Wedding Clothes

Arri to Treany- July 27, 2004

July 27, 2004
Dear Treany,

I have decided two weddings in three days, and one a royal wedding, is too many weddings. Although I think Keish had a harder time of it than I did, because Gretel was living with her and so she got to be involved in all of the planning and decisions. Clara figured I was already busy enough without helping with her wedding plans, so she only invited me over a few times. Then she said I wasn’t at all helpful because I just thought all of the options were beautiful and didn’t know which I liked better or why. I suppose you feel the same way when you help me pick out dresses.
Prince Tulson says that his wedding is going to be a trend-setter in high society because he is the first person to ever have reflections made at a wedding. We had to start the reflection-making early because Clara wanted to set one reflection on each of the reception tables. Since you can only make one reflection at a time and they wanted dozens of pictures, this meant two days of standing or sitting as still as possible for as long as possible. Aegolius even put our heads in clamps for a lot of the pictures because it’s so hard to stay perfectly still, even though it’s technically only for a minute at a time, but with so many people in a group, it was longer while Aegolius and Prince Tulson walked around adjusting people’s poses.
We took turns in small groups so that some people could rest and stretch. Prince Tulson’s nieces and nephews would shout out the sixty second countdown for us. They loved watching the reflections being made, but they hated having their own made and several were ruined when a little one screamed or wriggled too much. I’ve had reflections made before, but never more than one at a time. It’s very tedious and by the end of it, Clara admitted it had been a bad idea, but Prince Tulson was still ecstatic. Everyone else was stiff and tired and “contemplating a serious act of treason” as I heard the Duke of Tolbrick mutter to his wife.
I think Aegolius stayed up all night developing the daguerreotypes so we could see them the next day. Everyone was grateful to him for doing this because it helped us to feel more enthusiastic about the second day of reflection making. The reflections are beautiful. Prince Tulson has enlisted the royal portrait maker to color them. Aegolius’s niece Tish instructed him in how to color the plates. Tish has been working with Keish in Adya but Aegolius sent for her the week before the wedding. Crown Prince Dedric said that he had finally found something he hated more than the army’s morning exercise drills (which King Trunsle require all of his sons to participate in).
It was such a relief at the end of the second day when it was over.

We finally made it to the actual wedding day and it was beautiful. True to her desire, Clara wore her mother’s wedding dress. The white satin was shone like new—I found out the effect was made with magic. It was a simple dress with small pieces of homemade lace around the neck and over the short sleeves. Her only jewelry was a solitaire diamond necklace from Prince Tulson and the simplest of the royal tiaras. Clara’s cousin Deborah told me that they tried some of the more elaborate crown jewels, but they looked gaudy with the dress, so they changed their minds. The bridesmaid dresses were equally simple in cut, but they had been hand-dyed with a subtle swirl of pale blue and cream that darkened a bit along the hem and sleeves. Deborah says that it’s a new technique from the master dressmaker Micha Donal in Rousha. There wasn’t any lace on the dresses at all. Clara curled her hair into hundreds of little ringlets and left it fall free down her back. Deborah and I wore our hair in buns with a silver cap and tiny crystal flowers on our earlobes. We also had matching necklaces. The court magician attached them for Deborah and then taught me the spell so I could use it myself. I will bring my dress and jewelry to show you the next time I come to Odsreq.
Prince Tulson wore a white tuxedo with a pale blue rose in the lapel. The groomsmen wore suits of wheaten color with white carnations.
All of the flowers were in pastel colors. The arrangement on each table contained a tiny colored daguerreotype and the pale flowers helped to bring out the subtle colors painted on by the artist. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Queen Elspeth said it was the most beautiful of all her sons’ weddings.
The ceremony was very long with much said about loyalty to home and country and the importance of family. I started to nod off toward the end, which wasn’t good because I was standing at the front where everyone could see me. However, the Crown Prince’s little daughter Devika brought the ceremony to an end by crying out: “You’re just supposed to say ‘Happily ever after’ so we can eat the cake!” We were all in agreement by that point and the priest gave the final words of the ceremony.
The cake was layered with strawberries, cream, and yellow roses, making it the brightest decoration in the reception room among all the pastel decorations. We all filed past to admire it first. Devika threw a bit of a temper tantrum when she found out that we had to eat dinner first, but she calmed down when someone gave her a couple of the sugared violets from the dessert table.
I danced every dance, despite the number of feet I tread on and the fact that, as maid-of-honor, I wasn’t allowed to dance with anyone more than once. Imato, Sean, Mendel, and Jace all took a turn so that I wouldn’t always have to dance with strangers, but it was such a relief when everything was over.
Aegolius and Tish pulled small groups of people into a separate room for reflections throughout the evening, but they left me alone. I couldn’t decide if I was relieved or not, since it would have gotten me out of at least one dance.
I arrived home exhausted and half asleep. Uncle Winthrop put one arm around me to help me up the stairs to our apartment. I rarely stay up past nine on a normal night and the reception lasted until three o’clock in the morning. I fell asleep the moment my head hit the pillow and didn’t wake up until nine.

Imato and Gretel’s wedding two days later was not nearly so extravagant, but it was just as beautiful, full of bright colors and elaborate embroidery and beadwork. Gretel’s gown was in the traditional Néahm style, brilliant red-orange with gold beadwork throughout. I’m including a sketch of it. She wore several gold bracelets on each arm with different patterns and a matching necklace and real pierced earrings (which are common in Néahm I’m told). She looked like a beautiful exotic bird and so happy that I expected her to take flight at any moment. She curled her black hair into ringlets of the same style that Clara chose, but her hair is dark, so the effect was much more dramatic.
Keish and I wore matching dresses in blue and gold embroidery, a floral pattern. The bodice was gold on blue, the top layer of the skirt blue on gold, and the under layer of the skirt gold on blue. A gold wrap with blue embroidery lay across our shoulders. We wore our hair up with gold and blue ribbons woven throughout. I’m enclosing sketches so you can see the design.
Imato wore a wedding costume of entirely gold fabric with narrow red-orange trim and some embroidery on the front of the tunic. Of course he had to wear his armor for the knighting, but he said many times throughout the night how glad he was that he could change into a Néahm groom’s outfit for the rest of the day.
The day started in the morning with Imato’s knighting. This, of course, took place at the palace with the King himself officiating. I think he was still a bit worn out from Prince Duke Tulson’s wedding. He gave a long speech about Imato’s accomplishments as a squire and then came to a tribute for our father that brought us all to tears.
“Now,” he continued, in a soft voice that still managed to carry throughout the room, “it is not the custom of our people to attach sentiment to weapons. We do not name our blades or endow them with symbolic meaning. They are tools to be used in time of need, and it is the privilege of a knight on his retirement to send his sword back to the refiner to be made into something of better value. However, a son who has proven himself worthy of his father’s name, may be knighted with his father’s sword and carry it in battle one year, after which it must be returned to his father or destroyed as we one day hope to destroy all weapons. Imato Quin Etautca, you have earned this privilege, and so I knight you. May you follow in the courageous footsteps of your father.”
He touched the sword briefly to each of Imato’s shoulders.
“Arise, Sir Imato Quin Etautca,” said the king.
Imato stood. He was crying.

It was hard to move from the knighting to the wedding. I think perhaps they should have been on separate days after all. We had only a couple of hours to change into our wedding costumes. Nysa used magic to get our hair into place and then we hurried to the chapel for the ceremony.
The priest kept his words brief, possibly because he could see Devika swinging her legs on one of the back chairs and watching him restlessly. The King’s family insisted on sitting at the back for the wedding, so that family could take the closer seats. Duke Tulson and Duchess Clara were not in attendance, being on their wedding trip, but Queen Elspeth came up after the ceremony and gave me a hug “from Lady Clara,” and congratulated me on making it through the week. I smiled weakly and noted the spell we were going to perform. Fascinated, she drew me aside to hear my account of Liop’s abduction. I was grateful because it got me out of most of the dancing. Later I wondered if Lady Clara had instructed her to do exactly that for me. The only people I danced with were Imato, Sean, and our second cousin Master Beagan Brio.
The tables were decorated with exotic flowers in red and blue with crystal bowl and fire newts for accents. The only excitement was toward the end of the evening when some of the children knocked over a table while chasing each other. Liop and all the children then scattered about catching the fire newts and restoring them to their bowls.
At the end of the reception we cut the cake as is traditional in Rousha, but then after that we broke the “wedding platter” as is traditional in Néahm. The wedding platter is a large circular disk made of candy rather like toffee. The bride and groom shatter it against a brass globe and give pieces to all the guests. It was delicious.
I finally went to bed a little after midnight, collapsing with my bridesmaid dress still on. Nysa removed it in my sleep. I slept until nine again and woke up feeling like I had seen enough weddings to last the rest of my life.

I wish you could have come to the weddings, Treany. You would have loved them. I hope you and your family are all well and that we can get together again soon.
Love,
Arri

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Arri- July 20, 2004

July 20, 2004
Dear Keish,

The first person I went to see after arriving home with Uncle Winthrop and Nysa back in Rousha was Brynn. I wanted to see if I could finally get the orange color out of her hand. It took a lot of concentration, but I succeeded in the end. Brynn was very happy to not have to wear gloves so much anymore. We talked for a while about the spell you and Imato found in the Chronicle. Brynn is very interested in how it works, but I couldn’t really explain much since I haven’t seen the spell yet. I’m not as good at explaining spells as you are anyway.
Since I was successful in healing Brynn’s hand, I thought that it was time to try to heal Father, so I went to the mental home. Dr. Rascada listened to my description of how I healed the boy fairy and Brynn. He doesn’t know much about healing though, so he didn’t have any comments. He agreed, however, that I should try to heal Father. It was early afternoon and Father was asleep. I crept quietly up to his bed and took his hand. His face was twisted in a tense frown as if in pain, but he didn’t move. I closed my eyes and sent magic into him. I’m not sure what I expected, but I didn’t find any foreign particles like the alchemy powders. The only thing I noticed was that it was impossible for me to sense his brain. There seemed to be some kind of wall around it that I couldn’t see past. Several of his bones had been broken and rehealed. That wasn’t unexpected. Father broke his leg in battle when I was two years old. The cracked ribs seemed more recent. There was also a healed bone in his right hand and a crack along his skull. Broken arm bones I didn’t know the age of… I didn’t know what I could do for them. I suppose if it was possible to heal bone scars Mother would have done so with the older ones. It is possible to heal scars on the skin, but I don’t know how.
In the end I had to give up. I released Father’s hand and stared blankly out the window over his head. Then I felt a hand on my shoulder.
“Don’t despair, Lady Arri,” Dr. Rascada murmured, “You’re only at the beginning of your training. You’ll find a way.”
Father slept on through the afternoon and I left without him knowing I had been there.

