RECAP

(This stiff square of thick parchment is printed with gold leaf, save for the post-script, which was added in hand-written ink.)

To My Dear Colleagues in the Exploration of Mysteries Most Sublime,

The Tylwyth Govannon

Kuroihire Kasumi

Lamina, Sea Witch

Each of you is cordially invited to attend a soiree presented by Serevey Snakewisdom, Erudite, at the estate of Mediolanu Derrant. This invitation is additionally extended to a guest of each of your choosing.

Please be in attendance in your best attire the evening of 12 Late Las, after the final temple bell. Here, you will enjoy refreshments, including the finest wines from all over the Known Earth, and be in the presence of mystics, natural philosophers, and other influential and unafraid free-thinkers. A select group will be invited to experience a transcendent ritual of the far off Wandering Islands. The festivities will conclude at dawn, or at the incapacitation of all guests, whichever comes first.

P.S. Countess, you are invited, too. I’m eager to hear of your experiences and what you think of it all.

Serevey Snakewisdom

(This letter is a long, rectangular folded sheet, with ruled lines running the length. One edge is a little ragged, as if torn from a book. The words on it are written large, squared-off, and neat.)

Kasumi,

I was surprised by your voice. Almost dropped hot steel on my foot the first time. Still, it made me happy to hear from you. When I went by the cottage before that you weren’t there, and the beastkin boy that hangs around Ranute’s Gifts said you and the others left the city.

What I was trying to say during that second sending was that the Belligedors are moving out. Whatever happened up in the Stone had them stirred up like a hornet nest. Captain Raven reports directly to Acenath all the time now. She says she can’t trust the company’s competence so she has to be there. They despise each other.

Acenath has orders from someone else named Mejten who’s one of the Marchioness’ henchmen. She’s sending the Belligedors on the Keizai Princess to Nevbruck in Polto. They’re disembarking there and going into the countryside for something. I’m not sure what, but it’s because they didn’t get what they wanted in the Stone. Afterwards they’re reembarking and we’ll continue into Balt, but the final destination is under wraps. There’s still a lot of money involved: we’re taking on a full load of cerednite again.

The Chief Steward is furious about going into Polto, and says she’ll complain to the Steering Committee. I think she’s mad at herself though, for not thinking they’d use the contract this way. It does feel dangerous, but more dangerous than nearly being derailed by an assassination and a wyvern crashing into the caravan? I don’t know.

I think about you a lot. Even things that shouldn’t, bring you to mind. I was delivering a few pieces for Anya yesterday and suddenly thought about introducing you to her when you came by the furnace the first time. Kahtee teases me about your scale on my handkerchief, but I told her to find her own man and she stopped.

It’s 2 LL today and we leave tomorrow, so I probably won’t see you before we depart. I hope rail meets station again sometime, though. Take care of yourself until then and I’ll do the same.

-Fryderyk

(The tiny, crabbed text of this letter is inscribed on two wax tablets in slate frames. One is cracked across the middle, probably from mishandling in transit, but thankfully it didn’t mar any of the writing. Both were wrapped in an off-cut of pink water silk bound in netting cord with coral beads decorating the knot. A small bag of the same material contains a long necklace of round, carved beads and vivid blue antler coral. Like many of Kaori’s pieces, it could be looped on the wrist for prayer beads, too. While the letter is in Kenta’s handwriting, the post-script is by Kaori.)

Kasumi,

The harbor waters are warm with all the recent hot weather, and the fish are schooling farther out. We haven’t had a real storm yet this las and I hope it stays that way.

I was just telling your mother we’d hear from you soon when she was fretting about it being a long time. She then switched to saying that you’d be back before the end of Las having gotten this traveling nonsense over and done with. I didn’t think so, but you know how she gets.

Things are good as they ever were in Widpool! There’s a tribe of muruch moving through, and they’re stealing crab traps but it’s been a good winter and there’s enough to go around. It’s more the principle of the thing. I’m just glad I fish with nets and never messed with traps. They have to be set so deep, and your mother doesn’t like me away for so long. Away all day, not any longer, that’s how she likes it! Yonten has been complaining about the theft and has his boy keeping watch on his sets so I rarely see them these days. What that son of his would do if he caught the muruch at it, I don’t know. Maybe joke about them not catching their own crabs?

I showed your letter to Arumi because she came calling on your mother. She’s glad to hear you’re well and wants to know what the Keltokel fashions are this season. Etirumi is selling scrolls and I hear he’s trying to find space for a scribery and trinket shop on the waterfront, but I haven’t talked to him since you left. A little strange he’d never come around and say “hi.” That’s iaret for you maybe.

Your mother says to be careful of the ozrut. I don’t see them much, even in crews that stop in the harbor, and when I do, they keep to themselves whether they’re red or blue. I heard a rumiany demolished Moguchi’s place after a night of drinking, but that was before you were born. Then again, plenty of other people have broken his tables, chairs, and bowls without having horns to explain it. If there’s anyone who’d make nice with them it would be you, I say. Still, I have to pass along her warning.

Speaking of which, your mother insists that tylwyth are all related. She said the ones she saw on her trip selling in Dove were all “kindred” this and “cousin” that. Seeing them from a distance makes her an expert. I mentioned it to the monks at the lamasery because I was thinking about it while fishing and they said that perhaps it’s just a manner of speech.

Thank you for the dishes, the silver cup cleaned up very nice, but it feels wrong to drink out of it, it must be very old. And the bowl is so heavy and rich, it’s something a Constable would display proudly! We’ve put them in a place of honor and I get them down to show visitors and tell them how you sent them. No one is surprised you won an award for your music and we are as proud of you as could be.

Your mother is sending along this necklace because she’s upset you’re performing in front of huge crowds without anything nice to wear. She found the blue bits while beachcombing and said they put her in mind of strong wind, deep sky, and mountains. That’s a bit much for me, but you’ve got her artistic side, so I figure you’ll understand. Be sure to let her know how much you like it!

It sounds like you’ve done a lot of other things besides just perform, including things that didn’t make it into the letter, so I hope you’re staying safe. I’m sure you don’t need to be told by now that you’re not in Widpool where you can yell and the Constable’s men will come running to see what the matter is. Remember that iaret are probably friendly, and with humans, they’re usually whatever they look like.

Stay healthy, and don’t forget any meals. When you’re hungry, that’s when you can get sick, especially if you’re sleeping outside, on the ground, or in open water.

To our daughter with love,

Kenta

and Kaori

P.S. Your father forgot to say, but we received your letter on the 20th of Middle Las, and this will leave for Keltokel the 25th of Middle Las on the sloop Kyriake with Captain Sugar. If it’s damaged, late, or anything is missing, you’ll know where to direct the complaint.