Showing posts with label Winthrop. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Winthrop. Show all posts
Keish to Winthrop- June 27, 2004
June 27, 2004
Dear Uncle Winthrop,
It’s not that we don’t think you’re capable of helping, it’s that you don’t use magic and this is, you must allow, a distinctly magical problem.
You are right, though, that Arri probably thought you would try to stop her, but she’s right on this. She’s doing what she needs to do.
Don’t you see? With her resistance to magic, Arri is the one best suited to get Liop back.
They are both safe, for now at least. I’ve been able to use divining to see them and Imato has, through that, cast wards on both of them. His wards are the strongest I’ve ever seen-- it would seem that they are his particular talent. Trena says it has to do with Uncle Quin’s magic, which is dormant and deeply buried but protective in nature.
I continue to check on Arri and Liop, as does Imato. He’ll know if anything breaches his wards.
(It may amuse you to know that Liop is giving the fairies quite as much trouble as he gives the rest of us. He is not at all afraid, only curious.)
Also, Mendel Westridge has gone after Arri. (Though it may be better not to relay this information to Mendel’s parents.) Nysa has probably already told you about the traveling spell and the bridle. I think he will be able to help Arri.
We will get them back-- both Arri and Liop.
We Brios are quite finished losing a child every generation.
Love Always,
Keish
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Winthrop- June 25, 2004
June 25, 2004
Dear Keish,
I suppose that you will receive a letter from Arri explaining what has happened, very likely before you receive my letter. Just in case you didn’t, however, you should know that Liop was abducted by the fairies not long after lunch today. I don’t know any details, because I was not there. Arri witnessed it, and she ran into the apartment to tell Nysa. Then she left for the caves. She should have come to me, but then none of you seems to think I am capable of helping with anything. As soon as Arri left, Nysa ran to my shop and we raced back to the apartment. Arri was still gone. At that point I told Nysa to take me to the cave, since I do not know how to get there myself. When we arrived in the caves, we immediately began a search for Arri and the Lioness, running through the caverns and calling their names. No one answered our calls. It is possible that the Lioness will not speak to me, but she should have answered Nysa. I don’t know why she didn’t.
When we finally gave up and returned to the apartment, we discovered that Arri had come and gone. Her satchel was missing along with some traveling supplies. She did not leave a note; I suppose she didn’t want us to stop her. We certainly would have done so. It’s easy to guess where she went. She must have bargained with the Lioness to take her to the fairies. I don’t know what she thinks she will accomplish. The fairies are very dangerous.
I’ve told you all that I know. Nysa went back to the cave alone and called for the Lioness again but received no answer. I’m helpless, Keish. I can’t do anything about this. I’ve failed Liop and possibly Arri. I will not stand in your way of anything you want to do.
Find Arri!
Your uncle,
Winthrop
Winthrop to Keish- March 13, 2004
March 13, 2004
Dear Keish,
Setting wards is something that I have not done since I was a teenager. I know Ellean and Jezreel had a way around them, but I do not know what it was. I suspect that it is simply a matter of knowing the right spell, since your magic is much too powerful to be repelled by my wards under normal circumstances.
Nimue Timar died from wounds when her wand was stolen by an enemy. The wand held her magic, so she died from her own magic.
Terrence Brio died in an explosion while trying to create a two-way mirror.
Derrous Mots died while trying to force entry into the Brio caves, which he would not have attempted if he had not been obsessed with gathering magic.
Patrina Whitetree died from an overdose of her own magical remedy.
Several magicians were killed about thirty years ago when they combined their magic in an effort to evaporate a Lake Goma. You ought to at least have heard of that tragedy. They were taking direction from Arrella's king who was hoping to raise the shipwreck that killed his eldest son. I don't think they would have succeeded regardless, but one magician miss-judged the parameters and lost control of his spell. He killed himself and everyone else involved.
I don't really think you need me to list off every magical tragedy in history. You already know magic is dangerous.