I wonder why Brooksby is so scared of you. It really doesn’t make any sense. If he was going to spend all his time hiding from you, why did he take the position in the first place?
I think that I wouldn’t like to live in a palace. One advantage to living in Odsreq was that there were very few formal dinner invitations—none actually. I miss Odsreq. Maybe Lord Schieving learned his lesson and he won’t invite you to dinner anymore.
That spell sounds really complicated. It’s intimidating to think that I will have to participate in it. The secondary spell means we’ll get all of the family wedding invitations for years. According to Trena the youngest person who needs to participate in the spell is still a baby. The day after I visited Brynn and tried to heal Father I started contacting our relatives. It made the most sense to start with the great-aunts and uncle because they know how to contact all their descendants, even though they don’t have to participate in the actual spell.
You are right: Gretel needs her own horse. I hope I can come with when they go shopping for one.

Great Aunt Filomena Pason, Katja’s oldest sister is almost as frail and thin as the healer fairy. At Brynn’s suggestion I sent a note first explaining the nature of my planned visit, that way I wouldn’t be dropping in unannounced. Aunt Filomena lives with her son Master Kado Pason and his wife Heba in one of the new town houses of Old Rousha. I was surprised to learn that I had relatives living so nearby. It took only fifteen minutes to walk to their street. I knocked on the door and was immediately received by the butler. They observe all the formalities, so I had to wait to be announced. Then I was led up into the drawing room where Aunt Filomena and Mistress Pason received me.
The first person my eyes rested on was Aunt Filomena. She was sitting in a wheelchair, nearly buried under a pile of crocheted blankets in bright colors. One hand gripped the arm of her chair with a tremor visible from across the room. Not far away stood Mistress Heba, our cousin by marriage. Tall and sturdy with white-streaked black hair, she regarded me curiously. I swept into what I hoped was my best curtsey.
“Mistress Pason, Mistress Heba,” I greeted them.
“Lady Arrietta,” Aunt Philomena nodded her head solemnly, “I am pleased to have you visit. It has been a long time… a long time…” she trailed off, pale eyes moving to her daughter-in-law.
“Welcome,” echoed Mistress Heba softly.
It was hard to observe all the formalities of society when I wanted to get straight to the point and talk about the spell to protect the next generation, but I could see that it would not do. Aunt Philomena’s attention wandered. Once she referred to me as Katja and once as a lady I’ve never heard of. Mistress Heba corrected her gently.
“Heba is always kind to correct me,” Aunt Filomena told me, “I think my mind has reached its limit with respect to years. It wants to start back at the beginning. Now we should get to the purpose of your visit before I forget and introduce myself all over again.”
“Thank you,” I said.
“Now you want to perform a spell to protect my children from the fairies?” she cocked her head at me.
“Your grandchildren,” I agreed and briefly described Liop’s attempted abduction.
“Yes, we had quite a bad time of it when our brother Ennis was taken,” nodded Aunt Filomena, “Father chased him through the fairy rings for several years, nearly sank us into poverty with negligence to his profession, before Mother could make him see reason. The fairies are not to be trifled with. Are you quite sure this spell will work?”
Not knowing much about the spell there was little I could say to this expect to affirm my faith in Imato and your skill.
“If my brothers, Keish, and I succeed in protecting our children, there’s a chance the fairies might turn to yours.” I watched Mistress Heba tense at my words, her eyes worried.
“Yes, yes, we must protect the children,” Aunt Filomena agreed, “Well, I will trust your judgment on the matter. I know little of magic. I’m surprised to learn there is any in my descendants. Heba, write a note to Liana and her family. They must come here and quickly.”
Mistress Heba smiled gently, “You told me just the same this morning and it is done, Mother.”
“Well, I’m glad to hear it,” said Aunt Filomena, “It’s so good to know that I’m just as smart in the afternoon as I was this morning.” She chuckled a bit.
“I assume you have other visits of this nature to make?” she asked me.
“Yes, Aunt,” I said.
“Well then, I won’t keep you here. Don’t be a stranger, dear. You are welcome anytime.”
I thanked them and excused myself.

I had to take a taxi to reach Great Uncle Omaha, Bastion’s younger brother, living on the western edge of Rousha. He was not as old as Aunt Filomena, although still old.
“Really now, niece,” he said when I was shown into the study, “I doubt any of my children contain enough magic to concern the fairies.”
“The thing is,” I explained, “They’re feeling kind of vengeful right now, because they didn’t get to keep Liop. This spell will make them furious. They might take a child with virtually no magic just because they can.”
He frowned at me thoughtfully. “Not wanting to stir up old ghosts, dear, but such a complicated spell must also be dangerous. No offense, but was Winthrop involved in its development?”
“Imato found the spell in the Chronicle,” I explained, reddening, trying to think of a proper defense for Uncle W. “Winthrop is very good at magic,” I said finally, but Uncle Omaha only raised an eyebrow at me.
“I see,” he said after a minute.
“It’s a good spell,” I repeated helplessly.
“I’d feel better if Winthrop didn’t participate,” said Uncle Omaha, “I’m sorry.”
“He has to participate, because he has the stone. Besides, the Winged Lioness said everyone needs to participate,” I said, feeling desperate.
“The Winged Lioness?” he looked at me sharply.
“Yes,” I said, “she’s the one who told me we need more than just the descendants of Bastion and Katja.”
Uncle Omaha frowned at his desk.
“Well, that puts a different spin on things,” he said finally, almost to himself. He looked up, “Is Winthrop back in favor with the Lioness?”
“Umm…” I said uncertainly, “I don’t really know… for sure. He wasn’t, but that was before he started doing magic again, and I haven’t really talked to Trena about Uncle W. since before. Maybe he is again?”
It wasn’t the greatest explanation, but Uncle Omaha got something out of it. His whole demeanor changed.
“I will certainly act on the advice of the Winged Lioness,” he said.
“You’ll come?” I asked, wondering how my uncertain answer to his question could have changed anything.
“Your servant,” he bowed. I was startled and didn’t know what to do.
“Thank you,” I said finally.
“It’s the least I can do for someone who’s on a first name basis with the Lioness,” he replied, smiling at my confusion, “I will send word to my grandchildren and to my sister Javana and her family.”
Keish, I’m still not sure I understand his reasoning, but at least he’s coming.

The next relative to visit was our second cousin Alando, whose parents and grandparents have already passed on. His home was not far from Uncle Omaha’s. His reaction to my visit was of great surprise. His mother never showed any sign of magical abilities and it had never occurred to him that he might have any. I couldn’t really get any sense of magic from him, but Trena had assured me it was there. His son, Cline, unexpectedly had a slight aura around him. He might have as much magic as Liop, but I really don’t have enough experience to say for sure. When I explained the situation Alando and his wife readily agreed to come. They promised to relay the message to Alando’s twin sister Gladys although she has no children and probably never will, but they still hope things might change for her.

I’m going to leave this letter with the Prens. Over the last few days I’ve received notes from all of our relatives that want to participate in the spell. All of the sixteen people Trena named are coming. Several noted that they had been planning on coming to the wedding anyway and thanked us for the convenient timing. I suppose it is convenient from their perspective. There’s no point in sending this letter since you are almost here. I would hand deliver it, but Clara wants me today. Aegolius is going to make some reflections. At least by leaving it with the Prens I know you’ll get the list at the earliest possible moment.
I hope you had a good trip. I’ll see you soon.

Love,
Arri


This is the list of who wants to participate in the spell. I gave you their age and how they’re related to us too, because I hadn’t ever heard of a lot of them.

9 Beagan Brio (age 19) – grandson of Omaha (younger brother of Bastion)

7 Vijay Gray (22) – grandson of Javana (younger sister of Bastion)
8 Karen Gray (21) – wife of Vijay
18 Isidro Gray (1) – son of Vijay

10 Corey Gray (18) – younger brother of Vijay

11 Sheila Haden (14) – great-granddaughter of Filomena (older sister of Katja)
12 Hollis Haden (12) – younger brother of Sheila
13 Kado Haden (10) – younger brother of Sheila

3 Alando Honeywell (35) – grandson of Twaina (older sister of Katja)
4 Teresa Honeywell (31) – wife of Alando
15 Cline Honeywell (7) – son of Alando
16 Liesle Honeywell (6) – daughter of Alando

2 Gladys Honeywell (35) – twin sister of Alando

5 Twaina Day (30) – granddaughter of Twaina
6 Kirkus Day (39) – husband of Twaina Day
17 Liop Day (4) – son of Twaina Day



Dear Keish,

This is a list of words you can use for the spell. It isn’t a very extensive list, because Arri said I had to correspond expenditiously. It’s a good list, though. I can come up with sandillions of words if you want me to.

beautifully chaotic
raspo torkinyo morri (Iconese)
aflunters
fine snocksnarls
yardra gilsp (Neahmese)
awful problem
complex spell
complicated problem
nmorrgrhh (Grestian)
probleme complique (French, but when I asked Liop where that language came from, he didn’t know.)

