My Dear Lady Maeody,
This letter addresses an issue that I believe would be of great importance to us all: yourself, myself, Archenland, Narnia…
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Thwack! An arrow hit a tree.
"Selfish man!" she fumed, "All he thinks of is himself! This doesn't help me at all!"
Thwack!
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I need you to do a favor for me, yourself, and the countries mentioned above. If Narnia doesn't think that the plan is a good one, well…do your best to help them warm to the idea.
I mean that in the best way possible, my dear; let me assure you of that.
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"The best possible way," she mimicked angrily, "Yes, while I end up in chains! But what do you care? You'll be safe on your little throne across the sea! Hateful…" she trailed off.
Thwack!
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You see, I am not in a very good situation with Narnia at the moment, and neither is our country. Narnia has been taxing us to much, and we need to do something about it.
I don't know if you had noticed, but we do not have enough natural resources to keep up with all the supplies that we need. Not even with the slave trade do we have enough! The Calormenes have secretly sided with Narnia; have you noticed that the price of slaves has been steadily dropping? They are blackmailing the merchants into dropping the prices.
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"And how do you know that Calormen has allied with Narnia in this scheme? Are you in on it too?" she asked the governor; knowing that he wouldn't hear her.
Thwack.
"At least I don't have to…do that…" Maeody shuddered at the thought.
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As I am sure you can tell, this is wrong. These two countries are envious of our wealth, and by allying themselves against us, they are trying to bring us down to their level. Or, should I say, change the places. We shall be the poor ones while they sit up near the top of the metaphorical pyramid of wealth; enjoying all the money and entertainment! And the food and weapons, of course; we mustn't forget them.
I would have asked you to do something quite different, but I know that you would never do it. It would never work anyway. They would just enjoy having you as well as the treasures of our land! We can't have that, can we?
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"That is one of the only things keeping me from assassinating you. Lousy excuse for a governor, that's what I say! All you care about is being comfortable!" she said, practically crying from anger.
Again, she vented her anger on a tree within shooting range.
Thwack.
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You have already worked on archery and swordplay, so I needn't advise you on that.
Now, what I need you to do is this.
You must board a ship. I have one prepared for you. It is called the Star of the East, referring to Galma, you see, and all that we offer, including yourself, for you truly are a star and one of our treasures!
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"That's all that I am?! Something to offer?" she asked the sky, furiously scrubbing the tears off of her cheeks, and then moved to a different train of thought, "Why'd you add that last part…did you think that would make me want to work for you? You're worse than I thought…" She scowled.
Snap.
An arrow was broken in two.
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While on this ship, you must…no, never mind. Don't cut your hair short; if our plan backfires, we may need your hair. (Be sure to hide it under a hat or something before you land.)
I have packed some men's clothes for you to wear that should be around your size. As you go about your day on board, you should wear them, just to get used to the feel of them.
You're probably wondering why I am having you do this and not a male. A man will be likely to have a worse punishment than a woman if he is caught. I am rather fond of you, and therefore would prefer to keep you alive for as long as possible!
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"Oh, yes, I'm sure you do!" she muttered bitterly, still crying, then changing her thought subject again, "Raidas. What reputable person has a name like that?"
Thwack!
This arrow was shot particularly hard.
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When you reach Narnia (for that is where you are going; I would prefer one so young to stay away from Calormen! (Unless you want to go there; if so, feel free, for they are our enemies as well.), you must hold yourself as a man would. I trust that you know how, having three brothers, but if you do not, permit me to remind you: you deepen your voice, stand straight, walk with a saunter, you know the rest.
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"Does he think that anyone in their right mind would take me for a male?! I am a girl, and that is what I look like!" More tears came.
"Stupid man…"
Snap.
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Become friends (or pretend to) with the kings as soon as possible. Every moment that you delay, the Lone Islands lose money, my dear, keep that always in your head.
If you truly do become friends, then end it as soon as soon as possible. We can't afford any second guesses; you either do this or you don't. And you must do it!
Remember that the Four aren't true rulers. They are not even native to the area! You must do your job quickly, and let no one detect you.
If you are found out to be a female, use other ways (I'm sure you know what I mean by that) of doing your job. Flirt with the kings. Pretend to enjoy the queens' company, that sort of thing.
As I said before, let no one know that it was you.
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She was so mad by this point that she had nothing to say.
Her tears and anger caused her to aim wrong. She missed the tree.
The arrow flew into the bushes, and there was first a sharp cry, and then a scream.
As Maeody ran the path that her arrow had gone, the last lines of the governor's letter played in her her head-
If you have not already guessed, I need you to do something that is extremely dangerous.
You must assassinate the kings and queens of Narnia.
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Italics is the letter, everything else is normal.
What did you think?