Jezreel died from complications of childbirth. You're jumping to conclusions again. I was not there, but I trust what Quin told us. Jezreel's greatest magical weakness, perhaps, was that her healing powers did not work on herself. She was able to save Liop, however.
You have demanded again my own history with magic. What you really want to know is why I invoked Jezreel's name during a discussion with Brynn Gerrard. Perhaps I did it to see the look on her face. It might interest you that when Quin disappeared/died, Brynn demanded legal proof that Arri and Liop should come into my custody. If Quin's name alone had appeared on the document or if it was merely a matter of next-of-kin, I think she would have questioned the decision. But no one could forge Jezreel's signature, and so Brynn was silenced. The will was signed a little less than one year after your mother's death and uses the phrase "any children not yet of age". You may recall that Jezreel miscarried twice between the births of Arri and Liop. Of course, I doubt either Jezreel or Quin expected to die of anything less than old age. And they certainly knew how I felt about magic. Under the circumstances, I think I am entirely justified in raising Arri and Liop according to my conscience. Remember, Arri is only seventeen.
Your concerned uncle,
Winthrop
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Dear Keish,
Setting wards is something that I have not done since I was a teenager. I know Ellean and Jezreel had a way around them, but I do not know what it was. I suspect that it is simply a matter of knowing the right spell, since your magic is much too powerful to be repelled by my wards under normal circumstances.
Nimue Timar died from wounds when her wand was stolen by an enemy. The wand held her magic, so she died from her own magic.
Terrence Brio died in an explosion while trying to create a two-way mirror.
Derrous Mots died while trying to force entry into the Brio caves, which he would not have attempted if he had not been obsessed with gathering magic.
Patrina Whitetree died from an overdose of her own magical remedy.
Several magicians were killed about thirty years ago when they combined their magic in an effort to evaporate a Lake Goma. You ought to at least have heard of that tragedy. They were taking direction from Arrella's king who was hoping to raise the shipwreck that killed his eldest son. I don't think they would have succeeded regardless, but one magician miss-judged the parameters and lost control of his spell. He killed himself and everyone else involved.
I don't really think you need me to list off every magical tragedy in history. You already know magic is dangerous.
Jezreel died from complications of childbirth. You're jumping to conclusions again. I was not there, but I trust what Quin told us. Jezreel's greatest magical weakness, perhaps, was that her healing powers did not work on herself. She was able to save Liop, however.
You have demanded again my own history with magic. What you really want to know is why I invoked Jezreel's name during a discussion with Brynn Gerrard. Perhaps I did it to see the look on her face. It might interest you that when Quin disappeared/died, Brynn demanded legal proof that Arri and Liop should come into my custody. If Quin's name alone had appeared on the document or if it was merely a matter of next-of-kin, I think she would have questioned the decision. But no one could forge Jezreel's signature, and so Brynn was silenced. The will was signed a little less than one year after your mother's death and uses the phrase "any children not yet of age". You may recall that Jezreel miscarried twice between the births of Arri and Liop. Of course, I doubt either Jezreel or Quin expected to die of anything less than old age. And they certainly knew how I felt about magic. Under the circumstances, I think I am entirely justified in raising Arri and Liop according to my conscience. Remember, Arri is only seventeen.
Your concerned uncle,
Winthrop
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Keish to Winthrop- March 11, 2004
March 11, 2008
Dear Uncle Winthrop,
I’m sorry.
I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge. I’ve talked to Trena. I think I understand a little better now. But there’s still a lot you aren’t telling us.
I tried to use the mirror right as you were renewing the wards. The link between the stone and the mirror caused your wards to amplify and they threw me onto the floor. I wasn’t trying to disrupt your wards. We really need to find a way around that link. We can’t each constantly be having to check to see if the other is using his/her magical object. It’s excessively inconvenient. Did you and my mother have this problem, or is it a new development?
