Chapter 11: Letters
For the months leading up to Midwinter, Fi and Liam conversed through letters. Fi took great joy in reading and replying to the Prince's notes....
5th September
Dear Liam,
Thanks for leaving me that letter. It meant a lot to me. I'm also honoured that you left the garden in my care. I visit it every day. The first time I went I found that one of the corner trees was infected. When I healed it, I got another black opal. I took it to your father and he thinks I was right in saying that opals are solidified poison.
Kel and I are now teacher the fourth year pages the Yamani fighting arts. To begin with they weren't too impressed that one of their teachers was a female the same ago, but once I showed them what I could do with a dagger, well, the showed a little more respect. Kel has taught me well with the weapon, but I want to try the glaive.
I hope all is well at ha Minch. Say hello to Neal for Kel and I. Gods bless,
Fiona
23rd September
Dear Fi,
I'm glad you wrote.. I miss the palace but ha Minch is nice. I have also been teaching the younger ones Shang fighting. Apparently I take the after the man I was named after (the late Shang Dragon, who saved my fathers life) because unarmed combat is my speciality. Whilst I was a page, Eda Bell gave me extra training wherever possible. I get on really well with the children. I make sure I help the youngest in my teaching group as much as the oldest. I've always tried to be fair.
The spidren problem that I spoke of is quite large. It'll take quite a while to sort out. We've been sent a small company of the 'Own to help. Thank Raoul for me, as they will be a great help. Neal sends his love to you and Kel. Write soon
Liam.
1st October
Dear Liam,
It amused me to hear that you are teaching as well. I know the story of the Shang Dragon's death. Eight arrows I believe he took. I thanked Raoul for you as you asked, but he dismissed it. Something about it being his job or something to that effect.
Last week I was called to help the city healers. There's a fever running through the lower class and he king sent a lot of the lesser healers, including myself and Relaeh of Queenscove, into Corus to help stop its further spread. I cured my first three people during it. I recognised it from my old world. There it was known as measles. We had what is known as an immunisation to stop us catching that and other such diseases. I'm going to help Duke Baird create one for measles here, so that we can kill it and wipe it out altogether. I'll tell you how it's progressing,
I hope you can kill off the spidrens in ha Minch before Midwinter. I'd like you here for my first Tortallan birthday.
May Shakith watch over you
Fi.
14th October
Dear Fi,
We have been very busy with the spidrens recently. Only this morning we destroyed a whole nest in the north of the fief. They make me feel sick. They are disgusting, monstrous creatures. The sooner we get rid of the majority of them, the better. I never want to see on again.
Last Wednesday, we recieved some unexpected visitors. Lord Reskith Moonsword, Rikesh's son, came with a small amount of the Stone Tree nation to help us destroy the spidrens. As a rule, the two species of immortal dont get on, and apparently, these spidrens have stolen territory off them. I'm not going to argue, the more the merrier. I dont think Sir Aromat was too pleased but he'll get over it.
May the Wavewalker give you a calm sea to sail
Your good friend,
Liam
October 30th
Dear Liam
The immunisation is going well. We gave it to Kel three days ago and after feeling a little queasy for a day, she was fine. We then tried the full disease on her and she didn't feel ill at all. The idea Duke Baird and I slaved over for a month works!
I'm interested in what Lord Reskith is like. Is he a fair individual like his father, or is he like most Stormwings? I've read about Rikesh, and from what I've gathered he was a very funny if a little narrow-minded and sick at times.
I now have enough to buy everybody Midwinter gifts. I get paid two gold nobles a day for teaching. I offered to pay for the dress the Queen got me but she wouldn't let me. I hope you get back in time for Midwinter.
With all the Mother's blessings.
Fi
November 12th
Dearest Fi
The Stormwing lord is very like his father. Though his smell is not particularly pleasant, his nature is. He believed in honour and fairness. But he detests Spidrens. With a passion. He's one tough cookie when he wants to be. I almost pity those monsters.
There has been an onslaught on the castle. A couple of my Shang group were killed. One of them was a really cheerful young girl. We managed to get her back, but the healers couldn't save her. She was smiling 'til the end. Now she's gone, its like a candle has gone out in this dark place. Writing letters give me a little strength. I can't wait for the time I can leave. This place stinks of death.
May Mithros always bring you sunshine. From your,
Liam
December 2nd
Dear Liam
I'm sorry I took so long to reply. I was hit with unicorn and was delirious from the 15th to the 22nd. I've spent the last few days making an immunisation for it. I've only just finished!
We've finished plant work in my Earthfire lessons and we're now going on to advanced stone theories. As soon as I know how, I'm going to make you a present using stone. You'll love what I have in mind.
I was saddened to receive your news. Spidrens sicken me. I really look forward to your return. I miss you, even though I've only known you a while, and through all my efforts, the plants miss you too. People say plants don't recognise people, but they do, if you have the touch.
May Gainel bring you restful sleep (you need it!)
Fi
However, Fi never received a reply to the letter. She was upset and didn't speak much to anyone. Slowly, Midwinter approached. The festival peaked on her birthday, the 22nd. On the night of the 21st, Fi went to bed early, expecting nothing with a lonely day to come when she awoke. She sobbed herself to a silent sleep.