Love,
Liop

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Keish- July 13, 2004

July 13, 2004
Dear Arri,

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

Later

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

July 14th

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

Later

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

July 15th

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

Later

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

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

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

Love Always,

Keish

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Arri- July 12, 2004

July 12, 2004
Dear Keish,

I sent my last letter yesterday evening, but I didn’t really tell what happened yesterday, because I was in too much of a hurry to send the letter off. Not that what happened was terribly important, but it was a nice day.
The first thing that I did when I woke up yesterday was to examine Liop. He seemed much better now that we were away from all the magic and turmoil of the last two weeks. He coughed a little, but not hard. He slept so deeply that I did not want to disturb him, but it seemed like a good idea to get the last of the smoke and natron from his lungs. I put a hand against his cheek and closed my eyes. I’m getting better at this, having practiced on Glory. I could see the smoke particles very clearly, how they clogs the small spaces in his lungs. Lungs are much more complicated than I ever imagined and I don’t know any words to describe what I see. Actually pulling them out was more difficult, but I hadn’t actually healed Glory, only looked at her during the days we waited and tried to get past the ants. I used the same method that removed the boy fairy’s iron and after a while Liop’s breathing was very quiet and clear. It was a beautiful sight.
I worked on your letter through the morning. No one disturbed me, for which I was grateful. Liop slept on and I wondered if I should wake him. Neither of us had eaten since the fairies provided us with raw potatoes and vegetables for lunch the day before. Raw potatoes are horrible things. I never want to see one again.
After I finished writing, I found a simple housedress in the wardrobe. My own traveling dress was so tattered that I felt embarrassed to wear it. Liop still slept soundly, so I left him and wandered down the wide, circular staircase to see where everyone was. I was greeted my Mendel almost immediately.
“Hey, Arri! Did you sleep all right? Are you hungry? How’s Liop?” he asked cheerfully.
“Liop is still sleeping,” I responded, “I was wondering if I should wake him to eat…”
“He ate last night before he went to bed,” Mendel informed me, “I’d have given you something too, but you collapsed on the bed and Liop couldn’t wake you.”
Mendel escorted me to the kitchen where the smell of warm bread reminded me that food can be delicious. It was all I could do not to grab the nearest loaf and bite right into it without slicing. The cook looked up from her baking.
“What a starved little bird!” she clucked disapprovingly, “Don’t city folks know how to eat in Rousha?”
“What would you like?” asked Mendel, waving his hand across the room. I asked for a hot sandwich, which contained all the ingredients my diet had been lacking lately: bread, meat, cheese, warmth. Normally I love vegetables, but yesterday I didn’t even want lettuce, just solid warm, cooked food. Mendel raided the pantry for a box of southern chocolates and added them to my plate. He would have added a stack of fried potato slices, but I stopped him. It will be a long time before I can stomach that vegetable again.
We ate in the dining room. Lady Westridge came in to give a formal greeting and ask after the family. She mentioned with a mixture of pride and puzzlement their plans to attend Clara and Prince Tulson’s wedding, and of course thanked Imato for including them in his invitations. She seemed to be under the impression that I was visiting Treany, but had come here when Mrs. Fargo (Treany’s grandmother), arrived unexpectedly and demanded the guest room. I thought it an improbable story, but Mendel stuck to it, so I just tried to look unsurprised and give intelligent answers to the inquiries after the Dinettes. I don’t suppose I did a good job, because she frowned at some of my answers and once Mendel kicked me under the table. After she left, he shook his head.
“You’re a terrible liar,” he informed me.
“I didn’t have much time to prepare,” I responded, trying to decide how I felt about the whole thing, “Don’t you tell your mother what you do?”
“Not if I can help it,” he shook his head, “she worried herself sick when I went looking for Fairy. I was ordered never to do anything like that again.”
“Oh,” I didn’t like his answer very much, and wondered what I’d do in his place. I don’t suppose Uncle Winthrop wants me to go adventuring, but I don’t lie to him about it.
“Well, I can’t live my life inside all the time,” Mendel defended as if reading my mind, “if they had their way, I would do nothing but attend parties and spend money on games. Totally worthless.” He tilted back and forth on the legs of his chair until I thought he would topple over.
“Won’t they find out eventually?” I asked.
Mendel stopped rocking and looked away.
“They would have found out ages ago if they paid attention.” He smiled, “Fortunately, they don’t.”
At that moment Sean found us and turned the conversation. He wanted to hear about the land of the fairies. Mendel brought the legs of his chair back to the ground with a sharp crack and the next hour was filled with discussion about Liop’s abduction. Liop joined us, looking for lunch. He was still pale and tired-looking. When Mendel asked for details about the wards he created, the boy shrugged nervously. It was rather un-Liop-like and bothered me some.
Eventually, I was able to ask Mendel about his return trip with Banquo. Tentatively, I asked if he knew any more about Moonstone.
“Banquo is fine. The winged lioness is taking care of him. He seemed rather nervous to see her, but she was just relieved that he was safe, and I think everything will be okay. I’m sorry for taking Glory,” Mendel said, “but I really needed the extra bit of magic. I don’t really know much about Moonstone—the Lioness said not to worry. You can wean a foal at three months, if you have to, and Moonstone was two and a half. She was eating solid foods when she left.” He shook his head unhappily.
“We all did what we had to,” I murmured, wishing I hadn’t asked. I turned the subject again. We spoke more of the old healer and his apprentice, wondering who they were and how I might meet them again. Mendel took to joking about what flying creature I would capture next and speculating about the bait I should use. Then suddenly he turned to Liop and said:
“Happy Birthday, Liop! I almost forgot. I talked to Mother this morning and you must have a party! It isn’t everyday a boy turns eight. Mother gave us leave to have a real feast—cake and ice cream with all the toppings. Anything you want! What’s your favorite food?”
Liop’s whole face lit up and he asked about pineapple preserves, which was rather extravagant, but Mendel called in a servant to take notes and pretended not to hear my protest. Within minutes Sean, Mendel, and Liop had a ridiculously long list of desserts and candies. (I think Sean added more than half of them.) Then Sean took him out to look at the tamarins and Mendel and I were alone again.
I was feeling tired and out of things to say. Mendel just sat looking blankly ahead, lost in thought.
“Would you like to go horseback riding?” he asked suddenly.
“Well, I was thinking about making a trip to visit the Dinette’s store. I need a new dress.”
“That’s a good idea,” said Mendel, standing, “Ask the stablehand to give you Redhawk. I think you’ll like him.”
“I can take the gelding I rented from Rousha,” I responded.
“Oh, Sean had him sent back,” Mendel replied, “We didn’t know how long you’d be gone and thought the rental might get rather expensive.”
I thanked Mendel and went outside to the stables. It was a beautiful day, although rather hot. Redhawk turned out to be a gorgeous roan stallion, a trakehner like Glory, powerful and surefooted. Mendel was right, I did like Redhawk, but he pulled at the bit and took some concentration to control. I rode him out the front gate of the manor and together we headed toward Main Street. I spent most of the way trying to decide what I would tell Treany. I wasn’t sure I wanted to give a long explanation of what happened.
The Dinette’s general store is large and carries just about everything for moderate prices. They usually keep a few high quality dresses in the display windows to please Treany, but most of their clothing is good everyday quality. Mistress Dinette welcomed me enthusiastically and then left me to browse while she went looking for her daughter. By the time Treany arrived, I had picked out a good serviceable traveling dress in medium green.
“Arri, that dress is for older women!” she exclaimed, steering me toward the front of the store and the dance dresses.
“I don’t think I can travel in this,” I informed her, rubbing the satin between my fingers.
“I suppose not,” Treany agreed and sighed, “but you can’t go around dressed like an old maid, either. Maybe we can have something altered to be more the fashion.”
Treany took my measurements and then abandoned me to look at riding tack while she hunted up a traveling dress that could be brought into fashion. I really didn’t have the slightest idea what she wanted, so it was no good having me help. After a good half hour she retrieved me to try on a dark gray suit with a split skirt: “Just the thing for riding,” she informed me. I tried it on and saw in a moment why Treany’s advice is so valuable. It was more comfortable than the green dress I had been contemplating. I would have bought it “as-is”, but Treany insisted on getting her mother to help her alter it.
While they worked, Treany talked about Master Lander Krejko and the dances they’ve been to and the parlor visits. Eventually, she asked me about Phyfe and I told her about getting accepted into medical school. She didn’t know what to say to that at first, so I just started talking about what it was like to study for the exam and what classes I would be able to take in the fall.
“I suppose you’ll meet so many eligible young men there,” she said finally, “but you might not want to speak up in class much. Men are intimidated by smart women sometimes.”
“Oh, well…” I said, unsure of how to respond.
Treany and Mistress Dinette removed the lace from the cuffs of the dress and changed the bone buttons for larger, black ones. Then they changed the shape of the collar and narrowed the waist. I tried it on and thought it still looked very good (although I’m not sure why it was “better”). Finally, Treany removed half the trim from the matching hat and added a rose colored ribbon to tie it in place.
“Well, it’s not quite what they’re wearing in Rousha,” she decided, “but it doesn’t look like anything my grandmother would wear. You look very nice.”
I agreed with her assessment and made my purchase. It had taken rather longer than I thought, but I felt better about the money I spent. This dress should last me a long time, if I take good care of it.
On the way home, I gave Redhawk his head and he almost unseated me by leaping forward like a bird in flight. We made it back to the manor in amazing time. I think Redhawk must have been trained for racing.
The Westridges really put some effort into the party. There were multicolored lanterns in the windows and paper streamers in the parlor and dining room. Lady Westridge thanked me for letting her take the liberty of a real child’s party, saying, “It’s been so long since the boys wanted such things.” They had invited two of Liop’s former classmates (actually, I think they invited more, but only two could come on short notice) and all of the servants’ children, which gave the grand old mansion a vibrant energy. The Westridges are a generous family. Mendel and Sean led the children in simple party games while Lord and Lady Westridge laughed as I’ve never seen them before.
We all went to bed feeling a little too full of sugar and exhausted from happy excitement. Liop was finally beginning to look well again, his big eyes less haunted and his cheeks less pale. I couldn’t thank the Westridges enough.