Who exactly are you referring to as having “been killed by her own magic”? What happened when Aunt Jezreel died? (I know you aren’t talking about my mother. She’d have been killed whether she practiced magic or not, simply because of who she was.) Arri and Imato deserve to know, if nothing else. Arri told me about the argument you had with Brynn. She won’t say, but it’s time. We’re adults now, whether you wish to acknowledge it or not.
I know it’s hard. I know you feel like you’ve lost everyone to magic, but you have to understand-- we didn’t choose magic, it chose us.
We are Brios. Whether we like it or not. Would you have us deny it as you have tried? Can you honestly see that has made you happy? Because you always seem sad. Even at Christmas, and for as long as I can remember, you have always seemed sad. Maybe you’re right. Maybe my magic will kill me, but at least I am enjoying living.
I’m sorry I was harsh, and that we haven’t trusted you.
But it’s also time for you to trust us.
Love Always,
Keish
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Dear Uncle Winthrop,
I’m sorry.
I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge. I’ve talked to Trena. I think I understand a little better now. But there’s still a lot you aren’t telling us.
I tried to use the mirror right as you were renewing the wards. The link between the stone and the mirror caused your wards to amplify and they threw me onto the floor. I wasn’t trying to disrupt your wards. We really need to find a way around that link. We can’t each constantly be having to check to see if the other is using his/her magical object. It’s excessively inconvenient. Did you and my mother have this problem, or is it a new development?
Who exactly are you referring to as having “been killed by her own magic”? What happened when Aunt Jezreel died? (I know you aren’t talking about my mother. She’d have been killed whether she practiced magic or not, simply because of who she was.) Arri and Imato deserve to know, if nothing else. Arri told me about the argument you had with Brynn. She won’t say, but it’s time. We’re adults now, whether you wish to acknowledge it or not.
I know it’s hard. I know you feel like you’ve lost everyone to magic, but you have to understand-- we didn’t choose magic, it chose us.
We are Brios. Whether we like it or not. Would you have us deny it as you have tried? Can you honestly see that has made you happy? Because you always seem sad. Even at Christmas, and for as long as I can remember, you have always seemed sad. Maybe you’re right. Maybe my magic will kill me, but at least I am enjoying living.
I’m sorry I was harsh, and that we haven’t trusted you.
But it’s also time for you to trust us.
Love Always,
Keish
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Winthrop to Keish- March 9, 2004
March 9, 2004
Dear Lakeisha,
Your ability to jump to conclusions is amazing. I never had possession of the mirror and did not know the Chronicle was missing until we returned from Onoff. As for their placement, I will refer you to Trena of Solutuns. If you do not know how to contact her, I believe Nysa can help you. The lioness and I have not spoken since she suggested I jump from a griffon’s cliff. Just because I can speak to animals does not mean they do my bidding. If I had known about the attempts of Gessair on your life, you can be sure that I would not have encouraged you to confront him. I would have done that myself.
As for my use of magic: yes, since the incident in the cave I have been placing wards around the cottage and the apartment. I wouldn’t need them, if it weren’t for the constant haze of magic Nysa, Arri, and Liop leave from their spell-casting. I expect Nysa knows about them. I haven’t asked her. If she hasn’t told Arri (and thereby you), it isn’t my fault.
What exactly were you doing that disrupted my wards the other night? If you’re demanding to know why I have them, then I demand to know why you need to disrupt them.
I have not lied to you; I stand by my beliefs. Magic is dangerous, much more so than anything else you could choose to practice. More than one magician has been killed by her own magic, and I pray everyday that you won’t be next.
Please be a little more careful before accusing me of hypocrisy. I hope I have outgrown that weakness.
Your uncle,
Winthrop
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Dear Lakeisha,
Your ability to jump to conclusions is amazing. I never had possession of the mirror and did not know the Chronicle was missing until we returned from Onoff. As for their placement, I will refer you to Trena of Solutuns. If you do not know how to contact her, I believe Nysa can help you. The lioness and I have not spoken since she suggested I jump from a griffon’s cliff. Just because I can speak to animals does not mean they do my bidding. If I had known about the attempts of Gessair on your life, you can be sure that I would not have encouraged you to confront him. I would have done that myself.
