would see Gretel some more before then, but she had to go back to Arella with her father. I didn’t see her before she left, but Imato seemed cheerful.
I slept most of the way home. Staying up most of the night isn’t easy for me. I don’t have as much practice as you do. Kestrel was very happy to see me. She would rather I didn’t go on adventures at all, but if I have to, then she thinks she ought to come too. I think Nozama feels the same way.
Yesterday, I woke up very early. The cottage was very quiet and full of soft blue morning light. I went out to the stables and began caring for the animals. Nacks woke up and joined me after a few minutes. I saddled Sprigs and rode him down to the river and back for exercise. I tried to be busy enough to make time pass quickly, but lunch was slow in coming.
After lunch I went up to my room and started gathering my things so that I could move in with Liop, but Uncle W. stopped me. He said we’d talk to Aunt Nysa first, but he thought that I should share my room with her and leave Liop and Imato as they were. I went and found Cook and asked if we could have a big dinner and could I help her make it, but she said Aunt Nysa would be tired from traveling and that dinner should be simple and light, so that she could go to bed early. It seemed like no one wanted me to do anything, so I went outside. I brushed Glory (though I could tell Nacks had already done it). Nacks, himself, was holed up in the servant’s quarters off the stables. He wouldn’t come out, and he wouldn’t give me anything to do. He just wanted to hibernate.
I went up to my bedroom and found my embroidery (sorely neglected for the last few months) and tried to satisfy myself with the rhythmic in and out of the needle. It’s nice on cold, lazy evenings, but frustrating when I’m trying to keep my mind off something else. I don’t know how the time passed, but it finally did, and I heard horses trotting up the rode.
I recognized Aunt Nysa the moment I saw her, though she was buried in blankets and clung tight to reigns of her pale dappled mount. Mendel and Sean rode on either side of her. Mendel waved to me as I dashed out to meet them. He jumped down from his tall stallion, took the reigns from Aunt Nysa and led the horses forward. I stood on the porch and tried to think of something to say. Mendel bowed deeply.
“Lady Arri,” he said, with a broad smile, “may I present your aunt, Lady Marigold.”
“Oh!” I said as it suddenly occurred to me that Aunt Nysa still didn’t know her name. I was trying to decide how to tell her when I felt someone standing behind me. A trembling hand steadied itself on my shoulder.
“Nysa?” asked Uncle Winthrop, his voice cracking.
The woman on the horse looked troubled. She dipped her face gracefully and stared at Uncle W. with large, hazel eyes.
“Do you know me?” she asked, her voice barely reaching our ears.
Uncle W. was crying. “Since the day you were born, I’ve held your face in my heart. Time has not changed it. Do you know me, little sister?”
Aunt Nysa looked at Mendel. He glanced awkwardly towards us.
“She still doesn’t remember much,” he explained.
“I’m sorry,” said the lady, dropping her head until the blankets around face hid her from view.
“Fairy,” said Mendel, “it’s all right, just as I said.” He reached up and found her hand. Aunt Nysa allowed Mendel to help her down from the horse. Every movement she made was graceful.
“Come in,” said Uncle W., “it’s alright; it’s alright.” He walked down and tried to put his arm around her, but she shied away closer to Mendel.
“Arri, come take her hand,” Mendel told me. I did so and together we guided her into the living room. I helped her out from the bundle of blankets around her. She was thinner than anyone I’ve ever seen, and her skin was almost white. From her post in the kitchen, I heard Cook gasp. Later she apologized for refusing to help me make a large dinner (“The poor bird’s starving!”). Imato added wood to the fire to make it blaze, and moved the sofa closer to it. Aunt Nysa held her hands out toward the warmth. She looked at me and at Mendel, but shied away from anyone else’s glance. I sat down at her feet so that I could look up into her face. It was the face of the woman in the cave, but melancholy.
For a long time none of us said anything. Cook brought in a tray of hot chamomile. Liop began as if to interrogate her, but before he finished the first sentence, Imato grabbed him and took him out of the room. Aunt Nysa watched them leave, and then turned her gaze back to me.
“I remember you,” she said, “Jesse brought you to me when you were just a baby… she bade me watch you… I never knew why.”
“I’m your niece,” I said. She smiled.
“I think she told me that, but I forgot it,” she murmured, “Some fairies remember everything, but I was never important enough for memories.”
“I thought that fairies who remember their old life leave the ring and become house fairies.”