Today was quieter. I spent the early morning in the stables with Glory, bidding Mendel good morning as he left for the day’s fishing. Liop slept until breakfast. He looked brighter this morning. Lord and Lady Westridge ate with us and then left for the day, Lord Westridge to his business affairs and the Lady to her various projects. After breakfast Liop and I helped Sean with the tamarins, but there didn’t really seem to be much to do, and Lady Westridge had been so kind to us, that I decided to seek her out and see if I could help with something.
I checked the parlor first and then tentatively knocked on the sitting room door, but no one answered, so I headed to the library. There I found a big, illustrated book about wildlife and read until I dozed off. I was awakened by the sound of voices, Lord and Lady Westridge. They seemed to have been talking awhile, but as my chair was turned away, they didn’t know I was in the room. I froze, trying to decide what to do. I didn’t know how long I’d been asleep and felt embarrassed to admit I might have heard anything. At first I was to groggy to notice what they were saying, but gradually their speech became clearer:
“The young lady can make up her own mind, I’m sure,” was the first sentence I made out clearly, in Lord Westridge’s confident , serious voice. It was followed by: “I really wish I knew what goes on in his head though. Sean assures me he collects his allowance every week, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what he spends it on. The game rooms and taverns never see him, that’s certain.”
“All the better,” Lady Westridge quipped.
“Fishing is a fine gentlemen’s sport, but he doesn’t have much to show for it. Not a single trophy fish in all these years. I’d be happy to put one over the mantle in the den. People would like to see it, I’m sure… and he ought to refresh his wardrobe properly each season. You’d think he’d care more about his appearance.”
“He always looks very fine, dear,” Lady Westridge defended.
“He acts like a prisoner, when all we want is for him to have fun and enjoy life! Very few young men have such a fine, easy life.”
“Perhaps life in Rousha will wake him up a bit. It’s too easy to outclass the younger men here,” said Lady Westridge.
They walked back out again and I was left to think about what I had heard. I did not know who the “young lady” was or what she had to decide, but the “he” was obviously Mendel. The conversation bothered me. For all their kindness, it seemed that Lord and Lady Westridge knew less than even I did about their younger son. I couldn’t really decide whose fault this was. Mendel is full of contradictions. He dresses very well in town, knows all of the latest dances, and never misses a chance to show off. Yet he spends most of his morning and daytime hours alone in the woods “fishing”. He makes a joke out of almost everything, but is every bit as responsible as Sean when you come right down to it. Nysa thinks the world of him, and Sean treats him as an equal, but his parents seem to view him as lazy and childish. As always, trying to puzzle out Mendel made my head ache, so I left the matter alone and went to find Liop.
Liop and I played board games in the dining room until lunch, when Sean joined us for sandwiches and one quick game before he went back to business with his father. Mendel showed up a couple of hours later, and this time, he really did have a fish wrapped in paper and carefully hidden just outside the kitchen entrance.
“Follow me to the forest where we can divide the plunder safely hidden from the sheriff’s eyes,” he grinned. He looted the kitchen for lemon and spices. Then we followed him to a fire pit just outside view of the mansion. He was rather disappointed to learn that Liop and I were both familiar with trout, Uncle W. drawing no distinction between “poor” and “rich” foods. Still, it was a very good fish.

July 13th

When I woke up this morning, I was thinking of Banquo and wondering how he faired. Mendel had said that he was all right, but my last sight of him was tattered and defeated. Since he was hurt trying to help me, I felt rather to blame and wanted to see him again. The problem was that I really didn’t know how to contact him. Trena said he would be at my call for the rest of my life, but I had no idea how that really worked, and I wasn’t sure it was fair to make him come to me anyway. So I decided to go to the cave and see if I could find the Lioness. I checked on Glory in the stables and said hello to Mendel on his way fishing again. Then I got my fairy book and transported myself to the cave. Liop was still asleep.
The entrance cave was empty so I left it and went to the practice cave. Again empty. I went out into the caverns and called, my voice echoing over and over against the stone walls. No answer. I wandered further into one of the storage rooms. The walls of this cave were pocketed with shelves carved into the stone. Here old pieces of well-polished armor, weapons, cooking utensils and other odds and ends were laid carefully away. Nysa and I had already picked up and examined many of them, discovering that most had lost all magic a long time ago, if they ever had any to begin with. I picked up where we had left off, examining a collection of old children’s toys: wooden figures, glass marbles, tops, puzzles… None of them contained magic and I wondered why they were brought here. An archeologist probably could have told me their ages and other bits of trivia. I thought they probably came from different eras, but was at a loss for any other information about them.
I suppose I was there for a couple of hours, feeling idle, wondering if I should give up on Trena and go back to the manor. Then I heard a soft growl and turned. The Lioness stood before me.
“Hello,” I said.
She dipped her head, looking amused.
“I don’t spend all my time lying in wait for your call,” she purred softly, “I could not come immediately.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, reddening.
“Nevermind that,” Trena said, “I want to hear about your time with the fairies.”
“Didn’t Banquo tell you?”
“Yes, I have his version. I would like yours too.”
The Lioness did not seem to enjoy hearing about the land of the fairies the way she had enjoyed hearing about your wedding. She listened gravely and asked only a few questions.
“Banquo is young,” she said at one point, “but I suppose the fairies needed to be harsh in their punishment. It was a very dangerous mistake.”
“He did make a containment circle,” I said, “He was trying to be safe.”
“Yes, he was as careful as he could have been, but the idea was still a bad one.” She shook her head firmly.
“Is he still in trouble?” I asked.
“No, banishment from the land of the fairies is punishment enough,” she sighed, “I have healed his injuries and he is back with his parents. You must learn to call him, when you need him.”
Trena gave me the words of the calling spell and had me repeat them until she was satisfied that I could pronounce the foreign sounds correctly.
“Remember, he is a free being and not bound to you as a slave. It is possible to lose his allegiance, not that I believe you will abuse him.” She smiled, “I just want you to understand what a privilege it is for you to have his friendship. He truly considers you a friend, Arrietta.”
“I’m glad he’s my friend,” I said.
Trena purred. We talked some about Liop and alchemy and the spell that you and Imato found in the Chronicle.
“Trena,” I ventured, “I was wondering about the two fairies I met, the old healer and his apprentice. Can you tell me about them? Do you know about the prophesy that I will meet the old healer again?”
Trena closed her eyes and didn’t answer. She seemed to be concentrating very hard. I leaned back against the wall of the cave and sat with my arms around my knees. Several minutes passed. Trena’s huge wings rustled against her back and her tail flicked back and forth. There were moments when she looked exactly like a cat. Finally, she opened her eyes.
“I had not heard that the fairies gave the old healer an apprentice, so I can’t tell you anything about the boy. It does seem that your mother knew him. She occasionally met other fairies in her wanderings among the fairy rings. She always told me what she thought was important. This boy was probably not the old healer’s apprentice at that time,” she paused, “Unfortunately, I cannot see this prophesy about you, either,” she said softly.
“Why can’t you see it?” I asked.
“I don’t know. There are several possible reasons: if the prophesy is not connected to my life in any way, which implies that it occurs after my death,” (she frowned grimly), “Or if the fairies have blocked the prophesy from my view. It is very difficult magic, but they have done that on two other occasions. Or it may simply be unrelated to me for other reasons. I think you will make many choices before you are faced with this prophesy. I think it is far in the future.” He ears twitched and she sighed.
“I would not worry too much about this prophesy,” she continued, “I don’t see anything you can do about it at this time. The day may come when Keish can see it for you, but I think this is far away. In the meantime, I will tell you a story that perhaps will be useful when the time comes.
“A long time ago, a nine-year-old boy, who had escaped the fairies many times, offered himself in trade for his six-year-old brother, whom the fairies had succeeded in abducting. The fairies accepted his offer and the younger brother was freed. In becoming a fairy, the older brother lost all his memories, but none of his goodness. The result of this bargain was a powerful piece of magic and a prophesy: that the older brother would live until all of the fairies had been healed.”
“How old is the healer?” I asked.
“He is the oldest of the fairies, but he is not older than me,” Trena smiled, “he was of the Maurisald line of magic.”
Trena waited while I turned this story over in my mind. Treythan and Flora, who helped me when I was lost in the desert, were from that line of magic.
“Is this prophesy connected to the one about me?”
“I don’t see how it could be, and yet, you are a healer, as you so aptly proved with the boy fairy.” She put her head on her paws and regarded me sadly.
“Sometimes I don’t like feeling old,” she said, “I have outlived all my sons and many of my grandsons. I was once the most powerful ally of the Brio Family.”
“You still are that,” I protested.
“No,” she said softly, “I am the guardian, till another comes to take my place.” She bared all her teeth, “They will not have an easy time of it,” she growled, and then huffed as if at a joke.

Your letter came this evening.
Uncle Winthrop is doing magic? That’s fantastic! It seems strange though. He’s been against magic for so long that it must be hard to come back around to it. Trena was right. He came full circle. I wonder if that means she won’t be angry with him anymore. I’m glad that he and Imato are getting along. It’s awful when they argue. Locking them in that room together was a very good idea.
In defense of Uncle Winthrop, I doubt any amount of magical training could have helped Liop escape from the fairies. It was the alchemy in the end that won the day. I should also add that Trena told me that no method of protecting a child from the fairies is likely to work more than once, not even alchemy. She was impressed that Imato could find a spell to protect our blood from the fairies, but she doubts it will work for more than one generation. She says we ought to use the spell soon, before anyone is expecting a child.
“For greater strength,” she added, “I would pull in any great-aunts and seconds cousins you can locate. The core of Brio magic is found in the descendants of your grandparents, Bastion and Katja. However, there is some minor magic in your extended family which might create a loophole in any spell that requires the entire family to perform.”
“How many second cousins do we have?” I asked.
“Sixteen cousins and then two great-aunts and a great-uncle. I can help you locate them, if you wish.”
“Do you think they will want to help?” I asked. I remember meeting some of them at the funerals of our grandparents, but I don’t know any of them well.
“I think the subject will interest them,” Trena smiled, “After all, they won’t want the fairies turning to their children when they can’t have yours.”
“Oh!” I said. I hadn’t thought of that.

I’m glad to hear that Nysa is feeling better.  And I’m glad that she and Uncle W. are coming to get Liop and me in Odsreq. Staying with the Westridges is very nice, but I want to be home with all of my family again. I’m so glad that Imato and Gretel will live in Rousha, at least in the beginning.
I am so excited to see everyone at Prince Tulson and Clara’s wedding on the 24th. I’m sure that Uncle W. and Nysa will be ready to return to Rousha the day after they arrive here. That means that I will arrive in Rousha on the 15th, which gives me nine days to contact all of our Brio relatives. Fortunately, Trena told me that most of them still live in Rousha and few that don’t are less than a day’s journey away. I suppose if I start with the great-aunts and uncle, they will help me spread the word.
I’m going to send this letter now. Enjoy your one week of respite from wedding plans before you leave for Rousha!