As for my use of magic: yes, since the incident in the cave I have been placing wards around the cottage and the apartment. I wouldn’t need them, if it weren’t for the constant haze of magic Nysa, Arri, and Liop leave from their spell-casting. I expect Nysa knows about them. I haven’t asked her. If she hasn’t told Arri (and thereby you), it isn’t my fault.
What exactly were you doing that disrupted my wards the other night? If you’re demanding to know why I have them, then I demand to know why you need to disrupt them.
I have not lied to you; I stand by my beliefs. Magic is dangerous, much more so than anything else you could choose to practice. More than one magician has been killed by her own magic, and I pray everyday that you won’t be next.
Please be a little more careful before accusing me of hypocrisy. I hope I have outgrown that weakness.
Your uncle,
Winthrop
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Keish to Winthrop- March 7, 2004
March 7, 2004
Dear Uncle Winthrop,
How dare you.
How long have you been using magic? Or did you never really stop?
It was you. You’ve been in contact with the Lioness. You knew where I would have to go and what I would have to do. You made arrangements for her to leave the book with Darius and the mirror in the cave.
I should have known. We wondered how Darius got the Chronicle. He seemed to know I was coming. Were you responsible for leading me there, too? It was too dangerous to leave the Chronicle in the cave with the mirror, so you arranged for me to get it elsewhere.
How dare you lecture Arri and me about using magic. At least we don’t lie about it.
You are going to tell us everything. Whether you like it or not.
And don’t tell me not to give orders to my elders. You lost that argument when you started lying to us about everything. You even lied to my Father.
You arranged everything and then still had the nerve to be unhappy in the cave. You knew exactly what was going on, and you weren’t happy with me.
I want an explanation. I’m demanding one.
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Dear Uncle Winthrop,
How dare you.
How long have you been using magic? Or did you never really stop?
It was you. You’ve been in contact with the Lioness. You knew where I would have to go and what I would have to do. You made arrangements for her to leave the book with Darius and the mirror in the cave.
I should have known. We wondered how Darius got the Chronicle. He seemed to know I was coming. Were you responsible for leading me there, too? It was too dangerous to leave the Chronicle in the cave with the mirror, so you arranged for me to get it elsewhere.
How dare you lecture Arri and me about using magic. At least we don’t lie about it.
You are going to tell us everything. Whether you like it or not.
And don’t tell me not to give orders to my elders. You lost that argument when you started lying to us about everything. You even lied to my Father.
You arranged everything and then still had the nerve to be unhappy in the cave. You knew exactly what was going on, and you weren’t happy with me.
I want an explanation. I’m demanding one.
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Adlen to Winthrop-- January 5, 2004
January 5, 2004
Dear Winthrop,
You stubborn, proud, camel-minded fool. Would you care to explain why I had to learn from Keisha that there was concern about how to pay for Arri’s apprenticeship? You led me to believe that everything had been taken care of. Not to mention that you all but told me arrangements for Quin had been made.
Why didn’t you come to me? I could certainly have funded Arri’s training there or made arrangements for her to come train in Arella. Imato could have stopped worrying about it and returned to his training. (I’m sending him a stern letter also.) And I could have helped with the arrangements for Quin, though likely King Trunsle would still have insisted on taking care of that.
Next time, I insist you come to me first. And if you won’t, I’m sure Imato can be prevailed upon to be reasonable. (Though if he can’t, Arri will still tell Keish and I will still find out.)
And as to your conduct before King Trunsle, I am appalled. Renounced title or not, you know better. Even at their most outspoken, neither Ellean nor Keish ever approached such disrespect. And how could you put Arri in such a wretched position? Can’t you see how important this is to her? Between her desires and her embarrassment the poor child probably wished she were hundreds of miles away! You really must stop trying to make everyone live your way. And you may as well stop being so antagonistic toward Brynn Garrard. She is inseparably connected to the Brio line now, you know. Stop being ridiculous and you’ll see how valuable she is. Heaven knows Ellean found her indispensable.
