Letters from Home
Chapter Three:
"Can I help you?" asked the woman sitting at the cluttered desk.
Kel gave her a warm smile. "Would you mind if I look around?" The woman nodded her head, so she walked past the desk to search.
The store was small and crowded with shelves. She passed shelve after shelve, looking for books her best friend might enjoy. After several minutes, she selected several histories, of Tortall as well as other countries, an adventure book that he would like, one on war tactics through the ages, another on healing through the ages, and one on the Lioness, just as a joke.
After she purchased the things, she walked to another shop nearby, hoping to find something to remind him of home. Finally, she selected a painting of the castle at daybreak, knowing that her best friend would love it, and returned to the castle to reply to his letter.
Neal,
I know, I am terrible! Not only do I blame you for causing trouble, I laughed when an innocent-or not so innocent, in your case-person could have been harmed! I know, no one understands you, everyone is horrible to you. How do you survive?
Glad to hear that you eat your vegetables, though. I'm overjoyed that you like your nickname. And watch your language, young man! You said 'bloody' five times! You're lucky I'm not there, Nealan!
I'm going to kindly ignore the comment about you never doing anything stupid, for I could name several times when you have. However, I am nice and will not mention them. Be thankful that I'm not your cousin.
So glad that you notice little things like that. And you'd better tell me if you're in any fighting, or if there is any fighting around you!
Of course, it's wonderful being at the palace. I can sit all day and practice with myself, or read, and have absolutely no one to talk to! The only way my shoulder is going to get better is by working it.
I'm glad that you're practicing. You need to every chance you get. However, there is a packet attached with some things that will keep you entertained when you arent busy. You probably opened it first, so you already know what it is. I hope you like it. Don't be lazy too much, Meathead. We can't have you snoozing through the war, can we?
Love,
KelShe looked at the letter, smiling, before wrapping the books and picture up. As she was tying the string, she thought of something else she knew her best friend would enjoy. Quickly, she stood up and walked out the door, checking her pockets to make sure she had enough money.
"Good day." The man at the counter greeted. "How may I help you?"
"I'd like a pound of fudge, two dozen cookies, a tin of your best candy, and...umm, what else would you suggest?"
"How about
a thing of our best chocolate?" he placed another, larger container
on the counter.
She nodded her head and smiled happily. Neal
was going to love this! She had several months' worth of sweets for
him. Maybe she would send him some sweet rolls too...
"Do you have any sweet rolls?" She asked, biting her lip.
He nodded his head and pointed to a large tray underneath the counter. They were small balls coated with sugar. She shook her head, knowing that he didn't need this many sweets.
"Okay. I'll take a dozen of those, too." She watched as he packed them in a box.
"Your sweetheart off fighting?" He asked.
"No, my best friend." She explained.
He frowned
slightly, and she stuck out a hand. "I'm Keladry of Mindelan."
His eyes widened. "Tanith Mellar, milady. Do you mind if I
ask why you arent out there too?"
She flinched. "I got a pretty bad shoulder wound a few weeks ago, and the healers are keeping me from battle."
He nodded his head in understanding. "It'll be three gold nobles, my lady." She gave him the coins and turned to grab her bag when an idea struck her.
"Do you
have any vegetables? Canned, maybe?" She asked, a wide grin
spreading across her face.
He went into another room. When
he came back, he was carrying three different jars. One had beets,
but the others she didn't recognize.
She pointed
to the beets. "I'll take those, too, please." He put them in
the bag with the rest of the things. She began to pull out a few more
coins to give him, but he shook his head.
"No, you've
already bought enough. This one's free. I hope your friend enjoys
everything."
She thanked him and left, heading back to her room to pack everything and send it off to him.
"Queenscove!" Someone shouted from behind him. He brought his sword to his side and, wiping the sweat off his forehead, turned to see what they wanted.
"You've
gotta package." The person told him.
Who would send him a
package? He shrugged his shoulders and walked towards the other man.
There were two boxes, both of a pretty big size. Attached to the first was a letter. He grabbed the things and walked to his room, curious to see what it was.
Pulling out
the letter, he began to read, and smiled as he recognized his best
friend's handwriting. Finishing it, he set it down and moved to the
boxes.
The first had several brand new books. He shook his
head at her thoughtfulness as he looked through them. As he picked up
the last, a note fell out of it.
Neal,
I hope you like the books. I thought you would miss your old knight master, so I thought I'd give you something to remind you of her.He laughed lightly and turned back to the box. At the bottom was a thing wrapped in brown paper. Neal ripped the covering off and turned it over, wondering what it was. The palace. It was beautiful. How could she always find him the perfect gifts?
He turned to the next box, and his eyes widened in shock as he saw what was in it. That was enough sweets to last for a few months! He shook his head in wonder. She was amazing some times. A laugh escaped his throat as he saw the jar and picked up the note attached.
Neal,
Just thought you needed some
extra vegetables. Enjoy!
He laughed again before sitting down to write her.
Kel,
Great. Now I can't agree with you that you're terrible. You did that on purpose! Anyway, thank you for all the stuff. I absolutely love all my stuff. Especially the book on the Lioness. I've been wanting to be scared for my life. I will be sure that someone eats those yucky vegetables. Well, maybe I could eat them. With as many sweets as you sent, I probably will need them!
How do I survive? I have you, of course, my dear. And yes, I am extremely glad you arent my cousin. He would insist on reminding me of all the stupid things I've done. By the way, I'm so scared. And, I am a fully-grown man!
I know that, Kel thought with a smile before realizing what she had done. Her eyes widened, and a few Yamani curses escaped her mouth. She turned back to the letter before she thought anything else like that.
I can use any words I choose to use!
Well, anyway, whatever you do, get back here soon. I miss having my best friend around.
Love always,
Neal
So, how was it? I know, I was in an odd mood. Could you tell I was having a sweet craving? I was day dreaming of sugar.