Love,
Arri

Go to NEXT Letter

Keish- July 11, 2004

July 11, 2004
Dear Arri,
Just after I sent Hermes off last night, Imato and Jace returned, followed swiftly by  everyone else.
“It’s sunset,” Gretel said softly.
“But is it sunset there?” Imato asked.  “Better if I just hold the ward until they’re back.”
Behind him, Jace caught my eye and shook his head.  He’s exhausted, he mouthed.  I could see Jace was right.  Imato had probably gone out on Sprigs by force of will alone.  If your brother weren’t so stubborn, I’m sure he’d have collapsed days ago.
“No, Imato.  We aren’t sure how long it will take them to get back; you can’t keep this up indefinitely.  For that matter, neither can I,” I said ruefully.  “And with the iridium in the ward, I’m not sure Liop’s going to want to travel with it.”
“But that still leaves the question of whether sunset here is the same time as sunset there,” Papa pointed out.
Nysa spoke up.  “Imato or Keisha will be able to tell when it is time to release the ward.”
Imato looked to me and I nodded.  “I’ll check on him.  I’ll be able to tell if it’s safe.”
I started to close my eyes.  “Wait.  Can I examine the ward again?” Uncle W.’s voice was almost timid.  “Before you remove it, I mean.  The iridium infusing the ward, it’s a fascinating concept…”  He trailed off, but I saw suddenly in him an enthusiasm and thirst for knowledge that made me think of Liop.
I smiled.  “Of course.  Come, check the ward with me.”
He came closer and took my hand, more confidently this time.
I could feel immediately that something had changed.  There didn’t seem to be a haze of magic surrounding Liop and he seemed cheerful.  I let Uncle W. explore the ward for a minute and then gently released the connection.
I turned to Imato.  “He’s safe.  You can let it go now.”
He took a deep breath.  “Do we need to do this together?”
I shook my head.  “It’s your ward.  I just fed power into it.”
He nodded and closed his eyes.  I felt the ward release just as Imato started swaying.  Jace caught him and made him sit down.  I felt a little dizzy myself, but at least I was already sitting.
Uncle W. moved to a side table and began furiously writing what looked rather suspiciously like magical theory notes.  Soon he was muttering under his breath, too.  I grinned.  Who’d have thought we’d get Uncle W. interested in something magical?
Overall, the mood was jubilant.  Well, as jubilant as was possible with Imato falling asleep in his chair and me about to follow suit.
Marta came in with a tray of soup and sandwiches.  “As you asked, Milady,” she said, placing the tray on the large table.
“Thank you, Marta,” I responded.  She bobbed a quick curtsey and left.
“But this calls for a celebration,” Papa said, “not a tray in the library!”
I looked pointedly at Imato, who was trying to wake up enough to eat.
Papa looked at Imato, then back at me.  “Perhaps tomorrow would be more appropriate.”
I nodded.  “Tomorrow we can celebrate.  Tonight we need to sleep.”

This morning, I set Cook to preparing a celebratory feast for afternoon and checked on Nysa.  She seems to have recovered fully.
Gretel had Imato fairly buried in last minute wedding crises, so I knew he’d be kept fairly quiet for the morning at least.  I made a mental note to have Jace rescue him at some point.
Entering the library, I was surprised to find Uncle W. surrounded by books and papers.  He looked up sharply, startled.
“Good morning, Uncle,” I said lightly, taking my seat in front of the table with the Chronicle.  We haven’t moved it since Imato found the spell for fear of losing it.
“Good morning,” he replied, sounding a bit like Liop when I’ve caught him attempting a spell.
I suppressed a smile.  The notes on magical theory in front of him had not escaped my attention, but I said nothing.

Let me just say that the theory and mechanics of this spell are enough to give Brynn a headache.  After working through them for five hours, (Uncle W. having wandered away muttering something about buying vitriol and sulfur for an experiment) my eyes were beginning to cross and I was only a third of the way through the spell.
I don’t usually spend so much time going through a spell like this, but given what’s at stake… it seems the least I can do.
“Cook is asking when you’d like the food served,” Jace said, startling me.  I hadn’t heard him come in.  Looking out the window, I could tell it was already mid-afternoon.
I shook myself a bit, shaking off the stupor of staring at the spell for so long.  “Whenever she’s ready, I suppose.  Where is everyone?”
“Winthrop and your father are in the observatory, Nysa too, I think.  Gretel has Imato cornered in the sitting room still.”
I groaned.  “I was going to send you to rescue him around noon.  The day got away from me.”
Jace chuckled.  “I tried to rescue him, but apparently the wedding will be entirely ruined if they don’t sort out whatever it is they’re doing.”
I grimaced.  “Well, I suppose if she’s leaving in three days she has to have everything settled.  When is Imato leaving?  With Gretel?”
Jace shook his head.  “He has to compete in the exhibition on the 16th and 17th.  It’s the very last of his training; makes up for what he’s missed in the last couple weeks.”
I nodded absently.  I knew that, of course; there’d just been so much going on.  “Gretel’s father is traveling with us next week,” I remembered.
Jace nodded.
Well, better Sir Aoweir than Lady Aoweir, I thought.  Poor Gretel.

Cook certainly outdid herself.  Course after course of wonderful food.  Everyone was cheerful and Imato was greatly recovered.  He and Uncle W. didn’t even glare at each other.
There was far too much food, of course.  Even after I insisted that Marta and Cook serve the same courses downstairs.  Cook packed a lot into a hamper, since Uncle W. is saying they may leave sometime tomorrow.

Later
Jace came in as I finished writing the above.  “Well it appears the celebration is over,” he said, dropping into a chair.
“Oh?”
“Imato and Winthrop are having quite the yelling match downstairs.  In our study.”
I was nearly to the door before he finished.  “This is ridiculous.”
He jumped up to follow me.  “What are you going to do?” he asked, amused.
“Put an end to this insanity.”
I stalked down the stairs and threw open the door of the study.  “Sit down and be quiet, both of you.”
They complied almost instantly.  Jace says it’s probably because I was looking murderous, but I think it had more to do with the gentle nudge of magic I gave them both.
“I have had absolutely enough of this childish feuding.  According to the calendar, you are both adults.  It would be good of you to act as such.”  I pointed to Uncle W.  “You, explain.”
Uncle W. shifted uncomfortably in his seat.  “I asked Imato to assist me in some experiments.  I wanted to see if I could duplicate Liop’s results or if it’s a particular talent he has.  Imato indicated that it would be hypocritical of me to request magical help.”
I held up a hand.  “Enough.”  I pointed to Imato.  “Speak.”
Imato sat defiantly.  “He is a hypocrite, denying Arri and Liop opportunities for all these years and then involving us in magical experiments when he decides it interests him!”
I held up my hand again.  “Enough.  It is possibly hypocritical, Uncle.  Point to Imato.  However, you are finally trying, so point to you.  As it stands, gentlemen, we have a draw.  What else?”  I pointed to Uncle W. again.  “Speak.”
“Imato went on to question my fitness as a guardian for Arri and Liop, which I resent.  I have loved all three of you as my own.”
“You have a funny way of…” Imato began, but I cut him off with a firm twist of my wrist.  The rest of his words were formed silently.
“It was not yet your turn,” I said sternly.  I released the spell.  “Now, then; speak.”
Imato was glaring at me.  “Arri and Liop have lost many opportunities.  He’s constantly impeding their progress for his own selfish reasons.  It’s as though he’s punishing them for his own recklessness when he was younger.  If they had a proper magical education, perhaps Liop could have gotten away from the fairies or avoided being taken all together!  If Uncle Winthrop doesn’t have their best interest at heart then maybe…”
I cut him off.  “That will do.  Well, Uncle, fair points have been made.  You certainly cannot deny you have interfered in both Arri and Liop’s study of magic.”  He began to speak, but I silenced him with the same spell I’d used on Imato.  “At present, while the circumstances with Quin are unresolved, you remain legal guardian.  However, you are no longer the only adult involved.  As their elder brother, Imato has rights here also.”
Imato nodded.
I released the spell on Uncle W. and indicated he could speak.
“That is not a very polite spell,” he stated.
“I know many spells that are worse, Uncle.  Perhaps we should all be grateful that I do not use magic recklessly.”
“I have always done what I felt was best for them.  For all of you.”
“Of course you have,” Imato responded sarcastically.
I raised my hand and he subsided.  “Even so, Uncle, Imato does have a right to participate in those decisions.”
“Participate or overturn everything I say?” Uncle W. asked heatedly.
“Well, if everything you said didn’t need overturning,” Imato shot back.
I flicked both wrists and silenced them simultaneously.  “Enough!” I roared.
For a moment we all simply glared at one another.
“Here is what is going to happen,” I said finally, “for the purposes of this family and this discussion, Arri is her own entity.  She will be 18 in just weeks.  She is capable of making her own decisions.  Her studies, her future are not up for discussion.  They are hers and you will both, from this point forward, firmly respect that.  You will support whatever course she chooses to pursue.  Liop’s studies should be discussed and arranged, at least until he returns to Uncle Quin’s care, in a manner that you both agree on.  To that end, the two of you will have to learn, at the very least, to be civil and not send the tension level into the heavens whenever you are in the same room.”  I paused briefly to stare at each of them.  Both looked away.  “So, I am going to seal this room.”
Both of their heads jerked up, eyes wide.
“Conduct your experiments, or don’t.  Decide on the shape of Liop’s education, or don’t.  I frankly do not care as long as you resolve this.  Once you have resolved your issues with each other, you are free to go wherever you please.  Until then, the door will not open.”
I walked out of the room and closed the door firmly behind me.  Placing my finger on the lock, I murmured a few words, sealing them in before I released the spell on their voices.
I began to hear yelling almost immediately, so I added a layer of magic to muffle the noise.
I heard slow applause and turned form the door with a start.  Standing in the hallway were Jace, Nysa and Papa.
“Marvelous entertainment, wouldn’t you say, Jace?” Papa asked.  He was the one clapping, naturally.
Jace grinned and Nysa chuckled.
I rolled my eyes and went out to my garden to enjoy the sunset.
They’ve been sealed in the study together for two hours now.  They’ll have to work together to release the spell.  It was my mother’s, though, so I imagine Uncle W. will know what to do once they are both calm enough to do it.
I’m going to bed.

July 12th
I was alone in the breakfast room finishing my meal when Uncle W. and Imato came in this morning, looking tired and sheepish.
“We thought perhaps we should apologize, Keish,” Imato said, chagrined.
I raised an eyebrow.  “Perhaps?”
“We apologize,” Uncle W. put in hastily.  “Our behavior was abominable.”
“Well, I’m glad you realize that.  How did your experiments go?”
They looked up from the plates they were filling, startled.
I laughed.  “You both smell faintly of sulfur, so unless you tried blowing open the door…”
Uncle W. smiled.  “They went fairly well.  We tried several combinations of chemicals with Imato’s warding spell.  Iridium proved to be quite the strongest, not surprisingly, but several other compounds were also promising.  There are possibly some interesting martial applications, of course.”
Imato sat down beside me, nudging my elbow.  “You realize that if you get him started he’ll go on for hours?”  His voice was light.
“Actually, Uncle, if I can interrupt?  I was hoping you’d go over my breakdown of the magical theory behind the spell in the Chronicle.”
He became very still.  “I’m not sure magical theory…”
“Nonsense,” I cut him off.  “You don’t decide to make a wand without a deep study of magical theory.”
“Yes, well, we all know how well that turned out.”
“Only because it was a decidedly stupid thing to do in the first place,” I pointed out.  “No amount of study would have made that safe.”
“Come on, Uncle,” Imato put in, “take a look.  For a man so set against magic, you know a ridiculous amount about how it works.”
Gretel came in as he said this and stopped in surprise at his cheerful tone.
“Good morning, Gretel,” Jace greeted, coming in behind her.  “You missed the excitement last night.  Keisha gave Imato and Winthrop an ultimatum and locked them in our study together.  Ready to go riding?” he asked me.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen Gretel’s eyes as large as they were as Jace and I left the room.  “My notes are in the library,” I told Uncle W.
He nodded.  “Have a nice ride.”

