Chapter 8
Dear Janco,
By now, I think that we can both agree that there's a high possibility that my cousin Yelena is writing to your...er, scary man. In fact, I'm almost certain of it. My cousin has just told me that he decided to cut off their correspondence and she's very upset about it. You don't think he's one of those men that dallies around with various women on a daily basis, do you?
In fact, my cousin is more than upset. It's as if something that been keeping her breathing has been broken, and her life is slowly trickling away. I'm probably exxagerating, but I think these two definitely need our help.
You mentioned that you wanted us to meet when you come to the Citadel. Well, I agree. I also have a wonderful idea to put into action. You can bring this scary man of yours and I can bring Yelena so they can meet each other as well. Why don't we meet at Unity Fountain? It's one of the most famous structures in the Citadel so you'll be able to find it if you ask for directions.
When exactly are you coming?
Love, Nutty
My dear Nutty,
I have to say I'm glad you've decided to meet me. Couldn't resist my charm, could you?
I also hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there could be a problem with your plan. Scratch that, there's a major obstacle to cross. The man that you refer to as the "scary man" is...well, a scary man. Not the monsters-under-the-bed kind of scary but the kill-you-if-you-annoy-him kind of scary. We've never exchanged more than a polite greeting or two (except when you challenged me to ask about his letter) and there'd be no reason for him to come with me.
Think about it. He's a high ranking official (that's all I'm going to say about him) and he has other duties to attend to. He won't want to go sightseeing with a scout, or go with him to meet his correspondent. If I tell him Yelena's going to be there, he has more reason not to go. After all, he was the one who broke it off, wasn't he?
-Janco
Janco,
Don't be a dumb valmur. If he's a high ranking official, all you have to do is to tell him that there's a chance that Ixia's security could be compromised and that there's a secret meeting at the Unity Fountain. Wait...never mind. The Unity Fountain is too public for such a meeting. Just tell him that there will be smugglers gathering at the Fountain to exchange diamonds for silk. Sitia does need more diamonds, anyways.
Then, hopefully, as soon as he sees Yelena, he'll forget what he came there for. (here there was a large drawing of a grinning valmur)
Love, Nutty
My dear Nutty,
I am not a dumb valmur. I've thought of that, and if the plan doesn't work, I'm dead. On the other hand, I thought you said your cousin wanted to keep her identity secret. You can't just announce who she is to him.
What if they aren't writing to each other in the first place? How are we going to explain it then? (here there was a large drawing of a frowning valmur)
-Janco
Dear Janco,
You think too much. They'll still know who the other is, on an instinctive level. I can just feel that there's something special between them. And if they aren't writing to one another after all, well, there's no harm done in trying. I look forward to seeing you!
Love, Nutty
My dear Nutty,
All right. You win, and I can't believe I'm actually doing this. Meet me there three days after the cooling season starts, at sunset.
-Janco
P.S. If I don't write back after we meet, it's probably because I'm incapacitated, and that's one of the better possible scenarios.
Two weeks before the meeting was to take place...
"Yelena!" called Nutty. "We have to leave now if we want to catch a lift with the mail cart!"
Yelena came down the stairs, her hair untidy from sleeping and her eyes half closed. "I'm not going, Nutty."
"What! You promised! And besides, I have a surprise for you when you get there..." Nutty said mysteriously. "I promise that you'll like it."
"No. Tempting, but no."
"Yelena..." Nutty trailed off. "You can just stay here and...and mope! Eventually you'll have to get over it. And what's a better way to do that than a refreshing trip to the Citadel?"
"If Yelena doesn't wish to go, she doesn't, "interjected Walnut as he came out of the shadows. "In any case, I will keep my cousin happily occupied." There was a leer in his expression that frightened Yelena. When he tried to put his arm around her shoulders, she shrank away.
"Er, that's quite alright, Walnut. On second thought, I'm coming, just wait for a few minutes so I can pack!" Saying this hurriedly, Yelena fled the room.
Walnut scowled. "My cousin does not appreciate the honour of having my affections."
Nutty snorted. "Can you blame her?" she muttered under her breath.
"What was that?"
"Um...nothing."
Yelena appeared once again and all but swept Nutty out the door. When Nutty looked back, she saw that Walnut's face had turned dark with fury. Perhaps it was a good thing that they left now. With that look on his face, Walnut couldn't be planning anything good.
Sorry about the long wait! My other story, A Tale of Sitia, is going to be updated soon so just bear with me please :)