Chapter Nine: The Loophole

24 Quickening, 1002

Cair Paravel

Dear Ed,

Whatever did you do to all those Dogs? They arrived at the Cair so dusty and worn out that even many of the larger ones were riding in the wagon and almost all were silent for once. Everyone here was rightly impressed and we want to know your secret. Poor Phillip is quite done with the lot of them, but I assured him that they would not be an issue on the return trip since he'll be departing here next month as a free Horse, not your mount, and therefore they would have no cause or duty to follow him. Indeed, I already promised him I will forbid them to trail him unless he's being ridden by you. He was very reassured and you can look forward to a quiet ride home.

The supplies forwarded to the Lithin School were most gratefully received and the ladies and their children are thriving, as is their school. The Nymphs told the soldiers that the locals have been much kinder since your visit, and some eligible bachelors in the area have taken to calling upon the ladies. With Susan's patronage, the school has become the largest and best in the area, with twenty-six students and more expected when the weather gets warmer. Over the winter, during the storms of Yule, even the Blue River Smithy reached out to them to be sure there was no want of supplies, something they had never done before. The ladies feel they have you to thank for that, so well done, my Just King.

The Gloriosa from Galma arrived five days after you left with a hold full of samite and brocade fabrics and gold from the islands for trade in Archenland and Calormen. We met them at Kellsalter and they had barely anchored before the Dwarf engineers were clamoring to know about currents and being able to site the harbor from the sea. I think we will have to build a breakwater after all, which will delight the Merfolk, and a lighthouse. Captain Lord Ilano's son Ilando kindly inquired after you in the hopes of renewing your acquaintance. He had to settle for me and the Peridansons, but his father freed him from duty on ship for a day and I think we kept him sufficiently entertained that he might be persuaded to return. It was a jolly visit, though they left on the fourth day after some trading and restocking their supplies. They bought quite a bit of cedar timber and wool from our stores, and all that remained of last year's surplus of dried fruits. Apples, it seems, are a rarity in Calormen, and Captain Lord Ilano put in an order for a score of whole cedar trunks and asked we let them season until his next voyage south, so I've dispatched some Dryads and Woodpeckers to find some suitable trees to fell. Lucy learned five new songs even before we feasted the crew the first night, though mercifully nothing bawdy yet. Susan decreased their fabric and increased their gold supplies, as did many of the palace ladies and the tailors, so anticipate a new wardrobe upon your return. I couldn't stop her, but I'll do what I can to save us from anything overly colorful. They had several books on board - a history, a book of fables from Terebinthia, and something dull about plants - and our scribes worked 'round the clock to copy them fair and a court artist is adding her illustrations to the fables. Irel can't decide if he's happy or put out as he has to make room in the library for three new books and he hasn't stopped muttering. I have the history book in our room until then. It's quite dry but good for putting me to sleep.

If the opportunity arises, pray tell me how things are faring with you at the smithy. I hope and trust all are well, and all is well with you and your clan. If you want for anything, you have but to ask. Your loving brother,

Peter

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

27 Quickening, 1002

Blue River Smithy

Peter,

Good my king, you are brilliant beyond telling. I knew given some time a loophole in the Dogs' oath would be found. It's the simplest thing – I can't imagine why I haven't thought of it before. I just have to walk out of sight of the Dogs before mounting. That way I can enjoy some silence, Phillip can enjoy not having anyone underhoof, and no one's father's tail will be offended. Oreius tells us there is always a way through or around a problem and you clearly have taken that lesson to heart and found the answer I was seeking. Dearest brother, you have my undying gratitude.

Everyone at the smithy is doing very well. Brint's new son, Brennan, is smelly and cheerful as babies are, I suppose. I'm rather frightened to hold him since he's scarce bigger than a kitten. The glass mirror I brought for him has provided hours of entertainment not just for him, but for his parents. Bly informs me Brennan talks to his reflection the livelong day. Please tell Lucy that her suggestion of giving Baia a doll was a perfect gift, and extend my thanks to her ladies for the doll's wardrobe. Baia has not put the doll down since I arrived, and every morn I'm informed of her dress choice for the day. Brack is in quiet ecstasies over the atlas I had made for him and I've held a handful of informal geography classes for the children. Lewiston will be proud of all I've remembered. I've promised to bring more books for next year but they're so eager I was thinking Phillip could bring a few when he returns to fetch me home. Perhaps you could consult with Chiefs Blait and Kellerbeam as to what sort of books might be best.

The supplies were as welcome here as they were in Lithin. The cooks were particularly excited over the spices and the salt. I've asked them to share out the salt with anyone in the neighborhood who needs it. Lion knows we have an endless supply, so perhaps you might send more with my escort as it is in high demand this far inland. The hides you sent caused a great stir and the masters are eager to put them to best use, which has sparked a number of lively debates (and by debates, I mean shouting matches). The shark skin and the alligator particularly impressed them, they never having encountered either before, and I suspect the alligator will end up on permanent display rather than used constructively. They like it too much to ruin it. It's presently hung in the longhouse and the children have named it Babagee the Biter, dread terror of the marsh. They're making up stories with it as the villain and each of them as the slayer of dragons. You may be responsible for a new local legend, Peter.

I'm presently discovering ways to mangle steel rods. Master Beal, whose daughters I saved from the Werewulf, promises in the end I'll be making arrowheads. I admire his optimism and might share it by Fourthday evening. I'm surrounded by the youngest apprentices, and I've been made very welcome because I make all of them look highly skillful by comparison.

Brickit is well but something about him is slightly off. I'd say he's nervous, but he's the only one here stammering and fidgeting. I'm not sure what to make of the situation, to be honest, because I can't see any reason for him to be so anxious. He's his usual self, but he can't seem to bring himself to speak to me about anything deeper than the weather, which is a rather miserable steady rain, so you can imagine how riveting the conversation has proven thus far. I know he's something on his mind, but I suppose I'll just let it fester until he can't contain it anymore and bursts out with it. Or I do. When that glorious day arrives, I'll let you know what's bothering him. Until then, give my love to our sisters and I remain

Your Grateful Brother,

Edmund

I blew on the ink to dry the last few words, looking up to Sultana where she hung from the rafters of the longhouse. She was almost fully grown now, fuzzier than the last time I had seen her, and slightly more patient. Clearly she was very excited to be a courier again.

"Your parents know you're going?" I pressed, unwilling to make that mistake twice.

She smiled and waggled her ears, a Bat's giggle. "Yes, Sire."

"Find any of the pages or army officers and they'll get this to my brother. Spend a few days at the Cair if you like. You'll be made welcome and can catch up on the news. I'm sure my siblings will want to send word back. Who's going with you?"

"Muscat and Corinth. Thompson is sweet on Zante and doesn't want to leave so long." She rolled her eyes and shrugged her wings, unimpressed with her peers' crushes. "But if I can persuade her to come, he will, too."

I chuckled at the update on Fruit Bat romances. I folded and tied the letter with cord, sealing it before making a heavy knot for her to hold. I waved it to cool the wax as she dropped down to the table. "Well, he's missing some fine flying weather and fresh fruit. Here. A safe journey to you all."

"And to you, King Edmund," she said earnestly, clutching the letter as I gathered her into my hands to help her launch.

"I'm not going anywhere but back to work," I replied as I carried her outside.

Sultana gave me a cheeky grin and gently teased, "Indeed. For Black Dwarfs."

"Go," I ordered, fighting a laugh as I tossed her skywards. With a happy shout she flew off into the morning sun.