“Where did you find that spell?” Jace asked once we were away from the palace.  I knew he’d wanted to ask last night, but wisely didn’t.
I smiled ruefully.  “It was my mother’s answer to tantrums.  You have to be calm in order to release the spell and you can’t pretend.  Trust me.”
He laughed.  “It’s brilliant!”
“She always thought so.  It saw plenty of use.”
“You, throwing tantrums?  Never,” he declared gallantly.
I laughed.
We rode for a long time, then returned to the tower where Uncle W. was poring over my notes in the library.
“You’ve done good work here, Keish,” he said without preamble.  “Nysa and I both read through them.  I wrote down a couple of suggestions, but what you have done is very solid.”
I sat down with him and we went through his suggestions together, making a few minor changes.  I’m still only a little more than half-way through the spell, but I feel like I have a good grasp of it now at least.
Your letter came after a while and Uncle W. and Nysa read it before leaving.  They had planned to leave this afternoon anyway, but once they read your letter they decided to leave right away and meet you in Odsreq.  They should arrive Wednesday (the 14th).
I’m sorry you can’t heal yourself, but I suppose it’s not surprising, since your mother couldn’t either.  The fairy healer is certainly interesting.  I wonder what he means when he says you’ll meet again.
I wonder if the Queen realized how much trouble Liop was going to be and wanted you to keep him from changing.  The solution certainly allowed her to save face.
Adding the iridium was brilliant.  It seems the concept will keep Uncle W. busy for weeks.  With any luck, now that he and Imato have come to whatever arrangement they came to, Uncle W. will let Liop be involved.
Not all fairies are abducted children?  Do fairies have children of their own?

I’m glad you are back and safe and with Liop.
Gretel will be leaving for Rousha in a couple of days and the rest of us will leave in a week.  Which basically means I have to work out this spell by then, so that we can perform it while we’re all together.

In the meantime, I’ll send Hermes off with this.  It’s so nice not to be relying on the post.

Love Always
Keish

Go to NEXT Letter

Arri- July 7, 2004

July 7, 2004
Dear Keish,

After Banquo and Mendel departed, I left the tree. I was exhausted and filthy. I knew it was the dirt in my lungs that made me cough, but I still thought I would feel better if I could bathe. I climbed up on Glory and let her wander aimlessly. I knew there was a river around, but I couldn’t remember what direction, and I figured Glory would go to water eventually. She did, after another hour. The water was icy cold, but after two days of hot magical fire, it felt good to shiver. I tried washing out my clothes too, but they are completely ruined, torn where they aren’t stained. It doesn’t really matter.
It did feel much better to be clean again, but I was still exhausted. I would have slept, but every few minutes a spasm of coughs shook me awake. My whole body ached and my throat felt parched no matter how much water I drank. I curled up miserably under a bush and tried to rest.
I must have dozed off a bit because a nearby movement woke me. I jumped slightly and peered out into twilight. Not far away a fairy was kneeling on the ground peering intently into my face. His face was thin and deeply wrinkled with eyes overly large for his head. He looked older than Brynn, older than anyone I’ve ever seen.
“Fairy tells me you are a healer,” he said, and somehow I knew that he meant the boy fairy.
I didn’t say anything.
“I am a healer too,” he informed me, “There are many fairies and beasts with smoke in their lungs from the fire. I want you to help me remove it.”
“I’ve never removed smoke from lungs before,” I said warily, remembering Banquo’s warning.
“You have removed iron from a fairy’s body. You can remove smoke.” The fairy spoke in complete confidence, “First you must remove the smoke and natron from your own body, so that you can touch the fairies. The fairies do not have natron in their bodies, because they stayed away from the alchemy.  They only have smoke from the burning tree. I have been helping them, but I am the fairies’ only healer.”
I was silent. I couldn’t lie to him, but I didn’t want to do what he asked. The fairy folded his arms and watched me.
“Why are you silent?” he asked finally.
I kept my head down.
“Brio child,” he voice softened and I looked up. He peered at me intently.
“I’m worried about my brother,” I said finally, looking away.
The fairy did not answer this. I wondered if he understood me.
“Do you remember when you were taken by the fairies? Did you like it? Did your family like it?” I asked him.
The fairy frowned. What he said next came out slowly, as if the words were difficult to pronounce.
“I am not your enemy, Arrietta Fae Etautca of Brio. I am not the enemy of Liop Quin Etautca either.” His wings fluttered with a sound like tearing paper.
I was surprised. I wanted to know more about him. Who was he? Did he know who he was? I could not deceive the fairies; could they deceive me? I wasn’t sure, but I liked this ancient fairy.
“Try to heal yourself,” he encouraged.
I closed my eyes and turned my sight inward, searching my skin and lungs for contaminants. It felt strange; every sensation of my body sharpened. I could feel the blood rushing through my veins and the pressure of each twig from the bushes touching me. Every nerve felt like the point of a pin. I tried to sort it all out as I had with the boy fairy, to locate the particles that didn’t belong. Soon I could see the natron and the burnt ashes of the tree, but I could not move them. Another fit of coughing shook me. I opened my eyes.
“Keep trying,” said fairy simply, “I will come back.” And he flew away.
I tried. I tried for most of the night to move particles from my body. I eventually forced myself to cough up most of the dirt in my lungs, but I could not move anything magically. There was still natron in my blood and skin. I could not heal myself. I fell asleep toward morning, full of relief to be finished coughing.
It was strange to waken in broad daylight with the sun high in the sky. The ward you placed on me was gone, but that wasn’t what woke me. Something had poked me and I looked around groggily. The healer fairy was back. He was poking me softly with a long stem of grass.
“You are not healed yet,” he informed me.
“I tried,” I said, sitting up slowly and putting my head in my hands, “my mother couldn’t heal herself either.”
The fairy said nothing. He wound the blade of grass around his wrist, frowning.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“I will have to finish myself,” he concluded. He turned away and I noticed his movements were slow and heavy. His wings looked brittle, his whole body fragile. I wanted to help him. He made me unspeakably sad.
After the fairy left, I fell asleep again, but not for long. When I woke up it was late afternoon. I stood slowly, stiff and sore from lying on the ground. Glory was grazing nearby. I took a long drink from the river and filled my pouch. My stomach had reached that point of hunger where it no longer bothered me, as if hunger was my natural state of being. I didn’t really care about food, but I thought that if I found some along the way, I would stop and gather it. I climbed on Glory’s back and turned her along the river, which I knew would cross into the city.
We walked for a couple of hours. I could see a slight haze in the bright sky, the last wisps of smoke carried by the wind. Glory snorted a bit and I put my hands to her rib cage. She had inhaled some smoke, but since she had been on the opposite side of the city from the flames, her breathing was not bad. Remembering again Banquo’s warning, I decided to leave her alone. I wondered if the healer fairy would inform the queen of our conversation and what she would make of it.
I could tell when we reached the edge of the city, because our path was immediately barred by a pair of giant ants. They clicked angrily waving their two front legs and antennae at us. Glory whinnied nervously and backed away from them. I didn’t blame her. We turned back into the forest and hid behind the trunk of the nearest tree. We needed a plan. I slid off Glory’s back and sat back against the trunk of the tree. Together we watched the golden glow of sunset in the trees. I cast a light spell on a nearby flower and wrote this letter with its yellow shimmer. The glow of the flower is fading now and I am sleepy. There are three more days until Liop’s birthday and I have no idea what to do except to wait. I can’t even tell if Imato’s ward is holding.

July 8th

More waiting. I can’t even think of anything to write. I tried sneaking into the city several times. I tried disguising myself. I tried racing through on Glory in a full gallop. Eventually I had nearly a dozen ants blocking my path, so I must have caused some trouble, but I never came close to getting in. Now the sun is setting and my head hurts. I don’t know anything at all. I suppose if Liop were changed, they would tell me, wouldn’t they?

July 11th

On July 9th, I was sitting behind a tree watching Glory graze on oversized blades of grass one at a time and wondering how much longer I would have to wait and what the ants would do if I attacked them outright, and what spells did I know that might be good for attacking something? I was wishing I had Father’s sword again and wondering what I would do with it if I had it…
When I was jerked back into reality by the familiar sound of laughter and the boy fairy darting into my face. I jumped and hit my head against the tree.
“I scared you!” the boy crowed turning upside down and shaking with uncontrolled laughter.
“Can you tell me about Liop?” I demanded. This was the only thing the boy could say that might interest me.
“The fairies called me ‘too much trouble’ and shut me out,” laughed the fairy, “but I think the boy is ‘too much trouble’ too. They will be sorry if they change him.”
He’d told me what I needed to know and I sank back against the tree in relief. The boy fairy capered about, turning somersaults in the air. I wondered why he came looking for me.
“Why are you here, fairy?” I asked.
“The old healer sent me to find you,” the fairy sang, “He says you are to come and talk to the queen.”