And like it or not, she’s proving to be very important to Keish and Arri as well. Even if you didn’t agree with all that Keish yelled at you while we were there, you should at least have realized by now that the girls are destined to follow their mothers whether we like it or not. After having resigned myself to that, I’ve been able to enjoy Keisha’s developing talents. She is so much like Ellean was when she first came here.
So please, stop being a fool before you alienate the entire younger generation.
Adlen
PS (January 6th) Concerning your questions about Keisha while we were there-- Jace came to me today to request my permission to court her. Well, to make sure I approved of his intentions. He wants to let things progress naturally, rather than announcing a formal courtship. (No doubt he’s heard about my courtship with Ellean.) He is unsure of his future, having decided that he does not wish to take his father’s position, but says that he cannot deny his heart (or, apparently, the strengths of some of Keisha’s arguments against Imato’s caution with Gretel). So when the young ladies sent him away so they could dress for dinner he came to me. If I didn’t know him, I might be concerned about his future, but he’s an industrious young man and is bound to find his way. Not to mention, if I’d sent him away for such a “trifle” Keisha would never forgive me. And she would surely point out that the inheritance she will receive soon is more than enough for them to live on, if it comes to that. Apparently she’s found him distracting lately, so I’m sure you will agree that things are progressing. (I’m sure Jace does not want her to learn he approached me from anyone else, so don’t tell Arri or Imato if you think they’ll let it slip.)
Adlen
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Dear Winthrop,
You stubborn, proud, camel-minded fool. Would you care to explain why I had to learn from Keisha that there was concern about how to pay for Arri’s apprenticeship? You led me to believe that everything had been taken care of. Not to mention that you all but told me arrangements for Quin had been made.
Why didn’t you come to me? I could certainly have funded Arri’s training there or made arrangements for her to come train in Arella. Imato could have stopped worrying about it and returned to his training. (I’m sending him a stern letter also.) And I could have helped with the arrangements for Quin, though likely King Trunsle would still have insisted on taking care of that.
Next time, I insist you come to me first. And if you won’t, I’m sure Imato can be prevailed upon to be reasonable. (Though if he can’t, Arri will still tell Keish and I will still find out.)
And as to your conduct before King Trunsle, I am appalled. Renounced title or not, you know better. Even at their most outspoken, neither Ellean nor Keish ever approached such disrespect. And how could you put Arri in such a wretched position? Can’t you see how important this is to her? Between her desires and her embarrassment the poor child probably wished she were hundreds of miles away! You really must stop trying to make everyone live your way. And you may as well stop being so antagonistic toward Brynn Garrard. She is inseparably connected to the Brio line now, you know. Stop being ridiculous and you’ll see how valuable she is. Heaven knows Ellean found her indispensable.
And like it or not, she’s proving to be very important to Keish and Arri as well. Even if you didn’t agree with all that Keish yelled at you while we were there, you should at least have realized by now that the girls are destined to follow their mothers whether we like it or not. After having resigned myself to that, I’ve been able to enjoy Keisha’s developing talents. She is so much like Ellean was when she first came here.
So please, stop being a fool before you alienate the entire younger generation.
Adlen
PS (January 6th) Concerning your questions about Keisha while we were there-- Jace came to me today to request my permission to court her. Well, to make sure I approved of his intentions. He wants to let things progress naturally, rather than announcing a formal courtship. (No doubt he’s heard about my courtship with Ellean.) He is unsure of his future, having decided that he does not wish to take his father’s position, but says that he cannot deny his heart (or, apparently, the strengths of some of Keisha’s arguments against Imato’s caution with Gretel). So when the young ladies sent him away so they could dress for dinner he came to me. If I didn’t know him, I might be concerned about his future, but he’s an industrious young man and is bound to find his way. Not to mention, if I’d sent him away for such a “trifle” Keisha would never forgive me. And she would surely point out that the inheritance she will receive soon is more than enough for them to live on, if it comes to that. Apparently she’s found him distracting lately, so I’m sure you will agree that things are progressing. (I’m sure Jace does not want her to learn he approached me from anyone else, so don’t tell Arri or Imato if you think they’ll let it slip.)