For the months leading up to Midwinter, Fi and Liam conversed through letters. Fi took great joy in reading and replying to the Prince's notes....
5th September
Dear Liam,
Thanks for leaving me that letter. It meant a lot to me. I'm also honoured that you left the garden in my care. I visit it every day. The first time I went I found that one of the corner trees was infected. When I healed it, I got another black opal. I took it to your father and he thinks I was right in saying that opals are solidified poison.
Kel and I are now teacher the fourth year pages the Yamani fighting arts. To begin with they weren't too impressed that one of their teachers was a female the same ago, but once I showed them what I could do with a dagger, well, the showed a little more respect. Kel has taught me well with the weapon, but I want to try the glaive.
I hope all is well at ha Minch. Say hello to Neal for Kel and I. Gods bless,
Fiona
23rd September
Dear Fi,
I'm glad you wrote.. I miss the palace but ha Minch is nice. I have also been teaching the younger ones Shang fighting. Apparently I take the after the man I was named after (the late Shang Dragon, who saved my fathers life) because unarmed combat is my speciality. Whilst I was a page, Eda Bell gave me extra training wherever possible. I get on really well with the children. I make sure I help the youngest in my teaching group as much as the oldest. I've always tried to be fair.
The spidren problem that I spoke of is quite large. It'll take quite a while to sort out. We've been sent a small company of the 'Own to help. Thank Raoul for me, as they will be a great help. Neal sends his love to you and Kel. Write soon
Liam.
1st October
Dear Liam,
It amused me to hear that you are teaching as well. I know the story of the Shang Dragon's death. Eight arrows I believe he took. I thanked Raoul for you as you asked, but he dismissed it. Something about it being his job or something to that effect.
Last week I was called to help the city healers. There's a fever running through the lower class and he king sent a lot of the lesser healers, including myself and Relaeh of Queenscove, into Corus to help stop its further spread. I cured my first three people during it. I recognised it from my old world. There it was known as measles. We had what is known as an immunisation to stop us catching that and other such diseases. I'm going to help Duke Baird create one for measles here, so that we can kill it and wipe it out altogether. I'll tell you how it's progressing,
I hope you can kill off the spidrens in ha Minch before Midwinter. I'd like you here for my first Tortallan birthday.
May Shakith watch over you
Fi.
14th October
Dear Fi,
We have been very busy with the spidrens recently. Only this morning we destroyed a whole nest in the north of the fief. They make me feel sick. They are disgusting, monstrous creatures. The sooner we get rid of the majority of them, the better. I never want to see on again.
Last Wednesday, we recieved some unexpected visitors. Lord Reskith Moonsword, Rikesh's son, came with a small amount of the Stone Tree nation to help us destroy the spidrens. As a rule, the two species of immortal dont get on, and apparently, these spidrens have stolen territory off them. I'm not going to argue, the more the merrier. I dont think Sir Aromat was too pleased but he'll get over it.
May the Wavewalker give you a calm sea to sail
Your good friend,
Liam
October 30th
Dear Liam
The immunisation is going well. We gave it to Kel three days ago and after feeling a little queasy for a day, she was fine. We then tried the full disease on her and she didn't feel ill at all. The idea Duke Baird and I slaved over for a month works!
I'm interested in what Lord Reskith is like. Is he a fair individual like his father, or is he like most Stormwings? I've read about Rikesh, and from what I've gathered he was a very funny if a little narrow-minded and sick at times.
I now have enough to buy everybody Midwinter gifts. I get paid two gold nobles a day for teaching. I offered to pay for the dress the Queen got me but she wouldn't let me. I hope you get back in time for Midwinter.
With all the Mother's blessings.
Fi
November 12th
Dearest Fi
The Stormwing lord is very like his father. Though his smell is not particularly pleasant, his nature is. He believed in honour and fairness. But he detests Spidrens. With a passion. He's one tough cookie when he wants to be. I almost pity those monsters.
There has been an onslaught on the castle. A couple of my Shang group were killed. One of them was a really cheerful young girl. We managed to get her back, but the healers couldn't save her. She was smiling 'til the end. Now she's gone, its like a candle has gone out in this dark place. Writing letters give me a little strength. I can't wait for the time I can leave. This place stinks of death.
May Mithros always bring you sunshine. From your,
Liam
December 2nd
Dear Liam
I'm sorry I took so long to reply. I was hit with unicorn and was delirious from the 15th to the 22nd. I've spent the last few days making an immunisation for it. I've only just finished!
We've finished plant work in my Earthfire lessons and we're now going on to advanced stone theories. As soon as I know how, I'm going to make you a present using stone. You'll love what I have in mind.
I was saddened to receive your news. Spidrens sicken me. I really look forward to your return. I miss you, even though I've only known you a while, and through all my efforts, the plants miss you too. People say plants don't recognise people, but they do, if you have the touch.
May Gainel bring you restful sleep (you need it!)
Fi
However, Fi never received a reply to the letter. She was upset and didn't speak much to anyone. Slowly, Midwinter approached. The festival peaked on her birthday, the 22nd. On the night of the 21st, Fi went to bed early, expecting nothing with a lonely day to come when she awoke. She sobbed herself to a silent sleep.