In the past couple of days I had learned the boundary of the fairy city very well. The giant ants never crossed outside of it, and they made sure I never crossed to the inside. Now, following the boy fairy, I crossed the invisible line without seeing a single ant. The city still looked like the surrounding garden/forest, but unlike my first visit, I occasionally noticed a fairy darting across our path. One paused to watch our progress, frowning. The boy fairy ignored him, darting ahead and then back with limitless energy, urging me to hurry. I rode Glory, feeling unwilling to let her out of my sight more than necessary. When we reached the palace grounds, I tied her just inside the gate.
We did not enter through the main entrance or the servants’ door that Mendel and I had found. Instead we went around to yet another entrance, more formal than a servants’, but not elaborate either. It opened on what looked like a waiting room with an unoccupied reception desk and two rows of elegant bamboo chairs. The boy fairy passed right through this room and into a hallway. He passed the first three doors and threw the fourth open. I hurried to catch up.
“That is not correct,” the firm voice of the healer fairy reached me from in the room, “you must ring the bell and be admitted.”
The boy fairy laughed outright. A burst of magic, like a bright explosion threw him out of the room and into the hallway with the door slamming shut. The boy fairy shook himself. A bell rang somewhere and the door opened again.
“Do you want to be confined again?” asked the healer. I had stopped when the explosion occurred and now I approached cautiously and peered into the doorway.
The boy fairy was shaking his head as if trying to clear it. The healer was seated cross-legged on a table. He looked as tired and frail as I remembered from two days ago. His eyes were a very dark green and right now they flashed with annoyance. He turned to me and I half expected to be flung across the hall like the boy fairy. But his expression softened.
“Hello,” he said simply. His wings fluttered as he slid from the table and stood on the ground. I realized that he was the only fairy I had seen truly standing on the ground. He stepped toward me and held out his hand. I just stood there, not knowing what he wanted. His hand dropped back to his side.
“Hi,” I said awkwardly, searching for something friendly to say, “Are you finished healing the fairies?”
“No,” he replied sadly, “I have been trying. I’ve healed a lot of them.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. I looked around the room. The white walls looked soft and papery. The room contained no sharp corners or perfectly flat surfaces. It was bright despite the lack of windows, and warm. One wall contained a set of shelves with baskets of herbs and other objects.
“Banquo said everyone will recover from the smoke,” I added, wanting to cheer him up, “it will just take a few weeks.”
“That is true,” the old fairy nodded, “but I am a healer.”
I wasn’t sure what more I could say. I looked over to the boy fairy, shuffling restlessly in the doorway like any small boy that is trying to hold still.
“That fairy,” the old healer waved dismissively in the boy fairy’s direction, “is my apprentice.”
“Oh,” I said.
Silence crept up around us. The healer was glaring at the boy who frowned resentfully back. It was awkward and I wanted to end it but didn’t know how. Finally, the old fairy broke away.
“Come with me,” he said, walking out of the room. My shoes made soft pats on the floor as we walked, but the old fairy moved soundlessly. He wings beat the air and lightened his steps. The boy fairy flew, ahead, around, above.  It wasn’t long before I recognized where we were going. We were in the same part of the palace where Mendel and I found Liop. In a few minutes we were standing before the same door with its black doorknob. The boy fairy stopped a good distance down the hall from it.
“Open it,” said the healer.
Hesitantly, I threw a bit of magic against the door. Layers of complex wards flickered around it.
“You need to get away first,” I told the fairies, “Liop used alchemy in one these wards.”
“That ward is still broken,” the old fairy informed me, “there will be no explosion.”
I studied the door, searching for Liop’s ward among the others. The old fairy was right. I could not find it. Tentatively, I reached out and took the doorknob. It turned easily and the door swung open.
“Arri!” cried Liop, darting forward.
He looked thin and dark circles ringed his eyes. A racking cough shook him as he threw his arms around me. His touch sent shivers of magic through me. Liop lived in a cloud of quivering fairy magic and I could not stand his touch for more than a minute before I had to break away. I saw that Imato’s ward was intact.
“Are you alright?” I asked anxiously.
“Yes,” said Liop. We sat down together on the floor. “They’re exerting themselves to turn me into a fairy, but they can’t break Imato’s ward.” He smiled.
The old fairy flew into the room and hovered cautiously above us.
“This room is dangerous for the fairies,” he commented, “if the boy changes here, it will kill him. Come, Arrietta of Brio, it is time to see the queen.”
I followed the old fairy back down the hall. The boy fairy tried to follow but was immediately ordered back to Liop’s door.
“The fairies are already very mad,” the old healer told him in annoyance, “you cannot make them madder.” I suppose he knew the young fairy well.
“Why does the queen want to see me?” I asked.
“She doesn’t,” the healer frowned at me, “I want her to see you.” He was walking on the floor again.
“Why?” I asked.
“I want you to talk her out of taking your brother,” the old fairy looked down at me as he walked, his large eyes full of sorrow, “this Brio child can only harm the fairies. His head is full of alchemy and he is reckless, as reckless as my useless apprentice. His magic will be dangerous to our way of life.”
I didn’t say anything but I felt a surge of hope for Liop.
“The queen is proud,” the healer continued, “It is the right of the fairies to take a child from the Brio family. Your mother’s generation has thwarted us well.”
“But what can I say to the queen?” I asked, feeling helpless.
The fairy sighed. “I do not know,” he murmured.
A few minutes later we approached a pair of double doors. On the other side, I heard a burst of coughing.
“Is the queen sick?” I asked.
“She will only let me heal her last,” the healer said in a tone of respect.

This time I did not find the fairy queen in her throne room. The room the healer led me to was elegant and wonderful, however informal. It was filled with fresh flowers and beautiful fountains. The queen lay on a red sofa. She was beautiful, even in illness, her wings folded gracefully behind her. As we approached, she sat up.
“Why have you brought her?” she demanded angrily. The healer only bowed and said nothing. I said nothing too. I was overpowered as I had been the first time.
The fairy queen regarded us through narrow eyes.
“I told you that unless you removed the ward on the child, you would never see him again,” she reminded me.
“His magic is dangerous to the fairies,” I repeated the healer’s words, “even if I remove the ward, which I can’t, the alchemy inside him will thwart your spell!” I ended in a kind of desperate shout.
“It will not be enough,” the queen replied hotly, “the ward will fail and we will take him. If the natron hinders the spell, he may lose all his magic.”
“He’s only a little boy,” I cried, “please don’t let him get hurt.”
“I do not wish him to be hurt,” the queen’s words cut through the air urgently, “You must remove the alchemy and the ward from him and not let him do anymore. Then his transformation will be simple and painless. You must explain that alchemy is forbidden to him. If he tries to use alchemy as a fairy, it will kill him.”
“I can’t—he’s been watching his uncle in the laboratory since before he started school even. It means as much to him as magic. I might as well ask him to stop eating,” I searched for a better comparison, “or ask a fairy to stop using her wings.”
The queen was silent. Her butterfly wings quivered slightly and she plucked a yellow flower from the nearest bush.
“It is not in my control,” the queen declared, “I cannot stop the spell to transform him, even if I wished it. The ward must last till sunset tomorrow, but it will fail tomorrow morning. The child will transform or he will lose all magic.” She leaned back and regarded me with her arms folded.
“If we leave the land of the fairies?” I asked softly.
“I will have my rights!” said the queen, “you will not leave before it is time.”
I looked back at the healer. His expression was troubled. What did he expect me to say to her? How could I convince her to let us go? I turned back to the queen.
“I have rights too,” I told her, “Liop is my younger brother and it is my duty to help him.”
The queen leaned forward and glared at me.
“If the ward lasts till sunset tomorrow, I will release you,” she replied. Then, addressing the healer, “Take her to the child. She may leave but not return. The child may not leave before his time. Go now.” She turned away from us and the healer motioned me to follow him back into the hallway. As the doors closed behind us I heard the sound of coughing.
“I didn’t do much good,” I said, scuffing my feet along the woven green rug.
“She has given me permission to help you,” he murmured, “that is enough.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, startled.
“She did not order you out of the palace or forbid you to help the child. And more importantly, she did not forbid me to help you.” He looked down at me, a faint glimmer of hope in his eyes. “She knows that I brought you into the palace. She knows I intend to help you, but she has not forbidden it.”
“Are you sure?” I asked.
“I am very old,” he responded, “I am sure.”
“How can you help?” I asked.
“I have watched the child since I came here. He is very creative. Go back to him and send me the fairy.” (An image of the boy fairy flashed unbidden to my mind.) “Do not ask what I intend to do or hint to the fairy what I want. We must be careful with this spell. It is dangerous.”
The old fairy fluttered slowly into the air and darted away from me before I could react.

