In which Landis reaps something from Thomas, and Cecile returns to Budehuc after a long winter in Caleria with Nash in tow.
We never did find out why all the dogs of Budehuc enjoy defiling Nash's socks, did we?
Biggest unanswered canon question for the whole series.
The contents of this chapter are loosely based on a post from March 9th, 2005.
For the first time in weeks, the thick cover of clouds and grey skies finally broke. The month of March was always a bit of a gamble, and Thomas couldn't help but hope spring this year would come early. Maybe once the weather cleared he'd be able to accompany Kinnison on another hunt…
"Huh huh huh...having fun, castle master?"
"W-what!?" Thomas sat up in his chair with a jerk, then immediately pushed the chair backwards. Landis's face hovered only inches from his, upside down in mid-air. The faintest scent of fish lingered on his breath. "L-L-Landis, what are you doing in here?!"
"Hee hee, wouldn't you like to know?"
"I would like to know, please," he coughed and put on his best stern voice.
The winger continued to cackle and did a lazy somersault in mid-air. "Maybe I'll tell you if you ask nicely. I waited allllll winter for you to figure it out, but you never did! Disappointing!"
"Figure...it out?"
"Something that belongs to you was given as an offering to the Grim Reaper, but you were too busy to even notice, huh huh."
"Landis, if this is about the missing socks, please… don't return them. Just...keep them. I'm sure the...er, Grim Reaper will be satisfied with them."
Landis sniggered and did a mock backstroke in the air. "The Grim Reaper prefers when his offerings are noticed, but since you didn't even see...he's generous enough to return them to you. There's no fun reaping from people who don't care, hee hee…"
The young castle master squirmed uncomfortably. Whatever Landis took from him, it probably wasn't socks this time. "Landis...if you have something of mine, I'd appreciate it if you return it, please."
"Yuh huh huh, the castle master is actually curious now?"
Thomas sighed. "Yes. Please?"
"Hee hee hee…" Landis reached into his tattered shirt and procured a stack of envelopes bound together with twine. He tossed the stack back and forth between his hands before dropping it on Thomas's head with another cackle. "Just in time for today's news, hee hee!"
"Today's...news…?"
Landis did another spin in the air and flew out the door. "You'll see, huh huh huh…"
Thomas rubbed his forehead as the stack slid off and landed in his lap. Whatever Landis took from him was heavier than it appeared. He untied the bundle and leafed through a pile of envelopes. Every single one was addressed to him. Postage marks and paper coloration varied, but the handwriting was very consistent and very familiar. His stomach felt heavy with dread as the realization dawned on him.
This is...months and months of letters from Cecile.
"I thought it was strange that I hadn't heard from her, but…" Thomas stared at the pile splayed across his desk and grimaced. How could he have let himself get so carried away? Why didn't it dawn on him sooner? After a week went by without any word, he recalled briefly wondering, but…
I was so wrapped up with my own duties…
No, that was a lie. He knew it was a lie and felt even worse.
I was too distracted spending time with Kinnison.
How many times had he actually written to her? Without receiving any written word in return, he assumed she was simply busy and didn't prioritize reaching out. Thomas scoured his memory...two letters? Three? He knew he didn't send more than three all winter. Yet here was a stack that easily spanned 2-3 letters on a weekly basis. After years of friendship, he knew her better than to assume she'd barely write, yet he went the entire winter without questioning her silence.
"Master Thomas!" A booming voice sounded from the doorway and roused him from his gloom. Fred Maximillian waved a beckoning hand. "Wonderful news! Lady Cecile has just returned, and Sir Nash is with her!"
Ah. That was what Landis meant by 'today's news'...
Of course the winger knew before anyone else. He could fly. Even if Landis didn't derive satisfaction from initially stealing Cecile's letters, he still managed to get the last laugh in delivering them the day she returned.
"T-that's wonderful news indeed," Thomas rose from his seat and walked alongside Fred as they descended the staircase. "Thank you for letting me know, Sir Fred."
"Of course, Master Thomas! Truth be told, their return was a little earlier than expected!"
"E-earlier?"
"Well, in her last letter she noted they planned to be back by mid-March. How fortuitous they made such good time! I am impressed given the bleak weather as of late."
Even Fred was receiving letters...what have I been doing?
The raucous sounds of barking reached his ears before he even set eyes on the crowd. Juan struggled to walk across the courtyard, the welcome basket dogs circling around his feet and yipping with excitement. The dojo master looked haggard and frustrated.
"Juan!" Cecile's voice rang out across the grounds and she clattered over to him. "Don't step on them! Be careful!"
"Yeah yeah," Juan rolled his eyes and shuffled off to the side, giving the dogs full access to their favorite person. "I'm only interrupting my morning nap because it's you, so you should be happy I came to greet you."