Adlen
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Winthrop- October 22, 2003
October 22, 2003
Dear Adlen,
Let me begin by apologizing for not believing your last letter. You were correct in assuming that the fulfillment of Brynn’s prophecy would begin with the recovery of a lost family member. Your assumption on who would be recovered was wrong, but I dare not explain myself in detail lest this letter fall into the wrong hands.
My last letter to Arri was sent just three days before my abduction, and this is the first unguarded moment I have had since then in which to send a letter. In that last letter, I told Arri of my intention to pass through Goatsyard. What I did not tell her was that I passed through Goatsyard deliberately so that I could investigate a rumor I heard at an inn in Onoff. The rumor was that Sir Quin was alive and living as a mad woodsman in the forest near Goatsyard. Of course, the rumor sounded ridiculous, but I thought it would be better to disprove it before Imato and Arri caught wind of it. You’ll remember what a hard time we had convincing Imato that it would be useless to go charging off into Greste in search of better proof that his father was dead. A rumor like this would certainly get him all fired up again, and this time I don’t think we could convince him to stay home and take care of Arri and Liop.
So it was with this in mind (not to mention your premonition), that I traveled the two more days to Goatsyard in search of the mysterious mad woodsman. I had no sooner stepped out of the inn after my first night there than I was abducted by the same band of thieves that King Trunsle has been trying to capture for the last several months.
They hauled me up to a cave and spent the next several months guarding me while they concocted a potion that would supposedly allow them to siphon my magic off into a wand. The spell was correct, but it lacked the key ingredient of cooperation on my part. To make me more cooperative, they attempted to kidnap Arri. I expect you know more about what happened there than I do. All I know is that they didn’t succeed.
One week ago I succeeded in calling a flock of great desert dragons, something I have never attempted before. I knew that they would be just as likely to eat me as my abductors, but I felt that it was worth the risk. Fortunately, I was able to keep out of their way, and they ate all but two of my captors. It is the first time that I have felt that I understand Quin – willing to fight for the safety of others.
Two nights ago, as I sat with my abductors planning my next course of action, I was treated to a most astonishing sight: Arri on a horse painted to look like a skeleton. A brilliant flash of lightning and some of my best fireworks powders scattered all of us in fear and confusion and gave me the chance to escape. Unfortunately, we were all separated in the chaos of the storm.
I am sure that you are worried about Arri. Please put your mind at ease. I am certain that the band of thieves (that is calling itself the Narls) has not captured her. The two remaining are not as clever as the original bandleaders, and I do not expect them to reorganize quickly. Perhaps they will return to their leader for new instructions. Arri is a clever girl, and if she made it this far to find me, I think she will be all right until I find her.
Here is another place to offer my apology. You are right – the Narls are not ordinary criminals; they are acting under an organized head. I only wish I knew its purpose.
But I must assume the most important point of this letter.
There is a plot against Lakeisha’s life. They know about Brynn’s prophecy, and are determined to destroy her before she can fulfill it completely.
You must stop Keish from meddling any more with the omens! She must not perform magic! Take her away from the palace—not to the cave as Ellean suggested. Any association with magic will only draw the Narls closer to her. Choose someplace simple and send me word when you get there.
As soon as I have found Arri, I will join you. Fortunately, the Narls seem less aware of her importance than they are of Keish’s.
I am not changing my position on the prophecy. My only concern is for my nieces’ safety.
Please listen to me. I know we don’t often agree, but I also know that you care deeply for your daughter and will do anything in your power to protect her. I am trying to help you, and I am sure using magic will only add to your danger. I do not know what Keish has been doing lately – perhaps you don’t either. But it must stop! She is endangering herself and those around her.