I found my way back to Liop’s room and told the boy fairy to find the healer. I worried I might have to coax him to obey me, but he darted away quickly at my suggestion. I opened the door and went to Liop. He was lying on a pile of blankets, his eyes heavy. I curled up near him and together we waited. The magic in the room was growing. It pulsed against my skin. Liop whimpered in his sleep.
I think I dozed and awakened at least a dozen times before the boy fairy returned. Though Liop’s room contained no windows, a faint glow filled the room as morning approached, seeping in through the white papery walls. I was still half asleep when the boy fairy burst into the room carrying a large, heavy green basket. He dropped it at my feet and darted back out without a word. Puzzling over the silence, unusual for the boy, I looked into the basket. Inside was a large jar of silvery white powder, a round flat piece of clear glass, and a tightly rolled scroll.
“What is it?” asked Liop sleepily. He had coughed periodically through the night, but I hadn’t dared attempt to heal him. He crawled over to sit next to me.
“Some sort of powder,” I said needlessly, as Liop peered into the basket, “Iridium maybe?” But it was such a large amount that iridium seemed unlikely. Even Uncle Winthrop rarely has more than a cupful on hand. It’s too expensive. Liop reached for the jar, but I stopped him. Instead I unrolled the scroll. It was a spell, without salutation or explanation, just the needed ingredients (piece of glass, iridium), a line of instructions, and the words of the spell. What the spell did, I couldn’t tell.
“Let’s try it,” said Liop, coughing lightly.
I didn’t like the idea of trying a spell when I didn’t know it’s purpose, but what choice did I have? It was simple enough. I opened the jar of what I now knew was iridium and, following the instruction, sprinkled a slight amount across the surface of the glass.
“Beautiful places, lasting places.”
The edge of the glass grew warm in my hand and the dusting of iridium seemed to dissolve into the surface. Then it cooled.
“Nothing happened,” commented Liop in confused disappointment.
Curious, I held the glass up to my face and looked through it.
“Oh,” I exclaimed in surprise. Through the glass, as though through a window, was the old cape house where we lived in Dock-on-Green during the years that father’s men co-trained with the Adya troops. It was exactly as I best remembered it, perfect in spring flowers with the ocean stretched out behind.
“What do you see?” demanded Liop. I told him.
“Show me,” he said. Reluctantly, I handed over the glass and he peered into it. “I don’t see a cape house,” he said, half-disappointed, “I see Uncle W.’s cottage in Odsreq.”
“Really?” I leaned over his shoulder and together we peered into the glass. However we tried, though, I only saw Dock-on-Green and Liop only saw Odsreq. For several minutes we watched, enchanted by our windows on perfection. Around us the morning grew brighter.
“Why did the healer fairy give us this spell?” asked Liop finally.
I had no idea. I pulled my eyes away from the glass and back to the scroll, turning it around and over.
“Do you know a spell to reveal hidden writing?” asked Liop.
I shook my head and a new worry formed. What if the old healer put a hidden message on the paper, expecting us to find it?
“It’s an awful lot of iridium,” Liop commented, “the spell only called for a pinch.”
It was a lot of iridium, but perhaps iridium was more common in the land of the fairies than in Elcaro. I turned the jar around in my hand, studying it, fascinated by the silver sheen reflected off the white powder when the light hit it at certain angles. Then I turned my attention to the basket. It was made from grapevines and very sturdy. Still, I couldn’t find anything significant in either object.
“Maybe we can take it back and give it to Uncle W. for his alchemy,” said Liop.
Alchemy! The whole concept struck me suddenly. The fairies could not handle alchemy supplies, but they could handle magic supplies. Sometimes magic and alchemy used the same ingredients. Intent was important in deciding whether an ingredient was dangerous to touch. The healer fairy couldn’t send me alchemy supplies, but he could send magic supplies. By sending me a spell, and me using the spell, the healer had given me an alchemy ingredient without causing danger to himself. If he didn’t tell the boy fairy what he was doing, and used the boy purely as a messenger, he made the transfer doubly safe. The boy fairy probably had no idea that iridium could be used in alchemy.
“Liop, what alchemy formulas do you know that use iridium?” I asked.
“Uncle W. uses it in restoratives. And blacksmiths use it in the tips of fountain pens,” said Liop after some thought, “Uncle W. won’t let me touch it, because the powder catches fire easily.”
That was a scary thought. We’d already burned down a tree. I didn’t want to burn down the palace.
“Why is it used on the tips of pens?” I asked Liop.
“I guess because it’s adamantine,” Liop told me.
“So anything it was mixed with would be just as durable?” I asked.
“I could add it to Imato’s ward!” Liop shouted suddenly, “like I did with the ward in his bedroom and the one in this room!” He leaped to his feet and immediately began to cough.
I frowned. “What you did in Imato’s room was tangled and chaotic,” I pointed out, “No one can get in the door.”
Liop continued to cough for a couple minutes.
“I used baking soda and charcoal in that ward,” he said enthusiastically, “it was supposed to mark anyone who tried to break in so they’d be easy to track later.”
“That’s not what it did,” I informed him.
“I know. I was going to clean it up, but I ran out of time,” Liop coughed a bit more. Then he shivered. “I can feel the fairies’ magic again,” he told me. He started to rise and immediately sat down again. I felt a shiver of panic.
“What about the iron you used in the ward on this room?” I asked looking around and remember the explosion, “was that the same process?”
“Well,” said Liop reluctantly, “I mixed hair into that formula, so it could only be triggered by a relative. But I don’t want to make that ward with iridium. Iron isn’t normally combustible.”
And iridium is, I added mentally. We sat for several more minutes. Liop shifted restlessly, jumping up one minute to pace the floor, then dropping to his knees to cough. His thin frame shook and shivered, sometimes from coughing and sometimes from another source. I sent out a spell to test the strength of Imato’s ward and it flickered under my spell. Still it held. I remembered the fairy queen’s prediction that Imato’s ward would fail in the morning. It was still early morning.
It isn’t often that Liop is afraid, but I could see fear in him now. He didn’t want to work the ward. Both of his previous attempts to manipulate wards had not worked exactly the way he wanted them to, and iridium was a much more dangerous substance to work with. The more I thought about it the more torn I became.
“Maybe,” I whispered, “the fairies have won. I can remove the natron from your body and when Imato’s ward fails, you will become a fairy. You just have to stay away from alchemy. Maybe you won’t lose your memories.”
Liop knelt down next to me. He rocked back and forth with his eyes shut. In the corners of my vision I could see a kind of magical aura around him. I reached out to put my arm around his shoulder and received a jolt of powerful magic. It passed over me like a bucket of icy water. I knew in that moment that I could no longer touch him. I could not remove the natron and Imato’s ward was failing.
“I don’t want to be a fairy anymore,” Liop told me, “I want to be an alchemist like Uncle Winthrop.”
It was hard to think through my growing panic. I wasn’t sure that it was just Liop’s magic that would be lost when Imato’s ward failed. It seemed possible that Liop would die. My thoughts moved to the old healer and the careful effort he had made to give us iridium. He must have known it would help. I picked up the basket and turned it around. What we needed was a practice spell. I could break through simple wards, but I only knew the theory behind creating them. Cautiously, I recited a simple spell to place a ward around the basket. My first attempt failed, but I attracted Liop’s attention and he offered a correction. It took a few more tries, but finally I placed a simple, weak ward around the basket.
“Okay, Liop,” I said, “how do you add an alchemy formula to it? Show me.”
“It might explode,” Liop said.
“The spell is too weak to explode,” I countered.
Liop took a pinch of iridium, closed his eyes, and sprinkled it over the basket. I tried to watch, but as far as I could tell he only touched my spell with his magic without altering it. The iridium however crackled as it passed through the ward. It was very strange. I didn’t have the slightest idea what Liop had done. He had not cast a spell.
I reached out tentatively to touch the basket, but my hand stopped two inches away. I pressed and a flash of energy shot through me. For an instant I felt a weak, formless magic, but then my body rejected it and it dissipated into the room.
“Can you do that to Imato’s ward?” I asked.
Liop nodded, but he didn’t act. I didn’t say anything. I just watched him. Imato’s ward flickered and the magic cloud thickened in response. We were running out of time. Liop moved through the room like a swimmer in slow motion. He could not sit still, but each flex of muscle was heavy and full of effort.
“Liop,” I said, “you have to add the iridium to Imato’s ward. You have to do it now.”
Liop looked at me. His eyes were large and frightened and very young.
I picked up the jar of iridium and held it out to him. Slowly Liop reached in to take a pinch. He pushed out a small bit of his own magic and touched it to Imato’s ward. Then he sprinkled the iridium on his head. Again I saw no spell, but the ward reaction was instantaneous. Liop’s whole body flashed with blinding white light. I squeezed my eyes shut against it. When I opened them again, Liop was on his knees with his head down.
“Liop?” I asked.
The blonde head shot up with amazing rapidity and he looked at me. It seemed like there was a piece of glass between us. Liop shook his head in a dazed manner and stood back up. The sluggish effort was gone. He looked tired, but unhindered. I wanted to touch him, but memories of the basket made me wary. Instead I sent out the spell to test Imato’s ward. It was like touching cold metal.
“Did it work?” I asked needlessly for I could see a bubble of clear air around him. As he moved the fairy magic retreated from him and dissipated into nothing. Liop waved his arms about and a grin spread across his face.
“It worked, Arri!” he said enthusiastically, “It worked!”

At sunset Imato’s ward fell away and I could almost hear Imato’s sigh of sudden relief and release at its end. No traces of the fairies’ magic remained and Liop was left a simple but exhausted little boy. True to her word, the fairy queen turned us out of the palace without ceremony. I lifted the sleepy Liop up onto Glory’s back and then climbed on in front of him. He put his small arms around my waist and leaned against my back. Together we rode through the fairy city. The boy fairy darted around us and the old healer led the way, flying just above the ground.
Our path was very clear for it was lined with fairies, more than I had ever seen, even at the height of the excitement about the fire. They hovered among the trees and stared at us in simple fascination, males and females, all ages and races, colorful and beautiful beyond description.
“Were they all abducted as children?” I asked the old healer.
“No,” he said simply, but would not explain further. I could not tell if the other fairies were happy, sad, or angry, or even if they understood what had happened. The boy fairy was ecstatic, laughing and turning summersaults. The old healer was solemn, but he smiled when we reached the edge of the city.
“Take care of yourself, Arri of Brio,” he told me, “it has been foreseen that we will meet again.” He bowed slightly and darted away before I could respond.
The boy fairy followed us further, until we were ready to jump out of the land of fairies. I took hold of the cords of magic in the reigns of Glory’s golden bridle and pronounced the spell to return to earth. Glory began to gallop. It was not at all like flying in on Banquo had been. My vision blacked out and I kept one hand tight on the reigns while the other held Liop’s hand. We hit the ground like a brick wall. Glory whinnied and sank to her knees, throwing us off. I hit my head and lost consciousness.
When I opened my eyes, Mendel was kneeling over me, smiling.
“It’s easier on a lion,” he said, “How do you feel?”
“Where’s Liop?” I asked. I tried raising my head to look, but pain shot through it.
“He’s fine,” said Mendel, “but I’m going to have to carry him. I don’t think Glory should carry anyone for a couple hours—she’s fine too, just disoriented like you,” he added.
“Where are we?” was my next question, too disoriented to think clearly.
“Where I said you’d land,” Mendel grinned, “in the fairy ring in the woods behind Westridge Manor.” He looked around, “it’s the place where I first met Fairy.”
I looked around too, but I didn’t see much. It was very dark.
“Do you think you can stand?” asked Mendel, offering his hand. I took it and he helped me to rise.
“It’s not far to the house,” said Mendel, “let me get Liop and you keep one hand on my arm. Glory will follow.”
I don’t remember much about how we got to the manor, but we got there. I have a vague impression of Mendel ordering care for Glory and then helping me lie down on a bed next to Liop. His last words were: “I’ll send Mother’s maid with fresh clothes for you. I want to check Glory one more time.” Then Liop said, “I’m edacious.” But I was too tired to ask what that meant.

It’s late morning now and I’m wide awake. I can hear people moving along the hallway, but I hope they don’t knock on the door yet. I’m in a guest room with a big, fancy bed. Liop is curled up at one end in a big, clean white nightshirt that nearly drowns him. My night gown is also rather large, but the blue fabric is soft and silky. It feels wonderful after so many nights sleeping in a dress. I’ve been working on this letter since it was light enough to see. I want to send it as quickly as possible, but I may wait till this afternoon. I want to talk to Mendel and hear what news I can before I finish. I’ll also direct a letter to Uncle W. and Nysa in Rousha.

Later

I’m glad I waited, because Hermes arrived a few minutes ago with your letter. I’m glad that you already know that Liop is safe. I guess I don’t need to send the extra letter to Uncle W. and Nysa anymore, since they can read this one. Please give them my love and tell them I’m sorry for running off without leaving any kind of note. I really am very sorry. I’m glad they came to you though. Most of the time it wasn’t at all possible for me to get a letter to them. The fairies only let me send the one to you because they needed your help.
What you and Imato did to keep the ward on Liop is amazing! It is the only reason he escaped.
And I’m so glad that you found a spell to stop this from happening to the next generation. You’re right, Keish: the Brios are through with losing children. Whatever I need to do to help, I will do.

Keish, we all did it! Liop is safe!

Give my love to everyone,

Arri

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