"He wasn't napping at all," Queen approached from behind with a laugh, "not with all the dogs barking. We're glad to have you back, Cecile. And for my status report, I promise everyone was patrolling to the best of their abilities in your absence."
"Oh, thank you so much!" Cecile bowed and the feather in her helmet flopped in her face. "Sir Nash said I left the castle in good hands, and I am so glad I believed him!"
Nash sauntered over and flashed a charming smile. "Aw, Cecile, why would I lie to you?"
"Presumptuous of him to assume he knows what's going on here when he's not around," Queen raised an eyebrow.
"Hey now, I have my sources. And might I say, you look even better than my sources said, Queen. Maybe once I get settled back in we can catch up, have a drink and—hey, what the—not the socks—!"
Several welcome basket dogs circled at the Harmonian's heels. It didn't take a genius to know what they were aiming for. Cecile rushed over and tried shooing them away with little success.
Fred chuckled at Thomas's side. "I suppose things really don't change much."
Thomas couldn't help but laugh along. It was hard to feel glum with all the commotion.
"Master Thomas!" Cecile instantly ran over at the sound of his laughter, then whipped into a rigid salute. "I have returned to my post! I will begin patrol immediately—!"
"N-no, that's fine. Please, take some time to settle in," he nodded. Up close he could see smudges of dirt across her cheeks, and the sheen of her armor appeared a little duller than he recalled. Even Nash looked a little bedraggled. The trip across Mountain Path this time of year was most likely not easy. Seeing her looking worn down only worsened the feelings of guilt building in his stomach as he thought back to the stack of unread letters sitting on his desk.
"But we're all together again, Master Thomas! I don't need to settle. I am settled!"
The young castle master found himself smiling in the face of her boundless enthusiasm. How did he manage to go months without her? Now that she was back everything felt balanced again. "I'm sure Juan and the others are more than happy to patrol a little bit longer. You deserve a rest."
"Whoa what?" Juan sputtered, "I didn't sign up for that. I'm totally okay with getting back to my nap—Koroku, don't pee on my socks! Nash is over there—!"
A cheerful giggle sounded from the appraisal shop doorway. Yun stepped into the sun and surveyed the courtyard with amusement. "Cecile! You're back earlier than expected!"
Oh no, even Yun received letters? Was I the only one not reading their mail?
The young garrison commander waved at her friend. "Sir Nash is a fast walker!"
Nash groaned and nudged the dogs away from his socks again. "Would've been faster with the mirror…"
"We absolutely have to catch up," Yun flitted across the courtyard and grasped her friend's hands in hers. "I have so much to tell you! Of course, I imagine you need to give your report to Master Thomas first?" the shaman cast him a sideways glance. Thomas swallowed. Did she know about Landis stealing his mail?
"Ah, you're right!" Cecile nodded and beamed a bright smile in the castle master's direction. "Please let me know whenever you're free, Master Thomas! I will give you a full report as soon as you aren't busy!"
"I-I'm free now…"
"Are you sure?"
Thomas tugged at the collar of his shirt. Yun's smile...even if she didn't know about Landis stealing his mail, it didn't matter. He felt thoroughly guilty by this point. "I have plenty to report too...why not come by after dinner and we'll compare notes?"
"Absolutely!" Cecile's face was pink and she nodded again.
The crowd began to disperse until only Thomas stood by the stairs, watching Cecile chatter with Yun. The remaining dogs piled atop the staircase, lazy and satisfied after having their fill of attention and relieving themselves on Nash's socks. Cecile waved one last time to her friend before running up the castle steps towards the manor.
"You're still here, Master Thomas?"
"Eh?" he blinked. Yun was watching him. "S-sorry, I was distracted."
"Hm," her smile was serene. "It's nice having everyone return again, although I confess I was disappointed to hear Sir Nash hadn't heard much from Lady Chris lately…"
"Er...yes, that is a shame," he answered but didn't really give any consideration to his words. His mind was already elsewhere. "I really ought to get back to work."
"I see," Yun bowed, then met his eyes. "When will you tell her?"
"Tell...tell who what?"
"Oh dear," Yun sheepishly folded her hands together with an apologetic giggle. "Maybe you weren't ready to announce it yet. It's just Mamie and I couldn't help but see you and Sir Kinnison after Valentine's Day dinner—"
Heat rose to his face. Kinnison's goodbye kiss wasn't exactly intended to be a secret, but Thomas was convinced no one was around to see. An uncomfortable mixture of embarrassment and shame churned in his stomach.
Yun continued, as if aware he was at a loss for a response. "It is lovely to see you happy, Master Thomas."
Is this happiness?
"A-ah...th...thank you…"
For a moment he considered asking the shaman if she could see what his future held with the archer. But doubt and anxiety held him back.
I don't think I want to hear the answer.