“Yes, the less powerful ones do,” said Nysa, “but there are other fairies, powerful ones, called listening fairies. They lose the memory of their former life, but they keep all of their memories after that. They are the leaders of the fairies. I am very powerful, but I’m not a listening fairy.”
“Where are your wings?” I asked.
She sighed deeply. “I lost them when I left the ring. They never told me that would happen.”
“Nysa,” asked Uncle Winthrop. She turned her large, sad eyes on him. “Nysa, do you know who I am?”
“I saw you in the cave,” she said, “you were one of many.”
“I’m your brother Winthrop.”
She didn’t say anything, just sat looking in the fire.
“Will you still forget things?” I asked.
“I don’t know…”
Mendel knelt down next to me.
“I think Fairy’s memory is getting better—not worse. When I found her she couldn’t remember why she left the ring, but now she remembers your mother. And she remembers everything about me. It’s a good thing she still has her magic, because she’s been wandering in the forest for the past month, and she probably would have starved if she hadn’t bee able to use magic.”
“Will you stay for dinner?” asked Uncle Winthrop.
Mendel accepted, but Sean declined, giving his worrying mother as his excuse. We ate quietly. I was bursting inside with questions, but Aunt Nysa looked so tired that I didn’t want to do anything that would keep her up late. Aunt Nysa said she liked the idea of sharing her room with me. The problem was we didn’t have an extra bed. It turned into something of an argument, but finally everyone decided that the thing to do was to move Uncle W.’s big bed into my room for Aunt Nysa and I to share, and my bed became Uncle W.’s. Mendel stayed long enough to help move the furniture around. Then he went home.
This morning when I went out to help Nacks in the stables, I found Mendel waiting for me. He asked if “Fairy” was awake yet, and when he found out she wasn’t , he offered to help me with the animals. So I woke Nacks up and told him he could sleep in, which he very much appreciated. While we worked, Mendel told me all about his search for Aunt Nysa and how he found her. It wasn’t very easy, because when she left the ring, Aunt Nysa lost her memory of why she left it, so she wandered for a long time before Mendel and Sean found her. Mendel says she remembers a little more everyday. I told Mendel about the cave and Gessair, and he was surprised to hear about it and said that Aunt Nysa hadn’t said anything to him about it.
After the stable work, it only seemed fair to invite Mendel to breakfast. He wanted to help me make it, and I would have let him, except it soon became obvious that he hadn’t ever cooked anything before except wild game on a spit while traveling.
“It must be great to be useful to you uncle,” he said, sampling an omelet.
“Well,” I said slowly, “before Liop and I came, Uncle Winthrop could afford to hire Cook to make all his meals. But with us, it’s different.” I felt a little embarrassed to say such a thing, but it seemed best to be honest.
“Still, you’re not like other young ladies who wouldn’t have known what to do, and would have been ashamed to do it.”
“I didn’t know what to do at first. Cook had to teach me.” I said.
Mendel grinned. “I’m glad you’re not so well-bred as other girls,” he told me. It sounded like a compliment, but I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not. I turned back to the stove, and Imato came down and rescued me from having to respond.
When Aunt Nysa came down, she still looked tired, and she ate slowly. When Liop tried to ask her questions, Uncle Winthrop shushed him. I agreed. It seemed like Aunt Nysa would answer everything in her own time. Often she looked from me to Mendel and back again. After breakfast, I excused myself to practice the magic exercises that Brynn gave me. I have a note from Brynn saying that she come on the eighth to test my magic again, although I’m a little afraid. She already has to where gloves because of me. What if I accidentally change something else orange?
After lunch, Imato and I walked to the market. It was clear and chilly, but the dirt roads were frozen hard and that made it good for walking.
I asked Imato how his magic test went, but he just shrugged. “It’s a good thing I want to be an knight instead of a healer,” he told me, and changed the subject.
“You know, Arri, you’re really setting yourself up for a catastrophe,” he told me. We were walking back from the market with ingredients for dinner.
“How?” I asked.
“Well,” said Imato, “it seems like you have at least two young men trying to court you.” He looked amused. I was at a loss.
“Don’t you already know who?” he demanded.
“No,” I said.
“Prince Tulson and Mendel,” said Imato.
“What? That stuff about the prince and me eloping was a rumor. You know that.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t erase the fact that three young men, two of them with plenty of other business to attend to, dropped everything to help me rescue you. Grant it one may have been mainly helping his brother, but I wouldn’t dismiss any of them entirely.”