If you reply to this letter, please send it by way of Franz Journey in Onoff. I will check periodically for your reply, and I will send you word if any of my plans change, or when I locate Arri.
May snow cover your perilous footprints.
Faithfully,
Go to NEXT Letter
Dear Adlen,
Let me begin by apologizing for not believing your last letter. You were correct in assuming that the fulfillment of Brynn’s prophecy would begin with the recovery of a lost family member. Your assumption on who would be recovered was wrong, but I dare not explain myself in detail lest this letter fall into the wrong hands.
My last letter to Arri was sent just three days before my abduction, and this is the first unguarded moment I have had since then in which to send a letter. In that last letter, I told Arri of my intention to pass through Goatsyard. What I did not tell her was that I passed through Goatsyard deliberately so that I could investigate a rumor I heard at an inn in Onoff. The rumor was that Sir Quin was alive and living as a mad woodsman in the forest near Goatsyard. Of course, the rumor sounded ridiculous, but I thought it would be better to disprove it before Imato and Arri caught wind of it. You’ll remember what a hard time we had convincing Imato that it would be useless to go charging off into Greste in search of better proof that his father was dead. A rumor like this would certainly get him all fired up again, and this time I don’t think we could convince him to stay home and take care of Arri and Liop.
So it was with this in mind (not to mention your premonition), that I traveled the two more days to Goatsyard in search of the mysterious mad woodsman. I had no sooner stepped out of the inn after my first night there than I was abducted by the same band of thieves that King Trunsle has been trying to capture for the last several months.
They hauled me up to a cave and spent the next several months guarding me while they concocted a potion that would supposedly allow them to siphon my magic off into a wand. The spell was correct, but it lacked the key ingredient of cooperation on my part. To make me more cooperative, they attempted to kidnap Arri. I expect you know more about what happened there than I do. All I know is that they didn’t succeed.
One week ago I succeeded in calling a flock of great desert dragons, something I have never attempted before. I knew that they would be just as likely to eat me as my abductors, but I felt that it was worth the risk. Fortunately, I was able to keep out of their way, and they ate all but two of my captors. It is the first time that I have felt that I understand Quin – willing to fight for the safety of others.
Two nights ago, as I sat with my abductors planning my next course of action, I was treated to a most astonishing sight: Arri on a horse painted to look like a skeleton. A brilliant flash of lightning and some of my best fireworks powders scattered all of us in fear and confusion and gave me the chance to escape. Unfortunately, we were all separated in the chaos of the storm.
I am sure that you are worried about Arri. Please put your mind at ease. I am certain that the band of thieves (that is calling itself the Narls) has not captured her. The two remaining are not as clever as the original bandleaders, and I do not expect them to reorganize quickly. Perhaps they will return to their leader for new instructions. Arri is a clever girl, and if she made it this far to find me, I think she will be all right until I find her.
Here is another place to offer my apology. You are right – the Narls are not ordinary criminals; they are acting under an organized head. I only wish I knew its purpose.
But I must assume the most important point of this letter.
There is a plot against Lakeisha’s life. They know about Brynn’s prophecy, and are determined to destroy her before she can fulfill it completely.
You must stop Keish from meddling any more with the omens! She must not perform magic! Take her away from the palace—not to the cave as Ellean suggested. Any association with magic will only draw the Narls closer to her. Choose someplace simple and send me word when you get there.
As soon as I have found Arri, I will join you. Fortunately, the Narls seem less aware of her importance than they are of Keish’s.
I am not changing my position on the prophecy. My only concern is for my nieces’ safety.
Please listen to me. I know we don’t often agree, but I also know that you care deeply for your daughter and will do anything in your power to protect her. I am trying to help you, and I am sure using magic will only add to your danger. I do not know what Keish has been doing lately – perhaps you don’t either. But it must stop! She is endangering herself and those around her.
If you reply to this letter, please send it by way of Franz Journey in Onoff. I will check periodically for your reply, and I will send you word if any of my plans change, or when I locate Arri.
May snow cover your perilous footprints.
Faithfully,
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