And my grief at parting from you is like that of the turtle-dove, which brings pleasure to the hot listener, retired in a thickly-leaved tree from the heat of summer, like a singer behind a curtain. Missive
Dear Raoul,
I miss you so. Roald and Shinko are married, and the stupid pomp is driving me out of Tortall! I can't stand all the balls, and parties, and dinners, and whatever else Thayet cooks up for me. I'm even wearing a dress! Yes, it's pretty, and there's no lace on it anywhere, but it's a dress!
Now, with the war over, when are you coming back to Corus? I'm getting tired of sitting on my bottom waiting for you. What do I have to do to see you these days?
Yuki, Shinko, and I have become fast friends, and I spend a lot of time together. Aside from the border, the realm has been quiet, and the Riders back in town and bored silly. Perhaps one day we'll actually have something to do!
Yuki and I are getting tired of waiting for you and Neal. I think we're both thinking about just packing up and leaving.
Love,
Buri
Thayet smiled from her spot in an alcove. True love had finally reached her best friend…