“Prince Tulson and I are friends, and Mendel was helping Aunt Nysa, and Sean hardly ever speaks to me directly.”
“Do you know why the Queen attended our audience with the King? She doesn’t normally do that.”
My mind was blank.
“She wanted,” Imato grinned, “to get a good look at you, to see if you were worthy of her son.” He gave me a chance to respond, but I didn’t.
“I wish I knew her well enough to tell you what she concluded, but I think the fact that Prince Tulson is back in Odsreq is a good sign.”
“Is he?” I asked.
“Yep,” Imato touched the brim of his cap as though in salute, “that’s quite a conquest, Arri, if it’s true.”
“I think you’re mistaken,” I shook my head doubtfully.
“Now the next suitor is Mendel.”
I made a face and Imato laughed.
“Perhaps we’ll leave him alone for a while. After all, you’re a highly eligible young lady and have much greater prospects to consider.”
“Sean?” I asked, feeling increasingly uncomfortable.
“Sean,” said Imato knowingly, “who sold you a tamarin for half its value and needed no incentive to ride out with Mendel in search of you.”
“He’s just a good guy,” I said.
“He’s a gentleman with a valuable inheritance, and parents who would love nothing more than for him to marry a lady of high birth.”
“Yes, Treany said something like that once,” I said, “but I don’t see how Sean could be interested in me. Wouldn’t he have to court me first?”
Imato put his arm around me as we walked.
“I don’t want you to marry anyone you’re not in love with,” he said seriously, “what I’m doing is warning you, so you don’t get pulled into something you don’t like. Prince Tulson and Lord Sean are both good matches, but only if you really like them. Mendel is something else, but I think you’ve already figured that out.”
“Then why are you telling me this?” I asked.
“You need to be more careful about spending time alone with young men you aren’t interested in. You could be leading someone on unintentionally.”
“I’m never alone with Prince Tulson. Clara is there, and I think he likes her more than he likes me. Besides, if I did like someone, wouldn’t I need a chaperone to be with them?”
“It’s unlikely the prince is interested in a servant,” Imato told me, “and you’re right, you should always have chaperone.”
“Well, I’ll remember that if I’m ever alone with Sean,” I said.
“What about Mendel?” asked Imato seriously.
“I’ve never intentionally been alone with Mendel. It just seems to happen, no matter what I do.”
Imato laughed, and that was the end of the conversation.
Keish, do think Sean might like me? It seems so unlikely, and I’ve never thought about it before. I’m too young for marriage. No one has ever wanted to court me. The whole idea is just as frightening as facing the Narls was in the desert. I’m not worried about the prince or Mendel. But I wish Imato hadn’t said anything about Sean. How am I ever going to speak to him again without thinking about it? I can’t even write this without my face turning red. I didn’t know he gave me such a good price for Nozama. Why did he do that?
I think Imato thinks about marriage and courtship too much. He should get married soon, so he doesn’t have to think about it anymore. You probably feel the same way about Prince Euan and Vanessa, right? Having lunch with Vanessa must have really tried your patience. At least most people only get married once, so once Vanessa picks her dress and fabric and everything, that ought to be the end of it. I guess she picked on you, because you do have nice taste in dresses—Imato told me that once. I love the ribbons you gave me. I don’t know what I’m going to wear to the ball yet. The nicest thing I have that still fits me is the dress Treany gave me, but Imato says I ought to have something new. Or I might alter something of Aunt Rawnal’s. I’m going to get Treany’s advice.
If Prince Tulson doesn’t tell me about the container of honey, I’m going to ask him the next time I see him. After all, he can’t make me build any traps for you! Arella is too far away.
I have a note from Lady Pren asking me to join everyone for the festival the day after the ball. It sounds like a lot of fun. I asked Uncle Winthrop and he thinks it will be all right. I haven’t been to the Winter Festival since I moved away from Rousha.
Imato likes the talisman. He attached it to his mail shirt. Liop is so glad that you like the hat. He says his next project is to make a hat that acts like an umbrella.
I wish you well with trying to decide what to do with your life. I’m having similar problems. Magic really complicates things. Without it we would probably just get married and become wives. What do wives of noblemen do, I wonder? It would get boring to just hold tea parties all the time. Maybe if I’ll find out when I move back to Rousha. Uncle Winthrop says we’ll move the week before the ball. That’s only two weeks away.
I have to end this letter now, so I can sleep. May the winter snow be light and peaceful.
Love,
Arri
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